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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Dog bit DP :(

121 replies

Dogbitdp · 16/09/2023 09:04

Am upset but DP seems to be overreacting. PTS not going to happen so just wanted a bit of advice from anyone who's been in a similar situation.

Dog was in the garden last night pissing about probably trying to eat cat shit etc. He said she wouldn't come in, so he went to grab her from behind and she turned and snapped/bit him on the hand 😔 skin broken, about 3 puncture wounds but its not as bad as it could have been.

I was a bit shocked when he told me this morning but not hugely surprised- she sometimes hurts her leg as she loves to run, and she was moping a bit yesterday, but the main issue she has currently is a cyst type thing that keeps filling up and swelling, then it will go. It must be painful when it does that as she does have a go at it, and I noticed yesterday it had flared up again. Vet keeps saying that he wouldn't recommend removing it until it really causes problems (think we're there now!)

He said hes not sure about her now but his main concern seems to be that "I've never been bit by one of MY dogs before". He is generally arrogant anyway tbh so im certain his pride is hurt more.

I get it, I'd be upset, but I don't think he's considering that there were about 4 factors at play- it was dark, he approached her from behind so surprised her, and her leg and/or this cyst was probably hurting (cyst is right where your hand would be if you were to grab her from behind).

Hes now said if she does it again she's dead. Doesnt care if there's a reason for it. When I said ill get her checked out and push now to have this thing removed he just shrugged.

Hes also a bit of a drama queen anyway and does exaggerate, but as I say he is very much "im right everyone else is wrong". I'm actually really worried now the next time she so much as barks he might exaggerate....I'm not even sure hes not exaggerating now about how it happened 😔

Shes never done this before or showed any signs of aggression at all. We do have two teen DC, one of whom has a real strong bond with her. She's so gentle and loving, I feel really bad for her tbh.

So vet next week but in the meantime I'll be on edge whenever dp is left alone with her. He loves her but tbh not as much as our last dog. Suspect this is because our last dog was very much 'his', whereas our current dog is definitely more aligned to me (used to be funny but inside I do think that gets to him).

OP posts:
Laurawharton · 16/09/2023 10:01

The man would be out on his ass if he dare threaten to kill my dog bags packed and everything. He startled an in pain dog, does he not know about animals 🤦🏻‍♀️ I would tell him to grow up and use his head a bit better. He’s not a child he should know better, but if he wants to act like a child teach him like a child and tell him what is appropriate when getting the dog’s attention and being around the dog ect. Start at day one of how to interact with a dog 😂 the way he is acting though he may need a book with plenty of pictures.

CosyCoffee · 16/09/2023 10:04

Can you have your DP put down and keep the dog?

steppemum · 16/09/2023 10:04

I think if there is a valid reason for a snap bite then we need to accpet it and not rush to PTS.

He grabbed her where she has a painful lump. That on its own is valid. Never mind dark/startle etc.

Get her back to the vets and tell your husband that he is a knob

twistyizzy · 16/09/2023 10:05

@LifeInTheUK even though her DH was completely to blame? This wasn't an unprovoked attack by the dog, it was just acting completely naturally and it obviously was a warning bite rather than an attack.
People need to learn how to behave around dogs and understand the body language of dogs. Same thing as never letting your children climb all over a dog or making sure that never go in the dog's sleeping area etc.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/09/2023 10:08

He hurt the dog (and sounds like probably deliberately and more than he's letting on as well), dog responded appropriately.

Lose the man, keep the dog, get the dog's cyst removed.

Original poster
Dogbitdp · 16/09/2023 10:11

As an example of his exaggerating I said to him to try not to feel too differently about her as its obvious it was a 'snap' type bite rather than a "i really want to hurt this thing thats got hold of me" bite and he said she had his entire hand in her mouth and nearly took it off - it was crushed in fact.

His hand is about twice the size of her mouth for a start and theres 3 small puncture wounds just on his fingers, and no sign of bruising at all and he can move it fine. Anyone can see his hand wasn't 'crushed' and it was a warning bite. Not great at all but not as dramatic as hes making out.

OP posts:
TheHappyCarrot · 16/09/2023 10:14

WetBandits · 16/09/2023 09:46

If someone grabbed me from behind, in the dark, right where I already had a painful lump, I would bloody bite them too!

He fucked up and he’s blaming your DDog for his poor judgement of the situation.

Absolutely agree with this. I would lash out too in a similar situation.

People are unrealistic about dog ownership. It's an animal with muscles and teeth, treat accordingly.

Original poster
Dogbitdp · 16/09/2023 10:14

And he's like that about everything. A spot of water is soaking wet type thing, it is tiring but as I say, another thread.

OP posts:
LifeInTheUK · 16/09/2023 10:23

twistyizzy · 16/09/2023 10:05

@LifeInTheUK even though her DH was completely to blame? This wasn't an unprovoked attack by the dog, it was just acting completely naturally and it obviously was a warning bite rather than an attack.
People need to learn how to behave around dogs and understand the body language of dogs. Same thing as never letting your children climb all over a dog or making sure that never go in the dog's sleeping area etc.

That’s why I said if she bites AGAIN

Also note that I didn’t say PTSD. I said I wouldn’t want her in the house.
And maybe this would be because I can’t look after a dog, maybe because said dog has a tendency to bite.
Regardless, my house would not be the right place for that dog. Fir my sake and/or the sake of the dog, it wouldn’t stay.

Dillane · 16/09/2023 10:25

amakaAlqp · 16/09/2023 09:52

I'd get rid of the husband personally, does he have any nice qualities.

This

twistyizzy · 16/09/2023 10:26

@LifeInTheUK bloody hell. So her husband grabs the dog on an area of her where she is in pain, in the dark and probably unawares. The dog responds in the only way it can and you would get rid of the dog? You can't see that this isn't the dog's fault at all? Never previously bitten or been vicious? This is why so many dogs end up in rescues.
If it was unprovoked I would agree with you but it wasn't unprovoked and it was 100% the fault of her husband.

YouJustDoYou · 16/09/2023 10:28

Bin him. Keep the dog.

LifeInTheUK · 16/09/2023 10:28

@twistyizzy see my next post.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 16/09/2023 10:28

Get rid of your partner.Hes a cunt.

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 16/09/2023 10:30

In this case it wasn’t the dogs fault. It’s ill and in pain.

Screamingabdabz · 16/09/2023 10:31

Your husband sounds a prick but equally I wouldn’t to want to live with something that will draw blood from you at the drop of a hat. Sounds grim all round. Your DH has given the dog one more chance and I think that’s fair.

Mouldyfoodhelp · 16/09/2023 10:34

I feel like there's a lot of deflection going on here. I know I can pick my dogs up in the dark and regularly do and there's no aggression and whilst I'm sure there's different cysts and different animals handle it differently one my previous dogs had a cyst and it didn't seem to bother her, it was more worrisome for us seeing a lump keep growing.

The first dog we ever had was the most wonderful dog and never showed an aggressive bone in her body and she developed cushings disease and her nature started changing as it progressed. One night she wouldn't come in from the bottom of the garden and a family member who was very much the most bonded with the dog went to get her in and she was eating grass. She bit them and there was a lot of conversation about PTS as was always said if it happened then that would be the consequences.

A few weeks went by and I didn't leave her alone with my nephew who was a toddler at the time as she was being more reactive. A few weeks later, over the course of 3 days she went from not being too energetic to almost lame where we carried her to the vets. She had a suspected tumour in her tummy and had to be PTS there and then.

I would get DDog checked regardless but I can understand why DP feels concerned about repetition of the bite as its happened once what if the dog feels its more acceptable now? Or a sign of things to come especially if everyone else is downplaying it.

Cowlover89 · 16/09/2023 10:35

Definitely get rid of your partner. He's an arsehole

Original poster
Dogbitdp · 16/09/2023 10:35

Tbf Life did say if she bit again but even then it would depend for me. If I stood on her or DP does this again and she snapped I don't think that would be her fault id expect most dogs to bite then. Even if it was seemingly unprovoked id want to get her checked out at the vet to make sure she's not in pain before I made a drastic decision to pts.

For now thats not even entered my mind although I get the feeling it has for dp, but I suspect thats more bevause shes had the audacity to bite him iyswim.

OP posts:
Highdaysandholidays1 · 16/09/2023 10:38

I am usually very condemnatory if people are keeping dogs that bite, especially around children but on this one, I can kind of understand the dog...I think that given she has a known pain problem, grabbing her like that was hurting, even if he didn't intend that, and it's a sign for her to be treated for that and for your husband not to manhandle her but use treats to get her to move where you want. It does not sound like she would normally bite.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 16/09/2023 10:40

I also agree to go to minor injuries, I have when my dd was bitten by a friend's dog.

Original poster
Dogbitdp · 16/09/2023 10:41

Mouldy its a bit if an angry cyst.....shes had it for years and its usually fine for a while but then just balloons up and she tries to nibble at it and cant lie on that side etc but by the next day its gone down again and its just a tiny lump. Vet knows all this and up to now we've sort if agreed with him that if its not causing her too much grief we'll just monitor it but ill be taking her this week to say its happening a bit more now so just whip it out.

OP posts:
BygoneDays · 16/09/2023 10:46

I think better training is required. I would use a carrot and stick approach.
your dog might need some more training too.

Zipps · 16/09/2023 10:51

Listen to your dog because she has a good measure of your partner. I wouldn't trust him around animals. He has no sympathy for her pain and he sounds horrible. A man who is not kind to animals would have no place in my life.

FlamingoQueen · 16/09/2023 10:52

Get rid - of your partner, not the dog. Dogs will become defensive if you touch them where they hurt or approach in the dark. I say this as someone who has been bitten twice by dogs - once in a shop by the shop owners dog (police were involved, but they kept a massive dog in a flat and it got free and bit me - I wanted the owner told off and warned of the consequences if I had been a child) and the second was by my dog, but I should have just let her eat the bone!
I think there is a massive difference between an intentional bite / mauling and making a dog angry through ignorance. Obv, if there are children around that is also completely different.

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