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also, as long as these people are decent and dont try to gouge you for money and just want a doctors visit just pay for it. as long as thats as far as it goes and they dont report it to animal control which would be pretty ridiculous in my opinion your all good
mod cut I've been bitten three times by small dogs, once in almost the exact scenario as what the OP described. There was not enough damage to see a doctor, as in this case. It was truly no big deal. Had the dog done a lot of damage, that would be different, but a litigious society is bad for everyone.
Last edited by Sam I Am; 01-04-2014 at 03:21 AM..
Reason: orphaned - the post you refer to has been deleted
Gee, I see how you picked your user name! I've been bitten three times by small dogs, once in almost the exact scenario as what the OP described. There was not enough damage to see a doctor, as in this case. It was truly no big deal. Had the dog done a lot of damage, that would be different, but a litigious society is bad for everyone.
I was bit by a dog this summer, and was no big deal. It was more like an aggressive nip. Drew a little blood but nothing that needed stitches. Unfortunately,it happened in front of a police officer on a Chicago city street and I was forced to go to the hospital. I don't blame the dog, I blame the woman who was letting her dog run with no leash! He saw me, ran and lept into my arms. I petted him, set him down, and then the bite happened. At no time did the idiot owner make any attempt to come and get her dog. In any case, I tried so hard to down play it, but the police officer insisted that I get medical treatment. I hadn't had a tetanus shot for 15 years, so probably wasn't a bad idea.
What was so strange was as I was getting a report handed to me by the police officer, the woman started screaming at me. She said I better not think about coming after her for my medical bills and suing her, blah blah blah. Not once did she show any concern about her dog or my condition. I never did send her the bill, because I feel horrible knowing that a dog may have been destroyed due to something it did to me which was no big deal.
I hope that the dog was removed and given to an awesome human. But I know deep in my heart that it was probably destroyed. I wish that its owner had more compassion like the OP seems to.
At the bolded, yes you got that right. I put human life before dog life. Anyways I hope this person recovers
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In this situation the bite was minimal, shots are up to date, the owner is very remorseful and put the dog in training as well as getting a better more reliable leash and the victim of the bite does not think it is a big deal.
Thank goodness common sense and a lack of greed has prevailed with this situation.
Last edited by Sam I Am; 01-04-2014 at 03:05 AM..
Reason: orphaned - the post you refer to has been deleted
Thanks for the info on the halter, we'll definitely see if we can get one!
I too have a strong aversion to loose dogs. I hate it when people don't keep their dogs under control and I think that's why I'm even more upset. My dogs are never out without a leash on...but one second of me not giving him my full attention and he pulled that leash right out of my hand!
I'm a dog walker. Get that Sporn harness AND get a LEATHER leash. 6 foot. OR this COTTON WEAVE training lead. Tie knots in either one. The cotton web comes in all lengths. DO NOT get the LONG ones they become cumbersome if you're not an experienced dog walker.
Tie one knot up by the loop. Tie another knot about a foot below to position the dog about 2-3 ft from your body. Tie another knot far down to position the dog 1 foot from your body. THIS way IF he bolts, you have something to grip. I use the knot to keep the dogs right next to me for passing people in lobbies, elevators etc.
The slippery nylon or retractable leashes are a mess.
ONLY the Sporn that was posted, not the other Sporn that fits differently:
Outside behaviors start INSIDE THE HOUSE. You need to revamp his entire behavior from dominating your home, which I'd bet a dollar that he's very good at. Look at him from a different perspective. How he acts when people come in. Or how he uses toys, food, being insistent on walking HIS direction not yours etc. Or if he's a fearful dog (which it doesn't sound like it to me)
I can tell first off because of what he did but MOSTLY because you said "nip his ankles". He did not just "nip his ankles" he BIT SOMEONE. You're probably a very nice person and he's taking leadership over you, lacking RESPECT and confidence in you being his pack leader I'd guess. The proper "trainer" (I prefer behaviorist) can point specifics and ways to convey it's not his responsibility to do whatever it is he think's he has to do and that he can trust humans (you) etc.
Last edited by runswithscissors; 01-03-2014 at 06:11 PM..
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All too often, those of us who love animals, have a tendency to forget that our love does not translate to everyone having to love them equally. There are laws on the books to protect people from these very actions. Although this does appear to be a minor event, the overwhelming attempt to "justify" the bad actions of this dog is an example of the failure of animal owners to accept basic responsibility for their pet's actions. Be it that the dog nipped the person (although it was actually a BITE despite attempts to downplay it) or otherwise was aggressive, the person nipped is the victim. No amount of downplaying the aggressiveness of this pet changes that fact.
Now I am not one to think the dog needs to be whisked away, confined, the owner placed in a rack in the village square or any other actions like that, and PA law and court rulings clearly considers this a minor event and will only hold the owner liable for reimbursing medical and loss expenses, I still wish we recognize that in any unprovoked bite case, the dog is the aggressor and the person bit is the victim.
Last edited by Sam I Am; 01-04-2014 at 03:06 AM..
Reason: orphaned - the post you refer to has been deleted
Once again I want to thank everyone for their insight and advice (and even their criticism).
Here's the latest update:
We provided vet records to the guy. Unfortunately they only stated that Joose had indeed been vaccinated for rabies but did not give any other information (i.e. 1 year, 3 year, etc) and we could not find the certificate. We called the vets office but since we have moved and asked them to send all records and essentially cancel our accounts, they no longer have any records. This was not enough or not specific enough for our purposes.
So, the guy reported the bite. As he had every right to do.
We got the call from the local animal control and they told us to quarantine Joose for ten days, to make sure he doesn't get sick, and take him to the vet for check and all vaccines in 10 days. We can take him out for walks (on leash) to go to the bathroom, but that's it until we get the clear bill of health.
We cannot enroll him in any training classes until we get the vet check and get his bordetella update (I don't usually get that one for my dogs unless it is necessary).
To clarify how such a small dog could get the leash out of my hand. We have several different leashes. The one I had on him that night was a retractable leash. Unfortunately the handle part is quite small and I was changing hands at the time. It was cold, and I wasn't paying full attention, and I lost control long enough for him to get to this guy. Something I would never have done on purpose or even consciously. Accidents happen.
I'm sorry you are going through this. I experienced this with my overprotective border collie and it was very upsetting & stressful. You end up feeling so bad, and so worried that you will have to put your pup down. I doubt it will come to that though. The best advice I can give is to be apologetic & pay their medical bill. Sending lots of positive thoughts.
Once again I want to thank everyone for their insight and advice (and even their criticism).
Here's the latest update:
We provided vet records to the guy. Unfortunately they only stated that Joose had indeed been vaccinated for rabies but did not give any other information (i.e. 1 year, 3 year, etc) and we could not find the certificate. We called the vets office but since we have moved and asked them to send all records and essentially cancel our accounts, they no longer have any records. This was not enough or not specific enough for our purposes.
So, the guy reported the bite. As he had every right to do.
We got the call from the local animal control and they told us to quarantine Joose for ten days, to make sure he doesn't get sick, and take him to the vet for check and all vaccines in 10 days. We can take him out for walks (on leash) to go to the bathroom, but that's it until we get the clear bill of health.
We cannot enroll him in any training classes until we get the vet check and get his bordetella update (I don't usually get that one for my dogs unless it is necessary).
To clarify how such a small dog could get the leash out of my hand. We have several different leashes. The one I had on him that night was a retractable leash. Unfortunately the handle part is quite small and I was changing hands at the time. It was cold, and I wasn't paying full attention, and I lost control long enough for him to get to this guy. Something I would never have done on purpose or even consciously. Accidents happen.
90% of all dogs I've witnessed getting loose from the owners are on retractables. Zillions are small dogs. That's how bad retractables are. I saw one lady drag to the ground after her YORKIES (LOL) because they bolted and she was trying not to drop the leashes. Then she tripped and dropped them and faceplanted on the concrete. You don't have control on a retractable AND yes, you drop the handle part, too. Get the leash I mentioned and you'll see a world of difference.
People love retractables because they don't have to get their feet wet or walk in yukky grass. So they let the dog OUT FAR and that reinforces in the dog's mind they are free and not in the control of the pack leader. They also let the dog WALK FAR OUT ahead of the human going anywhere they want, reinforcing the same thing. They don't feel the human energy down your arm on a retractable with that thin cord like they feel from you with a proper leash. WORSE YET, a retractable keeps TENSION on the leash which sends TENSION down to your dog. So he is going to be in a higher targeting/tension mode than a normal LOOSE LEASH. ALWAYS walk with a loose leash. When your leash is tense you're setting the dog up for failure he thinks YOU are tense.
When I walk a dog even my most subtle movement causes a dog to respond, not so with a retractable. Only my most reliable (and usually old) small dogs get the privilege of being on a retractable. But I hate them enough that the only dogs I actually intentionally use are two Schnauzers because their method of walking (tracking side to side sniffing in a figure eight) is more conducive on that long cord and they finish their business in the half hour I'm allotted but I have to be very very very "with it" walking those clients because of the cords and all the drawback of the retractable. Then when we get near other living things I hold the cord with my hand so they are not tense and it's a PAIN.
Lastly, if your dog is approached or ATTACKED by a stray loose dog you cannot get him safely behind you quickly like on a real leash.
Last edited by runswithscissors; 01-06-2014 at 06:15 AM..
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Look at him from a different perspective. How he acts when people come in. Or how he uses toys, food, being insistent on walking HIS direction not yours etc. Or if he's a fearful dog (which it doesn't sound like it to me)
