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The doghouse

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Original poster

My dog bit me, what should I have done?

28 replies

awsomer · 16/09/2020 14:24

Me and my mini dachshund were on the sofa. He was curled up teeny tiny under my legs and as I moved my legs I realised I would squash him so I started gently pulling him out from under my legs to move him. But he bit my hand, drawing blood.

Usually he’s perfect fine to be moved. He does growl sometimes if you go to touch him while he’s been deep sleeping. In which instance I would leave him alone! But this time there was no growling that I could hear.

I yelled and jumped up and gave him the ‘off’ command to get off the sofa but he wouldn’t budge. I didn’t want to physically move him off the sofa incase he bit me again. So I left the room.

I came back a few minutes later and I gave the command again and he got off. I haven’t let him back up.

Where did I go wrong? Should I not have moved him even though he’s usually fine being moved? I’m really upset. Sad

OP posts:
Moondust001 · 16/09/2020 14:35

I know it's a contentious area, but I'd have started with "furniture is for humans and not dogs". But honestly, if you had picked me up when I'm drowsy / not expecting it, I'd probably bite you too. Make sure the dog is awake and then give the command. Dogs have legs, they don't need you to move them. And being underneath you was never a safe place for the dog or you.

RunningFromInsanity · 16/09/2020 14:39

It sounds like you either startled him or accidentally hurt him.

Leaving the room was a good idea, there’s no point trying to interact with a dog whilst in shock.

For future? I would make some noise, talk to him to wake him up, and then slow movements of the legs.

Hoppinggreen · 16/09/2020 14:41

Keep him off the sofa for a start

Veterinari · 16/09/2020 14:49

Choice and security is an enormous 'resource' for dogs. All dogs need a safe haven where they can be undisturbed - if your dog is using the sofa as this space then that's a problem and you need to provide a preferred alternative.

You also need to stop physically controlling his location - he should do as you ask because he's been trained to and it's part of your relationship. Physically controlling him removes any choice he has and intrudes on his personal space. You wouldn't physically move a larger dog around - you'd train them to respond and the same approach needs to be taken for small dogs

Veterinari · 16/09/2020 14:52

Also a lot of aggression comes from pain - it's worth considering underlying spinal pain especially in dachsy's

Original poster
awsomer · 16/09/2020 14:52

being underneath you was never a safe place for the dog or you.
Totally agree but he’s a burrower. He will nest himself under blankets, cushions, people, anything! I guess because of his breed as much as just his personality.

It sounds like you either startled him or accidentally hurt him
That’s what I’m thinking too. I should have made some noise and told him to move.

Keep him off the sofa for a start
I would like for him to be able to come to the sofa sometimes but I take your point. Does it have to be an all or nothing rule? Could he come up when invited?

OP posts:
Original poster
awsomer · 16/09/2020 14:55

You wouldn't physically move a larger dog around - you'd train them to respond and the same approach needs to be taken for small dogs
You’re absolutely right. Because he’s so small we will often just scoop him up.

OP posts:
Scattyhattie · 16/09/2020 14:57

Call him & make sure he's awake before touching, like us some are just not good at being woken suddenly. It maybe that you also hurt him when moving if it was from an awkward position.
My dog bit me in similar circumstances and it was because she was in pain with arthritis, once the medication made her comfortable it was actually clear just how many subtle changes in her movement & behavior I'd missed. Give yourself time to re-bond, Its a shock & painful even if minor wound and naturally you become cautious.

MyOldBeansy · 16/09/2020 15:00

You wouldn't physically move a larger dog around - you'd train them to respond and the same approach needs to be taken for small dogs

This cannot be repeated enough. This is your key - training to respond, not physical manipulation. (Also get a vet check for pain).

Smile
Sunnydaysstillhere · 16/09/2020 15:00

Our Husky growled twice at a dc for daring to take a sofa space. She isn't allowed up anymore. We bought a huge pouffe which is hers. No dc allowed on there.
Our smaller ddogs are no issue. What I have noticed is as a dpuppy Husky was left undisturbed.... Smaller ddogs ways stroked when asleep. They don't care if you wake them. Your ddog could maybe learn to associate sleep with a massage maybe?

Original poster
awsomer · 16/09/2020 15:13

You’re all being so helpful, I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 16/09/2020 15:26

It sounds like you hurt him , he responded and then I would imagine the not moving immediately may have been as much shock on his part as yours IYSWIM . Personally I’d still let him on the sofa but I’d be a bit more careful about how you go about waking him up to move him . Hope your hand is ok .

Sitdowncupoftea · 16/09/2020 15:32

It sounds as though you have startled him. Wake him before you move him next time. I have four dogs my smaller dogs tend to go on sofa my huskies tend to lay on floor.

Bluntness100 · 16/09/2020 15:37

I also think you startled him when he was deep sleeping and he intuitively reacted. I’d not move a sleeping dog like that

In future make a noise and wake him. Don’t move him when he’s in a deep sleep.

Veterinari · 16/09/2020 15:48

@Sunnydaysstillhere

Our Husky growled twice at a dc for daring to take a sofa space. She isn't allowed up anymore. We bought a huge pouffe which is hers. No dc allowed on there. Our smaller ddogs are no issue. What I have noticed is as a dpuppy Husky was left undisturbed.... Smaller ddogs ways stroked when asleep. They don't care if you wake them. Your ddog could maybe learn to associate sleep with a massage maybe?
Please don't do this. It's dangerous. The phrase 'let sleeping dogs lie' exists for good reasons
Veterinari · 16/09/2020 15:48

@Bluntness100

I also think you startled him when he was deep sleeping and he intuitively reacted. I’d not move a sleeping dog like that

In future make a noise and wake him. Don’t move him when he’s in a deep sleep.

Don't physically move him at all
Staringpoodleplottingrottie · 16/09/2020 15:56

I wouldn’t worry about it but echo what others have said about not disturbing him while asleep. My chihuahua is similarly a burrower and likes to nestle into things but if I really HAVE to move him I try and gently move the object he is on (cushion, blanket etc) rather than him - I know this isn’t ideal either. Does he have a crate as a safe space? I didn’t actually crate train my chi but I got a crate for when he was being a bit unruly in his puppy madness stage and he has his soft bed in it and lots of blankets, he loves it and will often choose to go in there which eliminates any awkward sofa burrowing.

WildAboutMyPlanet · 16/09/2020 16:14

Nothing wrong with him being on the sofa, I think probably you startled him. Always make sure that if he is sleeping you wake him verbally, not physically.

Hoppinggreen · 16/09/2020 19:17

Dogs can of course be on the sofa if
a)you want them there
b) it doesn’t cause a problem
I would say that now your dog has bitten while on the sofa and refused to get off it’s a problem that can be solved by not letting it on there
When we got Ddog and went for training the trainer said that some dogs can be allowed on the sofa and some can’t. Ours got stroppy if told to get off so he wasn’t allowed on

Suzi888 · 16/09/2020 19:29

I think you probably frightened him, I have a Labrador and I don’t wake him up by moving him physically. I just call him if I need to wake him. Imagine if someone picked you up whilst you were asleep- scary!

Suzi888 · 16/09/2020 19:30

If he doesn’t get off when you tell him to that’s different, he’s owning that area. It’s his, not yours and that’s not good. I wouldn’t let him up at all, then only when invited.

vanillandhoney · 16/09/2020 19:39

Don't physically move him. What would you do if he was a St Bernard?

You need to get an "off" or "down" command trained. I have zero issue with dogs on furniture (ours sleeps in our bed) but only if they don't resource guard it, and only if they move when asked.

You can use a lead to encourage him off furniture for now, or use treats to tempt him off. Pair the action with a word and get lots of practise in!

DesdemonaDryEyes · 16/09/2020 19:43

I’ve got a Spaniel and I frequently shove him out of the way when he has me trapped.

RunningFromInsanity · 16/09/2020 20:39

@DesdemonaDryEyes

I’ve got a Spaniel and I frequently shove him out of the way when he has me trapped.
Same. If I didn’t, he would just roll his eyes at me and go back to sleep Grin I often end up kicking him in the night by accident too.
Veterinari · 16/09/2020 21:38

@DesdemonaDryEyes

I’ve got a Spaniel and I frequently shove him out of the way when he has me trapped.
Ummm... good for you?