Shocked... Lola went for me last night

moggymutt

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I can definatley say that I've never bitten anyone when I've been of it.
.

Bit daft comparing a human biting to a dog biting- dogs lash out with their teeth, humans with their arms and I bet many a human has lashed out at least once with their arms when otherwise normally very placid.

ka7e

I had a 5 year-old Lab that growled at a child at a summer fete. I was mortified and a little alarmed as she had been brought up with my twins since they were 3 and was the perfect family dog. Previously I would have said that she was 100% safe around kids. The child had asked if it was OK to stroke her, as well .
A few days later, Jay started to limp and the vet found a small lump in her "armpit". A biopsy showed it was an extremely aggresive cancer and within 10 days we had her put to sleep as she was in pain.
A dog that is ill or in pain or is very scared may well act in an uncharacteristic way.

teddysmum

RachRubyD wrote: »

I picked a Cavalier as they are very gentle and never known to bite (and I probably will start a family in the next few years) same size as my cat and also are generally pet friendly.

I have two cavaliers (from an original four), but Teddy (from well known reliable lines so no bad breeding) has bitten (me and one of the other dogs). He changed, aged about 15 months, for no reason (had a vet check, he hadn't had a bad experience and all four of my dogs were treated alike) . I was really worried as my next eldest had a very bad heart and would not be up to an attack (luckily never made as he was the passive leader). Rehoming, responsibly, was not an option and I wasn't going to give up so had to work on him (using positive methods, of course). It was hard work, but nowadays, though I won't let him near strange people or dogs, he's fine.

I wonder whether the OP's dog had anal gland problems, as that is what came to mind, for me.

Teddy used to occasionally have stubborn glands, but I have never needed to consult the vet after using my home remedy : a daily dessertspoonful of rough bran (from a health food shop, not processed supermarket type), mixed in with wet food or mixed into a little milk, for a couple of days and also a one off extra big dinner to make a bulky stool.



I have known other cavalier owners have problems, too, though mostly inter-dog, so no breed is 100% trustworthy.

Addiscomber

zaksmum wrote: »

I'd be horrified if my dogs ever went for me. It just would not happen. Ever.

I treat them with respect but if they were asleep, eating, whatever - and I disturbed them - they would absolutely NEVER go for me.

You are complacent and that could be dangerous.

elsien

Mutt snapped at me a few times, breaking the skin. Usually when she was overexcited or something startled her. So when she went deaf, if I wasn't careful she'd wake up teeth first. But it was always a nip and run, and because I knew the triggers it was manageable. So for example she was never in the same room as a small child.
Having said that, I still believe she would have never ever seriously and deliberately damaged anyone - well as sure as you can be with any dog. And I was never scared of her because I knew what she was doing and why, and I knew how far she'd go. She was never a sink the teeth in and hang on dog.
It's not that clear cut that if a dog bites, it's dangerous and should be got rid of. It very much depends on all sorts of variables.

brz3igler

Hi, I'm also a pet lover. A have a new pupp and I think my dog acted like that before after changing her dog food to a different brand. Im not so sure about this one but they say some other dog food brands tend to trigger dogs aggressive behavior even when they're only what we call 'toy dogs'. Hmm if ever you think it has nothing to do with dog food, then I suspect Lala just wasn't comfortable at that time when you approached her. Could be that she wasn't feeling well due to her diet/environment etc.