Dog Bite

Rabies

EGAR wrote:

Ruu, there is no rabies in Ireland.

/waves

The reason why the dog attacked your girlfriend needs to be found out before final decision is made.
You will need to know for any future dogs you may own.

EGAR

Hehe, ROFL, didn't expect YOU .

soupie

if u love your dog would you not try and have his behaviour studied. If it was my dog putting him down would be the last option. I'd take him to a specialist.

All those demanding he be put down must not have had a dog of their own in the past. Its not that simple

RandomOne

Raiser wrote:

Peasant consider a name change to Dr. Doolittle - for you truly do posses ALL of the correct, astoundingly astute and valid opinions on this thread.

Nobody wants to have a "heated discussion" with you - why not discuss things calmly and reasonably with the rest of us?

Your intolerance and ugly, dismissive attitude has made you come across as a bit of a arrogant, loudmouth bigot to be honest.

Actually, I've come across a few on here who have given me that impression, Peasant wasn't one of them.


Meanwhile back to topic:

The OP had a particular incident where a Dr. had said it was law to have the dog put to sleep. Where there was plenty of sound advice and attempts to discover the cause of the dog biting, there seems to be an awful rush for others to judge those advice-givers as "wrong" and replace it with their own advice. I was of the opinion folk asked questions on here to gain more perspectives than their own, so whether agreed with or not, that advice and those opinions, unless clearly trollish are equally valid if not actually answering the question posed.

But of course, this is only my opinion and so I fully expect it to be "wrong" in some people's eyes. :rolleyes:

tj-music.com

To the original poster: It is very difficult to give advice without knowing the exact facts around the attack. It is also a different thing if the dog bites once in agony maybe or really attacks over and over again.

I am a pet psychologist and a holistic animal healer and there are many things to consider when a dog goes wild:

- how long does he know your girlfriend?
- did she invade his space (accidently sitting on his favourite toy and all that sort of thing can trigger an attack)
- a sore spot she touched could have made him angry
- too much eyecontact sends the signal of a threat to a dog

The list could go on. In essence it is important to look at what went wrong and also to look at the current situation:

Is he accepting her as part of the pack, equal with you (the alpha male) or at least above him, does he growl when she enters the house etc.

You should take him to the vet and get him checked for any physical/psychological issues to rule out illness.

How old is the dog? If the situation becomes unsolvable there is always a chance to rehome him rather than having him put down.

Up until now he was a trustworthy companion. Getting him killed is not in your interest, trust me on this.

doctor evil

"getting him killed is not in your best interest".

On page three the op announced the dog had been put to sleep, it had also bitten before. Going over the same things like a broken record is not going to help the op.

Coonagh Cowboy

Sorry to hear about your dog being put down and your girlfriend's experience with him,but the truth really is no one really knows why he bit her but him,and there could be 20 or so reasons we can guess as to why or what caused him to do it.Ive had dogs all my life and im no expert at all i still learn something new everday with mine.And i know theres the 2 sided fence of either put it down or not,and i can understand putting one down if its totally off its rocker and goes for everything and everyone,but at the same time even if mine was to bite me and i couldnt control it or fix the problem i'd be more inclined to find someone would could and give the lil fella a 2nd chance even if it wasnt with me.There's loads of folks and rescue organisations who have experience with dogs like that,who could probably help both parties.Its sad when you have to make the choice of putting anything down,just i wouldnt make that choice unless i had exhausted all other options first.

darkflower

i, myself had been bitten by dogs a couple of times. perhaps, in their senses i was a threat (though i couldn't think of a possible way how i'd been a threat during those instances). nevertheless, i still beileve putting your dog to sleep is a harsh treatment to a pet. it's the first bite i presume, if he does it twice then consider the option..ehh, is your dog jealous at your gf?...:D

gypsygirl

If you absolutely have to pet dogs you don't know, there are a few rules:
-If possible, ask the owner first, if it's ok to do so
-Do not "reach down" to pet a dog, besides your best intentions, this to the dog really is an aggressive move. Some have learned to ignore this and read it for what it's meant to be ...others haven't (yet). Instead honker down to the dogs level and then pet it.
- Not all dogs like to be petted on the head ..the shoulders are a much safer area

oh and another thing ...make contact with the dog first ...say something friendly ...do not startle it with a surprise "petting attack"

This thread has indeed evoked strong emotions, I agree with just about everything Peasant says. I have a rescued 8yr old Dobie/shepherd X and I've lost count of the amount of Stupid people who think its ok the pet her without first asking me if its ok to do so, she doesen't like to be touched by strangers some folk just don't seem to understand that dogs, like people have individual personalities, some enjoy being petted by anyone, whereas Molly will only allow people she trusts to pet her. Another point, ALL animals need a safe place to go where nobody is allowed follow, I have 1yr & 3yr old nieces who "rough play" with my dogs & cat all the time, but both dogs/cat and kiddies have been taught that if cat/dogs walks away, the game is over, the girls are NOT allowed to follow or continue the game My dogs & cat know that if they go to the kitchen, kiddies will not follow. This gives the animal an absolute out when needed and kiddies learn respect for animals. My parents used this method when I was a kid and I was never bitten or even growled at, I know the OPs case was different but if you have an animal as part of your household, it needs and deserves understanding and respect in order to be a full member of the family, in MOST cases animal attacks are caused (albeit unknowingly) by the human. My 3yr old niece loves animals but even she will always kneel down to the dogs level to pet it and already knows "never raise your hand/arm above dogs head" she strokes dogs chest gently while whispering "shussh" noises, animals always go all slushy around her. Most animals (like most humans) have the potential to be dangerous, but given the respect they deserve, most aminals (like most humans) will not attack without a reason, People who have animals as part of the family, need to understand and provide for the animals needs, all too often the animal is blamed when something happens when if fact its the human at fault. Sorry if I've gone on a bit but this issue is soo important. So all you people who have pets, ensure their needs are met, Don't go letting your kiddies swing out of your pets and then wonder why kiddies get bitten or scratched.

Dyr

hmmm.. and seem as this is a dobermann/shepard cross you dont have to worry too much about how it reacts because it's muzzled when it's out in public? It's one of the rules too

Interestingly enough i seem to remember when i was younger the expert advice that was in vogue was NOT to go down face to face with a dog as it might see that as a challenge. TBH basic preservation instinct probably tells humans not to stick their mush in front on an animals mouth, especially when you're hunkered down and cant back away sharpish

Expert advice should come with the caveat that the experts might just do a u-turn on it in a few years time.

Pythia

Hey, don't mean to hijack thread but here goes...
I was cuddling my dog earlier today, as I often do, and he suddenly went for me. I was bitten around my eyes and nose and had to get stitches at the hospital.
He's bitten my Dad's hand twice before. He's a very nervous dog. A miniature daschund, neutered.
Is there any hope of rehoming the dog? He's almost 4 now, and has lived with us all that time, except some weekends when my Granny takes him.
My parents want to put him down.
I wasn't being rough with the dog. He was just sitting on my lap. I take him for walks and feed him. It was unprovoked and he didn't growl or make any other signals before attacking.

Karoma

Is there any hope of rehoming the dog?

Based on:

He's a very nervous dog. ...
He's almost 4 now, and has lived with us all that time, except some weekends when my Granny takes him.

Very unlikely.
If it's biting uprovoked like that - try being a better owner, or if you want the easy way out: it's unfair on the dog or any prospective new owner... Have it put down.

x Purple Pawprints x

As someone else said, maybe he has a sore spot and she hurt him. No bite is unprovoked IMO.. unless he had rabies and from what I read, he doesn't. I'd give him a second chance but then again I have a soft spot for dogs so... Maybe you should talk it over with the girl who was bitten and maybe a vet. Although I do have a feeling that it is the law that he has to be euthanised. I know it must be awful to have to do it but if it's the law you'll have to comply, I'm sorry. Good luck.

EGAR

It is NOT the law as stated before. Pythia, if you read this, send me a PM and I'll help you re-home the dog.

Pythia

Sorry, I forgot to add, the dog was put down the day after I posted this.