DDog has bitten, what do we do now?

[tinseltitter]

Just that really
DDog3 has always had issues, we've managed them well enough until tonight when she bit DDog2 on the nose. Not really badly, she's drawn blood and he'll have a manly looking scar but it's still attached at least

My heads all over the place.

Naturally tensions are running high as this is yet another escalation. In the past we've seen behaviourists, but I'm loathe to speak to them at this moment as I'm sure they'll be full of good intentions which I feel are not necessarily in anyone's best interests.

I'm hoping that the trainer who we usually see and who knows DDog3 best will ring me back later, as she is more aware than most about what she's like to live with (for us and herself)

We will not rehome, it would kill her and quite frankly nobody would have her.

We would consider training but in all honesty it's simply been like firefighting up to now, and I'm not convinced we've got what it takes as a family to pull it off.

A life separated from her brothers and muzzled when she's out is just unthinkable, so now it's just the other unthinkable we are looking at.

Anyone with any advice would be greatly welcomed.

To help with the hyperactiveness, brain training, food toys etc are the way to go. Don't give her her food in a bowl anymore - she must work for it - kong wobbler, spiral slow feed, puzzle feeder etc.

It doesn't sound like the bite was a big deal imo, I wouldn't focus too much on that incident.

“DDog2 does this a lot and is quite unabashed by any rebuffs he encounters as a result“

I think you’re blaming the wrong dog tbh...if the 2nd is often harassing her and ignoring the warnings she’s given him and you haven’t stopped him harassing her, she’s been left with pretty much no option other than to escalate her warnings to leave her alone.

That’s without being able to work out of the other dog you mean that was being tolerated was the same one that was bitten or a different dog being introduced and making her more stressed anyway.

Actually tab, your post has been really useful.
DH and I have just counted at least a dozen episodes since I got home where DDog2 has just poked his nose in near her- nothing overly intrusive, more a glancing sniff IYSWIM as he passes (he's a spaniel so passing by and sniffing are in his nature, we just hadn't noticed till we watched closely how often it happened)
I'm waiting for a phone call from the vet to discuss if there are any sort of drug treatment we could use to take the edge off her anxiety. Then we'll tackle a new behaviourist

You mentioned that ddog is very anxious.
Obviously I have no idea of her history, but I have a highly anxious biter who is like a different (in a good way!) dog since he started taking prozac.
Has your behaviourist mentioned this to you as an option? Our behaviourist sent a report to our vet recommending it, and it’s a game-changer!

My mum had a dog who took diazepam for his anxiety and it worked very well .

DDog3 is about to start a course of Zyklene (?)
Will pick it up from the vets on Monday, have also contacted the behaviourist and am waiting to hear back so we can start a new battle plan.
Meanwhile DDogs 2&3 are thick as thieves again, DDog1 still remains oblivious to the drama