Our "sweet" new Lab/Pitbull bite husband last night! Oh oh... (pitbulls, labs)
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Hobbs, the new dog was on our bed last night, a rare treat for him. My husband got into bed and accidentally sat on part of Hobbs causing him to yelp loudly and take a bite out of the side of my husband's face! Nasty puncture wound with bruising. Dog's fine. Was this a natural reaction on the part of this dog? Do pitbulls do this? My purebred labs NEVER bit us even when we accidentally stepped on their paws. Is Hobbs really sweet and gentle or is there another side to new family member from the shelter?
Gosh, I don't know, they all have their own personalities regardless of the breed. Maybe the dog felt strange, being on the bed was a new experience for him, he c/h just been startled, had a sensitive paw for some reason etc. Glad your husband's OK. Truthfully, I might keep him off the bed for a while til you're more sure of each other (talking about the dog, not your hubby, LOL). As long as he's getting along well w/ everyone else in other aspects, would give him the benefit of the doubt and take what happened as a fluke but I wouldnt be too eager to have him back on the bed, not for a while anyway. JMO.
Sorry I don't remember but did you raise the labs from puppies?
It is different when you don't raise the dog. You have only had this dog for a short period of time and have no idea how he was treated previously.
Was the dog hurt or startled? Is it possible that the dog was just trying to warn your DH and the dog didn't mean to break the skin?
If the dog is a velcro dog to you, I would suggest you not let the dog sleep in the bed with you and DH until you are sure who is the pack leader. He may have been trying to protect you.
My rule with a new dog is first bite is yours the second bite not tolerated and it goes . I will not tolerate a dog who bites at all . I will not have someone injured because I did not take proper precautions with this dog ,that in my opinion is a irresponsible owner .
Your boy is new to the house. And your husband obviously (though unintentionally) did something that hurt him. Dog DO bite when they're hurt and/or startled! That's why vets keep muzzles in the office! This is a NATURAL reaction on the part of the dog.
Hobbs, the new dog was on our bed last night, a rare treat for him. My husband got into bed and accidentally sat on part of Hobbs causing him to yelp loudly and take a bite out of the side of my husband's face! Nasty puncture wound with bruising. Dog's fine. Was this a natural reaction on the part of this dog? Do pitbulls do this? My purebred labs NEVER bit us even when we accidentally stepped on their paws. Is Hobbs really sweet and gentle or is there another side to new family member from the shelter?
The dog acted instinctually to protect himself. Your husband hurt him and he reacted; it would be the equivalent of someone "accidentally" sitting on you--you would at least try to push them off to protect yourself, wouldn't you? especially if the person sitting on you were twice as big and you didn't know them very well.
Well, your dog doesn't have hands--he has a mouth and teeth; this is what dogs use to protect themselves. And b/c he is new to your household, he doesn't feel quite comfortable yet.
I wouldn't overreact. I would just take things a bit more slowly with this dog and be very patient.
BTW, I had a similar incident with a neighbor's cat. The cat doesn't know me very well but I picked her up take her inside [to my neighbor's.] She saw my dog and bit me so hard to get away b/c she was afraid. Same thing as your DH--nasty puncture wound--except not on the face; I had to go on antibiotics. And I learned my lesson.
Does it mean that cat isn't sweet? Of course not. What it means is that she is an animal who will (and can) defend herself if she feels threatened. I would keep that in mind.
I'm not a professional, but I know that when a dog is in pain, he or she may lash out. This is the dog's way of communicating that feeling. The dog is not "bad" for reacting, in fact maybe he has extra-sensitive paws! Be gentle with them!
I can only speak from my own experience - our first rescue is definitely MY dog, the 2nd rescue is definitely my husband's dog - by this I mean that they listen to both of us but definitely respond to the human they prefer much more quickly. The 3rd rescue is OURS, if that makes sense.
I wish I'd never started allowing my dog in our bed. With age, she finds it too difficult to make the trip up to the bed anymore and the others now go their respective dog beds at night and not in our bedroom. Any future dogs will also not be allowed in bed with us. I think the dog might be YOUR dog and maybe a little jealous PLUS what others have said, he may have inadvertently hurt the paw or something.
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