I was getting the "puncturing you countless times from close distance" version yesterday, but I am not today, even vs chain 0 or 1:
You grab the nearest heavy object and jump at the hound, pummeling it for 17 melee damage.
Crystal spines shoot free from the hound, deflecting from your bones with a chiming sound and dealing 2 stealth damage.
You grab the hound to shake it for 19 melee damage.
Crystal spines shoot free from the hound, deflecting from your bones with a chiming sound and dealing 3 stealth damage.
I have bone spikes active, I wonder if that protects you?