14-08-2008, 10:43 AM
|
 |
Pet Forums Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 520
|
|
|
Re: Our dog's just bitten my wife...
Quote:
Originally Posted by cjm
We rescued our dog from the council strays about 2 months ago. She's about 15 months and we think she's a collie/staffy cross. She's been fine most of the time, just the odd bit of bad behaviour - barking at people/dogs/cats/cars on walks, chewing bits of the wall etc when we're out - but nothing we didn't really expect from a rescue dog.
But this evening, out of nowhere, she bit my wife's hand - not quite hard enough to break the skin but enough to leave bruises, and it's still really sore.
My wife was only cleaning 'eye goo' off the dog's face the same as she's done loads of times before, and the dog's never minded her face being touched in the past, infact I was stroking her face only 10 minutes before she bit!
We really dont know what to do now...
We dont feel like we can trust her anymore, especially if she can be as unpredictable as that without being provoked.
Is there anything we can do?
We'd feel so guilty giving her away again as it's already happened to her once - and I'm sure nowhere would even take her knowing that she'd bitten someone anyway!
If anyone has an advice for us we'd appreciate it...
Thanks
|
Hi,
I do agree that you should seek professional advice, but also some food for thought.
Typically in my experience rescue dogs will often display behaviours primarily driven by fear/anxiety. The barking at other dogs/people/cats etc that you mention, along with the chewing bits of wall when you're out are all related to fear and anxiety.
Perhaps it is also the case with the bite, it may have been a fear response.
I do think you should seek the advice of a good behaviourists (ask for client recommendations, any good behaviourist will have no problem with this).
Also you need to establish your leadership with your rescue dog, all dogs needs leadership, but rescue dogs even more so, as when they feel a strong sense of ownership and leadership many of their fears can be greatly reduced if not overcome.
You might also be interested in looking in to using Bach Flower Remedies (discuss this with a holistic vet)
I would suggest these combinations:
Trust
Separation anxiety
Hope this helps
Angela |