When your own dog bites you
After dinner I always wipe down the table. Then before dinner, the next night, I always wipe the table with Clorox anticeptic wipes (who knows what gets on there during the day.) Keira (Border Collie) goes crazy at the wiping motion. Always. Tonight, I was wiping down the table, and she jumped up and bit my hand. I really think she was aiming for the circular motion, not realizing it was attached to me. When she realized she bit me, she ran. I was so angry. Too angry. I actually hit her (not hard, but in anger). She opted to go into her crate. I've been bleeding a lot. And she also hit my hand with a tooth that did not break the skin, but is swollen from the force of her bite. I feel betrayed. She's being as sweet as can be. She NEVER bites or is aggressive. She just hates the "wipe down". I feel terrible. I want to hug her. But I'm really hurt, and don't want to send the wrong message. This is NOT acceptable! Help. My hand really hurts (thank G-d, I know her shots are all up to date). What should she and I do to get back to trusting each other? I'm really upset. Cuz she's really a very good, loving dog. |
|
|
| Oh this is a tough situation. Are you the only one who ever wipes down the table? If not, does she get aggravated with the other family members when they wipe? For a while I would just put her in her crate before and after dinner when you are cleaning. I wonder what triggers her response? Good luck with the behavior and also just "gettting back to normal" with her. |
| Yeah...I am the only one who cleans the table. When Tony got home (after the incident) he tried to re-inact it. When he wiped the table, she was visably anxious, but held herself back (perhaps because of what happened with me.) From now on, I am going to put her in crate when I clean the table. She loves her crate, so I'm hoping that will be the solution. |
debcram wrote: From now on, I am going to put her in crate when I clean the table. She loves her crate, so I'm hoping that will be the solution.
I think sometimes it's easier to remove the dog from situation than it is to fix it through training. Putting her in the crate while you clean is a sure way of having that happen again. She knew she hurt you when she did it. Clyde bit me in the thumb once (didn't break the skin but it was hard!) when we were tugging on a toy and as soon as I gasped, he dropped the toy and started licking my finger. He knew he got me and felt as bad about it as a dog can. DOn't feel like you can't trust her. Like you said, this was a one time thing and normally she's great so don't let one incident sour or scare you. She's still the same girl you love. Give her a hug and stick her in the crate the next time you clean! |
| Oh, Deb. I hope your hand gets better soon. It really sounds like Keira is excited by the wiping motion for whatever reason. Maybe she doesn't like the scent either and it aggravates her nose. It definitely doesn't sound like she bit you on purpose, but just became anxious and meant to grab the wipe like you said. Putting her in her crate while cleaning is an excellent idea! |
| So sorry Deb, it hurts because we put so much trust in them and sometimes forget that they are still dogs.
I agree, putting her inher crate while you clean is a good idea, and try not to be apprehensive about her... she sounds like she feels bad, and she hopefully won't ever do it again. |
ButtersStotch wrote: debcram wrote: From now on, I am going to put her in crate when I clean the table. She loves her crate, so I'm hoping that will be the solution. I think sometimes it's easier to remove the dog from situation than it is to fix it through training. Putting her in the crate while you clean is a sure way of having that happen again. I meant NOT happening again! Sorry if that sounded crazy! |
| Deb,
I know how heartbreaking it can be to feel betrayed by your dog. But, it really seems that Keira is only acting out of anxiety. If you really want to fix the problem you should do so through positive reinforcement. You can reward her profusely with treats/praise while she does a down/stay while you wipe the table. She will eventually associate you wiping the table down with her getting treats and praise! My first instinct (and my dads) is to smack Walter on his nose when he bites one of us meanly, but I have learned that this just adds to his anxiety and worsens the situation. The best thing for Walter is to be stern when he acts out, but to recognize the situation and use positive reinforcement like crazy (hes a little dense, haha) before he has a chance to bite. Please try not to feel hurt! Keira is only a dog and she clearly acted out of anxiety and did not mean to hurt you. She did not think before she bit, but she clearly thought about it afterwards and realized it was the wrong thing. Good luck!! |
| Oh that must have been painful. Both for your hand and your heart.
I doubt that Keira did it out of aggression. Fast movement can trigger they prey instinct in a dog. It does sound like there is something about it that heightens her anxiety. I would start doing several short desensitizing sessions a day. Have her come by the table and show her the cloth. Give her a treat. (use little tiny bits) Put it on the table and give a treat. Start with slow movements and give a treat. Then work up to normal speed. Watch her reaction very carefully at each step. You should be able to tell at what point she becomes nervous. Keep working on that step until she seems more relaxed, before moving to the next. Good luck, I'm sure it will work out. |
| That was the first time a dog ever bit me. I was really sort of in shock. I was off my stride all night, and didn't sleep well (my hand is very swollen and HURTS!). But, Keira has been making up to me since. We cuddled on the couch and in bed. I truly don't believe she meant to bite me. I think the situation just ran away with her. I'm more comfortable with her today than I thought I would be, and that's a good thing. She is one the sweetest dogs I've ever known.  I think Tony will be setting the table from now on! |
| Deb...I don't think Kiera meant to bite you. Izzie does something very similar. When my sister or I are wiping up the kitchen floor...mostly water that dripped from Izzie's chin...she sees chasing and attacking the rag as a game. Basically we end up wiping with one hand and holding her back with the other. She has never bitten us...but it could easily happen if we allowed her to go after the rag. I think the rag resembles her rope toys and just gets so excited for a game of chase.
The best way to handle this is to remove Kiera from a tempting situation. After awhile she may even automatically go to her crate when you bring out the wipe. Hope your hand feels better soon  |
| Looks like you have gotten some great advice about dog behavior here...I am also very concerned about your hand. Have you had a doctor look at it? As a nurse and a medical transcriptionist I have heard some bad horror stories about people getting infections from dog and cat bites. Don't ignore this! |
| I was just going to reply , as Debski did. Please get your hand checked out. It should not be that sore and swollen as you have described. Dog bites are actually "cleaner" than human bites, but the infection risk is still there. The nurse in me just needed to reply! |
| The part of my hand that is swollen (and black and blue) is where her teeth hit, but did not break the skin. Where the actual puncture wound is (just one tooth punctured) is not swollen. I'm a bit nervous about going to the Doctor. What reprecussion will they want to take against on Keira? As I said all shots are UTD. She is not a vicious dog by any stretch of the imagination. I'm more worried for her, than for me, if I go to the Doc. |
debcram wrote: She is not a vicious dog by any stretch of the imagination. I'm more worried for her, than for me, if I go to the Doc. I was bitten on the hand by one of our two oes boys when I was 10 years old. They were almost a year old and occasionally would fight...I happened to get caught right when they started. I never even knew which one had gotten me. I went to the emergency room. I don't remember if the county had to come by and ask questions...but nothing happened to them. I can show you my scar at Sheepie Fest. |
| As far as repercussions to Keira, I don't think there should be any problem. I'm not sure about your area, but I do know it is not an issue in MN. We get dog and other animal bites in to the hospital where I work, usually if they require IV antibiotics. I have never heard of any negative action taken against the animal, especially if it's your own dog.
If the swelling seems to be bruising only, you are probably OK. I presume you washed it out really, really thoroughly? Just keep watching it closely, and go in if you are noticing any redness, drainage, swelling, increased pain, tenderness or warmth. Or if you run a temp. If you are at all concerned, or if others seem to be, it's best to go in. You see your hand all the time, so it's easy to miss changes that are gradual. If someone looks at your hand and seems alarmed - go in!! |
| One thing to consider in using only avoidance (as in always being sure she is crated) as a solution to this behavior... you have to be careful that no one around her ever makes the same motions which could cause another bite. I guess I think of someone washing windows or dusting, company helping to clear the table, a kid playing on the floor with his cars, etc. If they bite us, we forgive the transgression. If they bite someone else, they may not. |
| Very good points Jaclin... so perhaps putting her into a down and stay while cleaning is better? |
| Deborah, I am so sorry about Keira. She is such a sweetie pie, and this behavior is so not her. I like the positive reinforcement idea from Walter's mom. I find that it works really well with Oscar, when he is freaking out about my vacuuming or mopping the floors. I put him in a down-stay where he can watch me, but not interact with me or my flurry of activity. This way he has learned to live with it, as he gets a goodie at the end.
Let us know how it goes. Hugs to Keira and Pirate. Laur |
Quote: so perhaps putting her into a down and stay while cleaning is better?
I am NOT a dog trainer only someone with 6 dogs. A professional trainer most likely has a solution to work through this problem if the wiping movement is capable of causing future bites. I guess I choose avoidance only when there is no other option because avoidance never addresses the actual problem. I don't know what the "proper" approach is because I don't know the dog. I can only say that if I had this challenge with a dog in my pack, I would use a leash/collar and the dog would be at my side every night while I preformed this task. I'd also repeat sessions a couple of times during the day as I do when teaching any new command. The leash would be for both restraint and to break the focus... a quick tug with a firm verbal command- "Leave it" if I see the dog is fixating on the movement. I'd also seriously consider using a soft muzzle during early training to prevent another bite. I'd end sessions on a lighter note going though some sits, downs that I know the dog is completely capable of preforming with rewards and praise after each. Again, I'm not a trainer so there is probably a better approach. Just a thought but I wonder how she reacts to a car's windshield wipers when they're on... slow... fast. Huh. |
| This info is a bit late but as a nurse...please make sure your tetanus shots are up to date, especially when the skin has been broken....Kathy |
Amanda P wrote: I can show you my scar at Sheepie Fest.
Have you set a date yet for Sheepie Fest? May be time for a road trip!  (no, not to see your scar, have plenty of my own right now!) |
| Keira and I shared a very positive experience yesterday. When it came time to clean the table, I didn't use the smelly stuff. I used a paper towel with dishsoap. I made her sit and stay. Then I started cleaning. She was remarkably calm! After a few seconds she started getting up. Not in a frantic "I'm gonna get it" way, but just up. I stopped, and told her to sit, which she did. I finished my chore, and she remained sitting. I'm thinking maybe the smell sets her off. She wasn't as crazed  with the plain towel and soap.I'll keep this up for a couple weeks, and then try the other. If she gets goofy, I just won't use that stuff. As for SheepieFest! 3 (can you believe 3?!) it will be the weekend of Oct. 7th. I'm not sure if we will do it Sat. or Sunday. We did Sunday last year, and that seemed to work out great. I honestly have to get started!!! As I get my head together...I 'll start a new SheepieFest! 3 topic. Nita, we'd love to have you come! We really have a good time. |
| Kathy, my tetanus is up to date. She only broke the skin in one place. The rest of my hand is still swollen and the black and blue is getting worse, as it always does when its healing. My hand seems to hurt more today. But I think thats part of the natural healing process. Boy...have I ever learned a lesson  ! |
| Glad things went well with cleaning the table and that your hand is at least on the mend. Deb, please let me know what I can do to help with Sheepiefest! |
| Deb, glad you felling better. Mine was swollen and black & blue for a week and a half. The puncture wound didn't get infected but seemed to take forever to heal. Kathy |
| Stacey, When I spray Fabreze, air freshener's, carpet cleaner...pretty much anything, Chauncey will roll on the carpet, rub his head, sneeze. This last at least 5 mins. I mentioned this to the vet and his response was he probably just doesn't like the scents. Actually I've really cut back on spraying things when he's inside. I wait until my husband takes him out.
Although, it was kinda comical to watch ( I know that's bad ). |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|