My dog just bit someone

Newlyboughthouse

I am absolutely mortified. My 5 year old dog with a normally beautiful temperament just went to attack a dog in the park, and accidentally bit the owner's arm and broke the skin slightly.

I said "I'm so sorry, I don't really know what to do. What would you like me to do?" to which she replied, "don't worry about it, it's ok".

But it's not ok, is it? What the hell do I think/do? Aside from the obvious - be more cautious, leash etc.

Anyone been in this position before?

lindens

First of all i would take him to the vet - maybe he lashed out as he's in pain from something. Could be toothache - anything really.

martinthebandit

Newlyboughthouse wrote: »

I am absolutely mortified. My 5 year old dog with a normally beautiful temperament just went to attack a dog in the park, and accidentally bit the owner's arm and broke the skin slightly.

I said "I'm so sorry, I don't really know what to do. What would you like me to do?" to which she replied, "don't worry about it, it's ok".

But it's not ok, is it? What the hell do I think/do? Aside from the obvious - be more cautious, leash etc.

Anyone been in this position before?

No I was always sure to keep my dog on a lead when in a public place.

Newlyboughthouse

lindens wrote: »

First of all i would take him to the vet - maybe he lashed out as he's in pain from something. Could be toothache - anything really.

I also have a pup who is constantly trying to play with him. I'm wondering whether it's getting a bit stressful for him. I would get irritated by a small thing constantly hanging off me. I'm separating them more now at home, to give him a break.

elsien

Been there, and dog was on lead at the time so that doesn't always help. Although mine was a dog nervous of people and thought she was being attacked so a slightly different situation.

Get him checked out and if you have any concerns consider a muzzle on a temporary basis although that can make a nervous dog worse.
If it happens again and with a different person you could be prosecuted for having a dog that is out of control in a public place.

Do you have any idea at all what may have triggered the issues between the two dogs?

Newlyboughthouse

elsien wrote: »

Been there, and dog was on lead at the time so that doesn't always help. Although mine was a dog nervous of people and thought she was being attacked so a slightly different situation.

Get him checked out and if you have any concerns consider a muzzle on a temporary basis although that can make a nervous dog worse.
If it happens again and with a different person you could be prosecuted for having a dog that is out of control in a public place.

Do you have any idea at all what may have triggered the issues between the two dogs?

No idea. He's normally fantastic with other dogs. Neither was on lead. It's a popular dog walking area where most dogs get to run and play off lead, which we've done without issue for the past 5 years.

I honestly think some dogs just 'say something' or swear at eachother in their own way and just simply take a dislike to eachother. It could also have something to do with also having my puppy in tow - perhaps being protective? I reprimanded him strongly and he seemed to know he'd done wrong for the remainder of the walk. He's a clever boy and picks up on my emotions so I don't think this will happen again, but I feel awful.

elsien

Yep, I was beating myself up about it for months afterwards. Doesn't get you anywhere though. All you can do is work out if there's anything else you need to do.
As an aside though, your dog will have picked up you were cross, but not necessarily why. He may well not realise he hurt the person. I wouldn't rely on that to stop anything from happening in the future. You also need to be careful that if you're now wary around other dogs he might pick up on that from you as well.

Newlyboughthouse

elsien wrote: »

Yep, I was beating myself up about it for months afterwards. Doesn't get you anywhere though. All you can do is work out if there's anything else you need to do.
As an aside though, your dog will have picked up you were cross, but not necessarily why. He may well not realise he hurt the person. I wouldn't rely on that to stop anything from happening in the future. You also need to be careful that if you're now wary around other dogs he might pick up on that from you as well.

Yeah it really upset me! I wondered if I should've given her my contact details rather than just ask if there was anything she wanted me to do.

Yeah I know this (about the upset energy). It was an immediate reprimand though, whilst he was doing it and immediately after i.e. a strong 'no', 'leave' and strongly grabbing his harness, after I was clearly annoyed with him he did his "sorry mam" stance, stuck to me like glue and nosed me for the rest of the walk plus he got no treats for the remainder while pup did. He knows I'm pretty sure I'll be confident on future walks and think this was a one-off. Just wanted reassurance from others that have been in the same boat. Thank you

elsien

If she'd wanted your contact details she'd have asked for them. And if it's an area you use regularly she could probably track you down if she needed to. Sounds like someone who knows dogs, could see from your reaction it wasn't a regular occurrence and could tell your dog didn't intentionally hurt her. People tend to get more cross with the owners who are clearly clueless or who just don't care.

iolanthe07

I had a rescue dog some years ago which, while on a lead, suddenly attacked a man at a bus stop, puncturing his skin and ruining his trousers, He had to go to A&E for a checkup. He was very nice about it and only charged me £30 for the trousers when he could have sued for a lot of money. I too was mortified, and on the vet's advice the dog sadly had to be put down. The vet thought that the dog had probably been badly mistreated by his previous owner.

doglady1891

Just coming from the other side of the situation - I was badly bitten a few months ago by a husky type dog and the damage was pretty bad (had to call an ambulance) but it was not aggression directed towards me. I was more concerned about the dogs tbf and just tried to get on with it afterwards, I didn't expect the owner to do anything but they did check on me a few times - which was appreciated. Don't beat yourself up..these things happen.