Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:06 am Post subject: Luke has bitten my husband.
Luke, my 3 year old black castrated boy, was out walking on his lead with OH this evening. He got a bit "pully" and excitable at one point for no obvious reason. OH stood still and waited for him to come back. Suddenly he jumped up at OH and bit his upper arm twice through his jacket, breaking the skin and causing bruises. OH returned home very upset. We took him straight down to the vets to discuss the situation. She suggested muzzling in the short term, a behaviourist referral, or possible rehoming to the army or police.
My most serious concern is that we have 2 young grand-daughters, 2 & 4, who visit regularly, and I cannot put them at any risk.
Help!! OH is very very upset, we have both invested an enormous amount of hard work in this dog, and he is our bitch's pup, we've cared for him from the moment of birth, and tried so hard to bring him up right. It now feels as though it's 3 years hard work down the drain.
However, with young children in the family we cannot take any chances - I adore Luke but I adore my grand-children more.
Cathy i am surprised at Lukes behaviour and can understand fully how devastated you and Allan must be.
You have done the right thing by seeking the vets advice and maybe a behaviourist could sort out the problem and get to the bottom of why Luke did this.
I cant offer any advice im afraid hopefully someone will be able too shortly, but just wanted to send you loads of support in whatever you decide to do.
Big hugs to you and hope Allans arm gets better soon. x x x
Luke woke up coughing this morning so it may be he was coming down with Kennel cough yesterday, which might account for his unexpected behaviour.
We'll wait and see.
Thanks, Lorri, for your support.
Cathy.
Don't have any words of wisdom just wanted to say we are thinking of you and maybe luke is just feeling out of sorts...hope things can get better..and remember what ever you decide it is in everyones best intrest..love and luck in this trying time
I am so sorry to read your post. Try to follow your head and not your heart. I think make sure not physical trigger- illness. Get in touch with a behaviourist. I would be taking the last option as a last option
Do you own a crate? Its what I used for Sparky (the WSD in my Avatar) when young children who 'could not be trusted' when a dog was about- He preferred it anyway In his eyes I am sure he considered them 'irritating little brats with no manners' Well doggie manners as far as he was concerned. It provided an element of safety. My children knew if they broke his rules they goot bit! I couldnt expect other children to be so aware.
This could be a stop gap until you find out exactly whats going on or needs to happen. Give you some thinking space.
Cathy, I am really sorry to hear about Luke's behaviour and can understand how upset your husband is feeling. I would definitely use a muzzle or a crate in the short term if your grandchildren visit while you decide what is best. I agree with you, our children/grandchildren's safety must come first.
I really feel for you in this difficult situation and wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.
I am sorry to hear about Luke's behaviour, illnes can be a huge trigger for behaviour change.
I would definately recommend a behaviourist, avoid the muzzle, this can make a small problem become huge.
Incidentally, the Police or Army will not take a Labrador if it has agression issues as they are used as Passive dogs for drug and bomb sniffing and also he is too old I am afraid, 18 mths is the upper age limit.
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
So sorry to read about Luke's unexpected behaviour Cathy, it must be very hard not to be wary of him after that and I understand completely about your concern for the children. I can't offer any advice, except to say that there must be a reason for it and I hope you can find out what was behind it. Maybe it's his way of trying to tell you something is not right for him just now? I'm thinking of you, and wish you luck in resolving it.
Love Cally
xxxx
Can I ask more about the crux of the matter. Reading your post I am hazy on the exact details surrounding Lukes bites to your husband. What distracted him? Your husband stook stock still you say - why was that? What made him not just call luke to him or give a tug on the lead to bring him back to him? Did he come back or turn to come back to heel (depending if he was on or off lead) and then in high spirits jump up and mouth your husband hard?
Logically speaking why on earth would he bite your husband in these circumstances? Has he shown any predisposition to do this before whatsoever? Is he a mouthy dog - one that mouths a lot, bethat to you or your other dogs in play or excitement? What is his recation to excitmenet usually.... for exmple does he grab up toys and carry them about when excited? I am tryng to establish if he is 'mouth' orientated.... Was their any vocal noise from the dog when bit your husband? Did he growl?
At 3 he is still fairly young and quite capable of overexcited moments. You must understand that a dog attack is quite a different kettle of fish to what happened it seems with your husband (although the further details above would be most useful).
Whilst your grandchildren are important, they must understand the dog needs treating with caution and respect and so, if he has never done this before, chances are he never will again. However can you fill me in on the above details. Seeing someone on the ground will be useful but have to say he sounds like an overexcited dog in a moment of madness which just happened to end badly rather than a vicious dog. I am stunned your vet in the circumstances reacted quite so dramatically.
Di - I think my husband, having first walked Luke at 5.30am,before going to work, was actually quite exhausted! Luke normally comes back to heel when the handler stops without a problem - so I haven't a clue why he did this! Having not been there myself it's very difficult to establish exactly what happened. When he's excited usually he jumps about and barks - he does love picking up socks & hankies, but that can be at any time. He loves playing with his ball but not carrying it. I think we're all beginning to calm down a bit now - it was just such a shock when it happened out of the blue.
Peoples reactions do seem to vary so much on these issues. I have to say the thought of having to use a muzzle for the long term is very daunting.
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