WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

I know this topic has caused some drama on the boards in the past, but I'm legitimately asking for advice here...

My dog bit a kid today

The dog is a two year old mutt. He has pretty bad hip dysplaysia, and I know he is in a fair amount of pain, but he is also very territorial. In the past, he's barked and snarled when someone came to the door, but as soon as we made him lay down and welcomed the person into the house, he was fine. About 3 weeks ago, DS's friend's dad came to the door and the dog freaked out. I couldn't get him calmed down. Barked, snarled, and after the guy came in, tried to bite him. I had to drag the dog into the other room and close the gate.

Today, DS was getting picked up, and his friend got out of the car, and was coming to the door. Dog was going completely ballistic at the door, and before I could grab him, he broke the screen door, went flying down the walkway, jumped on her and bit her.

I got the dog in the house, DS's friend was crying... what a mess. The dog had a vet appointment today anyway (we scheduled it due to his obviously increased pain) so DH took him and I told him to discuss all of this with the vet.

DS's friend's mom was really very gracious about the whole thing, much more than I would have been. I must've apologized 456484578654 times, and I told her we were bringing him to the vet.

I don't know what the next step is. I guess we will wait to see what the vet says, but I don't want to have the ferocious dog that bites people, KWIM??? WWYD???

UPDATE:
DH brought him to the vet, and the vet thinks he has Lyme Disease. She said that could account for the increased pain and stiffness, agitation, and aggression. Also, he was running a pretty high fever. I don't know how he could get it, since we are always on top of the Frontline situation. She said it's treatable. Just waiting for bloodwork to come back.

If this doesn't help, we are going to look into finding someone to take him, with no kids.

Message edited 3/15/2011 11:37:49 PM.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

I'm sorry.

I love dogs. I really do. I have had great dogs all throughout my life and wish I had one now.

But I work for a family that has an older dog and... it's snapped at me before.

I no longer trust that dog and am extremely nervous when the kids play by it...


If it was me -- I'd be sure to NEVER let that dog around kids.

Once a dog bites -- I expect it to bite again.

You're the one telling the story and you make it clear that this kid did nothing to instigate, yknow?

It's not like it was teasing the dog - your dog had it out for this kid.

I'd be extremely careful and consider if this dog is really meant to be around?

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

I had this happen.
my dog was part chow and fine with my son when he was born.
The dog became odder n odder where I mean walking past him sleeping he growled and such.
I was told chows are basically one person dogs, territorial and whatever.
I brought him to the vet whose assistant was a trainer n was told he can train him. I left the dog.
When I came back one hour later the dog was sitting on a very busy road in hempstead off a leash acting perfect.
My guard went up n I never went back, I know in my gut the giuy hit my dog.
Yes..I was dumb n left him. Yes, I didn't question it the guy was the vet assistant.
Long story short the dog bit three people back to back,
my mother in law who stuck her hand in the dogs bowl while he was eating..(she fed him table food which i never did behind my back)
my father in law who thought it was o.k to smack the piss out of my dog.
myt nephew because he did not go to the front door but to the back door and put his hand over the dogs head and into the gate.
No situations are right where the biting was justified but putting myself in the dogs shoes i can see how it hppened.
Bottom line..my baby could smack the dog, touch his food, hurt his hips etc.
My choice was to train him further n put my trust in the dog somewhat n never leave him alone with anyone.
put the dog to sleep-not a option in my book, he was adopted by me because he do not have a home.
or...cry and adopt him out to a new home with no children, someone big and authoritive with training experience.
I chose the last option.
I cried and gave him to a single man with experience with strong personality dogs.
I still miss him, thing is..i could not forgive myself if he bit my child, my gut was telling me the situation was unsafe.
He lived out his life very happy..

So my next thing to u is..do u feel in youor gut the dog is safe after the hip problems r figured out with even your own kids? if the answer is definitely yes..
then u have to piut the dog away when company comes and never leave the dog alone with your children unless supervised..
I am so sorry...I know this sucks.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

That dog would not come back to my house. The attack was unprovoked and totally unpredictable. You are lucky she didn't get hurt worse.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this, I'm sure this is very painful. The decision is very clear to me though.

I'd have a harder time if the kid had been teasing the dog somehow, but that attack was just way too random for me to feel safe ever again.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

its hard to say what i'd do if it were my dog...

if you didn't have a kid i'd say just keep the dog leashed when you are outside (which you should be doing anyways) and locked up when you have company over (new people, children)....my dog is finicky and i do not let her around children because of it...she snipped at my 2.5 year old nephew once, thank god we were outside and she was on a leash and i was able to pull her away in time...my dog also bit another dog once...i love my dog and she is amazing with me, my husband, our parents, my sister, etc. but i do no trust her

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

I love dogs. I grew up with a dog. When I was in high school I went to babysit some children. I had known them for many years as they were friends with my brothers. I had never been to their home before. They had a german shepherd. When I got to the house I waived at the kids. They said hi to me. When out of no where their dog lunged at my face. I put my hands in front of my face and stepped back. The dog was tethered to a 1000 lb block. The dog moved the block. It bit through my finger. I needed stitches. The parents did not even ask me should the dog be put down, they did so of their own accord. While I felt badly that they did so, IMHO it was the right decision. I am sorry that you will have to make a very difficult decision, but I think your dog is deteriorating and unfortunately with health ailments it can make dogs go crazy. I would take the first experience as a warning and the second as its last chance. Since it bit someone, to me the humane thing to do is put the dog down. I feel like you gave the dog a second chance already. I am so sorry.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Message edited 3/15/2011 7:14:02 PM.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Was it a full on bite, or just a nip? My dog has nipped some people. She doesn't ever break skin, but she definitely has nipped, mostly in the butt or the back of the leg. The thought of putting her to sleep is not only horrifying; it's unthinkable. So in my mind, it depends a lot on what you mean by a bite.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Get a trainer, plain and simple. A good trainer can help you figure out the best ways to train your pet. Let me know if you want a referral.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

get a trainer.

if the trainer doesn't work, give the dog up to a shelter. maybe someone who doesn't have kids can adopt them.

It was an unprovoked attack, and if the dog did it once, it could do it again- even to your own child. I know it sucks

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Posted by Michelle1123

Posted by LSP2005

I think there are other options before putting a dog down. He is only two
Definitely wait to hear what the vet has to say before deciding on your own to put the dog down. Maybe there is something they can do for his pain?

Has the dog ever gone to any kind of training or discipline classes?

However, *I* would not feel comfortable keeping the dog if I had kids. Do you know anyone without kids that would take him?

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Talk to your vet first but this is a bad situation. After talking to your vet I would have the dog evaluated by a good dog trainer. Bobbie from Divine K-9 evaluates aggressive dogs and does aggression management (http://www.divinek-9.com/content/view/23/37/) She is awesome. She evaluated our shelter dog when we first adopted him...he growled at a couple of people and we were concerned. Her intervention was simple and once we started using the techniques she taught us the growling stopped and has NEVER returned.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

I have 2 dogs. Grew up with dogs. When dogs start biting, this is pretty much it unless you are willing to go to take the time to do training with him and maybe see a behavioral vet.

The fact that your dog bits unprovoked is disturbing.

Personally, I could not keep the dog. This is one thing if you touch a dog in pain but he was not touched. He just launched for the little friend. A child. A dog knows if this is an adult or a child. So he knew what he was doing.

Also at 2 yo, this is really bad. He is not even old. You can't even say that he will not last too long and to put up with it.

But an unprovoked bit at 2 yo on a child is NOT a good sign.

I would wait to talk to the vet. Meanwhile, I would make sure the dog is not able to be in contact with children meanwhile.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

I would get a trainer that specializes in aggression.

We used Best Friends Dog Training for our dog. Although he wasn't as severe as your dog, he still had some agression issues.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog

Regarless of age and condition of the dog, he wasn't in that much pain that he couldn't break through the screened door and run to lunge/bite another child. I personally think you are putting yourself and your family in a position of liability by keeping this dog. I would put it down.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

bumping with the update

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

I hope that's the solution for you & your pup

Did you tell the parents of the kid that got bit? Not sure how if lyme can be transmitted through a bite outside of deer ticks.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

Posted by nrthshgrl

I hope that's the solution for you & your pup

Did you tell the parents of the kid that got bit? Not sure how if lyme can be transmitted through a bite outside of deer ticks.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

I am glad you found what may be wrong with him. Lyme disease can REALLY ALTER your mood and personality. I know someone who had it who was so uncomfortable he felt like he was going crazy. He thought he was going insane, it messes with your well being, your mind, and you feel awful.

I would bet that explains why your dog has changed all of a sudden. It is treatable, please get him treated. I am sure that's why he has been so edgy. Hope he feels better soon.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

I think it's easy for other people to tell you to get rid of your dog but when it's your dog and you feel that you made a commitment to him or her, then it becomes a very tough situation. Then add that to the fact that dogs that have bitten are pretty much impossible for an honset shelter or rescue group to place. By any chance, was your dog on a steroid for the pain? My dog had a definite case of 'roid rage when he had to take it for an ear infection.

If your dog is not neutered, do it NOW!!!! We had a trainer and it helps but a lot of it has to do with modifying our behavior. For example, if the dog is already in an aggressive mood toward someone who is at the door and you grab the dog, in the dog's heightened state, the dog may turn on you for grabbing him/her. I learned that when my dog was snarling at the UPS guy. In your case, I would be concerned that the dog actually ran out after someone who was not in his face. I have only kept my sanity because my dog actually seems to like the comfort of being gated into one room at a time and if I keep him on leash when we have visitors, he is so much better and I am not so afraid of what he might do. He is never alone with my son. I grew up with a dog that was 100% trustworthy & she would sleep in my room, so this makes me sad. My dog can be very playful & friendly so I do not want him to catch anyone off guard. If he feels cornered, he will get snappy.

Message edited 3/16/2011 1:40:59 AM.

Re: WWYD? Re: Biting dog- Update

I'm so sorry. I hope the kid is okay and that the treatment helps your pup!