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.

Kids come first. Dogs got to go. Sorry. Not what you want to hear. But I think you already know this

Apologies if it's been mentioned earlier in the thread but what jumped out at me is She's been mouthing me in the house for the last hour

An 18month old dog should not be mouthing you for a minute, never mind a hour. A 18 WEEK old dog shouldn't be mouthing anyone. That's a really basic training issue. I've had nine dogs from puppies and ANY attempt to mouth a human is met with a sharp tap on the nose and a stern "no!" from day one.

Sorry OP, but it's not the dog's fault. Rehome her for her own sake.

Hi OP

I’m sorry you are feeling so awful at what is a really difficult time.

I just wanted to say that having gone through a separation myself ( with small kids) I totally understand how hard it would be to regime the dog as well. However I’d also just reflect on how difficult even the most amicable separation can be and how much it takes out of you emotionally ( particularly when also supporting children). It is also often a time fo heightened emotion in the household for a long period.

I think trying to deal with an overstimulated dog during this period would be doubly hard - the dog itself is no doubt picking up on the emotion and you yourself may very well be less resilient ( you may not be but I know I was!). I think it’s hard sometimes to step outside yourself and see how dissociate separation can be and how much time, energy and emotion it takes. So I’d say that even with the best will in the world maybe reflect whether you can truly give the dog what it needs at this point ( irrespective of the wider question as to having a dog that is ready I’ve in a house with children - particularly then you are the only adult).

Of course you may not be affected like that if so obviously ignore!

Sorry for the typos - having a dog that is reactive should read

That must’ve been terrifying. I’ve had dogs with behavioural issues and been bitten but I couldn’t keep one that launched prolonged attack

Please don't pts. Do you have pet insurance that would pay for a different behaviourist? One to one dog trainer would be ideal but I doubt you can get anyone to do this at the moment. Although there may be help online. Or call your vet they may be ablebtonout you in touch with someone.
Firm boundaries op. If your dog is playing and she using teeth shout out very loudly. On the lead training. You need to be the one in control and your dog needs to know that. If your dog is barking around other dogs there is some evidence to suggest keeping your dog away from others for 6 weeks and then gradually reintroducing. Not ideal with a dog next door but worth a try

You need to rehome this dog asap. Everything is falling apart. Your marriage is breaking up, we are in Lockdown, the house is probably not a peaceful place for an animal. You have puncture wounds from her teeth and you need to get medical attention for them. She has become a danger to you and your children.

I think she is overstimulated mentally and understimulated physically. I know it's difficult in Lockdown, but do you have one day a week when you take her for a really long half day walk/complete day out?

It also appears she doesn't have clear boundaries. Mouthing you for an hour. Really, why would you let her do this? This should have been actively discouraged when she was a puppy. Jumping up and biting and scratching your back. This should be stopped immediately - put her straight out of the room away from everyone. Coming into your bedroom. Keep her downstairs only. She is ruling the house and is deeply stressed about the situation.

I never allowed our children to play with the dogs as if they were toys (your picture of the dog with something on its head makes me feel very uncomfortable). Playing with the dog should consist of doing something the dog enjoys ie throwing a ball, doing agility, swimming.

I don't think the dog needs to be PTS. Someone with experience will take her on and hopefully give her a new life. You need to rehome her for the sake of you and your children and for the sake of the poor dog.

This dog needs rehoming to an experienced owner with no children. Keeping her is doing her no favours at all. Time to let go.

@thriftyhen I know some of the route of the biting and have discussed with behaviourist. We can't separate her as she only does it on walks, outside in the middle of fields and woods.

I didn't let her mouth for an hour, it was on and off. I was trying to finish something that needed to be finished before taking her for a walk. How do I stop her? I couldn't move from where I was?

She gets plenty of long walks. I've just come back from one with her. The behaviourist agreed she gets plenty of exercise for her age/breed.

Just to be clear, I have NEVER blamed the dog, only ever myself. No need to tell me off like a naughty child

I do have a lot of sympathy for the situation OP, as you have acknowledged your shortcomings. You are clearly making an effort, but it sounds like your household is not the right one for this dog. Whether that’s been caused by you 100% or not, it doesn’t really matter at this stage.

With all of the history, I was very disturbed to see your dog with an egg carton tiara on her head. Even though you insist this was literally a one off, it doesn’t suggest appropriate boundaries, or at least suggests occasionally blurred boundaries, which won’t be helping anyone.

There is no good reason to consider PTS a puppy - there is an excellent chance that in an experienced home, this dog will thrive. I’m sure you’ll feel sad, as you do seem to be trying to rectify things, but the only fair thing to do is to let this dog enjoy it’s life in a household where they can be understood, and brought under control.

I work with rescues, and have fostered many dogs, and know lots of stories where dogs lives have been COMPLETELY turned around by living with the right person, in the right household. Your household isn’t right at the moment, and is set to become more stressful with your separation etc.

The more you post OP the more it’s clear that you are minimising what is happening.

Mouthing.
Biting.

Have you had your hand looked at yet?

I've contacted the doodle Trust. Partly, I feel so awful as my children have just been devastated by the separation and now losing their dog. I know it's what I have to do.

The behaviourist has agreed that I'll talk to vet tomorrow and also that rehoming would be a sensible consideration at this point.

She's cuddled up next to me and I can't stop crying.

@MyGorramShip I'm waiting for a call back from the minor injuries clinic.

I call it mouthing because the intention is playful. This has been confirmed by behaviourist looking at many videos of it. But because she is no longer a puppy it damages and hurts like a bite.

I will only use biting from now.

Op I really feel for you. It sounds like a really difficult situation. You clearly haven’t been a perfect owner, but I’m not sure many dog owners are.

You certainly have attempted all the right things, training, exercise etc but obviously made a few mistakes along the way. I’m pretty sure I’ve made mistakes too- but it sounds like my dog is much easier than yours so the mistakes are easier to correct.

Anyway, no advice but hope you find a solution

I honestly think that, given your latest posts, you have no choice but to re-home her.

She bit your hand and you have bites and bruises all up your back from her. That's just not normal behaviour and if she did that to the children it could easily land them
in hospital. What if she jumped up and bit them like that on the face? She could have their eye out.

I know you love her but you are so obviously way out of your depth. She needs a quiet home with no children, and calm owners with plenty of experience.

I hope you manage to re-home her or get her a place in a rescue. In the meantime she really needs to wear a muzzle when she's out - if she bit a child or another dog owner you would be liable.

@MotherForker I am not a dog owner but lurk on this board and have read all your posts!
I do feel for you with everything you have on your plate right now and its not easy.
You are clearly trying and giving it everything. It may not be what others expect you should be doing or should have done but it is what it is. Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing.
Someone on this board said you can do everything by the book and you still have this one dog that is reacting the way it is because of the way they are wired among other reasons!
I hope you manage to find a solution for yourself and the dog and that over time it feels better!

Do you think she has picked up on the tension and upset in the house op? Dogs can be v affected by that and it makes them anxious. Might change for the better when your stbxh has left and things settle?

@MotherForker

I've contacted the doodle Trust. Partly, I feel so awful as my children have just been devastated by the separation and now losing their dog. I know it's what I have to do.

The behaviourist has agreed that I'll talk to vet tomorrow and also that rehoming would be a sensible consideration at this point.

She's cuddled up next to me and I can't stop crying.

I really feel for you and your family OP. You have made mistakes and also have been unlucky but you are having a very tough time. I agree with rehoming, partly because your dog is showing no bite inhibition. Our Ddog had some resource guarding issues and has actually “snapped” (no incident in recent years after a lot of work) but he only drew blood once and that was a very minor scratch. There is a dog he is terrified of and once when he we met it and I went to pull him away he turned and grabbed my hand but stopped himself immediately and didn’t even leave a red mark. You have a proper bite there

It is a difficult situation, but I truly think that at this point, your home isn’t a good fit for the dog and never will be.

You’re stressed out and are going through many upheavals. Your children will always need to be monitored around such an unpredictable dog & your next door neighbour’s dog riles your dog up etc creating a consistently stressful environment. It’s not a good match for this dog, as she needs a calmer environment with 100% of her owner’s attention.

Trying to retrain this dog will be a full time job, which you can’t (understandably) commit to.

@motherforker very difficult, but sadly wrong household for her. She will be happier in herself when she's in a suitable home, and you will have done right by her and your family.

A lot of people on the thread are OTT saying PTS - how awful and unnecessary.

I got a rescue dog at 10 months who only knew how to bounce and launch himself at me when walking on the lead, or anything remotely exciting happened, he also got very aggy around soft toys. We totally turned him around. And someone will do the same for your pup. It doesn't sound an insurmountable problem for some one with the time and know-how.

My only piece of advice in the meantime would be to find a field or open area where she can let rip off the lead for an hour a day. All the games you play, and keeping her on the lead I imagine is extremely stimulating for her and keeping her 'pent up'.

I don't always think dog behaviourists and trainers give the best advice. It can often be too fussy and over thought. By that's just my 2 pennies as a lifelong dog owner!

@NoCureForLove

Do you think she has picked up on the tension and upset in the house op? Dogs can be v affected by that and it makes them anxious. Might change for the better when your stbxh has left and things settle?

Even so, it’s not safe for this dog to be around children now she has bitten OP. It would be very risky leaving the children with the dog unattended, so even when things calm down there is still persistent risk

It sounds as if you've already had lots of advice on this OP but we used to have a very reactive rescue dog, it started off just towards other dogs which we managed but then started to turn on humans as well. Snaps when walking, thankfully she never actually bit anyone. Then would bark and snap at postman/tradesmen rather aggressively to the point people would refuse to attend our house. We had an 11 week old DD at the time. We chose to have her PTS, it was just awful and still chokes me up now. We couldn't put her back in rescue, she was already so damaged.

Good luck OP whatever you may choose.

I feel very sorry for you. You’ve got so much tough stuff going on. Sending you a hug.

This is so hard for you OP but I think you're doing the right thing, especially as you have children.

I have a dog who has bitten me and I have chosen to persist with him but I don't have any children.

The vet is happy that I have done everything behaviourally and management wise that is appropriate (for me serious incidents are rare - it was 14 months since he last bit and triggered in unusual situations where there has been trigger stacking.)

We are now trying prozac believe it or not - about 1mg fluoxetine per kg of body weight. We are about 5 weeks in and to be honest I haven't seen major changes in overall reactivity yet, he would still be very agitated if a dog sniffed his muzzle in the park. But I have been told it could be a couple of months before meaningful changes are apparent, so fingers crossed.

@MotherForker I don’t have any advice for you as I don’t have a dog (lurking on the boards as researching to get one eventually)

I just wanted to send you a hug and say I’m sorry for this situation you find yourself in.

Please be kind to yourself. I do agree, the dog can’t stay in your home because of your children and I know how hard that must feel. Especially at the moment.

I’m so sorry