Indy, OWW!

As you can tell from the post title, this post has to do with Indy and a whole lot of owwing from me.

Indy bit me. hard. on the thumb.

How did this happen? call it a rookie mistake. I like to pride myself on listening to dog body language and being an alpha owner but in this case it was all alpha but no body language.

I recently picked up with my Dad an antler for Indy to chew on. They are really healthy and great for big chewers. Indy loved it, great perk. Indy loved it a little too much however and was growling at people as they walked by. My sister ignored it, I didn't. I grabbed the scruff of his neck and said no, he dropped the bone but kept growling....here is my mistake...instead of talking to Indy and giving commands or smacking his bum.....I tried to grab his mouth to hold it, he snapped at me and bit my thumb.

My Dad did give Indy trouble by smacking him, and putting him outside until I was in a position to have the dog inside. (I fainted while trying to stop the blood flow) After coming inside Indy did not react negatively at all other than staying away from me for a little bit.

LESSON LEARNED, the hard way this time.

My mental note and advice for next time: Always use verbal commands like drop it, no, bad dog, etc. before touching the dog. I would even recommend putting the dog into a down stay away from the bone before picking it up and putting it away.

My thumb is still swollen a little bit but is otherwise healing. I am just glad that it wasn't more severe. I do believe that this was a case of me not reading his body language however the motive of giving him trouble for growling was correct. This is why all trainers and dog people will recommend hand feedings and taking things away from young puppies so that they do not have this issue.