Bit by your own dog, what would you do? - Page 2

Most dogs hate it if you blow in their face so I can understand how the blast of a sneeze could aggravate a dog, especially if the dog is unwell in some way and discomfort is getting on its nerves and the the skin of the face and lips is very soft so a bite that would be minor on any other part of the body would be a big deal on your face.  Even so, making excuses for the dog does not mean it won't happen again, once a dog has had a first bite,subsequent ones come easier to it.  I think if it were my dog, I would possibly get it checked by a vet for any obvious illness, but doubt I would ever trust it again and unless there was an obvious, cureable problem I would put it to sleep.

Margaret N-J
 

point did the person sneeze full into the dogs face to cause it to bite However it should not bite the owner under those circumstances or any other except pure cruelly towards it, To be fair to the Dog as the OP says had been acting strangely the last couple of months then have a brain scan on the dog to be certain that all is well inside it. if nothing is found then put it down as it probably will have to happen if anything is found.
IT is a no win situation for the dog but at least the Owners gave it a fair chance, Not a nice thing to decide on however it goes.
Steve1

No second chances for this little fellow unfortunately :( 

I would put it down.  Definitely not keep it and I can't see giving away a dog like that, major liability.

Hey thanks everyone and Steve particularly about  the brain scan;  I will suggest that if the deed has not already been done.  and VDGSD you really cannot rehome a dog that has bitten without letting people know he/she has bitten and I believe you are liable still.  I used to do Samoyed rescue and that was always our main concerns if a dog had bitten was the liability to us and the rescue club too great to rehome.  This particular bite was pretty bad and the dog would not let go;  tells me he had to know what he was doing.  They have raised this dog since he was 7 weeks old BUT their other corgi bitch did try to get  him and in fact DID cause some damage when  was he was about 9 weeks old.  They have since placed her with another family and all has been OK;  but this dog also was deemed nasty in his training class (basic obedience) and the owners did not continue with his training after basic obedience;  just kind of let him hang out.  \

So unfortunately a very hard lesson learned for them.  This is your "typical" pet family home;  very nice people and have raised him without a lot of boundaries though;  his first nip should have been done on a cow.  And he was a nipper, a heel nipper and snapper, not extreme but definitely some nipping.  Probably did not know what the he to do with him.  That would be most peoples response.  Instead of consutling a professional to come in to help, let it go??  Just no knowledge of the magnitude that this problem could escalate to I guess or negleglince??  Very sad indeed. 

Thanks to all for responses,  Nan

PTS.  No second chance!  When I was young my sister was bit in the face by our family dog (Afghan Hound)  I remember I begged my parents not to put him down because I loved him so much and sad to say they listened to me.  2 weeks later he mauled my other sister. 

I agree, if I sneeze on my dog he will roll is eyes or maybe lick my face but that's about it.  And even if the dog had brain tumors, that is probably not something I'm willing to attempt to fix (could not be possible, or not get it all and not correct the temperament, etc).  Regardless of the true cause it doesn't change the fact that a dog like that cannot live in a normal household.

Ditto what Mystere says. 

Years ago there was a Dobe mix we had to quarantine at our center after he bit his owners nose just about off. The owner showed me the emergency room pics and they were not pretty. Thankfully they were able to sew it back on.When I asked how it happened he said the dog was licking his balls while lying next to him in bed and when he tapped him to say no he bit his nose off. All the people in the world could not convince this guy to put the dog down. He felt it was "his" fault for "bothering" the dog. His solution was to neuter the dog so he couldn't lick his balls anymore. As serious as the situation was I had to bust out laughing at that one. Eventually the dog became a  threat to the public after broke through a 6 foot wooden fence and bit a kid walking to school.  The owner was finally forced to put him down.