My dog bit someone! Help!

[RD]

Shiner was the same way. She looked cute and sweet so everyone thought she'd love them.. Heh.

It seems like being out in public is stressful to Jesse, anyway. I'd keep walks in public places near a lot of people to a minimum and keep her muzzled if she -does- have to go near a bunch of people.

[FattyBumBlastie]

I'll buy a muzzle today, thanks everybody.

Penny--my very friendly AmStaff that no one approaches is my avatar.

There's a picture of Jesse in my profile picture. Looks truly are deceiving.

[Chithedobe]

What a horrible thing to have happened!
I've just pm'd you some resources that I've found especially helpful with training and socializing my borderline aggressive 5 month old pup.

[Doberluv]

I've just pm'd you some resources that I've found especially helpful with training and socializing my borderline aggressive 5 month old pup.

Would you mind sharing those on here? Do you have links?

I do know that telling a dog, "No" for growling is a huge mistake. If they growl and you stop that, they may well go straight for the bite. The growl is a warning. The underlying issues need to be dealt with from the inside out. You should get yourself a reputable, positive methods trainer/behaviorist to help you. And use the muzzle when out in public. What a shame. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this dangerous situation. Let us know how things work out.

[Julie]

Just don't put your dog in the situation, that she feels the need to defend herself.

I also think the muzzle is a good idea, at least you can be sure a small child will not run up and get bit in the face.

And just telling approaching people "The dog bites, please stay back"
Should be enough for even the dumbest of people. LOL

Best of Luck,
Julie.

[I_LOVE_cInDeR11]

My Grandparents Just Got A New Puppy. A Miniture Shnauzer. He Is Constatly "marking His Territory" All Over Their House. They Said If They Can't Find Any Way To Train This Dog, Then They'll Have To Take Him Back To The Pound. I Think They Should Take The Dog To A Few Training Courses. What Do You Think?

>oh And They Are Also Trying To Name Him To? Any Suggestions? Thank You

[Chithedobe]

Originally Posted by Doberluv

Would you mind sharing those on here? Do you have links?

I do know that telling a dog, "No" for growling is a huge mistake. If they growl and you stop that, they may well go straight for the bite. The growl is a warning. The underlying issues need to be dealt with from the inside out. You should get yourself a reputable, positive methods trainer/behaviorist to help you. And use the muzzle when out in public. What a shame. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this dangerous situation. Let us know how things work out.

Sure thing :-) First off let me say that I think Jean Donaldson should cut me a check soon; since reading her book "Culture Clash" I have reccomended it to EVERYONE and think that her sales have certainly increased :-) But that is resource #1, "Dogs are from Neptune" (also by Donaldson) is #2. I've yet to read this book but have heard that it speaks more specifically about SEC aggression (sudden environmental change) which is what I'm working on with my pup (am impatiently waiting for it to arrive). There is also a VERY moderated Yahoo group specifically for the discussion of aggressive behaviors in dogs, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agbeh/
This group is like none other I've been on and has very strict rules about posting (all posts are approved and edited when needs be by the owners). But their file section alone is invaluable! It only promotes positive training methods, mostly classical and operant conditioning.
I would by all means reccomend anyone dealing with aggression problems to seek out a reputable trainer/behaviorist. However I'm forced to go it alone due to our very remote location. I've only found 2 trainers that speak English on this island and both have suggested to aggressively correct my 5 month old pup when she reacts aggressively. I quickly found that this did nothing more than escalate her reaction and before all was said and done she was barking at me. Through the suggestions I have gotten from the list and the book and maybe a week and a half of serious positive reinforcement on our daily walks I can now walk Chi without her going crazy if someone approaches us. Rather than barking like she wants to eat them, she turns and looks to me for a treat :-) Yesterday we were able to stop when a jogger approached and she offered me a beautiful down instead of wanting to eat the jogger (evidently liver tastes better than what she thinks a jogger tastes like :-) ) I have to add that Chi has never bitten, she is fine with people in very public situations but was displaying serious problems when we walked through our quiet neighborhood and just one or two people approached.
I also have a list of links that would take me forever to post on the nuts and bolts of positive reinforcement and clicker training but I can post if you want them. Several of them have "lessons" on how and what to teach with the clicker - I'm seriously considering having one surgically implanted into my hand just so I always have it!
Training has all of a sudden gone from an event I dreaded to something that is so much fun for both of us! And her improvement is just beyond belief. WooHoo for the help of the internet and some really great and devoted people :-)

~Tracy

[BigDog2191]

Originally Posted by FattyBumBlastie

Thanks for the input, everybody. Jesse's unpredictable. I know that. Sometimes she's friendly, sometimes she's not. More and more, she's not. I guess part of me, just in wishful thinking, hopes that maybe, just maybe, this time she'll react differently, but I know how lucky I just was and I'm NEVER going to take that chance again. From now on, to everybody "She's not friendly. She WILL bite you."

However, is this behavior something that can be modified? Or is this just her personality and something I can't change?

No, you can change it. Many people will tell you it's not going to happen and it's either because they don't WANT to or they've never dealt with an aggressive dog. It takes time.

[bridey_01]

Great post Chithedobe! Sound behavioural training is the only way to go.

i would have to agree behavioral training is great