Tuesday morning, just as my ladies' English class was assembling, the gas man came to the door to ask me if we needed kerosene for our stove yet... Throughout the winter he stops by and regularly fills our kerosene tanks. He has been our delivery man for years and years and I will occasionally chat with him while he lugs the heavy tanks back and forth from his truck.
The gas man (kerosene and gas) and I were standing by the tanks figuring out how many I might need this month when suddenly he gives a shout and then crouches down holding his hand. I whip around and there is Choco racing past and then heading back for another round. She has bitten the poor man! Of course he was terrified and I cornered her and dragged her back to where she is chained in the back yard. She had slipped TWO of her collars (she has THREE on her neck) and was running free when she encountered the gas man.
One of my students/friends came out of the house and sprang into action ushering the man into the house to wash the wound. I came back frantically looking for gauze and anti-biotic. Three other ladies arrived and miraculously they produced a large bandage (WHY does K-san carry large bandages in her purse?) and took down information about where the gas man lives and his company's address and telephone number. When the bleeding had stopped, with a pained expression he left to go see a doctor. His parting words to me were,
"Don't look so sad. It will be alright. And please don't scold your doggy." (Wan-chan)
Doggy! That is practically a wolf back there in the backyard!
We KNEW that Choco is not good with people. She has tried to bite people before but she's never drawn blood. She is friendly when we are off and away but have someone come into or even near her yard, she turns ferocious. She especially doesn't like men and boys. We have tried a harness but she easily escaped from that and thus the three very tight collars around her neck. One a choke collar.
Tetsu came home immediately when I called him and he went to the gas company to apologize and called the gas man privately to apologize. He left sweets at the company for both the staff and the gas man (a typical form of apology of any sort) and the gas man called back that evening saying he hadn't needed stitches, he'd had a tetanus shot, he had gone back to delivering kerosene in the afternoon. Still...
I called the gas man again yesterday morning from kindergarten where I was working and asked about his hand and let him know we had tightened Choco's collars again and entwined them with the choke collar. I said I hoped he wouldn't be too traumatized to continue being our delivery man.
"I already went to your house this morning and left two tanks of kerosene for you. That will last you a couple of weeks."
All I could think was what a brave man he is... step right back into the danger zone not knowing if a ferocious dog will jump out from around the corner of the house again!
The rest of my Tuesday I wallowed in guilt. Choco never did get scolded just because after all the fuss too much time had passed to make a point of it in her head. She is not the cleverest dog.
I consulted my vet yesterday but he could only suggest the tightened collars.
"She's nearly 13. You'd think she'd mellow out a bit."
Only suggestions here, which may not be worthwhile to your home:
ReplyDeleteMy father always raised dogs when we were growing up. His take: Dogs which are tied/chained are very territorial/aggressive. If a dog has a fenced enclosure, it is not so aggressive.
We have a protective breed dog (Bouviers des Flandres) and our delivery people know her, and offer her a biscuit when they arrive. She is not deterred from her "job", but at least our delivery people know her and make an attempt. And we, too, make the "TREAT!" attempt.
I think that three collars is excessive. Think about wearing three large necklaces: even one large necklace weighs on my neck after a day.
Could you consider "re-homing" your dog to a place where she could be happier? Roaming, or at least in a fenced area where she would not have to wear three collars to contain her? I hope that you can find a sweet place for her to enjoy life.
It is an awful feeling to have your dog bite someone. Of course you want one of those dogs who cuddles with everyone, a therapy dog. But that is just not to be, with Choco, especially if your vet has no advice to offer. She's getting grumpier as she ages, she's protecting her territory, she's not the analytical sort. (But extremely talented at getting loose!). Right now you probably do not feel charitable towards her at all! But your kerosene man has forgiven you and the dog. Once I spoke to our postal carrier, and he told me that he had been attacked many times! He eventually decided that if he saw a dog loose, he wouldn't deliver the mail to that street that day. Dogs have that territorial instinct. I think Choco was actually protecting
ReplyDeleteyou! I hope you will recover soon.
it is unfortunate but a tethered dog often become much more territorial and dangerous. Common issue. Kids are often the focus of the bites when they venture too close to a tethered dog. Dont have too many suggestions since I know you are doing the best you can. Is there any way to build a chain link kennel area where she can be off tether or have a stretch line she can be attached to run down? ana usa
ReplyDeleteDogs need socialization just as people. Your 'pup' was just protecting his space... I have a new rescue that is very reactive to dogs and was the same with people (she's only 10 lbs. but can still bite and hurt someone). It just takes a lot of work and positive reinforcement. No physical punishment. So glad you didn't do anything to your dog. Next time gas man comes, have him throw treats to your dog from a distance. He doesn't have to say anything and should not make eye contact either. Just toss some treats and leave. Sorry this happened!
ReplyDeleteAlmost 13! I'm surprised she is still so vigorously protective at that advanced age. Our old dog never bit anyone but he would bark furiously. We never needed the doorbell to let us know of a visitor! Glad your friends were there and the gas man was not seriously hurt.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if something like this
ReplyDeletehttp://www.inthecompanyofdogs.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=D13610+BK+S&source=igodigital
might be the answer. I can understand Choco disengaging himself from a regular skinny harness but I can not imagine a dog getting out of one of these. I'm looking at the red one on the large dog in the middle of the page. I think the dog would have to be double jointed or a magician to get out of that as long as it is properly fitted to him. Just a thought.
Golly, Tanya, what a nightmare! Blackberry is protective, too, but his aggression is against dogs rather than people. Last year the neighbor's dog wandered into our yard and we ended up paying $1,000 for the damage Blackberry did to him.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a harness so she cannot escape and a face "harness" so she cannot bite? I like the idea of a fenced in area someone suggested. Be glad you are not in the US - this would be a lawsuit...Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Tanya: I don't get to read your blog as often as I used to but happened to have some time tonight. I'm sorry Choco feels she has to save your life now and then. The fuel man was very nice about it. Everyone was very nice about it. After all, what would Christ do? (Or Buddha - I don't know the fuel man's religion....) Anyway, I hope there are no difficulties from it. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog; it's restful and exciting in turns. You're doing good works all the time and surely that will keep you safe and happy, always. Regards from Washington State, USA, Kathie
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have it where you live, but if a "no pain" reactive dog training class is available in your area, you might enjoy doing that with Choco. It sure helped change our big reactive dog.
ReplyDeleteOnce a long time ago, our first dog nipped the Avon lady because, though I asked her not to come in, she opened the door and walked right in. Then my little sheltie nipped a guy who was juggling and not looking where he was going, stepped on her. Neither bite broke the skin but both of those people made a big issue about my dangerous dogs.
ReplyDeleteNikko doesn't even bark and at most might knock someone over in her excitement to see them. I keep a toy stuffed with cheese that I can give her to work on until she gets used to the guests. She is nearly 13 too.
Wow, commenters coming out of the woodwork LOL. I checked out the harness that Dawn commented on, and I keep getting emails from them seeing if I am still interested them. :) Hope turns out okay, glad the delivery man knows that is not the norm for Choco. I could give you advice, but I think you have had enough.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween, did you send your mom a card ?
I'm so sorry this happened. The harness someone else suggested sounds like a good idea for keeping her tethered and is safer for the dog as well. I like to use a harness on my dogs when walking in danger zones because I know they can't slip out of it and it won't hurt their neck either. I had no idea Choco was nearly 13, she seems much younger. Your good care shows. I'm glad your gas man is so forgiving and wasn't badly hurt. I can imagine you were more badly frightened by the event than he was.
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm so sorry. I see plenty of people have plenty of advice, some good. As you know, we have show dogs who are socialized from the first few weeks of life. I won't add to all of the advice. I'll just say I'm so sorry you had this experience and I am glad the man was not seriously injured and was so gracious about it.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Lois