Dog Community

I need help with giving someone advice

Posted : 5/18/2006 7:41:20 PM

I'll try to condense
Coworker they have an approx. 8 year old mixed GSD breed. Adopted from a shelter at approx. 3-4 years of age by the husband. Dog adores the husband but he married my coworker shortly after the adoption so she has been a part of the dog's life nearly since day one.
This evening coworker's DH spent time outside with the dog while doing yardwork. When he brought the dog inside dog peed on the table leg. He said no to dog, grabbed his collar to take him out and put him on the run while he cleaned up the spot. The dog turned and attacked the guy.
I say attack cause he should be in the ER right now getting stitches but is afraid of the "attack" being reported so he won't go.
His wife (my coworker) called me.
I told her they need to get the dog's T4 levels checked and go from there. This was an unprovoked incident and the dog has always adored his man.
I mentioned the T4, give the night for themselves to calm down and deal with it tomorow.
BUT - they have a 4 year old son and a baby on the way in October.
I also had a thought that perhaps, since this dog is older, maybe he's got some joint pain going on and the quick movement caused him some pain so he lashed out.
I'm going to mention that tomorrow.
Anyone got any other ideas? Sounds like they are receptive to not just putting the dog down but they do have major concerns with their children and all - and I don't blame them. This is a good size dog.

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Posted : 5/18/2006 8:11:46 PM

First I would like to clearly state that I do not support them having this dog around the children. On the otehr hand I am not a proffesional but I think that if they do not procede to go to the doctore for the husband then they most defintly should go to a dog therapist.
A lot of the times the human is to blame for being bit by a dog, not intentionally the humans fault but indirectly. I think in this case that the dog has some major "alpha" issues and the NILF program is the first step they could take before they are able to employ more proffesional methods.
I own a pit bull and the number one thing I have leaned with owning a dog of this breed is: regardless of the dog's willingness to bite the effect of the bite is much more fatal due to the size of the dog bite. If the dog had done the same thing to one of the children then obviously the injury would be more severe.
Anywho, the only advice I can offer is IMMEDIATE intervention from a behavioral specialist. A common place to find them is on craigslist, good luck and keep us posted!

forpaws

Posted : 5/19/2006 12:07:14 PM

In addition to the above advise I would also ask them to have the dog taken to the vet to make sure there is no underlying health reason that caused this dog to react this way.

Do they know this dogs back ground by any chance? A thought came to me the dog may have been reacting to something that happened to him in the past where he may have been abused and got scared.

I am glad they are willing to work with this dog before the child enters the picture. Is there any way they can get an article of clothing of the child for this dog to get familiar with the new pack member? I would also ask them to start playing a CD that has baby noises around the home for the dog to identify the noises when the child does arrive.

Keep us posted.

Firestorm

Posted : 5/19/2006 12:29:20 PM

I think they should seek out a vet and a behaviorist. They should see if the problem is curable. They should NOT let this dog anywhere near children until problem has been fixed and then it should be supervised. Children need to be kept safe from agressive dogs!

rredbird

Posted : 5/19/2006 2:38:20 PM

Mary, Please tell co-workers DH to get to his dr at the very least. Within 24 hrs of my DH being bit his arm was inflamed from a severe bite. Dr started him on heavy duty antibiotics and told him since the dogs were ours that bit him he would not have to report it (no danger of rabies). He should have had stitches cause one bit was to muscle but because of the infection dr left it open to drain and we just used dressings/ointment. Dog bites are nothing to ignore!

That said - I believe the dog should be evaluated by a vet and then a behaviorist if there is one in your area. Regardless - never leave this dog alone with children. Even good kids who know better do stupid things! Good luck and i hope things work out.

Julie Byers

Posted : 5/19/2006 2:55:07 PM

That's a difficult situation, if the man is avoiding medical care due to fear of it being reported, he could get a major infection. I believe the laws differ state by state. In Utah in my county, I needed medical attention just for a cat claw puncture. The doctor's office tried to bully me into signing a bunch of paperwork on a vicious cat bite. I resisted, and they refused to treat me until I signed! No Joke. So, I took the clip board and a pen, and crossed every single reference and word using 'Bite' and wrote in 'claw puncture' and also wrote down a few wrong numbers for the address and phone number. They did not compare it to my regular records. It ticked them off that I edited the form, but since I filled it out, they treated me for classic 'cat scratch fever' which can get dangerous if ignored. Maybe the guy could go to a clinic and pay cash and creatively fill out the forms. That way he gets the attention he needs. As far as the dog, get it to a vet pronto and keep the family safe!! What if that had been a child mauled by that dog?? Jules

jeano

Posted : 5/19/2006 3:46:34 PM

If a dog has been abused, chances are it was grabbed by the collar before the abuse started. That could well be the trigger that scared the dog, plus the owners very sudden loud and "mean" stance and actions. I will bet you that pushed a button for the dog. I would not grab this dog by the collar again until this possibility has been examined by a behaviorist.

If the dog has arthritis in the neck, it could have hurt terribly, too. So I have to say the same as everyone else: get professional help NOW. And keep the dog apart from the kids until they know what the buttons are that set the dog off.

It doesn't sound like this dog is hopeless, though. I certainly hope they take the time to sort this out and don't just put the dog to sleep. That would be awful.

marynh

Posted : 5/20/2006 4:47:20 PM

the dog owner did seek medical attention the day after the bite/attack. He started getting red lines up his arm.
he hesitation to seek medicare care was due to insurance issues. They have insurance but a high deductable and with a pregnant wife their medical bills are rather high, that and he's had to ER visits work related and he's a subcontractor so his boss doesn't cover him with worker's comp.
The dog has been PTS. The vet wanted to talk to him, I haven't heard what the conversation with about, but they did put the dog down late yesterday afternoon.