Ddog attacked and bit me

[MotherForker]

For context, I've asked for advice before, ddog jumps and mouths/bites when she is highly aroused. It's playful, apart from the fact she is 25kg and 18 months old. We have been working with a behaviourist on this.

Tonight, I let her into the garden without realising that our NDN dog was out. Their dog is lovely, but terrified of other dogs and jumps and barks at the fence. We have added to the top of the fence to prevent them ever meeting. Ddog used to just wag her tail and look bemused by this, but recently has started jumping and barking back and launching at the fence. She's been mouthing me in the house for the last hour.

NDN was trying to get their dog in and I went to fetch ddog, as no amount of treat was going to tempt her. As I went towards her she turned and launched at me, bit my hard on my wrist. She kept going until I managed to grab her collar and bring her in. Then I was trapped by the door and she carried on barking and jumping at me. My wrist is bleeding and swollen.

I am doing everything advised by behaviourist. She has been checked by vet for pain several times. I've sat and cried feeling sorry for myself. I have two children and will soon be sole parent in this house (stbxh is moving out in a week).

I don't want to give up on her. But it more and more feels like she is beyond my capabilities. Any advice welcome.

I think if you have followed everything the behaviourist has said and checked no pain etc. Then I personally think it's too risky for you to keep her with children there.
If she's made you bleed she can do a lot worse to kids

Does your hand need medical attention

I'd have to agree that if you've done the behaviourist thing and shes still bitten you the you need to regime via a very strict rescue or have her pts. You'll never be able to relax with her especially around the kids. It's no real life for you or the dog. I hope your hand is ok. If it's drawn blood I'd get it seen to as you may need antibiotics etc x

Oh dear. That sounds grim and a bit scary. I hope you and the DC are safe now and dog is somewhere safe that they can calm down.

I once made the decission to have an elderly dog put down because she'd become agressive with lost sight/ mobility and incontinence. It is a really, really tough decission to give up on a dog but in my situation my DC were young and even though the dog was small she could have done real harm. She'd nipped me once or twice but she snarled at DS2 who was 1 at the time he had just bounced on the sofa - not particularly close.

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate at present and I'm guessing that the house has quite a bit of high emotion in it - that takes time to calm down after a change in people in the house too.

How old are the DC?

No medical attention. Its not gushing blood, but broken skin.

I've been "catching the calm", teaching new attention tricks (which she is good at), on lead walks, avoiding places that really wind her up. I've done special tuggy toy, teaching leave. On walks we do scent work and attention and free sniffing.

The only I haven't tried yet was a rucksack walk.

I feel awful.

Dc are 11 and 8.

I think it's time to say goodbye personally. Anything could happen and she sounds completely out of control.

Have you got someone who can take her for tonight? Maybe she can be rehomed, but I think that will depend on her age and likelihood of this behave ever being manageable.

I would speak to a vet/ good rescue about what's happened and see what they advise.

I hope you're ok. Have you got somewhere safe to shut her away from you all for tonight?

I think you've been posting about this dog for ages now and she just gets worse so I think you need to call it a day

Yeah, we have a crate.

I don't know if I can manage having her PTS, I mean I will if that's the right thing. But I think it might break me. And the dc.

I know some people aren’t a fan of these but have you considered a spray collar? I had one for my dog who loved to hunt and when she was in the zone you couldn’t get through to her. It just breaks that focus and snaps them out of it. I don’t think I had to use the spray at all once she learnt what the warning beeps meant.

I don’t think there is any reason at all to have the dog pts that would be a complete over reaction , if you don’t feel able to persevere then rehome via a reputable rescue . What kind of dog is it ?

Is the PTS call one you need to make? If you are ready to make the rehome decission - isn't that the call you make first to local shelters or breed relevant rescue if thats applicable.

I think I'd be saying wrong dog, wrong time in your lives.

8 is very young for an unpredictable dog. Its also things like friends not familiar with dogs visiting. Post and parcel deliveries. Being able to relax in your home.

If you’re bleeding then you sound like you do need medical attention.
I don’t think I could risk having this dog around my kids.
What if they’re out in the garden and the dog kicks off? Maybe one of them tries to bring the dogs in and is bitten.
Have you spoke to your behaviourist?

She redirected on to you. In future (if you decide not to kill her) have a slip lead handy and when she worked up like that, use the lead rather than grabbing her.

In her head the situation went-
She’s fighting the dog next door
She’s fighting the dog next door
She’s fighting the dog next door
Something grabbed/attacked her
She defended herself

I haven't spoken to her since this happened no, I was going to email.

She's a labradoodle (I know, I know). My aunt and her husband have said they would have her. No children and her husband has a lot of experience with bouncy dogs (boxers).

You wouldn't know it to meet her. But her agitation levels have really ramped up in the last 6 months.

This is her earlier today after dd made her a headband.

@Floralnomad

I don’t think there is any reason at all to have the dog pts that would be a complete over reaction , if you don’t feel able to persevere then rehome via a reputable rescue . What kind of dog is it ?

I totally agree.

I think the issue with rehoming a dangerous dog is that you just pass the problem on.

What if the dog ends up in kennels for years or passed from home to home? Or attacks the new owner, another dog or worse a child?

It's a horrible position to be in, but sometimes being pts can be the kindest option all round.

She's now cuddled up to me, looking at me. She knows she's done something. It's the same look as when she gets into the bin.

I take back what I said about the spray collar, sounds like an anxious reaction so it would just make matters worse

why on earth would you consider putting her to sleep? that seems a bit extreme.
a big labradoodle needs a couple of hours off lead exercise daily, is she getting this?
Rehome her.

Your aunt and her husband sound like a very very good option

Oh gosh, that picture!

I'm finding reading my own comments difficult now the dog has a face , I couldn't do it either.

I couldn't ever trust this dog around my children though.

You probably need to link to your other threads about this dog so posters have some background that this has been going on for ages

God that is tough. And I know the absolutely heartbreak doing the right thing can mean.

If your aunt is willing to have her I think that’s the best bet. Labradoodles are incredibly intelligent (hence why she’ll know somethings up now just by reading your body language).

If it’s any help (and I’m not saying do follow this advice because I don’t want your dc to ever get hurt) my old Welsh Springer used to go for me (hackles up, teeth bared, snapping the lot) when he went for the cat food and I got in between. I had to work with 3 behaviourists before I found the right one for us, but he was ‘cured’ within 2 weeks of work. I could put cat food in his mouth and take it away and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid now. Not that I would!

You have to weigh up the risks here. People’s advice on the internet is all well and good, but they’re your children at the end of the day. Do you think it’s the end of the road? And can you 100% protect them from her if the worst happens?

First things first, you absolutely, 100% need medical attention. Any animal bite that breaks the skin can be extremely dangerous. You need to be seen as soon as possible.

@DoraTan

I think the issue with rehoming a dangerous dog is that you just pass the problem on.

What if the dog ends up in kennels for years or passed from home to home? Or attacks the new owner, another dog or worse a child?

It's a horrible position to be in, but sometimes being pts can be the kindest option all round.

Really agree with this

Unfortunately this dog isn’t safe around your children any more. She needs practically 24/7 attention and a stress free, predictable environment else she may just randomly snap again.

Even the headband situation made me cringe, as things like that can easily trigger an unpredictable dog.