I got bit this weekend

[jocoyn]

Not a GSD but a lab

It was a friends rescue dog. They had it for a month and I was in their house.

Wow. Frontal bite on the back of my arm. No puncture wounds but I am pretty bruised and it tore so that I have tears from upper and lower incisors and the canines and a big bruise on my arm. It still hurts but is not infected. (But I was brutal with scrubbing it afterwards and keeping triple antibiotic on it)

I have been around enough fearful dogs to know I did not provoke the bite. I was sideways and not even looking at the dog or approaching it but turning to sit on a sofa and it lunged, bit, and retreated. Very fast. I had not paid any notice to the dog actually. The dog has signs earlier of barking in the crate and lunging but had settled.

Actually, having had dogs for decases, it is my first bite if you do not count the nicks on the fingers (some significant) from dog training. But none of those were intentional.

They are concerned about what to do next. Her sister is a vet so she is going to talk with her first. They said they were planning on returning the dog to the rescue because what if it had been a child. I am torn on that. Dog would probably be euthanized but then there are a lot of dogs with better core temperaments and fewer issues that are more adoptable.

[Stevenzachsmom]

Sadly, I have to agree with you. Any dog who bites is a concern, but when it is unprovoked - doubly so. The dog will probably be PTS, but I think it is necessary. There are indeed many nice dogs that will die in shelters - dogs that would make nice family pets and never harm anyone.

This dog is the reason rescues are careful about the type of dog they accept. It is understandable that they wanted to give the dog a chance. In this case, however, I think the lab was poorly evaluated and should never have been placed in a home. It gives rescues and rescue dogs a bad name. That is a bigger shame than this particular dog having to be put down.

I am so sorry this happened to you. Your friends must be devastated as well. I hope you heal quickly.

Hugs,
Jan

[jocoyn]

Yes, actually this was a dog from a pound not a rescue. I imagine because they do not have a fence they would not qualify for rescue even though the dog was being walked several hours a day and was an inside pet.

I am not sure of its history. It was the first time I had met the dog.

[Stevenzachsmom]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

Yes, actually this was a dog from a pound not a rescue. I imagine because they do not have a fence they would not qualify for rescue even though the dog was being walked several hours a day and was an inside pet.

I am not sure of its history. It was the first time I had met the dog.

Oh!!! I see. That explains a lot. I do feel sorry for the dog, but more sorry for you and your friends.

[AgileGSD]

Maybe they should talk to a good trainer or behaviorist instead of a vet? Considering the dog did not puncture you and has given warning that it may not be comfortable with strangers in the home prior to the bite, this problem can likely be addressed through training and management.

[bocron]

As far as I'm concerned, if a dog "tears" the skin with the incisors, that is a true bite, puncture or not.
Did you assess the bite by Ian Dunbar's Bite Scale? Where do you think the bite falls on this range?

Level 1- Dog growls, lunges, snarls-no teeth touch skin. Mostly intimidation behavior.

Level 2- Teeth touch skin but no puncture. May have red mark/minor bruise from dog’s head or snout, may have minor scratches from paws/nails. Minor surface abrasions acceptable.

Level 3- Punctures ½ the length of a canine tooth, one to four holes, single bite.No tearing or slashes.Victim not shaken side to side. Bruising.

Level 4- One to four holes from a single bite, one hole deeper than ½ the length of a canine tooth, typically contact/punctures from more than canines only. Black bruising, tears and/or slashing wounds. Dog clamped down and shook or slashed victim.

Level 5- Multiple bites at Level 4 or above. A concerted, repeated attack.

Level 6- Any bite resulting in death of a human.

[jocoyn]

I was wearing a heavy sweater that probably offered some protection. I still have some pretty deep tearing. The bruise is bigger than the palm of my hand and pretty nasty. It is more telling to me that the dog bit and retreated. If it is a fear issue it has to be managed and probably not fixed.

Her sister is a vet so she is probably a good free consult. I am not sure they can afford a lot of behavior modification help right now. He is looking for a job (laid off 9 months) and she is a teacher.

It really is their decision and I have not given input and told them I would not report the bite as the dog was immunized and the wounds not deep enough to require medical care from a doctor.

Personally, I would probably take the dog back and select a dog with fewer issues. Enough dogs with stable temperaments get PTS that saving a dog with problems like this would not make sense to me. I do hate that so many rescues require a fence because, while I love having one, I have raised enough dogs without fences to know that it can be done by a responsible owner.

[jocoyn]

I would say the description not exact. Slashing wounds no shaking Tears from all incisors and canines. Canine tears deeper but open Slashes about 2 inches long - top and bottom teeth

Level 3 sounds about right.

[bocron]

Sounds like a typical Lab bite. Believe it or not, Labs are one of the most common dogs we get in our training place for biting issues. We've only ever had one that was over a level 3, and it was really bad.
Anyway I think your friends would be wise to return the dog, while it will most like be PTS, this is not the worst outcome. (meaning the dog could bite again, and many times Labs seem to escalate from nips to full on attacks). Most people do not have the resources to deal with this issue, if the husband is out of work I can bet money is not readily available for a lengthy dog rehab program.
As was already stated, there are too many great dogs needing a home that won't be a risk to the family and their friends.

[gsdraven]

Hope you heal quickly, Nancy.

Originally Posted by jocoyn

I do hate that so many rescues require a fence because, while I love having one, I have raised enough dogs without fences to know that it can be done by a responsible owner.

Have they asked around? We don't require a fence, just a good plan set in place and we wouldn't adopt a known runner to a place without one. Hopefully they can find a good group to work with or one that is at least willing to help them find a dog in the shelter (we do this too for approved adopters if we don't have what they are looking for).