Eddie bit me :(

[ARCHIE]

Oh Mike I'm sorry that happend to you, ouch!
Don't panic but I believe it's territorial and I'll tell you why.
I was attacked by Buddy at night all because I reached over to
comfort him while he was twitching having a dream. The minute
I touched him he turned on me. If it weren't for a pillow I would have
been bitten for sure. I jumped off the bed trying to turn the light on
while he was still coming at me. I put it in my head I scared him because
he was, after all sleeping when I touched him. It took me a couple of
nights to calm down. I was afraid to move in my own bed. I let it go.
About three or four months later the same darn thing happened only
we were both awake and all I did was turn over and he growled and
charged at me! Again I grabbed the pillow and went threw the same routine.
Once I turned the light on he was my best bud! Yea, right. This time I
went and got his bed, took his blanket off my bed and put it in his and put
a soft step on harness on him with a six ft leash attached to my dresser. Just
the distance where he could not get on the bed. He tried but I needed to feel
safe in my own bed. I did this for four months. He settled down with not a peep. I was hesitant to ever allow him on the bed again. I did some research
and from what I read I think he took over my bed as his and did not want
me in his space. I also closed the bedroom door during the day so he could not get up there to lay down. I took my bed back.
After four months went by I deceided to try again. I missed him laying
next to me. I did not put his blanklet back on the bed. I picked him up
at bed time and put him on the bed thus making him an invited guest.
It's been over 1yr since the last attack. He's fine now. He was never
aggressive with me in any other way. I think this is what Eddie is
going through. I know how devestated you must feel. I was heart broken.
Who bites their master right? It happens, put it behind you and just take
steps to avoid it ever happening again. We have to remember even though
we love them to pieces and do everything for them they are still DOG.
Sad but true. LOL we forget this sometimes.
Good luck Mike, I am sure this is what is happening.

[Jeri Cunningham]

Wow Mike I can't believe our little Eddie would do that. It is so heart breaking when it happens. can't even imagine how bad I would feel if one of mine actually bite me. I guess sometmes we need a reminder they are dogs.

When our Chelsey was about 18 months she started growling at us in bed if we disturbed her. She was getting quite vocal. I would push her off each time she growled and it finally stopped. I never allow my pack to even growl at each other over anything. I do have two plug in night lights for them in the room as I heard pitch black rooms can make them more agressive to movement and touch.

I'm sooooo sorry this happened and hope you and Eddie can put it behind you.

[Sookie]

I am so sorry this happened to you, Mike. Kalina will growl in bed if she is the least bit disturbed - I always flipped her over on her back and held her down to let her know I am the boss and it's my bed. She never bit, but I didn't want the growling to escalate. Showing my dominance seemed to do the trick and now she is fine - she sleeps in the chair next to my bed all night long and only comes into my bed to play for a little while last thing at night and first thing in the morning.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Oh Mike I'm sorry that happend to you, ouch!
Don't panic but I believe it's territorial and I'll tell you why.
I was attacked by Buddy at night all because I reached over to
comfort him while he was twitching having a dream. The minute
I touched him he turned on me. If it weren't for a pillow I would have
been bitten for sure. I jumped off the bed trying to turn the light on
while he was still coming at me. I put it in my head I scared him because
he was, after all sleeping when I touched him. It took me a couple of
nights to calm down. I was afraid to move in my own bed. I let it go.
About three or four months later the same darn thing happened only
we were both awake and all I did was turn over and he growled and
charged at me! Again I grabbed the pillow and went threw the same routine.
Once I turned the light on he was my best bud! Yea, right. This time I
went and got his bed, took his blanket off my bed and put it in his and put
a soft step on harness on him with a six ft leash attached to my dresser. Just
the distance where he could not get on the bed. He tried but I needed to feel
safe in my own bed. I did this for four months. He settled down with not a peep. I was hesitant to ever allow him on the bed again. I did some research
and from what I read I think he took over my bed as his and did not want
me in his space. I also closed the bedroom door during the day so he could not get up there to lay down. I took my bed back.
After four months went by I deceided to try again. I missed him laying
next to me. I did not put his blanklet back on the bed. I picked him up
at bed time and put him on the bed thus making him an invited guest.
It's been over 1yr since the last attack. He's fine now. He was never
aggressive with me in any other way. I think this is what Eddie is
going through. I know how devestated you must feel. I was heart broken.
Who bites their master right? It happens, put it behind you and just take
steps to avoid it ever happening again. We have to remember even though
we love them to pieces and do everything for them they are still DOG.
Sad but true. LOL we forget this sometimes.
Good luck Mike, I am sure this is what is happening.

Thanks, Carol (and everybody else). I guess there's truth in the old saying "Let sleeping dogs lie"

All's well around our house, but the dogs aren't allowed on the bed. My wife is going through some serious separation anxiety herself, but we agree it's a serious issue that we need to address.

[Thorsmomma]

Ah Mike! Ouch! Sorry about your incident there with little Eddie. Sounds like you are getting some good advice. Thanks for sharing your story, I'm sure it wasn't easy! I hope that nose heals. Glad to hear that Eddie is still allowed to spread joy at the hospital!

[red98vett]

OUCH MIKE ...your poor nose ! Not to make light of it ....but do you think he mistook it for a moose antler ?

KIDDING !!

I see you have alot of replies & great advise so I'll stop here but just want to say I'm sorry...that had to hurt.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Mike, first of all, I am so very sorry - sorry that you were physically injured and even more sorry for the injury to your heart . I am not a fancy dog trainer, but knowing what I do about Eddie and you - I really believe that this was a very isolated incident that will never happen again. You caught Eddie off guard and probably startled him. If I were in that situation, I would not kick him off the bed and send him to doggie jail (since he isn't crated, that is what it will be for him). I'd start working with him - touching him in the dark to work through the problem (if there really is a problem). He needs to learn not to lash out with his teeth when he is startled.

As far as him being aggressive with little Jack - I would address that before they become enemies. Putting the toys away when you aren't playing with him will probably help that situation.

Wow, great post! (or yeah, what she said) I just want to add one thing. I had a sweet little shihtzu girl for 15 years. One day, I startled her and she turned and snapped. Fortunately for me, it was just my thumb, but she did some damage. At the time, we were sure she thought I was her furbrother. The good news is it never happened again. We lived peacefully ever after.

[RoxyJosMom]

Aww, Mike, I'm so sorry this has happened - for you and for Eddie. It's so easy to read something and and say "Here's what you need to do". But, in reality, we don't really know what was going on in Eddie's mind at the time. Everyone's answers and suggestions are very valid and I agree with them all, but, again, what was Eddie thinking at the time. I commend you on being able to take the measures you are until you get to the bottom of it. If it were me, I'd be a total marshmallow and would not have the heart(or strength) to put a little sleeping buddy out of bed. My hopes are that it was an isolated incident/accident and Eddie will, in time, be allowed back to his spot on the bed. Oh, a little advise: When out in public, go with the "Attacked by a raging Bull Moose" story - and stick to it.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by red98vett

OUCH MIKE ...your poor nose ! Not to make light of it ....but do you think he mistook it for a moose antler ?

KIDDING !!

I see you have alot of replies & great advise so I'll stop here but just want to say I'm sorry...that had to hurt.

LOL, leave it to V to put it in perspective!

But you know know ... someone did bring some moose sausage in to work that night! Plus, it makes much more sense that he would confuse me with a 1,000 pound moose before confusing me with a 4-pound Yorkie