Dog just bit another dog!

[Carrotmama]

I am mortified. Our dog is a 2 year old female terrier mix. We think she's coming into season soon and will be getting her neutered after that. I just took her up a narrow path at the back of our house that leads to woods where she walks 2 or 3 times a day. No lead. A very small King Charles looking dog was coming down the path and they met, sniffed, the other dog seemed submissive then my dog barked horribly and bit it in the next and it squealed. No visible mark on the other dog.

I am gutted. Apart from walking her on a lead of course in the future, what should we do to train away this horrible behaviour?

It is probably very relevant to add we have a 5 month old baby! Our dog has been lovely and gentle as usual since we had the baby but a bit attention seeking especially with DP.

Bit it in neck not next!

Apart from walking her on the lead constantly I don't really know what else to suggest!

Our pup was bit on the neck in a similar fashion a couple of weeks ago - no blood drawn or anything and he wasn't injured just a bit shocked, but if it reassures you at all he's fine and it hasn't scared him or made him afraid of other dogs at all.

Did yours show any other sign of aggression/fear before the bite?

How unpleasant. Especially that her victim was a tiny submissive dog. CKCSs are renowned for non-aggression and tend to plop to the ground when confused. Only possible excuse is that your animal was herself confused at the lack of body language repertoire (also a CKCS thing; they are actually virtually incapable of signalling aggression). Short lead, alert owner, muzzle that allows panting.

And why wasn't your dog on a lead in the first place? It really bugs me when people let their dogs off lead in built-up areas, especially popular dog-walking areas. You saw the other dog approaching so you should have put her on lead right away.

Ours is always walked on lead (beagle so has practically zero recall) and so many owners think it's okay to let their off-lead dogs just run up to him. He's only young and when huge dogs bound up to him it can be quite scary.

I'm just thinking more about this.
I'm not one to overreact, but I think that, because you have a baby, you should consult a behaviourist. For the following reasons:
Your dog, if your observation was correct, saw an "I'm not here to threaten you" message and her response to that was a bite.
It may be that because she does this run so often, she felt that the other dog was tresspassing on her territory but then this would also apply to your infant.

You need to keep your dog on a lead and put her on a short lead when passing other dogs.

If you want to walk off the lead then she needs training.

Have you had your dog from a pup?

I'd suggest a trip to the vets. Dogs can be very good at masking pain but equally it can make them prone to lashing out. Particularly with a baby in the house I think it's essential to get to the bottom of any underlying issue asap.

I would also arrange a session with a behaviourist who can diagnose the type of aggression and recommend the best approach for keeping her and everyone around her safe.

With good management it needn't be a major problem going forwards.

Thanks for replies.
@adaline We live on the edge of a country forest park and our row of houses are the only buildings; we were on a country path where most dogs are off lead and the King Charles was off too. No excuse for my dog behaving badly for but it is a fairly legit place to have them off the leads.

However of course I have now had her tightly controlled on a lead at all times since the incident! She barked at another dog this morning but just now she passed another dog fine, but I was really careful and tightly controlling.

She is going to the vet and I will have her checked for any hidden pain or distress, plus will get her neutered ASAP just in case of any hormonal feistiness that may be involved. I've also just cut her nails in case any of her toenails were causing pain. I'll also take vets advice re behaviour and possible behaviourist help as I'm not taking any chances w baby.

I'm so shocked by this because we have had her from 8 weeks old and she's been so gentle so far. She's just over 2.

Thank you for all the advice

Just because a dog has shown aggression to another dog, it doesnt mean its going to bite a child.

I do agree with a vet check and to see a dog trainer. Your dog could just be having an off day, like us we dont get along with others all of the time.

Hope you get to the bottom of this :)