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.

@happenchance I don't grab her I don't need to it was just an example that I feel I definitely could. Shes not aggressive at all even with next doors dogs going crazy. In fact she looks for me for comfort and hides under my legs. She was initially going through training to be a service dog and did amazing but then had a small heath issue so we ended up with her and she is very well trained and calm.

Why not stop being so negative. Not everything needs your input. your not an expert in all dogs especially one you haven't met.

[quote Thatsmycupoftea]@happenchance I don't grab her I don't need to it was just an example that I feel I definitely could. Shes not aggressive at all even with next doors dogs going crazy. In fact she looks for me for comfort and hides under my legs. She was initially going through training to be a service dog and did amazing but then had a small heath issue so we ended up with her and she is very well trained and calm.

Why not stop being so negative. Not everything needs your input. your not an expert in all dogs especially one you haven't met. [/quote]
Can you not see the hypocrisy?! You told OP that she needs to have her dog (who you've never met) put to sleep.

I remember vividly standing in a field whilst my completely out of control dog kept running past me and biting my arm. My jacket sleeves were shredded. My arms were bleeding and bruised.
I couldn’t catch him to stop him, I couldn’t get away from him.
I was aghast that I had this crazy aggressive dog.
Was already mentally calling the vet to have him PTS and thinking of excuses to tell everyone (no way could I tell people I had an aggressive dog)
He had got so wound up and hyper running off lead that he had completely lost his head.

I didn’t let him off lead again for about a year, we focussed on getting training command drilled in to him, worked on calming, identified all the triggers.

He was a lead biter too, and would grab on to the lead and spin me round, growling and snapping.

He is now a Silver KC good citizen dog, a wonderful family dog, loving, calm, obedient. No sign of that monster anymore.

Archerdog - that is amazing. That must have taken so much dedication, but also be hugely rewarding. Do you know what the initial trigger to his behaviour was?

@Whitepots

Archerdog - that is amazing. That must have taken so much dedication, but also be hugely rewarding. Do you know what the initial trigger to his behaviour was?

Appeared to be just over excitement from running off lead, he mouthed my arm in play, I went to tell him off (a ‘nuh-huh’ sound) and put him back on lead and he kept skipping out of reach. The more I tried to grab him, the more worked up he got and it escalated.

It took a long time, he was a rescue that had no bite inhibition and mouthing was a huge issue. He’s a big dog, a shepherd cross, so it was challenging.

The difference in him now is amazing, I’m very proud.

However I didn’t have children to consider.

@ArcherDog that excatly describes what is happening!

We saw the dermatologist today. She says dog shows clear sign of allergies- itchiness/scratching, chewing paws, nibbling base of tail, persistent ear infections, mucusy poo, problems with her anal glands (they were full again after being emptied less than a week ago), intermittant loose stools, gurgly stomach and general uncomfort/on edge.

So, we start a new elimination diet with better, more allergenic food for 12 weeks. She's also prescribed steroids to help with the discomfort, which will aim to reduce over time.

I've had a couple of walks with her now on the long line where she hasn't bitten at all. Today she was a nightmare, but it she had eaten some food she shuldn't have yesterday and her anal glands were full- the best walks were in the days after they were emptied.

She is showing progress, its very slow and gradual but it is there. I'm going to keep going with her.

I called him my ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ dog because of the difference between that aggressive behaviour and the usually loving, cuddly dog.

I’m not saying it will be the same, but in my circumstance, it did get better. Mostly he grew out of it, plus working on creating a calm atmosphere and avoiding his triggers.

I really do sympathise though as I’ve been through it and it’s really hard.
Especially when everyone is only hearing about the bad parts where it seems obvious that rehoming/pts is the best option, but they don’t experience the amazing loving dog 90% of the time.

I see you mentioned brain activities, I have a stash of frozen stuffed kongs in the freezer to keep him occupied when I’m busy. I mix wet and dry dog food. Also a kong wobbler, and lickimats/lickibowls.

That’s quite positive then.

That's good news OP.
Reducing her discomfort will hopefully make her less stressed!
Did you say she was already raw fed?

Yes she was raw fed. But while we are excluding food allergies she will be in a special complete food. If she improves e can then test different foods and proteins and see if there are some she can tolerate.

Oh, what a time you've had, OP. I'm sorry. Hope things improve for you.

Do you mind me asking what food you are giving her? I'm wondering if my pup is in need of something similar - her stomach is delicate and she is so blooming fussy.

@MotherForker I have a dog that is very allergic - sounds similar in physical symptoms to your dog.

We tried lots of different diets - the one that has worked is Purina HA - it's helped her digestion issues so much. She is still has itchy skin, eyes, ears, paws etc but a low dose steroid keeps that all under control.

The food we use can be ordered in by the vet or can be bought online - it's on Amazon, I use Viovet. Honestly it's been amazing!

Honestly I wouldn't have her PTS as she is so young but you can't keep her. You have children and if she jumps and snaps at them she would be face level for an 8 year old. You've done your best and I'm sure with an experienced and firm hand she will respond but she can't live with children in the meantime, its too risky. I think your aunt is your best bet.

One of my dogs is reactive to other male dogs. He is a large breed and quite strong. I've always said that no matter how much I love him, if it gets to the point where I can't physically overpower him then I would have to look at rehoming him. If he was aggressive towards me then I would have to think about putting him to sleep. He has never snapped at me so far (knows what's good for him.) so its manageable but you can't control a dog you're afraid of.