Bit by my own dog?

[FoxyWench]

jasper tries, but its the "im a puppy my gums hurt and everything needs to go in my mouth" biting not gah im going to eat you biting...hes learning quick but i have to remmeber he doesnt yet distinguish any difference beteen toy and fingers and if the 2 combine its fair game.
by my own dogs other than that.
NO, and i have SMALL dogs.

i also worked with a vet, was threatedn twice, once by a large mixed breed of unknown type, the other a mill bred shepard...neither contacted as im usually good at readying and im fast despite my size lol

in fact now that i think about it ive only ever *touch wood that doesnt change* been bitten by one dog, he was a lab mixed with lord knows what...
it was at the doggy daycare i worked at.
i worked up with the small breeds usually but once a week they had me come down to the main building to help with the big guys, noone wanted to do the little dogs cause "little dogs are mean"
well for the space of 3 months things whent ok only one of the dogs gave me issues and that was this black lab mix jake, he belonged to one of the owners and gave many poeple issues, he was just grumpy in general...during the first 3 months he decided i was evil along with every other person there...but none the less not worthy of his time nor effort, he kept his distance from me, i gave him his space and watched him clsoe when he was in the same room...

but one day i come down from the little dog building, and before going in to the big dog group i had to go to the bathroom, so i said a quick hi to the dogs, asked if jake was around (cause they crate him when someone "new" comeson onto shift untill he relaxes) and they go "no havent seen him today" so i say my heys go to the bathroom come out and no sooner do i come out i see jake come round the conrer and take a bite at my thigh.
the dog had been in the bedroom with the doors closed so noone knew he was there, someone opend the door and he came bounding out through 2 doors and round a corner to latch onto me. everyone that saw it said the same thing, he came CALMLY out of the room, through 2 doors straight for the middle section where i was comming out of he bathroom...he walked through the open gate between one room into the middle section, he was calm he didnt look at me he walked right past me, he was calm, not usual sighns of an impending bite, no growl no hackles, no ears, not even tense posture...infact it looksed liek he hadnt noticed me, i let him walk past me untill he was out of my site before i walked in the opposite direction, then the guy who saw it said he got this crazy look in his eye suddently he turned around and faster than damned lightening he grabed for my thigh... i jumped back quickly and luckily onely one canine came into contact (had i had stayed his mouth woudl have been competly on my thigh) and i felt a pinch as his canine and a few of his front teeth peirced straight through a good thik pair of jeans and the sweats underneath them. i managed to grab his collar while avoiding his mouth and crated him quick...
when i checked my leg there was a nice 1/2inch deep puncture with tear from his canine and a large bruise scratch from his other teeth from where his other teeth had hit and id pulled him off myself...

i told managment about it, showed my leg, their respnce was i must have done soemthing to him...and despite eye witness accounts that i did nothing and his history of biting they wouldnt fix it...i told them i woudlnt work there if they wernt going to do something about it...had he had shown any kind of warning sighsn, fine...had i made a move towards heim ect fine...but he walked past me, left the room and i was leaving in the opposite direction, he had to turn around and come roud a corner/through a door to get me...
i think he was planning it!

i find it kind of amazing after all my years working with animals thats been my only bite...

 

[BoxMeIn21]

I've never been bit by my own dogs, but I have been bit by another dog trying to break up a fight. The dog barely nicked me on the top of my thumb... what I didn't realize at the time is that you should ALWAYS go to the doctor regardless of how harmless it looks. My entire arm blew up from finger tip to armpit from Cellulitis - no fun.

 

[Laurelin]

Do people here feel that small dogs are more likely to bite than big dogs ???

No. None of my toy dogs have EVER shown any aggression towards humans. They have some incredibly stable temperaments. Summer can be protective (as in a warning barking/growling show) but I have never seen them really growl at a person, let alone snap at one. They only rarely snark each other and it's never been serious. I have never seen Nard growl at anything in his life.

A lot has to do with training and breeding imo.

 

[Criosphynx]

No. None of my toy dogs have EVER shown any aggression towards humans. They have some incredibly stable temperaments. Summer can be protective (as in a warning barking/growling show) but I have never seen them really growl at a person, let alone snap at one. They only rarely snark each other and it's never been serious. I have never seen Nard growl at anything in his life.

A lot has to do with training and breeding imo.

:hail::hail::hail: Yup.

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

The dog barely nicked me on the top of my thumb... what I didn't realize at the time is that you should ALWAYS go to the doctor regardless of how harmless it looks. My entire arm blew up from finger tip to armpit from Cellulitis - no fun.

I don't think that's too common though. I couldn't see going to the doctor everytime I got bit by a dog, unless it was a serious bite that required medical attention. A minor nick or tiny little nip, no way. I'd practically live in a doctor's office. I've been bitten by so many strays, dogs in the shelters, dogs at the vet clinic, you name it. Never had a problem with the bite.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I tried to help break up a fight between Smudge and a jrt. Only time he had ever really fought and he was really into it. I was stupid and went to remove him, he swung his head and sunk 3 canines into my hand in 2 quick bites before I could get my hand back. He had no idea it was me, he thought I was the other dog.

I was super upset, my hand hurt like h*ll for days, but it wasn't on purpose. Now I know how he'll react if he really gets into a fight and I'll be more careful if it ever happens again.

 

[Patiencez]

You Are Right

Not inherently more likely. But it's not uncommon for owners of small dogs to feel that training is less important because of their size which results in a small dog not having boundaries

I have never been a small dog person an Emma just had her way. she was a lap dog. had been abused so I tried to kiss it an make it better.

But have learned since getting the puppy an training him that she loves getting in on the action an can sit an shake an heel...knows what no bark means. so they are just as trainble as your big Dog.So she is now a work in progress an I love it.

 

[Snip]

I've lost count. First was when I was a kid, neighbour had a very ill tempered shepard that had bitten several people, it ran after me and bit my leg on the road as I went past the house. The dog had a bite history before these owners, and they ended up putting it down. (This is 20+ years ago, so don't recall a lot more than that.)

I generally get nipped several times a year, usually at the terrier events, retrieving the lure coursing lure from dogs that have grabbed it. Or the racing lure that they've grabbed, though any adults in that are supposed to be muzzled, so that tends to be more scratches than bites or nips. I also seem to be a 'fight breaker upper' and have gotten dinged a few times doing that, generally when they are high on adrenaline, and I'm the victim of a redirect of frustration since they can no longer reach their intended target.

I've had some close calls with fosters in the past, but none were successful, generally if we know they have issues (with men is generally where I come in) then they are leashed or crated and they are 'earning' their dinner as rewards for good behavior etc. Kerri or someone else runs the leash, and between her and my reflexes we've always been able to avoid any issues if a dog reacts unexpectedly.

The worst one was last year, a terrier got loose at a show, and the owners weren't nearby. We cornered the dog, and in the 'rush' to catch a loose dog, I didn't think right. Since the dog was contained, we should have waited for the owners and for the dog to calm down after having been more or less chased be several unknown people for a period of time. Instead I grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck, and he was able to twist around and grab my other arm. Before I could get him under control, he bit me twice more, causing punctures and drawing blood in 4 different areas. That was the only bite I've bothered seeking medical attention, simply due to the depth of the punctures, as a precaution I was on antibiotics for a week to prevent infection.

I was hoping to avoid any blood loss this year, unfortunately that's out now, I got dinged by a redirected bite while breaking up a fight 3 weeks or so ago. Danged if it wasn't my foot though, basically just above the arch of the foot. It was sore a couple days, and now it's almost finished healing up.

Cross your fingers, that's the major one for this year!!

 

[Snip]

I tried to help break up a fight between Smudge and a jrt. Only time he had ever really fought and he was really into it. I was stupid and went to remove him, he swung his head and sunk 3 canines into my hand in 2 quick bites before I could get my hand back. He had no idea it was me, he thought I was the other dog.

I was super upset, my hand hurt like h*ll for days, but it wasn't on purpose. Now I know how he'll react if he really gets into a fight and I'll be more careful if it ever happens again.

Anyone I know??

Thing with terriers in general, they tend to bite and hold, so they create a puncture more so than a tear. The trick of breaking them up isn't to pull them apart, since it causes more damage, but to get them to let go. In the serious fights, generally I can grab each dog by the neck and choke enough for them to gasp for air, in turn letting go of each other.

 

[Dekka]

Other than one dog with behaviour issues no not really.

It depends on what you say is a 'bite'. Do my dogs put teeth on my in play? Yes there is loads of play bities going on. Even when fighting *touch wood, my guys don't seem to redirect when I go in to stop a fight. The only time I got a 'wound' was when Dekka went to snark at a dog in a pet store. I am so used to her knowing where her teeth are and where my hand is, I just stuck my hand down to grab her muzzle (to make her quiet). I missed as I was still talking to someone and stuck my hand in her mouth as she was snarking at the other dog. I got a tooth scratch (not really a bite)

If the dog doesn't leave a mark is it still a bite? Many people say yes, and this is why bite stats are so high. To me if there isn't so much as an indent in the skin then its not a bite.

The def of bite is (thanks to websters)

transitive verb1 a: to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound b: to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis

So if there isnt' enough pressure to seize, grip or wound.. is it a bite?

 

[Beanie]

Happy bit me twice. Once he was struggling with a rawhide chew, so I went to take it back to break it into smaller pieces so he could eat it better. Instead of dropping it to give it to me (which I thought he was doing), he was actually adjusting his jaws around it. Which basically ended up with my thumb being pinched by one of his canines because I was reaching in to grab it as he dropped it. He didn't mean to bite me, I just thought he was dropping it and basically got my hand in the way because he wasn't letting it go yet.

The second time he was under my desk and I needed to get the dogs outside to potty before I left for work. He wouldn't budge, so I reached to scoop him out, like I've done hundreds of times... and he went at my hand. Scraped the top of my hand with his teeth pretty good - it's actually kind of a miracle he didn't REALLY nail me with a bite, I guess the angle just wasn't quite right.
Still don't know why he bit me that time, if he wasn't feeling well, was actually half-asleep and didn't realize, or what. He'd never done that before and never did it after, and immediately after biting me he was like "OMG! What did I do! I didn't mean to!!" My feelings were really hurt more than my hand...

Kota and Auggie have both turned to mouth at brushes when I'm grooming, but neither have connected. Kota has gotten close; Auggie has never even gotten close, he seems to have far better control over "OW oh that's mommy." I don't blame either of them for those.
I don't really blame Happy either; they were both me expecting him to act as he usually did and he didn't for some strange reason, but I don't really think either was him really intending to hurt me, either.

what I didn't realize at the time is that you should ALWAYS go to the doctor regardless of how harmless it looks. My entire arm blew up from finger tip to armpit from Cellulitis - no fun.

Also (especially) if you get bit or scratched by cats. A friend ended up with sepsis from a scratch that one of her cats gave her... like within a few days of the scratch she was in the ER in very serious condition. Not at all cool.

 

[adojrts]

I have never been bitten by my own dogs except last year when I took a treat bag away from Hailey. She went to grab it back (lack of manners, that was fixed after the fact) and managed to grab my thumb as well, I yelled in pain and surprise, she let go. It was a mistake on her part but I was po'd at myself because I seen the rudeness getting worse and didn't fix it before it happened.

Never with clients dogs, even the aggression ones. And only once with a rescue, it was an 11 week old jrt rescue pup and she took exception when I took something from her. Fixed that as well, she got to spend lots of time with my adults and learned how to behave with NILIF from both me and them lol.

 

[BoxMeIn21]

Also (especially) if you get bit or scratched by cats. A friend ended up with sepsis from a scratch that one of her cats gave her... like within a few days of the scratch she was in the ER in very serious condition. Not at all cool.

No doubt! Funny you should mention that...I've never been attacked by a cat before until my friend's cat decided to sink it's teeth into the meat of my lower leg a few months back...even with immediate medical treatment I got a nasty infection. My doc said that they are even worse than dog bites.

 

[Inga]

So if there isnt' enough pressure to seize, grip or wound.. is it a bite?

IMO whether they seize, grip or wound... we all know the action of a bite. For this question I am counting dogs that have attempted to bite their owners.

I have to say, I am rather shocked how many people have dogs that have bit them. It makes me wonder what a small percentage of dog bites actually get reported to Animal Control. Obviously people don't report a bite on themselves by their own dog (or I wouldn't think they would) but what about bites to family? Friends? Neighbors? People who come to the house? In most of the cases described there is usually some trigger. Also based on the posts here it does seem to be more small dogs. Keeping in mind it might just happen to be more small breed people on tonight or answering the question at all for that matter. I myself have had to deal with dog bites at the shelter I volunteered with. More often then not it was a smaller breed of dog. That said, I agree with those of you that stated it seems, often times smaller dogs are allowed to get away with more because... they are small. I guess if it has to be one bites more then the other. I would be glad if it were small dogs vs. large dogs. Lets face it, the damage is far less that way. The CDC collects data about dog bites. I think for awhile at least it was to determine if some breeds bite more commonly then others. This is also near impossible to determine with any degree of accuracy due to a few factors.
1. The actual amount of dog bites vs. the number reported.
2. Inaccurate identification of breeds.
3. The sheer number of certain breeds vs. other breeds. (ex. How many German Shepherds (or insert popular breed here) there are out there vs. How many Sussex Spaniels (or insert less popular breed here)
4. Conditions leading up to the bite.

I am certain there are other determining factors that I am not thinking of right off hand. I am just trying to get a feel for How people deal with bites when they happen. (I don't mean the medical end) Is it common, do you think, to make excuses for our own dogs when things like this happen? Again, this is no doubt, a flawed question. This is a dog forum. People that would answer this question on here are way out above that of the "average dog owner." People here spend a great deal more time with their dogs then Joe average and certainly take much more interest in their dogs behaviors, likes, dislikes etc....

I am finding this very interesting. I am sure others are as well.
Another thing about a dog forum. In my opinion when accidents do happen, the people on dog forums are probably less likely to blame the dog 100% for something that is most commonly at least partially human error. They don't just Put the dog out for making an error in judgment. I wonder how answers would differ if they were asked of Joe averages? What do you all think?

I just wanted to add: Box, I agree that Cat scratches/bites are far far worse. I saw a girl get bit at the shelter and within a few hourse she was swelling up and getting infection. 6 hours later she was in surgery trying to save her arm. It was THAT serious. I have a great respect for cats. I tend to tease and say the breed I most fear is... a CAT.
I have a cat and love her very much but I know what a cat can do and respect that fact.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Anyone I know??

Thing with terriers in general, they tend to bite and hold, so they create a puncture more so than a tear. The trick of breaking them up isn't to pull them apart, since it causes more damage, but to get them to let go. In the serious fights, generally I can grab each dog by the neck and choke enough for them to gasp for air, in turn letting go of each other.

Haha maybe.. That is really the only time he has taken utter offense to another dog. The rest of the time he snarks.. makes noise showing teeth getting the other dog to give some space.

Cider spends her time in a fight screaming.. She knows the humans are coming to help and I haven't ever gotten a stray bite from her. Though her bite inhibition sucks and in play she can accidentally bite a little too hard, it's never been damage.

Smudge is a hole punch, he doesn't hold..

 

[bubbatd]

Just 2 comments : Goldens love to take arms into their mouths to retriever ( ask my old Avon Lady who Rufus lead from her car to my front door ! ) And I need a bite or cut as I'm due for a Tetanus , but my insurance won't pay for it unless I go in for treatment ! So Doctor said no matter how small...if there's blood to come in .! Anyone want to cut me ???

 

[grab01]

Jules got me a few weeks ago, but not intentionally. He was going for a treat at the same time Grimm tried to sneak in and steal it. Jules grabbed faster and accidentally got my finger. He was really embarassed about it too.

 

[naturesgift]

Non of my dogs or any of my rescues have ever bitten me. THANKFULLY! The only aggressive eater I have is Nutmeg (beagle) but its only towards other dogs. (she just growls) But I can take any thing away from here. With Love and Lady If I wanted to I could bend down and eat with them. They are in no way aggressive about food. Even if I give them raw food and have to take it away I could just reach down and take it.

HOWEVER when I was in 2-3 grade we lived in Canada and there was a skating rink behind our house that everyone skated on. And one day well I was skating a German shepherd ran out on the ice and grabbed on of my mittens. I followed him off the ice (on skates) and tried ot get my glove back and the dog went nuts and started to attack me. I had been with my older siblings and they didnt notice me leave. so I was in a ditch with a German shepherd Ripping at me. He/she shreded my sleeves. I couldnt get away. Lucky for me my brothers friends father drove by and ran the dog off and took me home. they had to round the dog up and I think he/she was euthanized ..I just remember they were worried about rabies but tests came back Negative. But at that age they didnt tell me they killed the dog. I just was told that the I didnt have rabies. My thick winter coat and snow pants helped me not get to bad of bites on my arms and legs. I have scars on my forehead and under my eyebrows. Thankfully you really have to look. But they match my chicken pock scars!!!

when I approach a dog that I am rescueing I always watch their body language before I get to close.

Mandie

 

[elegy]

I have to say, I am rather shocked how many people have dogs that have bit them. It makes me wonder what a small percentage of dog bites actually get reported to Animal Control. Obviously people don't report a bite on themselves by their own dog (or I wouldn't think they would) but what about bites to family? Friends? Neighbors? People who come to the house? In most of the cases described there is usually some trigger.

i guess i just figure that if i live and work with dogs, there's a chance that i'm going to get bitten. my dogs have never threatened me in any aggressive manner, but i've gotten bitten nonetheless. broken skin, bruises, blood. it just doesn't seem report-worthy to me. it's just... life.

i often think that a big part of the reason there's so much hysteria surrounding dog bites is because there needs to be a big freaking deal made out of things that didn't used to be big freaking deals. now it seems that more and more we expect dogs to be disney characters and not living, breathing, feeling, reacting animals. we're losing touch with what our dogs really are.

i think it's extremely telling that despite the huge increase in media drama about dog bites, dog attacks, vicious killer pit bulls on rampages, there hasn't been a significant increase in the number of fatal dog attacks (which is, incidentally, the only kind of dog attacks about which there are accurate statistics kept).

 

[Dekka]

True elegy.. and why is it only dogs that get reported? Horses hurt and kill more people than dogs do.. but there are no reports. Nor are there with cats.