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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Dog was attacked and now super fearful and lunging - just bit me

36 replies

polkadotpjs · 18/12/2021 12:31

My dog (18 months ) was attacked by a dog who got out of a house's front door. No actual biting/ injury but the dog launched at him snarling and snapping and he was snarling and snapping back. Since then (last weekend) he's been barking and lunging at all black dogs, or big dogs. This morning he was straining to get across the small road , barking at another dog. I held him back with his harness and he turned round and bit me on the hand. I think to get me to let go It's clearly fear born and aside from puppy mouthing he's never bitten.
I'm going to try primula cheese distraction while out to focus on me and ignore other dogs (most he ignores and sniffs and moves on) but I'm very wary and also upset at the bite. Maybe a more sturdy harness would be better so I could hold him firm. Any other tips? Quiet time walks are my plan too for a few days.

OP posts:

purpleboy · 18/12/2021 12:45

I don't understand how he bit your hand? Is he not on a lead?
Distraction is the best technique, which it sounds like your doing, avoidance whilst deals the the problem surface level, it doesn't address the route problem so this behaviour will continue.

Diddytv · 18/12/2021 12:47

Oh how awful for you both. I am no expert but I think the best thing at this point is no walks at all for a few days to allow his stress levels to come down. I am not sure after that. Maybe you will need professional help to overcome issues

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 18/12/2021 12:48

He was on his lead with harness but twisted round and had enough slack to grab my hand.

OP posts:

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 18/12/2021 12:52

Google trigger stacking. You need to stop walks for a few days and then build up slowly.

GoGoGretaDoll · 18/12/2021 12:52

Oh poor you. You can get harnesses with double lead points which will give you a lot more control, you'll also then be able to grab the lead towards either the front or back which should make it harder for him to get to you.

Sounds like you need a very experienced, fear-free reactive trainer to help you. Sooner rather than later too. I agree with pp, while you get that sorted you need to desensitise the dog - google trigger stacking. That might mean no walks, or walks in very quiet places with no other dogs, for a while.

Swisscheeseleaves · 18/12/2021 12:53

I think you need to stop walking him for a few days. Let him calm down and get over it a bit. Do brain games and stuff inside rather than walking him. At the moment youre trigger stacking and that's why he's bit you, he just can't cope with what you're asking of him.

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 18/12/2021 12:53

I should say avoidance was my short term plan and a rest for a few days with house games or a drive out instead of walk (he loves the car) might be best. My trainer has taken him out with me and on his own a couple of times and it typically didn't happen when she was there. It seems to have escalated dramatically since the attack. Poor thing. I love him so much and don't shout , try to reassure him and tell him he's ok in a calm voice but when he's lunging and in a barking frenzy , it's hard for him to hear me. I've just bought my cheese so I'll start at home with getting his attention and treating him so there's a link. I was going to post yesterday about etiquette as a dog with a muzzle on (on lead) was allowed by the owner to come right up
To us (extender lead) while I was clearly standing off the path with mine on. Short lead and distracting him. I saw muzzle and thought I'd best keep distance but the owner was all a bit strange , saying "is he going to go for him do you think ?" While not keeping her dog back at all. Most odd. It's a weird world and light years away from when I dogs years ago before leaving home. Thanks for the replies. I'm so upset that he's upset.

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Merrymerry2 · 18/12/2021 12:55

When our dog was attacked, he did the same. My natural instinct had become to tighten the lead too, and that's why he bit me because he was annoyed I was holding him back from defending himself. The only way we could change this was gradually over time starting with very quiet walks, keeping any other dogs well out of sight (use distraction techniques) and then slowly in time allow him to see other dogs but praise / pat etc in advance. It's terrifying for the dog and wasn't an easy fix for us.

Diddytv · 18/12/2021 12:55

Agree. My dog got a fright once with a car zooming past really quickly and the over reaction from her towards the car took a long time to overcome. We had to avoid cars for ages and built up slowly from there. They just revert to fear straight away otherwise, which just reinforces their fear. It’s so sad for your poor dog 😞

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 18/12/2021 12:55

Ouch. Mine did the same at about the same age op.
Advice I was given was to change the route for at least 6 weeks.

Which I did.. And I carry a rustling treat packet... Her focus is totally on me now!! Can manage the old route now also. Ddog is 2. And very manageble now though not friendly towards ddogs.

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 18/12/2021 13:01

I'm having a little cry now. Cuddled up to him on my bed. He's the best thing to happen in a long time and I've this feeling I've failed him. I'm going out shortly (he's not going to be alone though) shopping so will buy some game/ treat things. And maybe a toy to shred. He likes destroying a soft toy.
I'm aware of trigger stacking but think I'd underestimated the effect of the attack as we had to walk home after and he seemed ok but he's clearly stored it up. Poor baby

OP posts:

Merrymerry2 · 18/12/2021 13:03

You've done nothing wrong, OP. I understand the tears and the shock. He knows you love him. It'll all be okay.

GoGoGretaDoll · 18/12/2021 14:18

Bin the extender lead too - I hate them usually but they're really not a good idea in this situation. If you try to grab it and he goes full tilt you'll slice your finger off. It doesn't give you anything like enough control with a dog going through reactive issues.

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 18/12/2021 15:19

He wasn't on an extender. We don't use them. The muzzled dog in the separate incident was on one though

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OneOfTheGrundys · 18/12/2021 15:28

Have you had treatment for the bite? I recommend a professional clean and antibiotics if not.
Ours bites anything that holds him back when he sees another dog. Fear, confusion etc, failed adoption rescue dog and has been for lots of behaviourist appointments. He’s muzzled. It’s stressful sometimes but he’s gorgeous indoors.
The other dog might have been muzzled for food reasons instead of aggression-a lovely dog locally has that!!

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 18/12/2021 16:01

Hi @OneOfTheGrundys It didn't break the skin. Just got a bit of a bruise there now in the fatty bit of my hand. Interesting about the food muzzle. That now makes sense why she allowed the dog to approach. Maybe he's just a street food eater 😊. Polka pup also eats crap off the floor. He found a whole muffin in the hedge the other day. He is currently playing with his new rubber treat toy. A bit like a kong but softer with slots for treats.

OP posts:

StillMedusa · 18/12/2021 16:47

Agree with the break from walks.. he needs time for his cortisol levels to go down.
I have a sometimes reactive dog (just to keep me on my toes..sometimes she's perfect) and if we've had a 'bad' walk.. then she needs time to decompress. Unfortunately she won't poo in the garden so we do have to go out, but we go off the beaten track, and stay very far away from any dogs whatsoever.
After a few days we can go back to other walks but I literally cross the road, high value treat in hand , if I see another dog, or duck behind cars/bushes... looks nuts but my focus is on keeping her as relaxed as possible.
It's hard work when a dog becomes reactive (for whatever reason..mine was nervous from puppyhood) Mine was dreadful at about 18m but now 2.5 , she is generally much better, as long as we are consistent with our training and aware of her mood!

OneOfTheGrundys · 18/12/2021 20:12

@polkadotpjs

Hi *@OneOfTheGrundys* It didn't break the skin. Just got a bit of a bruise there now in the fatty bit of my hand. Interesting about the food muzzle. That now makes sense why she allowed the dog to approach. Maybe he's just a street food eater 😊. Polka pup also eats crap off the floor. He found a whole muffin in the hedge the other day. He is currently playing with his new rubber treat toy. A bit like a kong but softer with slots for treats.

Ah thank goodness. When ours went for me he went through my jeans and right into my leg. The bruising was worse than the puncture eventually but I got it properly cleaned at the walk in locally. I agree with pp wrt the walks. Lay off for a few days: if you have a garden take a potter round that together. Maybe a short, early morning walk at first? Your dog will return to themselves eventually. With love and patience and you sound as though you have lots of those.

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 19/12/2021 18:56

Polka pup has had a chilled day playing with toys a d lying by the log burner and just had roast beef and carrots
Maybe a small walk tomorrow

OP posts:

Velvian · 19/12/2021 19:06

It sounds like a redirected bite, rather than going for you specifically.

We have seen a dog behaviourist with our reactive dog. The advice that has worked best is to avoid other dogs: cross the road, turn and walk back the way you came, or go behind an obstacle. When you see a dog in the distance offer a treat if your dog is not whining or barking. Over time you may be able to get closer again before offering treats.

Once you start doing this training, you will really notice how many people let their dogs stand barking at other dogs, without removing them from the situation.

Our dog is so much better now. There are incidents sometimes that set her back, but it is 2 steps forward and 1 step back.

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 19/12/2021 19:59

@Velvian yes I'm sure he wasn't going for me. I'll be primed and ready with my treats when we return to walks.

OP posts:

Iamkmackered1979 · 19/12/2021 20:12

Aw this happened to my 1 year old retriever a while ago. Ditch the walls it takes 48 hours plus for them to process traumatic events so give it a good few days. Dogs calm themselves by licking, sniffing and chewing so have outlets for all 3 mine loves a licky mat with primula honey etc on it and hide and seeek with food or a scatter feed. You need to be aware of other dogs body language at times and your own. I can tell when my boy is anxious by his face we will go home or re route I let him sniff (on command) do some games, middle is good but if he’s that anxious he’s going for you through fear you need to build his confidence/work on your relationship which is hard work but fun too

Serenschintte · 19/12/2021 20:12

You need antibiotics for the bite. My sister was bitten recently. It’s best to get it checked. Sometimes they can make you sick (that was my sister) so get an anti emetic too.

Serenschintte · 19/12/2021 20:14

Sorry ignore my comment - just seen it didn’t break the skin

Original poster

polkadotpjs · 20/12/2021 12:56

Just had a v short walk and was mostly ok and frequent cheese snacks. Saw a black dog (typical) and he did lunge and bark but not with any real ferocity or urgency. More a mild reaction. He has however gone nuts at the window with every Amazondelivery but that may be him judging my shopping...
I'm going to post here as s bit of a diary for a few days and see what occurs if ok

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