Thanks for the replies, I will admit it's not really what I want to hear, but I have to face it front on. I've been skirting round it for awhile in hopes it might stop happening, but it's actually getting worse. DH and I were talking last night and a big worry for us is if the dog happens to lick her hand and she puts it in her mouth, what could happen (she's a big thumb sucker). She adores our mutt too!

For now I will keep them seperated unless I am right there, and will talk to my GP about how best to manage it and see how we go. Rehoming our girl would be the very last option, and one that would break my heart, but she also deserves more than just to be left outside for the majority of the time, or kept seperate from her 'pack'.