My 5 month old puppy randomly bit someone today and I’m so upset

[Makinganewthinghappen]

We have been having trouble with our dog barking at people and dogs And sometimes (not always snarling at other dogs).
Before today he has always just sniffed them and them been happy.

We he a good trip to the beach , he has been doing well coming back when called and he met a few dogs with a few barks and a sniff no problem.

We were walking home and I had him on a short lead (I always keep him close on the pavements because of barking etc) a man walked up really close so that he was in range of our dog and he just jumped up and went for his hand.

I apologised to the man and he didn’t have any marks on him so I don’t think our dog actually bit him but nevertheless they guy was really angry and I am a bit shaken now.

I thought our “puppy training” was starting to go really well and now I just fell like a heap of anxiety again.

I am wondering if I should get a muzzle for him to go out so that this isn’t a problem going ahead.

I should add he is a pretty small dog - his head is below my knee so I can easily pull him back from things - the person today was just so close that even on the shortest lead he was well in range of my dogs mouth. I don’t know how I can stop that other than muzzle!

I have been trying for a while to book puppy training classes or socialisation but they are all shut at the moment!

So we have been taking him everyday for walks to see people which obviously hasn’t helped ☹️

Would you advise a muzzle in this case? I feel really mean putting a muzzle on him but I can’t have him randomly biting people or dogs!

If puppy social classes are closed I cannot stress how important it is to find another way to socialise them. Doggy daycares are still open near me, can you put him in there for a few days? Or post on your local FB group to see if anybody wants to meet up to have joint dog walks?

I only say this because I have a 5 year old dog who was never socialised and he is an absolute nightmare now. It will be an issue for the next ten or so years unless you get him socialised now.

I know people who purposely put their puppies in dog daycare to get them used to socialise with all sorts of dogs and now they are the most nice natured and sweet temperament dogs.

*00gingerbreadfox

If puppy social classes are closed I cannot stress how important it is to find another way to socialise them. Doggy daycares are still open near me, can you put him in there for a few days? Or post on your local FB group to see if anybody wants to meet up to have joint dog walks?*

Tread carefully with this advise OP. It doesn't sound like the cause of this for your pup is lack of socialisation. Forcing a fearful adolescent dog into situations they're not comfortable with cam make things much worse. I was told to reduce the contact with the thing/things they're scared of until they're out of this phase. By all means pass them at a distance while dispensing treats but don't throw them in at the deep end.

I agree with the advice not to muzzle your puppy. From what you have said, I don't think it was an aggressive or fearful bite but a 'what is this, I'll have a look' nip. If it was aggressive it would be harder. Puppy teeth are sharp and it doesnt take much force to make a mark.
I have a 7mo puppy. He used to be very reactive to people passing on the pavement. I would make him sit until people had passed and give a treat if he stayed sitting. His impulse was to jump up and play and obviously most people dont like that. If the pavement is too busy, maybe find quieter routes. If that's impossible, carry him or walk with you between other people and your puppy. Try sitting him on the pavement outside your house and do the 'leave it' command. Reward when he doesn't react to passersby. There are a lot of YouTube videos which show how to train leave it.
Dogs do snap occasionally. I had the chillest dog ever who still snapped at me if I had to put ear drops in. It doesn't mean a dog is aggressive. Your puppy is just being a puppy. The world is so stimulating and that, coupled with tiredness means bad behaviour. Training training training is the only answer, especially as when he becomes an adolescent, behaviour can really regress.

For god sake there’s no need to muzzle a young puppy, you’re getting way way over the top feelings and advice on the whole in my opinion.
Your very young dog responded perfectly naturally to a very tempting way too close no doubt swinging arm!
I don’t know how you’ve avoided mouthing until now but the two breeds you mentioned are notoriously mouthy as pups and young dogs, and you’re right in the middle of the prime bitey phase but it extremely unlikely to be aggressive.

Join reactive dogs UK Facebook group and get a behaviourist, this is not exuberant puppy mouthing it is fear based reactivity and the dog will grow into it rather than out of it, without specific counter conditioning and desensitisation protocols to help him feel better about his triggers.

I was bitten by a cocker when I was little. I also was almost bitten by a cocker at another time.

They can get jealous and bitey. I have scars on my face from when I was bitten.

I don’t know how you’ve avoided mouthing until now but the two breeds you mentioned are notoriously mouthy as pups and young dogs, and you’re right in the middle of the prime bitey phase but it extremely unlikely to be aggressive.

Bit immaterial, and not sure it changes the way you deal with it, but would be interested to hear where you bought that pup as a Beagle x Cocker, OP - he's very cute, but from the photo, I'd be amazed if he had much of either in his ancestry. Not sure where the brindle would come from genetically in that mix, apart from the fact that he doesn't look like a mix of either.

However, he's a very young baby, and think the advice about is spot on - lots of training walks where you get him to concentrate on you for treats when people walk past.

Whitney - we got him from someone my husband works with - they had him until 12 weeks old but for whatever reason didn’t want him so we took him. They told us that’s what he was but in reality I have no clue not that it really bothers us we didn’t want a specific type of dog and he needed a home quick as tbh he wasn’t in the best shape when we picked him up.

When he got to our home he was quite unwell so we straight away had to take him to the vets (he had quite a serious gastric infection and so needed antibiotics for weeks and blood tests etc). He was underweight as well so we had to feed him up a little!.

He is very very Huggy at home - especially with me - when we first got him he wasn’t really well
enough to sleep downstairs alone so he came to sleep next to my bed and that’s where he has stayed!

If he sees a lap he sits for a hug - he is much more guarded around men and he is still a bit of a vomiting wonder but all in all he is a fab little dog!

Yesterday we took him to a very quiet spot for a walk. When someone did come along he started barking again but we just stayed still and comforted him while they went past.

We also did the feeding treats while walking which someone suggested further up and that worked really well.

If he's a beagle/spaniel cross I'll eat his lead!

Your DH's colleague hasn't been honest with you.

You're going to need a good vet & a good behaviourist.

Puppy sounds like he's had a very rough start in life & you are inexperienced owners. Not a great combination, but can work if you get proper help & are prepared to put the work in.

Best Wishes

@Makinganewthinghappen I was just coming on to give you the answer that I see previous posters have beaten me to it. You have a very pretty puppy but that's not a beagle cross cocker. The brindle could be a number of things but your pup sounds nervous and easily stressed. Personally I would get a trainer involved before putting a muzzle anywhere near him - he is very young and it may add to his anxiety. If the behaviourist (make sure you get a properly qualified one as others have said!) recommends the muzzle then you can muzzle train under their supervision. But right now your pup needs some support. I suspect that it is a breed mix with whippet or lurcher type in it and it jumped up and didn't shield teeth which is a very common puppy trait and quite easy to train out.

They told us that’s what he was but in reality I have no clue grin not that it really bothers us we didn’t want a specific type of dog

No, of no matter, and very cute - was just meaning don't get hung up on breed characteristics. Looks more like a lurcher of some sort really.

Blimey, it’s off topic but I’ve just seen the photo of the little guy!
That’s almost certainly a lurcher pup.
Definately not beagle x cocker, no way.

Good luck with the behaviourist.

I agree with others OP, there is absolutely no way that is a beagle/cocker cross

He's very cute though!

Looks like a border terrier x with something with longer legs to me , incredibly cute ! . I’ve no idea if this will help with your issue @Makinganewthinghappen but my dog is reactive on lead with large dogs , but if I stand still and start talking to the other owner he instantly shuts up and will stand within a few feet of the offending animal perfectly behaving . Mine is a terrier and all I can assume is that he thinks the other dog is a danger to us but obviously if I stop to chat it’s not a danger so that’s ok IYSWIM .

Muzzles are used for a variety of reasons, it will give you peace of mind too when out and about.

I agree the need for professional help urgently so you dont accidentally reinforce bad behaviour.

Without seeing your dog I dont think anyone on here can write it off as puppy mouthing/accidental especially when its accompanied by growling

I would be concerned by the growling etc towards people at home. Puppy mouthing is normal but growling is a sign that the dog is feeling threatened and its important to get on top of that as if he continues feeling threatened then his behaviour will get worse