Feeling like a failed parent/Dog biting accident
Hi, first time poster on this subreddit but I was encouraged by other people ask for advice here.
I adopted a dog from a shelter last november. He was a medical foster which turned into foster success. He is a 18month old shih tzu- cocker spaniel mix male dog with lots of love and energy.
His past is not known but he has a history of rehoming situation due to his separation anxiety and reactivity. There is a potential for a history of abuse or abandonment due to some of his reactive behavioral traits, such as reactive/aggressive towards man.
Due to his issues, we started training (positive reinforcement only) and SSRIs which seemed to help him extremely. I sent him to daycare once to try and he did amazing and made many friends. He can pay attention to me pretty readily on cue and reduce his fixation on other dogs through distraction, engage-disengage tactics. I was so happy with his progress.
However, last night, we are getting off the elevator and a man who didnt see us came in and my dog lunged at him and bit him. It was a small injury but the fact that he broke the skin into this neighbor was just shook me to the core.
I felt so ashamed. I felt like a failure for letting this happen. I might have been so full of myself from his improvement so I let my guard down too much. I felt so sorry for the other party and wanted to hide in a cave because how embarrassed I was.
As I thought we are improving, this event made me realize that he maybe has not improved at all and I was living under the delusion. It has been a tough day processing the shame and guilt.
I decided we will never be taking elevators again. He will have muzzles on from now on. We are seeing trainer this weekend to assess his behavior. I am trying. I am trying so hard, but i feel so defeated. I know I cannot give up on him and I am his safe space but I lost trust in him of his improvement.
Is there anything else that I need to be doing? Am I lacking anything? What else do I need to do?