....

I have a 10 year old mutt. He is really good except he is uneasy if a strange MAN walks into the house. Never bothered a female.

DH's friend from work came over the other night. DH went through the rules - keep your hands up and let him sniff you and you will be ok. The guy does this, then goes to give my dog a biscuit DH gave him, but does it in a friendly "good dog! Here buddy" -petting type of way. My dog got nervous and jumped on him barking.

Now, my dog had done this before but never actually got someone (he's 10 remember). He got "Mike's" arm and left a toothmark breaking the skin.

DH and I feel terrible and he even asked DH the other day if he had all his shots (which, he did of course).

I don't know what to do about it! I feel soooooo bad. Should I send him cookies or something to work with DH?? Any suggestions? How would you react?

Message edited 1/1/2012 10:51:02 AM.

Re: My dog bit someone ...

I don't mean to criticize or start any drama here, but, my question to you is if you know your dog is skittish around men, why wouldn't you put your dog in another room when a strange man (to your dog) comes in the house especially if he has jumped on other people? By not doing this, you put yourself in a very precarious position. I have three dogs and they are my babies, but, when any one comes over, they are put in another room. None of them has ever done anything to any one, but, dogs act on instinct, not reason. I hope this guy is nice enough to just let this go. If not, you could have serious consequences.

Re: My dog bit someone ...

Ahh sticky situation. I have to say first off being that you know he is a little weird around strangers I would have put him away for the time being. But you didn't and now you know nextime(hopefully he doesn't report it) you will have to put him away.

Now your left feeling horrible and your probably thinking if I send him stuff or cookies it's going to look like I'm kissing his butt and bribing him to not report your dog. I would just call him again and apologize and ask him how he is doing and if he needs anything to let you know.
My brother got mauled (literally) when he was in 4th grade big ordeal, and the lady who owned the dog NEVER called to see how he was doing after he got out of the hospital nonetheless she didn't even go up there. So a simple phone call and showing you care goes a long way in this type of situation. Good luck, I hope everything works out for you.

Re: My dog bit someone ...

I'm sorry this happened but I agree with the above poster. If your dog does not do well with male company, you probably should have kept him outside or in a room away from this person.

Of course this is all after the fact so, at this point, I would let sleeping dogs lie. (no pun intended)

As for what you could get him? I'm not sure what would make me feel better if someone's dog bit me... Maybe a gift certificate to a nice restaurant with a card?

At this point, maybe you should see if he's going to do anything. He could press charges (or whatever it is that can be done). I think he can even try to have your dog put down.


Good luck...

Re: My dog bit someone ...

I would give him a GC to his fav restaurant and he doesn't sue

in the future, like the others said, keep the dog in another room or outside

Message edited 7/6/2007 6:26:54 PM.

Re: My dog bit someone ...

I agree with the other posters...send him something nice and keep the dog in another room or outside, when strangers come to the house.

Re: My dog bit someone ...

I don't have any suggestions...just some . Now you know for sure that he would bite - maybe he just got a bad vibe from "Mike".

Re: My dog bit someone ...

Posted by AimeeE2006

I don't have any suggestions...just some . Now you know for sure that he would bite - maybe he just got a bad vibe from "Mike".

Re: My dog bit someone ...

Things like this happen. My own dog bit me once. Having experienced a dog bite, I would recommend that you encourage your friend to seek medical treatment and offer to cover expenses. My dog bite was a tooth puncture to the hand. The doctor explained that a dog bite is like being injected with any germs that the dog has in it's mouth. The doctor has had people reject treatment only to come back later with infections, fever and terrible swelling. I was put on a very strong antibiotic as a precaution. The bite healed well. I'm not berating you for this, as my dog is no better!! I'm just saying that even a small bite should be treated.

Re: My dog bit someone ...

Covering medical expenses and checking in to see how he is doing are a given. Your dog should also be locked in a room whenever anyone visits the house at this point. This was not the guys fault, his action wasn't aggressive. I'd be really worried about it happenening again, dogs can get grumpier as they get older!

Re: My dog bit someone ...

You need to provide him with proof that the dog had its vaccinations, as he will need to show these to his doctors. You really also need to offer to pay his medical bills.

I've suffered one very bad dog bite and once I was attacked (and I mean badly) by a dog chained up in someone's yard. The dog broke the chain, ran THROUGH a wooden fence, and tore my leg to shreds.

Whether it's a strange dog or your own dog, dog bites are scary -- and he should go to the doctor.

I know you didn't mean any harm and feel really bad... but in the future, you can't let your dog around strangers. Now that you know he has bitten someone, you cannot justify allowing your dog to be around strangers, possibly anyone not extremely familiar with the dog. Now knowing he can bite, that would be extremely irresponsible.

I hope he's feeling better soon.

Re: My dog bit someone ...