My dog bit me, what should I have done?

[awsomer]

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.

Thanks

Quite aside from the dog training, this line stands out to me:

But he bit my hand, drawing blood.

Please be careful with dog bites, when did you last have a tetanus injection? Did you clean it well? I'd still call the doctor tomorrow, just to see if they'd suggest antibiotic cream to ward-off infection.

@DesdemonaDryEyes

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

Presumably, though, he's never displayed behaviour to suggest he really doesn't like it, unlike this dog? Plus, he is unlikely to be subject to all the other physical manipulation little dogs get, e.g. being picked up and carried.

I too have done things like pull the duvet back at 2am, from under a dog that is hogging it. But only with dogs who otherwise have free movement and who don't worry when I do so. If I had a dog that didn't like this, I would find other ways - such as no access to the bed or training to move when asked. Most our dogs have benefitted just from a simple cue that warns them a physical movement is coming (e.g. looking in mouth at teeth) and that might help here, but the general principle remains - it is not unusual for a dog not to like just being physically moved or manipulated and, if that's the case, that dislike should be respected and alternatives found.