Dog has bitten friend

[doghelp21]

NC for this - this is long, sorry

I am really upset and a bit in shock. I adopted a dachshund over a year ago who had been in an awful state and very unwell. She had lots of visits to the vets the first couple of months.

From day 1 she was understandably VERY stressed and anxious. She got used to me and my DP quickly and became very attached. Anyone else she would bark lots at and not relax even if they had been in the house a long time. When she was like this she wouldn't pay attention to anything other than the person in the house, we would put her into other rooms so she had her own space which would result in her barking more and weeing and pooing everywhere. The vets gave her some tablets to try and calm her down as she was also losing fur from what they assumed was the anxiety

I did lots of research and had a dog trainer over (who said they specialised in aggression and anxiety in dogs with lots of good reviews) who told me she's had a stressful life and has separation anxiety and we mustn't encourage it so stop giving her cuddles etc as it will make her worse. Don't let people invade her space, let her go to them when she's ready, have a crate that she can go to get away and lots of other things. This didn't seem to help and she would go up to them barking still and then trying to lunge. She was also very stressed out on walks and would growl and bark at anyone walking past us even if they were far away.

The dog trainer told us that there wasn't much he could do to help other than what he's already suggested as she was too much in a heightened state so she wouldn't pay attention and it would be useless trying to get her to calm down when she wouldn't be able to once she's already at that level

We then had a dog behaviourist who we had many lessons with and not much changed, she would bark for the whole 2 hour sessions at the behaviourist and never get used to them enough to be able to be worked on, the behaviourist tried lots of desensitisation which didn't help. The whole time I still made sure she had her own space and wasn't invaded etc. We then had lockdown so no one in the house for a long time

Today my friend came over to drop something off and I told her stay where you are don't say hello to dog as she's nervous (she met her before so was aware of how dog was) my dog as soon as she came in the house lunged for her and bit her hand really hard (punctured) I grabbed her off quickly and she went for me and I took her upstairs and shut her in bedroom. I apologised lots and lots to friend

I feel absolutely awful this has happened and so guilty. I knew she was scared but didn't know it would get to this point of biting. I'm not sure what else I can do?? Does anyone have any experience or suggestions, I'm really upset by it all

It sounds like you've tried everything and you're still left with a dangerous dog. That could have been a child. Under these circumstances having tried interventions I would not think that dog has a future, I'm sorry.

Oh bless you, it sounds very difficult.

First of all, your friend needs to get medical treatment - puncture wounds require antibiotics and a recent tetanus as they can turn nasty very quickly. Dogs' mouths are full of nasty bacteria that you don't want infecting you. Please make sure she gets seen by a doctor ASAP.

In the short-term I don't think you should allow your dog to be anywhere near guests. If she's crate-trained, then crate her, or put her in a totally separate room with a door between them and don't let them meet unless it's absolutely necessary, in which case the dog should be muzzled and on a short lead for safety.

In the long-term I think you need to find another behaviourist who can help you deal with the problems this dog is having. Your vet should be able to recommend someone who uses positive techniques - you should be able to claim on your insurance too.

Good luck.

You need to get a vet check on your dog and then get them to refer you to a qualified behaviourist. They will be from the APBC or ccptd.

There is a good chance they will not see your dog in RL this is absolutely fine for a behavioural visit and is the norm for aggression cases. Exactly for the reasons you gave on your visit from the one you had!

You need to get a professional assessment to see how to proceed with this situation and if it is something you can manage.

Also be prepared for the pts dog posts you are probably going to get and the "advice" you will get from unqualified posters. None of us can help except to say get the professional advice and work from there.

She's had a lot of professional input up to this point....

The advice already given was not what a qualified behaviourist would give ever......

Fair enough, I hope it works out before a child is hurt.

If your friend seeks medical help for a dog bite, she may well be asked where it happened and other details. Protection of the public is the top priority and now even dog bites which happened on private land are a police matter. The situation may be taken out of your hands.

Have you tried getting her used to wearing a muzzle? This way at least you can keep everyone safe when you have visitors or go out, while you seek further professional advice & decide what to do next.

I was going to suggest a muzzle as well for safety reasons. She's just too agitated to know what she's doing, and could end up hurting you as well.

I think it's worth going to the vet and asking about medication again. It's not pleasant to be in that sort of panicked state, and she won't be able to take anything in no matter how good a behaviourist you use.

I've had dogs my whole life .
It will take alot if work on your part with regards to behavioral training and you could still be left with an aggressive dog .
If one of my dogs ever bit someone I would take to the vets and if no reasons found health wise I would pts as hard as it would be I could never ever trust the dog again

Have you tried a thunder shirt? It helps dogs who get very anxious.

Tbh only you can make the call on how to handle this escalation. I hope your friend is ok.