>Please Don’t Throw My Dog a Bone. Particularly if It’s Attached to Your Elbow
>As some of you surely recall, I don’t like my dog.
Yes, I know that the last time I wrote about the subject, I merely disliked my dog. Well, now, I despise him.
My feelings intensified a few nights ago, when Hubs and I took the little kids for a walk around the neighborhood. We returned to find a small gaggle of neighbors huddled outside our house on the street, looking stricken.
“Your dog bit me,” one woman said, emerging from the group and walking toward us.
The record in my head that continually plays the soundtrack of my life (currently Don’t Bring Me Down by Sia, thanks for asking!) scrrrrrrratched.
“He…. What?!” I said disbelievingly. Our Dipper was a classic Bark-and-Runner, not a Biter.
Still, the evidence was convincing. The woman held out her forearm, which tellingly contained puncture wounds and a bruise. I gasped.
“I am so sorry.” I said. Hubs and I finished staring at the woman’s arm and looked over at Dipper, who was cowering in our neighbor’s front yard.
“How did it happen?” Hubs asked, still trying to wrap his brain around the idea that Dipper could bite someone, when he didn’t even have the guts to nose at a baby bird that had fallen out of a tree.
“I think he crawled out from under your gate when you guys went for your walk,” the woman explained, “and he started tracking you, right down the road. I had a beagle once who got hit by a car, so I couldn’t just watch him go. I followed him. I tried to grab him and pull him back toward your house and I think I frightened him, and he bit me.”
She was being really nice about it. I mean, if a dog had just bitten me, I probably would have been cussing and crying and constantly checking the mirror to see if I had started foaming at the mouth. “I’m a dog lover,” she explained. We chatted a bit. I was shocked and horrified, and I told her as much. I felt awful.
“I just wanted to let you guys know, because I’m going to have my doctor look at it tomorrow and they’re required to report it to animal control,” she said. “So I wanted you to have a chance to make sure you have his papers together when Metro checks it out.”
Hubs went and got Dipper’s leash, put it on him, and led him back to the yard. Sure enough, Dipper had managed to crack open the gate, which Hubs repaired. “Is there like, a beagle farm for wayward dogs?” I muttered when he got back inside. He shook his head in defeat.
I saw our neighbor again yesterday and she said her arm was much better. I reassured her that we had called the vet and they had confirmed that he was current on all his shots. And that was that.
However.
I’m left with a problem. I loathe my dog.
Because now we’re the neighbors with the Dog Who Bites. Our lug-headed, braying beagle is the new terror of the neighborhood, the dog that the mothers will point to when explaining to their children that ‘This is why we don’t pet a dog we don’t know.’ And then they’ll point out us, the owners of a Dog Who Bites, the sort of people whose reputations are the equivalent of white trash. Our neighbors will assume we fight Dipper on the weekends in the back rooms of hick bars, and that we trained him to attack the forearms of poor, unsuspecting women. Our Homeowner’s Association president will have one more reason to curse our names, and will doubtless write a blow-by-blow account in the next neighborhood newsletter.
And now, I apparently get to entertain the Metro Animal Control at my house. That’ll be fun. I have no idea what that will entail- probably mug shots of Dipper, a rabies tag inspection, and a lie detector test for me. Surely, they’ll ask whether I hate my dog, and, finding out the truth, decide that this whole thing was all my fault.
“My babies!” I’ll scream as they haul me off in the back of the Animal Control Truck. “Who will take care of my babies?!”
The moral of this story? If you dislike your dog, please keep it to yourself.
There’s a chance that making your feelings known will come back to bite you.
>Too funny! I recently called my husband hysterically crying – yes, hysterically – saying I hate the dog after she pushed by me to get into the house and tracked mud through EVERY room. After calming down, and later laughing hysterically at myself, I’m glad to say both the dog and I survived. And, yes, I concur, keep all dislike for your dog to yourself. Smiles!
>Poor little Dipper… he’s just doing what dogs do.And your neighbor sounds very nice. Maybe she could adopt him.
>First, let me say that I’m a huge dog lover, but I’d be very concerned about having a dog that is a known biter around small children. That is a dangerous mix, and don’t think he’ll never bite the kids, You didn’t think he’d bite the neighbor either.
>Yep. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to find a new home for your dog. Beagles like to dig and run, surely there’s a farm out there who could foster. It might have been a one time opportunity where your dog got spooked, but do you want to chance it with your babies?
>In fairness, he snapped at the neighbor because she was a stranger who grabbed him and tried to forcibly pull him off the road. None of us ever do that to our own dog, nor would I encourage ANYONE to do that to a stranger’s dog. Not that that excuses the biting. That still horrifies me. I’m not concerned about him biting the kids unless they are really rough with him- My daughter would never do that- she has a healthy fear of the dog, my son, uh, will be kept away from the dog for a very long time!
>I had to chime in. My Grandma raised and showed beagles; she treated them like they were family.The only dog that ever bit me as a kid? One of her favorites. I was sitting still, with it on my lap when it bit my face.My Grandma was horrified and shocked.I just hope you are right about Dipper.
>Poor Dipper. He was responding the way any person would if a stranger grabbed them and dragged them off the street. We’d do whatever it took to get away. And how frightening for you and everyone involved too.
>The neighbor probably should not have grabbed a dog she didn’t know. What a moron! You do realize that know you’ll get all kinds of horror stories about dogs biting people right? We have an 80 pound boxer who would have no issue ripping off the strange arm that tried to grab him, but when it comes to our 2 year old, well let’s just say he’s a very loyal subject to the little dictator. (plus he knows I’ll rip his head off with my bare hands if he hurts him!)
>While I feel for you, I have to admire Dipper’s self defense skills. I hope my kids are as effective in fending off a stranger who tries to grab them off the street.
>I dislike other peoples dogs.Since we moved from the idyllic confines of Bellevue for our new home in beautiful [historic overlay with a hip zipcode]…we have neighbors who walk with unleashed dogs. When we first moved in we found the occasional poo in our yard. After I made the (solicited) comment to one of our neighbors (who now doesn’t speak to us) that I don’t mind her dog walking off leash, I do not like dog poo in my yard. I also said that I do not know who’s poo it is, but I would mention it to all dog walkers. (She never had a bag to rescue errant poo with on her walks). She was the guilty party, in all likelyhood as there is no longer poo. She no longer speaks to us. Our new landscaping has the occasional paw prints as the dogs have been seen waltzing through the flower beds.
>Oh for the days of the Homeowners Association! Then you could “nip” that one in the “bud.” Heh.
>Ahhhh!I want to see a picture of Little Dipper!
>Here are some pictures of Dipper back in the days when the only teething practice he had was on Professor Owl…
>While I see why your neighbor was trying to help, I think that your dog only reacted how any pet would when feeling like they’re being snatched from being with their family. Also, why the need to see the doctor? Hello? A little hydrogen peroxide and some neosporin and a bandaid would have taken care of that and then the animal control would not have to be notified at all. I think it is interesting that she knew that about them having to notify them too…sounds fishy. I’m not a hater…I’m just saying…
>While I see why your neighbor was trying to help, I think that your dog only reacted how any pet would when feeling like they’re being snatched from being with their family. Also, why the need to see the doctor? Hello? A little hydrogen peroxide and some neosporin and a bandaid would have taken care of that and then the animal control would not have to be notified at all. I think it is interesting that she knew that about them having to notify them too…sounds fishy. I’m not a hater…I’m just saying…
>A stranger was GRABBING him. It’s only natural he bit. I know she was trying to help and protect him, but it was her own fault.If my dog gets loose (she’s a runner) she runs STRAIGHT up to ANY little kids, scares the crap out of them because she looks like a wolf, and promptly falls on the ground and presents her belly for scratching. It’s hilarious.
>ahh dogs, can’t win we had the dog that impregnated every other dog in our hood while growing up. i was so mortified but man i loved REX
>I agree. Ask the dog lover lady if she would like a free dog in payment for the pain and suffering of being bitten.
>On my way home Wednesday I saw a flyer in my neighborhood for a lost cat. I’m scared of cats – long story, don’t ask – but wrote down the owner’s number anyway, just incase I saw it. I came home, greeted by my huge dog that gives huge slobbery doggy kisses, and a minute later she ran up to the patio door barking. Sure enough, she was barking at the cat from the flyer. I called the owner to come over. To keep the cat from running off into the woods near my home, I carefully picked him up, despite my own fear, not to mention severe allergies. As the owner approached, the cat was struggling to run & it scratched the hell out of my arm – he even drew blood, it stung like hell, it’s still sore. I’m not complaining, I’m happy I could help them to reunite. The point of this novel is that I knew the risk I was taking. If you don’t, and you’re not a child, then you get what happens. I don’t care how domesticated, loving & well behaved any pet is, including my beloved 85 lb. mutt, at the end of the day, an animal is an animal & you never know exactly how they will react. Okay, I’m done now.iwantperch@aol.com
>You could have avoided this entire scenario had you taken the dog with you (on a leash) on your walk. Maybe the dog wouldn’t be such a pain in the ass if you gave it some exercise. Sounds like he needs some attention.Or, maybe he is just high strung and unpleasant…
>Maybe someone should take you out on a leash, Anonymous. I’m just sayin…
>I would never just pour hydrogen peroxide on a bite wound and hope for the best–especially where punctures are involved. Although, dog bites are usually fairly “clean,” compared to the bacteria-fests that are cat bites. And ask any ER doc–the most horrifying bite of all, in terms of potential for infections? Human.I can understand how you feel. Even here with my ridiculous half-dozen canines, I have my favorites and my, um…lesser favorites. And yeah, a confirmed bite to a human would put any one of them in a whole new category. Because some things are just not acceptable.I’d definitely make an effort to ensure that Dipper (I keep wanting to call him Digger) has a FIRM understanding of the pecking order in his “pack,” including the children, who are ABOVE him in that order.You know, since you so obviously WANT MY UNSOLICITED ADVICE. And, for an added bonus, can I make a book recommendation? “Don’t Shoot The Dog,” by Karen Pryor. I wouldn’t recommend it if it were just “a dog book,” but the truth is, you can use the things you learn on EVERYONE YOU KNOW. It’s freaking awesome. Operant conditioning for ALL! 😉
>Oh yeah, she definitely should have gone to the doctor. I would have. Besides, you can’t rely on a neighbor’s assurance that a dog’s shots are current. That would be stupid (although true, in our case).Thanks for the book recommendation. That sounds like just the book I need to read. After War and Peace, that is, which at this rate, could take years.
>If it was me, I would have let the dog go trotting away. But that’s because I couldn’t care less about dogs.Did she really think that Dipper(Digger?) was going to turn around and merrily go back with the stranger to the other side of the fence? Sheesh. For a “dog lover” she didn’t really think it through did she?
>I deal with stuff like this a lot if you do want some “assvice”. I’m not going to leave a lot of information in this comment because sometimes words in a comment box are taken the wrong way, so if want to email me I’m available. I train dogs for a living and lecture on dog safety. Your call, I’m just offering.
>Personally, I would like to have Chicky Chicky Baby move into my home for 6 weeks and train all my dogs to make up for the basic things I’ve neglected to teach them. So what I’m saying is, I’d SO take her up on that offer!
>Poor Dipper and poor crazy lady who grabs strange dogs. We currently own 3 dogs in the bully breed, none have ever bitten anyone, but because of the breed, we get pointed out to everyone, even though all 3 dogs are in the house. We did have a dog in the past who bit a neighbor, his fault, our dog and his dog were in a scuffle and he decided to grab our dog and break it up, Stupid move, both dogs bit him! He never bit again in the 5 more years he lived. Give Dipper the benefit of the doubt. Watch him but don’t assume he will bite again.
>You might want to look into the dog bite laws in Tennessee (it’s the law student in me, I can’t help it.) In Wisconsin, I know every dog gets one bite “free” but after that the owners are liable for double damages from the bite (and it may require the dog to be put to sleep, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the bite).
>I wouldn’t really say ‘bad’ parenting, just informed parenting. It’s very easy to perpetuate or even escalate bad behavior without even knowing it. Watch a few episodes of “The Dog Whisperer”. I love the name Dipper!!
>I was wondering if Dipper has been neutered. If he hasn’t it might cut down on some of the territory marking. And it might cut down on his aggression. I’m just sayin.
>Yes, he’s been neutered. I dearly wish he hadn’t bit our neighbor, however, I understand why he did it and so did she. He wasn’t being aggressive, he was scared. Generally, he gets out far less than the other dogs in the neighborhood because we also have an invisible fence, since he’s a digger. But his collar fell off, it’s $295 to replace, and so Hubs has been looking everywhere for it before we break down and buy another one. Hence, the great escape.Oh, and let it be known that anonymous trolls only get to make one insulting comment per post (and none if I’m in a bad mood- or if, as in this case, it’s obviously the same person trying to come up with something rude to say on each new post that I write. Your name’s not Martina, is it?).
>Hey, look on E-bay for a replacement collar. Seems like something you might find at a discount….$295 sucks bad.
>I have never liked dogs but 2 years ago I agreed to get one to support my husbands job as a dog trainer (apparently it was getting awkward to tell people he only had 3 cats). After reading all this (and your previous dislike the dog post) I’ve realized I ended up with a very sweet and well behaved dog. He sits patiently while all kids in our condo stop to pet him (which is actually really annoying when I’m in a hurry) but hardly something to complain about until the Vietnamese girls started knocking on my door every damn weekend asking if Chopper can come out and play. They also open the door and yell in to ask if he can play so I’ve started locking the door. I’m being stalked by neighborhood children because my dog’s so freaking cute! It’s slightly madding. On weekends I make husband walk the dog so I can avoid the children. Oh the horror.
>We had the beagle that bit too–it was a long time ago and the neighbors have long forgiven us–and it was a kid our dog bit. Interestingly enough, it was the same scenario–escaping dog, boy trying to catch it from behind.
>I love my dog. And he loves me. Unfortunately, he hates everyone else with a white hot passion. It sucks to be the one with a big, fuzzy, happy-looking dog and having to tell everyone that “no, he is not friendly, please do not pet him or he will eat you”. Oh, and we had a little misunderstanding over a very dead squirrel (he wanted to eat it, I did not want him to) and he mistook my hand for said squirrel after I wrestled it away. Long story short, animal control with only ask for his vaccination stuff and tell you that the dog should be confined (not running free) for 30 days. Either in a fenced in yard or on a leash. No biggie! 🙂
>I haven’t read all of the comments, but I kinda think she had it coming to her. Since when is it ever OK to grab someone else’s dog, even if it may be putting itself in danger? That’s just stupid.
>I’m so sorry about Dipper. That sucks. Our dog came barrelling out of the garage the other day when some poor timing had me going out to my van, Hubs coming home with the children, and a woman walking by with her two dogs. Our dog became this snarling attack dog who ran down to the sidewalk and terrified her. So when I brought the dog back up, she snarled at me. Bitch. The woman was horrified, there was no biting, her dogs were scared. I was embarrassed. Bet she doesn’t walk down our street anymore. I’m in the same boat as you. I actually like my dog, I just don’t want to be a dog owner sometimes. We committed to the dog for the long haul, I just don’t always love it.Blech.
>My dogs a bitch. Not the lady walking her dogs.Though she didn’t seem very friendly either.
>If this was my dog, I’d find him a new home, one without young children. I realize that he bit a stranger that tried to grab him, but I don’t think toddlers can be trusted to leave dogs alone, and your dog has shown that he will bite when he feels threatened.Of course, if Dipper entered the Ferrier family before you did, it’s your husband that would have to get rid of the dog, while you pretend to be upset. Because getting rid of the kids’ dog is such an evil stepmother stereotype!
>Yeah, I’ve thought about all those things. Dipper was the girls’ dog and he came to live here when the girls’ mom moved away a few years ago.I don’t anticipate this being a huge problem. We have a neighborhood playground down the street, so the kids don’t lack for a Dipper-free place to play. Punky has a love-fear relationship with him because of his size and pets him with great caution. He’s very gentle with her. Bruiser? I’m just going to keep the two of them separated, which won’t be difficult because to be honest, I will be keeping him separated from any and all pets for the next few years, anyway. He’s pretty rough and tumble and has yet to know his own strength (particularly when PULLING MY HAIR). I just don’t think he’d do well with animals in general.
>Oh, the assholery! Knew it was coming as soon as I read the post. Gotta love people who know all about every pet in every home in every country of every earth in every universe. *big eye roll* Sounds to me like Dipper was just being… a dog! how dare he! Glad your neighbor is being such a doll about the whole incident. She’s right to be getting checked out – after shotty medical care following my huz being bitten by our own cat (long story, yes, we still have the cat) he spent a week in the hospital with a massive infection. You know, cause animals have such superb dental hygiene there aren’t any germs in their mouthes or anything. If your animal control is anything like ours, they’ll call to check on the animal and the patient and then just follow up several weeks later to make sure all is still well. Wasn’t too painful for any of us involved. Good Luck!
>You don’t suppose that your loathed dog actually READS your blog, do you?
>Skunkfeathers, you just made me laugh out loud! 🙂
>What kind of crazy bitch chases down a dog and tries to grab it?? She could have just as easily called for you and made you aware that the dog was following you. She deserved it as far as I’m concerned.
>We have been feuding with our neighbors for years because of their dog. They leave it outside and it barks. It also rushes the fence. The dog also bit me when I was patting it over the fence (yes, I know it was partially my bad, but still). We had no relationship with them before they got a dog; now we have a strained one. Dogs can cause all sorts of mayhem. Good that the neighbor is being decent about the whole thing.
>Sounds like a sort of perfect storm of suckiness.I’ve fostered dogs for years and fostered a beagle for BREW ( http://www.brewbeagles.org . They’re a great organization, if you decide you have to rehome Dipper.
>My dog recently bit someone. Animal Control will eventually come and probably take him to be quarantined for 10 days. I hope she is not expecting you to pay her medical bills!
>i can sympathize my dogs got territorial when the neighbors dog came in our yard he needed several stiches. of course i feel bad about it happened in our yard so we are not in the wrong but tell that to the neighborhood we live in now our blood thirsty boston and our puppy boxer have us on the hate list. i do feel very bad for them because we all love our dogs so i would hate to have it happen to mine i struggle with how to make amends. distraught in the “Jones” neighborhood
>oh Lindsey– so sorry.. We had a beagle once that would do nothing bug doggie-smile and lick. one time when we were camping (whole ‘nother hellish story– camping with the dog? obviously pre-kids), a guy walked by and said “OH those beagles, they’ll turn on your in an instant, they got a BAD vicious streak.” weirdos.Oh, and I feel your pain– our cat big my daughter on the toe last night. Lovely. Unprovoked.