My dog nipped me. What do I do next?

[Amaxapax]

I have a three year old GSD X border collie. I got him from Dogs Trust in September. He is the perfect dog in the house and we adore him. He has never met a person he doesn't like, is sweet and gentle, patient with children and is often described as handsome and charming.

However, he hates all other animals, especially dogs. We have managed this as best we can for the past several months. We have tried training and medication, but nothing has been successful. I would like to try a behaviourist, but I'm concerned that the cost will be crippling.

On Friday morning, I took him for his 6am walk. The wind blew my hair into my face so I looked down for a minute to push it away, and suddenly there was another dog coming towards us. I tried to go in the other direction but my dog got a bit tangled up so I decided to do my best and try to manage him while the other dog passed us. My dog was clawing at his face to try to get his Halti off and was working his mouth and he bit my thigh. I don't think he meant to. I spoke to his trainer at Dogs Trust and she said it sounded like a classic redirect bite. He was just too overwhelmed. I don't even know if he realised what he did.

I didn't realise at the time, despite my leg really hurting, but he had bruised me badly and drawn some blood.

As you'd expect, I'm now feeling quite nervous about taking him for walks. I'm not worried at home because he simply isn't aggressive. But I know now what he is capable of on walks. We have tried to get him a muzzle, but he has a long, thin nose and we're struggling to find one that fits properly. Everyone clearly thinks we're crazy for keeping him, particularly as we're going to TTC later this year. But I don't want to send him back to Dogs Trust: he's settled and happy and he doesn't deserve to be rejected from a second home. The people who had him before clearly didn't socialise him properly, but that isn't his fault.

At the moment my husband is working away Monday through Friday, so most walks are my responsibility. And the dog looooves his walks. But where do I go from here? How do I get my confidence back and how can I prevent this situation for occurring again?

Oh, and if anyone had any good muzzle recommendations, they would be gratefully received. I've included a photo so you can see his nose.

[Imozarabelle]

I had a BC cross from the Dogs Trust nearly 14 yrs ago. I explained we hoped to have a family in the future and they let us take the dog. It became aggressive after 5/6weeks growling in the house, etc. was suggested to take it to dog classes where it growled at other dogs. Out walking and playing ball I threw the ball and it bit my thigh badly. Very, very bruised, not too punctured as teeth worn fairly flat luckily. When I rang the dogs trust I had already decided it was the wrong dog for us (imagine if we had a child) and they said when the biting behaviour happens it can be difficult to undo and to bring it back. (It was not a nip but an attack) They then told me it had been a stray, had never lived in a home environment and I am still cross they let me have it.
After that I bought a black bitch Labrador puppy from a well respected local gun dog breeder. I met the father and mother and had 1st pick of the litter. She is now 13 and on her last legs but she has been the dog of my lifetime. Always perfectly behaved even when putting up with three babies/toddlers over those years. I have always had complete trust in her.
I would never have a stray/rehomed dog after this experience. Letting a dog in your home and life you have to trust it.
Some dogs do not adjust to a home & family environment. Sorry to be negative but all dogs are powerful and need to be under control in your home and out on walks where you will meet other dogs, owners and children. X

[Amaxapax]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, Imozarabelle. It was certainly irresponsible for them to let you have that dog without being entirely honest about his history.

Part of the reason I am so committed to my dog is that he is completely fine indoors. He behaves impeccably: no chewing, no accidents, follows all instructions and is hilariously cute and playful. He did not attack me at all and I feel very confident that he never would. His former owners had children, so he has spent a lot of time with newborns and toddlers. He is incredibly patient. He has played fetch with my friend's toddler and sits patiently if children want to pet him. Obviously he will always be carefully supervised with children, but that's no different from any other dog.

I agree that he needs to be in control while on walks. One of my main concerns is how we will accommodate his walks when we have children, because I certainly wouldn't walk him with a baby. But we are taking steps to improve the situation. We have ordered a Mekuti harness and will measure him for a muzzle and work in finding a behaviourist this weekend when my husband is home.

[CalamityKate1]

I second PeanutPattys suggestion of the FB group. The lady with loads of collies certainly does know her stuff :)

[Lanabelle]

baskervilles or 'baskets' are good for the shape of GSD noses. As for the trainer who turned him away from puppy classes - it may not be all it seems, most of the time dogs turned away from training aren't turned away for their ability, usually the owner/ handlers ability (or lack of) and attitude to the training and methods. Its all very well running puppy training and socialisation classes but if the owner isn't keeping up the training and socialisation methods outwith class then its pointless them coming

[ILoveCoreyHaim]

My Staffordshire was attacked whilst being leash walked and gets very scared if leashed when a dog comes towards her and can growl at the dog. She walks next to you if off the leash and won't go anywhere other than a few feet in front. If the same dog walked past with her off the leash she would completely ignore it even if the dog was aggressive towards her. Twice she has been attacked badly on the leash and twice she has lay on the floor waiting for me to save her but these attacks have changed her as she would never have growled at a dog previously. It's more like a back off now warning. It's hard when u have a rescue with no history. About 10 yr ago I got a spaniel out the pound and he was the most dog aggressive dog I ever seen. I had him 2 years then re homed to a friend with loads of land as I physically couldn't walk him and after the kids was unable to walk him at 5 am and midnight to avoid dogs

[Handywoman]

I have a nervous JRT, had her from 7 weeks old, took her to indoor and outdoor puppy classes (disaster, she was totally overwhelmed) and took her all over the place to socialise her and worked very hard at it as per my 'Perfect .Puppy' book.

The end result is that she is still incredibly scared of small or bouncy dogs. Cockerpoos are her worst nightmare! She is now almost four years old, she's gone through phases of being walked by a fab dog walker, she would 'tolerate' those walks, I have also tried loads of positive reinforcement and praise for calm dog interactions, distractions of all kinds etc.

What I have found works is staying totally relaxed: though she may some times lash out at dogs it is mostly a 'telling off'. The other key thing is to adopt a stance that is protective of her. She will actively re trace steps/walk the other way round a field to avoid dogs so needs to feel protected. Sometimes I will go and stand between JRT and another dog if needed, this helps her to feel like I'm there to defend her and keeps her relaxed. Occasionally though she'll go to far ahead or a dog will come round a corner and we'll come unstuck.

I've just bought her a hi-vis bib which says 'I need space' which is really useful. I was running with my JRT today (she was on a leash) and two people were walking a very bouncy puppy that was totally out of control, that made a bee line for my JRT from afar and bounced all over my JRT. I was actually pulling my poor JRT away from the rude puppy as it's owner shouted pointlessly from 500yards away. My JRT doesn't mind me doing this because she knows I'm protecting her. But dogs (or rather owners) who let their dogs bundle in do annoy me! I am sure that owners if confident dogs are equally annoyed at 'snappy' dogs like mine!