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Location: Motherwell, UK
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,088
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Originally Posted by
tillytheterrier
oh hun, im so sorry for you. i wish i could give you some advice but im a bit rubbish at that! dont feel bad. you did what you had to do. but two bites in a day isnt normal. maybe you should get a vet to check him in case there is a medical reason for this. or if nothing wrong there, maybe a good behaviourist? im sorry if these are things you've already done, i just havent read about. stay strong and try to act as normal with him. remember, he's still your boy. big hugs to you both from me and Tilly. xxx
thanks, I think im going to get an appointment at a different vet to the normal one, coz I wasn’t happy with them when I took him there last week so want a second opinion from a different vet.
Originally Posted by
Stumpywop
Hi Lauren,
I'm so sorry to hear you've been bitten and after reading some of your other posts on the board, I know it's completely out of character for Jake to behave this way.
Firstly, please do NOT feel bad about holding onto him, holding him down or using his lead as a muzzle. We all know you don't do that sort of thing normally and you absolutely had to ensure you weren't bitten again.
You say he has problems right now with his eyes and ears? (Sorry I can't aaccess the Dogsey link you've attached). It could be that he is in some pain or feeling some discomfort and for whatever reason, cannot hear you properly so doesn't know what commands you're giving him. Although, if he can't see properly then suddenly he realises something is near his rear end, even though YOU know it's only your hand and you won't hurt him, maybe that's not registering with him at the moment.
It could also be that if he's not well anyway, the cold could be iritating what's wrong with him.
Please don't ask your BF to help check him over. I think in the first instance you should take Jake to the vet to rule out any other condition he may be suffering from physically. They can examine him properly and if you explain what happened, they should have muzzles there that will fit him properly and you will all be safe during the examination. Also bear in mind that muzzles are used also for the dog's safety, not just for ours. So you're not doing anything bad by using a muzzle (I felt incredibly guilty the first time I used one).
If you and your BF try to check him over you both risk being badly bitten if he turns and that doesn't bear thinking about.
Over the next week or so, I'd also recommend closing the door to your parents bedroom and any other room he shouldn't have access to. If he gets on the sofa and isn't usually allowed to then use treats or toys (whatever gets his attention) to get him down and reward him when he's dne as he's been told. Allow him to have a little more of his own space but still play with him and walk him, feed him etc as usual.
Invest in a muzzle. Put it on Jake at different times so that he doesn't think anything bad is going to happen to him. This is what I've had to do with my big GSD. it means I can take him to the vet and he's happy to wear the muzzle. He can't kill the vet (tempting as it is) and he gets rewarded afterwards for wearign it. it takes a little bit of the anxiety away for the dog, owner and vet too.
Finally, try not to feel apprehensive around Jake. He's still your loony pup who loves you to bits. When he bit you he obviously knew he's done wrong but probably didn't knwo why. I know it's hard but try to act normally and feel the same as you usualyl do inside. NO matter how good you are at hiding body language, Jake will pick up on how yo'r really feeling. And only cuddle him when he comes to you. Don't approach him fo ra cuddle or pick him up.
It could be any one of a hundred things that are giong onthat's set him off . Hopefully you'll get to the bottom of it quickly.
Laura xx
Thanks, yeah he has lost the fur around his eyes, its all red and he has a few wee sores around his eyes and mouth and his ears look very painful too. the vet thinks it is a mite but im not sure… I hadn’t thought about him maybe not being able to hear as well… that’s a good point. He has been in pain though, he randomly whines and tries to itch it a lot. Plus, around his eyes keeps bleeding.
We usually do close the bedroom door, but they sometimes forget and when the kids are here (my niece and nephew are around
a lot) its difficult coz they always open it.
Im trying to be normal with him, my dad let him out his crate this morning while I was still asleep and I got woken by jake pawing at me. then when I opened my eyes, he came and snuggled up next to me, and gave me a few wee licks.
Originally Posted by
Emrad
Oh Chick, that is a horrid day you had with Jake. I am no expert on this but you sounded like you dealt with it as you had to and doesnt sound like the wrong thing, if it is a random act of a dog you know well it can be such a shock and bewildering, firstly he is at a challenging age so he could be trying to push the limit, but since he has been having trouble with his ears and eyes of late and is on medication it could be they are hurting him causing his unusual behaviour in him. It would be worth another vet visit as you said they were getting worse rather than better (maybe a different one that you can get a second opinion off)
As for being on beds maybe it is worth keeping him off yours for the time being as well, so there can be no confusion on what bed to hop on and what bed not to. It sounds safer to go back to crating him for a bit anyway.
I am sure someone will be able to help you more than me.
Massive hugs to you, you did the best you could with the shock of it, I hope tomorrow brings you some new light on the situation.
Thanks emma, its so so not like my boy… he never does anything like this. I think it must be coz of his eyes and ears coz its just so out of character and although he can be a first class pest on walks, his behaviour in the house is usually so much better than this. He really is so well behaved… yeah he gets into things he shouldn’t, but he does usually listen when told what to do, whether it be ‘drop’, ‘leave, ‘come’ etc.
Originally Posted by
nickmcmechan
sounds like he will need very firm consistent rules - if he's not allowed on one bed he's not allowed on any
if he misbehaves, maybe try to encourage him to off the couch/bed with a treat; if he refuses ignore him completely
thanks, I think I will have to stop him going on my bed, he just usually listens when told to get down so has never been a problem before.
Originally Posted by
scorpio
So sorry to read this...as it is completely out of character and he has been having trouble with his ears and eyes I would get him off to the vets as soon as possible for a thorough check up. I had an ear infection once and it made me very disorientated...if he is feeling that way then it could account for his actions.
I hope you get to the bottom of it, it must be so upsetting and frightening for you. xxx
Thanks, maybe that’s what it is with him, his ears could be making him feel a bit funny and disorientated… I just cant think what else it could be, coz although he pushes the boundaries on walks he doesn’t in the house, and earlier on that night he went on the couch twice, and as soon as I said down, he got off them.
Originally Posted by
Lynn
I agree with the Sheree get him to a vet. He is under the weather you say with his ears and eyes being sore so that is probably the cause.
Ollie has always been funny right from a pup about people walking over him if he is the way when he is sleeping he will growl or snap but
never make contact this is his nature he is a nervous dog we accept it and find another way round it. Call him gently and wake him first or use treats he is nearly 4 now and he has never
bitten.
I wouldn't say he is pushing the boundaries this sounds like he is feeling unwell. Might be wise for you and your boyfriend not to push the boundaries with him by feeling him all over let the vet take a look and see what they say.
Sorry you are feeling this way I had a dog that use too bite me but thats another story and it doesn't sound like the problem I had with her either.
Good luck let us know how you get on.
Thanks, I don’t think he is pushing the boundaries either, he does on walks but his behaviour in the house is great and he usually listens so well in the house. I think it must be his eyes and ears, he must be in pain and getting fed up with it now.
Originally Posted by
MissE
*hugs* for you hon, you must be feeling so strange xx
First off, you're not alone - I've been bitten by Missy and I know you can lose trust if you're not careful. (Mine was over a lamb chop I decided to liberate from her mouth!)
This is out of character for Jake, you know that. Hang on to that.
Get to the vet in case Jake needs pain meds for his condition.
Agree totally, consistent rules. All beds allowed - or no beds.
When you feel able- some on/off training. Make it fun, use the sofa or a pouffe to start and use treats and happy voices. Eventually all off/ on will be seen as a game.
Don't feel bad for what you had to do - its done and gone. Jake is no worse for it.
Deep breaths honey - and make the first stop the vet. Pain can make the most tolerant dog intolerant.
*hugs*
thanks, yeah you can lose trust. I am trying to be normal with him but I feel so wary and cautious. Jake has never ever done this, even when food or bones have been taken off him… he doesn’t growl (he did once to my niece but never to anyone else and we worked on it and now he doesn’t with her either) or tense up or anything… so it really isn’t like him at all…