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.

Poor you OP. It sounds as if you're making a very hard but sensible decision in terms of the dog and your children's (and your) safety.
This is such a hard time with all of our normal routines on hold and it sounds as if your lives have been in turmoil as well.
Be kind to yourself and good luck with the next days. And please remember, if you find the thread becomes unhelpful you can just hide it - you don't owe any of us explanations.

Your dog should not have bitten you. However I'm not sure what advice the behaviourist gave you to follow. Before you do consider your dogs future was the behaviourist qualified. I ask this as there are a lot of people out there working with animals that are not properly qualified to and they can do more damage than good. Any qualified behaviourist or trainer has a website with qualifications on that you can google.

She saw the vet today. Vet said she believes there is something underlying causing pain or discomfort. She's gone back into the allergy food and has been referred to specialist dermatologist for allergy testing and medication to control the symptoms/pain in meantime.

She also had blocked anal glands again (same about a month ago). She doesn't do any scooting so we didn't know. The vet described her as a lovely, very clever, well behaved dog . She is well aware of behavioural stuff-she referred to behaviourist.

Yes behaviourist fully qualified, as I said up thread. She has MA (hons) in clinical behaviour and training, accredited by PG, CAB and CCAB.

That’s good that they’re checking everything out. Are you going to hang on? (not judging you at all). Did you hear back from the rescue?

So are you going to keep her with you while they investigate further?

Heard from rescue. It wouldn't be instant as they use fosterers rather than kennels.

I had a long chat with the vet (over the phone cos of social distancing). She said she felt that if we can get to the bottom of whatever is bothering her and resolve it, she will be more comfortable and easier to train. She said it wasn't unreasonable to consider rehoming her because of the children. But she doesn't believe that she is a dangerous or aggressive dog.

So, lots to consider. I am using the muzzle, keeping her separate from the children. She has the dermatologist on Monday.

I’d see what they all say personally.

She said it wasn't unreasonable to consider rehoming her because of the children. But she doesn't believe that she is a dangerous or aggressive dog
And people wonder why people prefer to buy puppies than visit their local rescue!
Dear god.
A dog bites it’s owner, a ‘proper’ hard bite then continues barking at them and threatening them when away from the initial trigger but no, they aren’t at all dangerous or aggressive...
WTAF.

Easy for me to say though. I’ve always had rescued dogs or dogs with issues, and I’ve not got children.

That's what I'm leaning towards. God knows why writing it here. I'm sure it won't go down well.

@BigWolfLittleWolf

She said it wasn't unreasonable to consider rehoming her because of the children. But she doesn't believe that she is a dangerous or aggressive dog And people wonder why people prefer to buy puppies than visit their local rescue! Dear god. A dog bites it’s owner, a ‘proper’ hard bite then continues barking at them and threatening them when away from the initial trigger but no, they aren’t at all dangerous or aggressive... WTAF.

You do realise this is a qualified vet that knows this dog. And that this dog was a bought puppy not a rescue?

Oh, I’ve just noticed it was the vet that said it, not the rescue.
Even so.
🤦🏻‍♀️

@BigWolfLittleWolf well teh Dr said it was a graze not a proper bite. Vet said it sounded like a redirected because she was already wound right up and fearful of the other dog. The behaviourist agreed it was worrying that she continued indoors.

I'm not making this decision lightly. But I'm also aware that is very possible she has underlying issues that are contributing to her behaviour. She is insured with us and can be treated by a specialist.

You do realise this is a qualified vet that knows this dog. And that this dog was a bought puppy not a rescue?
Yes I misread it.
But even so, I’m just flabbergasted.
The vet said ‘not dangerous or aggressive’
If biting someone hard then continuing to threaten them isn’t aggressive behaviour what is?!
Does a dog have to savage someone to be classed as ‘dangerous’ or ‘aggressive’?

It’s your dog OP, at the end of the day you do whatever you think is best.
I’m just a bit aghast that the vet doesn’t consider your dog aggressive.
That just blows my mind.
So what if she was ‘wound up and fearful’
If another dog was ‘wound up and fearful’ of the sight of your dog and bit her, that dog isn’t displaying aggressive behaviour then?
Because hey, poor mite was scared and upset.
Nearly all aggression is rooted in fear.
I’m just absolutely aghast.
But yeah, your dog your choice ultimately

I have a labradoodle with serious allergies. Honestly, we got him tested and he is allergic to EVERYTHING.

His health has improved hugely since we’ve given him appropriate food, so it could be that your dog is feeling poorly.

I hope you get it resolved.

That sounds positive @LunaNorth. She's on Hills z/d for now. Trying to stop her licking up crumbs is a whole other challenge!

I think what the vet meant was that her underlying nature was good, clever, eager to please. And if we can get to the bottom of the discomfort or pain it would help explain the behaviour and perhaps make it easier to deal with.

I think what the vet meant was that her underlying nature was good, clever, eager to please
You could say that for most dogs! 🤷‍♀️

I would say though re allergies, Hills is really quite shit food.
Very little meat in it.
Fresco and Akela are good quality foods and do ‘alternative’ meats like ostrich, goat, kangaroo etc so good for allergies.

Yeah, once we know what she is allergic to we can hopefully switch to something better quality. She's been in raw food.

That all sounds very positive - I'm sure the vet wouldn't say such things lightly, knowing that children are involved. I really hope you can get to the bottom of these issues and that, just possibly, she will be able to stay with you. You sound genuinely fond of her and a good, concerned owner.

I am going to stick my neck out & say the bite wasn't that bad 😬
Obviously on a consenting adult.
If you are rock solid confident you can keep your children & other people safe, ie muzzle & space, then if you feel you've got the energy to give it more time, good for you.

So she mostly mouths and bites on walks but the vet thinks there may be something physically wrong? Why doesn’t it manifest itself at home as well, all the time, like it does on a walk?

It does sound like overexcitement and lack of bite inhibition, as you say. What do you do when she misbehaves on a walk? When my dog pulls, not the same I know but unwanted behaviour, I stop dead and sometimes turn around and walk back towards home. I instantly get his attention, he hovers beside me anxiously until I turn round and head the right way. Which proves that he knows damn well that he has to walk beside me to get what he wants, he just can’t control himself and remember to do it all the time. Would it be worth trying that with her? As soon as she jumps and bites turn around and walk in a different direction. Or would that not make any difference?

“Vet said she believes there is something underlying causing pain or discomfort. She's gone back into the allergy food and has been referred to specialist dermatologist for allergy testing and medication to control the symptoms/pain in meantime.”

That was why I asked earlier about the allergies... allergies can really affect behaviour - and not just in a pain causing behavioural changes way. But more directly, Dog’s with skin problems show mental health issues that usually go with stress sometimes and there is some research showing it might cause the same sort of brain fog that human seasonal allergy sufferers get.

It was a theory my last dog’s pain and behavioural specialist considered briefly with him (it definitely wasn’t that in the end)

Thank fuck you're taking advice from the vet rather than having her PTS because a MN forum told you to.

Good luck with your dog.

@Thatsmycupoftea

Op I'm sorry you are going through this. It sounds like you have done so much for your dog.

This might not be helpful but I have a young golden retriever who is playful, next door neighbor has 2 huge, dog and people reactive mastiffs. They are never walked and they are wound up. When let out in the adjoining garden they go crazy at the fence if my Goldie is out, which makes my dog terrified and bark back. Nothing I can do about next doors dogs. But I can grab, call or whatever my dog at the time to get her in and I can honestly say she will never bite me even in that state of being wound up/scared/agitated. So to me you have done what you can and your dog needs to be pts.

I would say re home but I'd be worried if she escaped or bit a child out and about. Its just awful but too risky.

I would not have your dog in my house and I love animals and have 2 young children so I get it.

Then you've been lucky. If you continue to grab your dog when she's in an agitated state then she may bite you one day. Redirected aggression is common.