He bit me while I was trying to teach him not to growl or snap at people when they get close to his food. (Other than that he's a GREAT dog) That's a completely separate issue though. What I need to know is if I should go to the hospital for a rabies shot. He is only 3 months old, just got his second set of shots and won't get his third (including rabies vax) for 3 more weeks. What do you guys think? Also, we live in Japan... not sure how common rabies is compared to the US.
2007-09-15 01:00:52 · 8 answers · asked by Noodle 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The bite is pretty deep, about half the width of my finger and about half an inch long.
2007-09-15 01:31:32 · update #1
No You dont need a rabies shot but you should clean your wound very well and put some anitbiotic cream on it.
Your pup still has immunities from mom so he should not be a carrier of rabies at all. Besids you pup would have to have rabies to being with to give it to you and that is very unlikely even in Japan.
2007-09-15 01:05:53 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hope you got " fixed" up and all is well . I don't think rabies should be a concern so feel at ease. You do have a dominance problem though ........ I understand you were TRYING to teach him at the time - good. But, he bit you !! In my house I'm Alpha male and pack leader, not my Doberman
Controlling the food is the best way to establish the pecking order. Think about it - he who controls the food controls the pack - right ??? Obviously ( and understandably ) your 3 month old puppy thinks he can bite the hand that feeds it - and thinks it's alpha male. You have no idea how many MORE problems you will have with him later on down the road if you don't correct him now. First that comes to mind is this aggresion he's displayed already, second he will " mark " your entire house, He will not listen to you when you give him commands it goes on and on. Pecking order is vary important and sets the stage for both of your enjoyment in life.
I would feed my Dobe , pour a cup of coffee , take his bowl of food ( place it on the counter ) and not return it until I poured another cup. If there are more people in the house they must also do this as every "human" come before the dog. Have them remove his food and control it as well. Be firm and consistant with your expectations of him and be aware he thinks he's Alpha right now, and I'm telling you it's important for you to get this dominance problem fixed right now. Pulling on the leash when you walk is anoher dominance problem I see comming too.
2007-09-15 02:03:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog has to have been bitten by a rabies carrying dog in order to have rabies, and I'm assuming at 3 months of age this hasn't happened. Actually, your dog is no longer covered by maternal immunity as one answerer said, that's why he's started having his vaccinations.
Puppies bite, but this sounds a little more than normal puppy mouthing! He needs that behaviour stopped right away. At that age, he should not be growling and snapping at anyone, very abnormal behaviour for a pup! You need to do a big loud NO or a clap when he bites to startle him, and then shove something in his mouth that he is allowed to bite, i.e a toy. And take him to puppy training classes, he's far too young to be behaving like this, you need to nip it in the bud quick.
Chalice
2007-09-15 01:37:24 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are verrry protective of their food, and often put to sleep if they can't over-come their need to dominate it. Sad, but true. Luckily, he's still young enough to break him of his insecurities. My boyfriend and I "rescued" two puppies about the same age as yours, who we found near our house, & they were on the verge of starvation, so breaking them of their food obsession is our biggest challenge with them now, but I have a few suggestions that seem to be working for us...,
#1: Hold his food dish off the ground when you fill it up.
If he barks or growls, or jumps on you at this point, (or whatever he does), firmly say "no growling" and set the food and the dish up and away from you both, and show him your empty hands until he calms down). Repeat as necessary. :)
.#2: You have the power at this point, so try to teach him to sit/stay until you set it down. (not for very long, though.., I found it best to start this training with treats, rather than meals).
#3: "over-feed" him; give him more food than you think he needs, so he won't worry so much about when the next meal is coming
#4: Luv him up. (if he can do the sit/stay thing repeatedly, he definately deserves some cuddles :)
#5: gradually decrease the amount of food and increase the amount of luvin' , until hugs and kisses become more of a reward than the food.
***Always remember that dogs actually like guidance; they like to know what to expect and when.***
2007-09-15 02:13:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The long and the short of it is, puppies nip......especially if they're teething.
Unless he's been exposed to an animal with rabies, your pup is clean, so don't worry about the bite. Clean it with warm soapy water, peroxide and maybe a little triple anti-b ointment.
2007-09-15 01:13:06 · answer #5 · answered by Ah J 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no, unless your puppy is acting strange
not drinking water & foaming at the mouth.
all puppys bite,thefirst 2years is training
time,& learning.
2007-09-15 01:26:41 · answer #6 · answered by lvdgslilchief 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
get the dog jabbed when he is ready
2007-09-15 01:04:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it just wanted to play so lighten up
2007-09-15 01:06:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋