Dog Attack

[alt218]

My bf's dog is a Australian Sheperd/Terrier mix. He is about 3 years old and is a male. He is very territorial. I have known him for a little over a year now. I am such a dog lover and have grown up with dogs all my life. But for the past couple of months his dog has snipped at me and not wanted to be around me. I have always been loving and nice to the dog because he was such a good dog. But about a week ago while I was petting him, he snipped at me out of no where. When I said something to my bf, he was surprised because he had never seen him do that to anyone before. But he pushed it off as a one time thing. Then two days ago while I was visiting, my bf ran to the store and I was out back with the dogs when his dog turned on me. He came right towards me with his hair raised, teeth showing, growling ferousciously and snipping at me. I stood there and after a few seconds, it stopped. Then he started doing it all over again and came very close to biting me and also lunging towards me. I opened the door to the house and he ran in and got in his cage. I told my bf and he again didnt want to believe it and pushed it off as a one time thing but told me to stay away from him. The following day I was there and avoided the dog completely. My bf was in the backyard with the other two dogs when I walked in from my car. I did not know that his dog was in the house and he greeted me like usual. Really nice and loving. After a few minutes, I heard him growling like the day before and turned around and he had his hair raised with his teeth showing. I was on the steps and when he lunged at me I lost my footing on the steps and slid. That gave him the opportunity to bite me on the shoulder. He quit once he heard the back door opening and my bf walking in. My bf once again did not see it and did not seem to want to believe it. He was making excuses like he would work with him and seemed to come up with every excuse under the moon. I guess I am really scared of what this dog could do to me or anyone else. What should be done? Please help and give me advice! How do I apporach this situation with mym bf? Thanks so much!!! Ashley

[LabBreeder]

if you weren't doing anything to the dog i really see no reason whey he would "attack" unprovoked. an attacking dog always has a reason...you have to figure out what his is. does the dog act normal and "happy" towards you when your b/f is around? have you EVER intentionally or by accident done ANYTHING to make this dog think you are a threat to him or his master? has anything changed in the house?
he's attacking for some reason. could your b/f have possibly trained the dog to not like you...or maybe the dog senses something is different between you and your b/f (arguing maybe?)??? are there any problems in the relationship? there is something somewher upsetting this dog...you need to figure out what it is before you end up seriously hurt.

[SummerRiot]

Didn't you post this in general as well?

[cowgurl6254]

Is the dog neutered?? I'm not sure if this would effect it, but being intact may make him territorial.