Bitten by your dog?

[IVFNewbie]

Hi! Has your dog ever bitten you (other than puppy-related relatively harmless mouthing?)

Yes, one of them has several times. He's bitten quite a few people over the years, most instances were when we first got him. A couple drew blood but none were serious or required stitching. All were explainable and caused by human/handler error.

He is a terrier-type rescue and came to us with multiple issues including resource guarding and fear-based aggression toward children and other dogs. He's fine with kids now and was previously fine with other dogs but now he's older and his joints are a bit achy he has started to get less tolerant of other animals.

We worked hard with a behaviorist and his behavior has always needed managing but once we analyzed his triggers we were able to put in place routines and management techniques to make life easier for us and the dog and we were able to start socializing him and building his confidence. The training I did with him really solidified the bond between us.

Keep at it, OP. It's worth it in the long and you are by no means alone.

No. I wouldn't tolerate a biter.
Having said that, my dad had one. I was terrified of that dog as it bit my sibling and a much younger cousin, it even bit someone's finger off. In other words, this dog did bite his way through the whole family before being put down at age 5.
I would nerer run this risk and any unprovoked, serious biting would end in a vet visit for PTS.

our dog has bitten me several times . A couple of times was my own fault and I didn’t notice him behind me, turned around and almost stood on his paw - he snapped at me. Understandable.
he bit me on the nose a few months ago when I was checking his paw.
He then bit me this week , completely out of the blue when I was walking him home after over an hours walk. He was biting his lead then suddenly bit my hand and jumped up and it the top of my arm.
my hand is badly bruised with 2 puncture marks.
my arm is cut and very badly bruised and very sore. That was through a coat and 2 layers.
I was so shocked and upset.
we have 2 children.
I am afraid of him going near them.
Making an at the vets on Monday to get him checked over and for advice.
Heartbroken .

I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time.

At this stage, I would be asking for a health check to identify anything medical that could cause behavioural changes (e.g. pain) and then ask for a referral to a local clinical animal behaviourist (CCAB or APBC qualified). I certainly wouldn't be doing anything drastic.

What breed is your dog?
How old are the children?
How old is the dog and how long have you had him?

I used to have a dog which would bite unprovoked. He’d sneak up behind you silently and sink his teeth in your leg. He used to actively hunt dh round the house and then launch himself at dh. We spent 2 years and a fortune on credited behaviourists and a dog psychologist. Made no difference. Culminated in dh having his eyebrow ripped off followed by a one trip to the vets.