new rescue dog bit another

[anonymous-user]

opinions/advice accepted.

so we've had our new rescue for 2 weeks and everything has been going really well, coming out of his shell, living peacefully alongside our other rescue, but out of the blue this evening he attacked another dog and took a chunk out of it.

The other dog is a sharpei so its taken a bit of loose skin rather than meat so only needs surface stitches, but unsurprisingly we're in shock and at a loss as to what to do.

We've apologised to the owner, went to the vets with her and insisted we pay for all treatment, but now not sure as to next steps with our boy.

The attack was completely out of the blue, both dogs on leads and just sniffing then wham!
no bad body language, no hackles raaised or growling, just went for 0 to 10 in one go.

Now my wife is questioning whether we should keep him and keep working with him, or take him back? she's previously been nervous of dogs so is scared about what might happen if it happens again when I'm not there.

We've only had him two weeks, but he's got under our skin, but now its different.

any opinions? We can obviously keep him on lead (we have to do that with the other as he's a flight risk if he gets spooked) and keep him away from all other dogs, but we don't want to be the owners of a dangerous dog, nor do we want to put our other rescue in danger. At the same time we feel a bit cowardly considering giving up on him

[Ryan-nunm9]

Is a muzzle an option? i'm not a fan as it leaves your dog defencless but if it's lead exercise only I'd try that before "giving up".

[anonymous-user]

Ryan-nunm9 said:

Is a muzzle an option? i'm not a fan as it leaves your dog defencless but if it's lead exercise only I'd try that before "giving up".

thing is we couldnt do that all the time, and we're concerned about leaving the two dogs together.
We could separate them when we go out, but the point of the second dog was to be company for the first

[Ryan-nunm9]

Ah yes, I was thinking more when you were aout and about sorry.

A mate has his older (grumpy) dog with the full run of the down stairs and the younger one has been crate trained. Seems to work, though maybe not ideal.

[Brads67]

Take him back ? wtf. It`s a dog ! if you don`t want it, put it down, don`t pass it on.

[Ryan-nunm9]

Brads67 said:

Take him back ? wtf. It`s a dog ! if you don`t want it, put it down, don`t pass it on.

The fact th OP is on his/her 2nd rescue suggests they intended/hoped to give the dog a better life, backed up by asking for any advice.

keirik said:

We've only had him two weeks, but he's got under our skin, but now its different.

For some, getting animal PTS isn't quite as simple as that.

If it were me I'd at least give it a go. Behaviour specialist/trainer? I rescued a German Shepheard who hated/feared all men who came close to him except my brother and I. Once I'd worked out what it was he didn't like I just kept him out of that situation

Even my current dog a 11.5 stone Dogue DeBordeaux whom I've had since he was 8 weeks old doesn't like other large male dogs, when at all possible we keep him away from other big dogs but when walking through tight lanes/close proximity he goes on the lead if we see another dog.

It's just a case of working out what they need.....a bit like children (but in my case the dog is bigger, extremely messy and leeks from every orifice when he's sleeping!!!!)

[mike74]

It definitely needs more time to settle in to it's new life and establish the confidence to feel relaxed and secure.

We've took in numerous rescue dogs and had 2 which, when we first got them, both did exactly the same as what you've described (although in each case their victims didn't require any treatment)

Fast forward a few months and they each became the most sociable and trustworthy (and soft) dogs you could ask for.

[PositronicRay]

I'd give it more time, but also discuss with the rescue centre. Dogs Trust (for instance) have behaviourists who may be a able to help.

[anonymous-user]

Brads67 said:

Take him back ? wtf. It`s a dog ! if you don`t want it, put it down, don`t pass it on.

Luckily not everyone in the world and on PH is a trolling

[anonymous-user]

Was the attack completely out of the blue or were the dogs playing/inspecting each other?

Shar Peis descend from fighting dogs so they can send out certain signals and I think their looks can make it difficult for other dogs to read them. The one we used to have also used to make strange noises.

[anonymous-user]

desolate said:

Was the attack completely out of the blue or were the dogs playing/inspecting each other?

Shar Peis descend from fighting dogs so they can send out certain signals and I think their looks can make it difficult for other dogs to read them. The one we used to have also used to make strange noises.

Inspecting each Other, but no hackles no growls nothing to indicate it was going to happen

[anonymous-user]

keirik said:

Inspecting each Other, but no hackles no growls nothing to indicate it was going to happen

If it was a quick scuffle I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep an eye on it.
Sometimes it happens and the cut could have just been bad luck.

It's different if they were in a fight to the death of course.

[anonymous-user]

desolate said:

If it was a quick scuffle I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep an eye on it.
Sometimes it happens and the cut could have just been bad luck.

It's different if they were in a fight to the death of course.

Thanks. Yep I think it was bad luck as it was a sharpei with loose skin. If it had been a different dog I don't think there would have been any consequences.

Looks like my dog may also have an infection from his castration so that may have unsettled him too

[Julietbravo]

keirik said:

desolate said:

If it was a quick scuffle I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep an eye on it.
Sometimes it happens and the cut could have just been bad luck.

It's different if they were in a fight to the death of course.

Thanks. Yep I think it was bad luck as it was a sharpei with loose skin. If it had been a different dog I don't think there would have been any consequences.

Looks like my dog may also have an infection from his castration so that may have unsettled him too

We had exactly the same. Water infection making him grumpy, coupled with tolerating a second dog in hot weather a couple of years ago. Best mates now; you learn their limits and manage situations before they arise. Dogs rarely fight without good reason (food etc); the juice has to be worth the squeeze otherwise it tends to be all noise and spit. Fingers crossed, but you sound like a responsible/seasoned dog owner and I'm guessing you'll be fine. We had a couple of dog-haters suggest that we get him put down; you will get them on this thread - but that's why you rescued him...you knew it wouldn't necessarily be plain sailing.

I don't think I've ever met a dog without a character flaw - it's learning and managing it that is the skill.

Edited by Julietbravo on Friday 3rd August 09:03

Edited by Julietbravo on Friday 3rd August 09:04

Edited by Julietbravo on Friday 3rd August 09:05

[anonymous-user]

keirik said:

Thanks. Yep I think it was bad luck as it was a sharpei with loose skin. If it had been a different dog I don't think there would have been any consequences.

Looks like my dog may also have an infection from his castration so that may have unsettled him too

In that case I'd be keeping an eye on him but not worrying about it too much.

[makaveli144]

We had a similar thing happen with our rescue, turned out she couldnt tolerate other dogs in her space. She wouldn't actively see a fight but if a dog ignored the signs she would go for it. We had a behaviourist help us, show us what to look for and how to manage it.

That been said its probably a little early to tell with your dog, I would just be cautious and observe for now. Manage situations if you think things will escalate but do it calmly. Your new rescue has been through a lot of upheaval, hes in a new environment having to learn the rules of his new pack and from the sounds of it has just been castrated so will have an hormonal imbalance too. Let him settle then decide on a course of action.

P.S a surface bite is worse for the owner than the dog, dogs can take chunks out of each other playing and get on with their day.

[anonymous-user]

makaveli144 said:

We had a similar thing happen with our rescue, turned out she couldnt tolerate other dogs in her space. She wouldn't actively see a fight but if a dog ignored the signs she would go for it. We had a behaviourist help us, show us what to look for and how to manage it.

I do get a bit annoyed by other dog owners reactions to this.

We have an English Bulldog that is gettting on a bit and it now pretty grumpy. She does however have pretty perfect body language. Lots of notice with raised fur and turning away a bit, nice bit of growling before a fk off.

Some owners react as if she is a bandog on the rampage.

[makaveli144]

desolate said:

I do get a bit annoyed by other dog owners reactions to this.

We have an English Bulldog that is gettting on a bit and it now pretty grumpy. She does however have pretty perfect body language. Lots of notice with raised fur and turning away a bit, nice bit of growling before a fk off.

Some owners react as if she is a bandog on the rampage.

Yep me too, we have also had the most ridiculous response I have ever heard. A pug came belting across a road over to my dog. Owner is shouting it, having absolutely no effect obviously. I pick the front end of my dog up as she is trying to eat the said Pug.

I admittedly then get really angry at the Pug owner, whos response is " well if my pug had been bitten it would have been his own fault and he would have learnt his lesson"...

I'm almost 100%certain that's not how it works, and if he had of been bitten I can guarantee that wouldn't have been the owners reaction .

[Brads67]

keirik said:

Luckily not everyone in the world and on PH is a trolling

Who the fk do you think you are ?
It was a genuine remark. Problem dogs should not be passed on. They should be dealt with.

I suspect aholes like you are a big part of the problem of ste dogs being passed about or even worse, bred from.

[anonymous-user]

Brads67 said:

keirik said:

Luckily not everyone in the world and on PH is a trolling

Who the fk do you think you are ?
It was a genuine remark. Problem dogs should not be passed on. They should be dealt with.

I suspect aholes like you are a big part of the problem of ste dogs being passed about or even worse, bred from.

Yep I have two rescue dogs so of course I'm the sort of person passing ste dogs about. Now why not go and fk off and troll somewhere else as you know nothing about me, rescue dogs or life. Stupid fking ahole