Advice please- dog bite

[hanraa1]

At my wits end, please help.
I posted some time ago about my fear aggressive little whippet I rescued. He was lovely with people and other hounds just not a lover of labs etc.
We worked with a fantastic behaviourist and now have weekly 'rehab' sessions and he came on leaps and bounds.
In the last few weeks he started lunging towards people on our walks, never close enough to make contact no barking/growling. So I put it down to friendly excitement as he always loves fuss and because he's such a handsome boy people often stop to fuss. However today he bit a passer by. Completely out of the blue seemingly, he did growl which he never does even with other dogs. The guy was very understanding and kind as I was visibly distressed but I am so confused and upset by this. He has never shown an ounce of aggression toward people before this even when in situations he frightened of ie the vets (he hates the vets). I don't know what to do for the best. I have two young nieces who adore him, lots of friends/family who visit. It has been hard working with a dog who reacts to other dogs I'm not sure I can do it with people too. I'm awaiting a call from our behaviourist but in the mean time any advice or help would be much appreciated!

[ragsysmum]

Do you mean the passer by was literally just walking past or that a passing stranger stopped and gave your dog a fussing?

[hanraa1]

He was literally just passing by. So it took me totally by surprise, sorry for the confusion there!

[alexandsteve]

Can you start to muzzle train him. I know that's not the answer to the problem but it will give you a bit of piece of mind whilst you are out and about and also around your nieces? To avoid something more serious or a less understanding passer by taking it further?
Just a thought.
I really hope your trainer its can help.
Keep us updated, everything crossed xxx

[hanraa1]

He is already muzzle trained. Both me and him were so confident with him being around other dogs that we had started to faze out the muzzle on lead, he will always wear it off lead because of his risk to small furries. So reintroducing won't be a problem. I'm just very confused and sad as to why he's taken this turn. Worried I'll never be able to trust him again
He's so beautiful and he loves me so much I feel like I've let him down some how.

[alexandsteve]

Oh I'm sorry I didn't know that. Wasn't meaning to patronise you, I'm sure things are tough enough without that. X

I hope you can get to the bottom of the issues, I'm sure your behaviourist will be able to help you out.

Xxx

[hanraa1]

No I didn't feel patronised! I really appreciate your advice and I think it's always sensible to suggest muzzling. I'm also off to the vet tomorrow to rule out any pain issues. Thank you xx

[alexandsteve]

Good luck, really hope you can get to the bottom of it, he's lucky to have a Mum who cares about him so much, lots of people couldn't be bothered with the effort and would give up, think how far you've come xxx

[laura2001]

Sorry I have no advice, but I just wanted to say I admire you for sticking with him and working with him. Having had a fear aggressive dog myself I know how hard it can be at times, especially when they've already come so far and then something bad happens. I hope your behaviourist or vet can come up with a reason from which you can work on. Please let us know how you get on. xx

[hanraa1]

Thank you, I appreciate that. It's always useful to know I'm not alone. It's especially hard when right now he's asleep by the fire head on my lap like the worlds most perfect dog!

[sassbu]

You are not alone and I admire your dedication to sticking by him and seeking solutions, so many people give up which of course is the worst possible outcome for the dog
Firstly try not to panic as he will sense your anxiety! Revert to the muzzle so you can immediately regain your peace of mind that he can't bite again. Sometimes it's one step forward and three back so try not to feel disheartened!
I have a dog who is fearful of people, men mainly, lesser so as time has gone by. She reads human body language intricately and had particular fears of men walking toward her too fast or too assertively or too wobbly even!! I try to keep her on the other side of me and the approaching person especially when we are on narrow pavements etc and get her to sit and focus on me for treats whilst they pass. If they are drunk we just cross the road lol!!
Hopefully your behaviourist will come back to you with some one to one advice but many of us are here for moral support in the meantime x

[hanraa1]

I don't know a ton about his history just that he's had a lot of owners for such a young dog but in the 2 years we've had him I've never been concerned about him going for a person. I'm off to the vet this morning so will keep you posted. Thanks for all the moral support, I'd be falling apart if I didn't have an outlet and your kind words really help 

[sharonhigh45]

Sorry no advice from me but hope you get something sorted, as you have already seen this is a great place for support, good luck.

[gazer]

Hi, first of all I hope your little man is ok and the vet visit goes well.
He has obviously got a bee in his bonnet about something that has made him want to nip people.  Was it a serious bite or a nip ? 
He is fear aggressive, you already know that, whatever you have been doing with him maybe slow up and go back a bit to get his confidence back.

I have a whippy cross who has bitten, she caught someones finger while they were waving their hands about, after that she was always muzzled when out, she has since gone for 2 other people, both occasions they have tried to touch her when she did not invite them.  What I'm saying is there was a reason for her behaviour and I would say there was a reason for your dogs behaviour as well.

Try not to be too upset by it, it doesn't mean the end of anything, is he behaving well at home, if so then that's fine.  Relax when you are out, always muzzle him and give other people a wide berth when walking, loads of praise when he doesn't react.  It is quite disheartening when your dog bites a person, it can be seen as a very big problem.   Chat to your behaviourist who can see how he is at home.

I do hope things work out for you with him, he sounds like he's a very frightened little fella when he's out and something triggers the fear.

[lurcherlot]

You have had some good advice, and you've also done the initial sensible thing, which is a check up with the vet. I hope it all goes well