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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 11, 2014 22:52:09 GMT
I have mostly recovered now I still have the marks and swelling on my hand but the pain is mostly gone so it isn't affecting me much now. The owner contacted me this morning to see how I was and he mentioned that he is looking into switching to flexi or night shifts (he's a police officer) so that they can manage the dog on their own. To be fair to the owners, I don't think they were really aware when they brought her home how bad she was. They were told a little about her background but before I came to visit they had no behaviour problems with her at all. She is perfectly happy to say hello and be fussed by strangers when she's on walks and she is fine with her owners in the house. She was also fine when I came to visit them the first time so they weren't really to know. I'm not sure where exactly they got her from but I don't think it was a rescue centre, so some information probably wasn't given to them.
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Post by scallywag on Sept 11, 2014 22:55:30 GMT
Glad you are ok , did you have a tetnus jab alfiemummy ?
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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 11, 2014 22:59:35 GMT
Glad you are ok , did you have a tetnus jab alfiemummy ? I haven't had anything except a bit of ibuprofen cream, the bite barely broke the skin so I didn't think anything like that was particularly necessary.
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Post by scallywag on Sept 11, 2014 23:06:02 GMT
Glad you are ok , did you have a tetnus jab alfiemummy ? I haven't had anything except a bit of ibuprofen cream, the bite barely broke the skin so I didn't think anything like that was particularly necessary. You were lucky, glad to hear that, when I was bitten 2 years ago at my sisters in the USA There was blood every where LOL including all over the neighbours floor ( it was their dog my sister was looking after ) so I had no choice than to get a shot.
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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 11, 2014 23:12:25 GMT
Ouch that sounds painful scallywag! I'm glad it wasn't too bad as it would have really buggered me up, it was more of a bone crusher than anything lol! I was a bit worried that it could be broken as the pain was so bad yesterday but everything is moving fine so looks like we're all good! Think I might have saved my fingers too, whenever I put my hands near and unpredictable dog I always have it in a fist - might be why it didn't do so much damage.
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Post by scallywag on Sept 11, 2014 23:16:50 GMT
That was lucky, me, I was stroking her and she just suddenly turned, quite frightening really, you know what ? They didn't even bother to offer to pay for the shot either $50 it cost me , oh well, live and learn eh, now when we visit they cant even be bothered to say hello
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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 11, 2014 23:29:59 GMT
That does sound frightening, especially if it's the neighbours dog that's being looked after so they're presumably not there! Was it a big dog?
I was glad at least that the bite happened when the owner was there as it would have been more worrying if I was on my own. He offered to drive me to the hospital and everything but it seemed a bit ridiculous for just a few tiny marks lol. I managed to drive home ok so it can't have been that bad. The worst part is that I'm right handed so it's messed me up a bit today but thankfully it's getting back to normal now!
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Post by tonib on Sept 12, 2014 13:10:22 GMT
alfiemummy, bearing in mind that you are a dog walker, I hope you have had tetanus jabs in the past. Perhaps have a word with your doctor about how long they last or what boosters are needed.
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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 12, 2014 14:00:18 GMT
alfiemummy, bearing in mind that you are a dog walker, I hope you have had tetanus jabs in the past. Perhaps have a word with your doctor about how long they last or what boosters are needed. I should probably do that! I haven't been to the doctor since I was about 12 lol (whoops)
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Post by zahada on Sept 12, 2014 14:23:36 GMT
Hope you have a dog walker's insurance. Your incident demonstrates how important it is to have one. You were lucky that the bite didn't put you in hospital or put you out of action for a while.
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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 12, 2014 14:29:44 GMT
Hope you have a dog walker's insurance. Your incident demonstrates how important it is to have one. You were lucky that the bite didn't put you in hospital or put you out of action for a while. I do have insurance
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Post by alfiemummy on Mar 31, 2016 23:54:00 GMT
Thought I'd add this here rather than on a new thread as it's a similar situation - don't know if anyone remembers! Warning - long post! Way back in January one of my clients asked me if I'd be able to do a few extra walks on a particular day in May as it will be her brother's wedding. She also asked me if I'd be able to help her brother out (two cats) and her parents (one dog) which I agreed to. She informed me that the dog is nervous and doesn't like strangers (especially in her house) which filled me with dread after remembering what happened before! But they were in a bit of a fix as the only people that her parents can usually get to help out with the dog when they are out for a long time were all going to the wedding. I've been meeting up with her once a week since then to work with her and the dog (Lab cross - we think with Rottweiler). We decided that it would probably be best if I met her mum and the dog away from the house while I was walking my clients dog - they live just around the corner which is handy - at least for the first few times to give a better chance of the dog not reacting to me. The dogs love each other so it worked (sort of) and we did that for the first few weeks, the only issue was that she was too interested in the dog and wasn't paying much attention to me, and if I offered my hand to sniff she would bark at me. I should add at this point that she always wears a muzzle when outside as she is dog aggressive, so this really put me at ease after last time - at least I knew she couldn't hurt me so I was far more confident with her. We then tried walking both dogs at the same time, but swapping dogs so I was walking her dog. They were still far too excited about each other though so we decided to scrap that idea completely and I started meeting up with her on my own for a short walk with me handling her. She would always bark when I arrived so I made sure I had treats on hand so that I could offer one immediately as I arrived - the barking stopped, hooray! The next week we progressed to me walking home with them afterwards and offering her a treat in the house (muzzle off) Next we tried making the owner disappear on walks, which worked a bit but she was very anxious about where she'd gone - I'd been told that even her husband can't walk the dog as she completely refuses to go with him, only her and her son are actually able to walk her! By this point we'd worked up to me being able to give her treats (she loves carrot lol) and make a fuss of her with no issue at all, even without the owner present. On the next walk I asked the owner to disappear and instructed her to go home, I walked her for a bit and then took her home, removed her lead, harness & muzzle myself. Last week was the first day I actually met them in the house at the start of the walk, before that I'd been meeting them in the garages near her house and then returning to the house with the owner at the end. I was to knock at the back door (she would have muzzle on) and the owner let me in, I offered treats straight away and was able to put her harness and lead on. I attempted to take her out for a walk on my own but as soon as we got out the gate she dug her heels in and I took her home and spent some time in the house instead and did the paperwork with the owner. Owner is not bothered if she actually has a walk on the day anyway as she knows it's not likely I'll be able to, she just wants to make sure she gets let out in the garden, is fed and has some company. Went round again today and let myself in the front door while the owners were home (muzzle off this time) - she hurried to the door barking but stopped barking and looked excited and had her tail wagging when she saw it was me I gave her some treats and she let me put all her walking gear on and then we went for a short walk with the owner (I decided it was a waste of time attempting to go without owner as it was only going to stress her out!) Next week the owners have arranged to go to their daughters house and I will attempt to go in on my own as a practice of what I'll have to do on the day, I'll attempt to take her out for a walk but if she doesn't want to then I will just spend time with her indoors. I'm really hoping everything goes well! If it does then I will continue to go round once a week until the actual day. I've been so pleased with how things have gone this time, the owner knew her dog would probably have an issue and contacted me in plenty of time to be able to work with her and give us the best chance of it going well - not like last time! I'll admit I was really nervous to start with, especially when she kept reacting to me and I kept thinking of telling the owner that I couldn't do it, but I'm so glad I've stuck with it as she is a lovely dog and gets really excited to see me now - I think she must think of me as the carrot lady! Apologies for the massive ramble but I'm quite proud of myself
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Post by scallywag on Apr 1, 2016 6:06:11 GMT
Thats good shes accepting you, shame about the walk thou, just one thought, will you be n the house before they leave the day of the wedding ? Or will she have been left alone and then you arrive later ? alfiemummy
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Post by alfiemummy on Apr 1, 2016 7:02:00 GMT
They will be leaving in the morning and I will be popping in a couple of times throughout the day
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Post by scallywag on Apr 1, 2016 7:04:09 GMT
Have you entered the house on your own before, after shes been left ? Just a thought
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