I'm really sorry you got hurt, but please don't feel guilty. I don't think you did any particularly wrong, and I really think the wound is just due to his puppy teeth being so darn sharp. Work on teaching him to trade and I bet you never have another problem.

Be careful with the wound though, make sure you clean it well. Bleeding isn't all bad as it helps flush the wound, but I hope it stops soon, continuing would mean you need to see the doctor to stop the bleeding.

Deep breath, let it out. You will both be ok.

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Could you maybe try some games where you put your fingers in his mouth with a treat or something? I'm thinking there should be a way that you'd get over being scared, and teach him to be gentle at the same time. Any ideas?

You're not a bad mom, or you wouldn't be concerned with his reaction to all this, right? Right.

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Since you've identified this as a problem (even though it was probably an accident with those sharp teeth), it would be good to focus on the leave it command pretty heavily for a while. With the right training, dogs can get to the point where they'll drop a piece of raw meat if told to. Mine aren't there, LOL. By working on the training, you'll gain more confidence around his mouth, too. Don't feel guilty--you didn't really do anything wrong, you just identified an area to train him on.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

If you do end up having to go to a doctor, I wouldn't tell them what happened. Depending on where you are, the law often requires quarantine for any dog bites, and under the definition that would qualify as a bite. I know my dog's grandfather had to be quarantined as a pup because he was play biting a man and broke the skin, and the man reported it.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

I know, which made me cry harder yesterday. My husband just gave me the exasperated look when I asked him (tears running down my cheeks, eyes puffy and red, face red and wrinkled) "OMG! Do we have to report this?!!? What if they take him away!!!!" *cue more wailing*

I say "wailing" b/c I'm a really loud person. When I whisper - you can hear me across the room.

But I digress....

I cleaned the wound really well last night. We had to replace the bandaid twice over night and once this morning. When I re-bandaged it this morning, the edges are ragged and do not touch, so I might super glue the edges together if it doesn't scab over on its own. It's hard since it's on the pad of my ring finger, left hand. This is my dominant hand and I use the ring finger to do alot of stuff apparently. It's always fun trying to adapt after an injury. "Really? I use you to hold a pencil????"

I'm on watch for any sign of infection. If it doesn't stop bleeding by tomorrow morning, I'll schedule an appt w/ my doctor. And of course, if it gets swollen, inflamed, red, *****, or hot.

Dr: What happened, Miss?
Me: I walked into my living room, looked down and I was bleeding

Technically not a lie. I had my tetnus booster a few months ago so I should be fine. I was worried about the rabies concern. Not that my dog has it but standard protocol (from what I've been reading) is if the animal doesn't have a current rabies shot --- I would have to be treated for rabies. Those HURT! In the stomach... ach!

We'll definately be working on "drop it/give" and "leave it"

He lets me stick my fingers in his mouth all the time, and this morning he didn't have any problem with me prying a stick from his mouth... or the receipt he found on our walk. I swear he's a magnetic for inappropriate items.

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When my Emmie, the sweetest dog on the planet was pregnant with 10 pups, her appetite was voracious... Her pups came in early July. I had family over on July 4, prior to the birth... I was making cole slaw and throwing leaves of it to the dogs. Well, she jumped up uninvited to get a leaf. She grabbed my index finger and laid it open. Dog bites are unique,and they not only hurt, but your feelings get hurt... In theory, there should have been bite inhibition, but I know she was just grabbing at the leaf. Of all my adult dogs, she remains the most gentle for a treat.... It was the pregnancy that did it.

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

Those puppy teeth are super sharp and can smart because they slice. Considering your puppy's age, I doubt it was aggression but he chompped on what he thought was the carrot and you pulled your had away at the same time causing the cut. Puppies out grow that kind of stuff and generally get softer mouths as they mature.

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

Work on trading for any item he has in his mouth - anything. On your walks take along some treats to trade with. Consistency is key - trading one time, then prying things out of his mouth the next is not going to work long run, it will just confuse him. Creating a habit of trading ( and being consistent on your part) will make life a lot easier, if or when, he gets hold of something he REALLY should not have.

Thank you!!! You nailed it on the head. Something I was feeling but unable to put my finger on it!

Bear is 100% normal and has an even softer bite than before. The cut still hurts like a B, but the sides are touching for the most part. My husband had me soak my finger in peroxide for 20 mins this evening and we've re-bandaged it up. I wasn't expecting it to heal as much as it has over 24 hours. But I've always been a fast healer.

Now that his evening zoomies are done, he's calming down and we're relaxing with a movie.


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

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Most doctors in know if you said my puppy bite me and is UTD with shots would not think twice about it & would not report it- Accidents happen.

However if you are not the owner of the dog they would report it. An owner accidentally bitten by their own dog knows where there dog has been but if it is someone else's dog you don't know this.

A puppy bite is totally different from an adult one- Puppies explore with their mouths. An adult bite could endanger public safety.

I have seen many people end up with serious infections because they were afraid of the dog getting in trouble. Your dog needs to know if it is a dog bite so they can RX. the best antibiotic if needed.

In some areas your doctor is mandated to report all 'bites'- But it is put to them whether to call it a bite & report it or say it was a 'puncture wound' which a bite is without calling it such. Early treatment generally in my experience is documented as a puncture if the dog is known but will be documented as a bite is the wound becomes infected and reported as such. Just as an FYI.


OP- It sounds like your puppy was trying to grab the food not you and accidentally sliced your hand. A bite would be a clamping of the skin between he upper and lower teeth it does not seem like this was the case to me.

Also be careful using straight peroxide because it kills the bacteria as well as healthy tissue. You can buy actual wound cleaner which is better for you and your finger.

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I do what I like and like what I do. Yorkies- Cozy (4/1/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/11/08), Lucy (4/6/09); Golden- Buddy (4/13/09- Rescued 12/11) Maine Coon cats- Mika (1998) and Tallulah (2000)