My dog bit the neighbor girl!!!?

Question

My dog bit the neighbor girl. He had the potentiol to do so, he has tried to attack 2 other ppl but didn't actually bite them. He goes crazy when someone new enters our yard. We keep him in the kennel or on a 40 ft. tie out in the back yard but it has been too hot out back for him so we tied a 20 footer to the garage with the door open where he can pee and then go to the shade out side the door, the girls ran through the garage, and one stopped to pet him and he basically jumped up on her scratched her tummy and bit her hand! I am horrified and now i will probably need to put him down. This bothers me, but otherwise i will have to post a sign, kennel him and muzel him if out walking. Not sure what to do, he's not 2 until Sep. and a 95 pound black lab. He is great with our family but hates new ppl, so can't give him away as he'd bite them, humane won't take him, any imput?

I would just like to say that whoever says that i am a lazy dog owner needs to be quiet, i spend lots of time with my dog. I have 4 children in which makes it a little diffucult to bring im inside constatnly, although with that said we do bring him in often. He is neutered and never has touched our family, and when out walking has never bit barked or growled at any person or animal, I am not sure i can convince my husband to keep him becasue of the fact that he did bite.

Nobady has said we HAVE to put him down, just suggested it. He lunged after our vet when we took him to get neutered, so his file says- agressive- potentially dangerous and strongly recommendes we put him down. But i still think I can do what is required to keep everyone safe, but it's my family that is so sure.

He also just had his shots and isn't sick.
He isn't a mean dog, just very protective. Should we put him down for that or just bring him inside and muzzle him if outside walking and stay put side with him and muzzle him if tied outside. We also have a huge garage?

Answer 1

I can understand your dilema. Nearly ALL dogs tied out are aggressive...I'm sure that you have heard that before, but didn't think about it happening to your dog, when you didn't take the time to socialize and train him..At his age he can be easily reformed.
Please see a trainer or behaviorist. A behaviorist is one who specializes in training beyond basic manners. Be very frank with this person. Many, many, most, ALMOST all dogs can be helped with proper training. The hardest part is actually training the humans.
This site has so much help for the aggressive dog. Please read the links before making your descision.
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/dbaggression.htm

If you email me your county/state, I can help you find help with training in your area.

Answer 2

The dog needs to be euthanized. That is not normal Lab behavior!! He poses a danger to others and yes, giving him away would not be a good choice. There may be no choice if dog control gets involved. It is better for everyone.

I don't think PetSmart want to see your dog there for training classes.
Ask the vet. Sometimes there ARE bad dogs. Sometimes they can have a tumor in their brain that effects behavior or another imbalance that causes this type of behavior. If it was a pitbull, we would all go,yeah, that is a pitbull. But a LAB???? That is what makes him so dangerous!!!! People do not expect him to be so dangerous!! They see a Lab and want to pet it, not thinking it could tear them up!!!

You cannot just take a dog that has bitten like that to class!!!!! What you would need is a Dog Behaviorist!!!! They are very expensive and it will take a LONG time and he may never be able to be trusted!!!!!!!
I have no idea why people think you can just go on down to the Y and sign the aggressive,biting doggie up for obedience class!!!! He is WAY beyond that!! He could attack someone there!!!!!! You get pretty close to other people and dogs in class!!!!

Answer 3

Your information is somewhat incomplete so it's hard to know what to tell you, but I'll do my best. You didn't say if you live in the city or the country. I live in the country and most all the dogs run free. You stated their dog is a little yappy dog, but you didn't say what kind of dog yours is. It doesn't matter if she's friendly to humans. You didn't say what breed she was, and some breeds are dog aggressive. You didn't say if you checked with the Humane Officer to see if there are leash laws in your community. If there are, once you found your dog didn't get along with their dog, you should have put up a serious pen or a serious fence, and that does NOT include an invisible fence. You stated you bought a pet fence, but I have no idea what you are describing. A "pet fence" could be an invisible fence, or a chain link fence, or a hot-wired fence, or cattle panel, or any of a number of other types of fencing. If you have personally seen their child at your property line calling your dog, you should take a photo of it, because, if they sue you, it could make the difference between the judge making you pay a $6,000 vet bill or not paying it. You would need to prove their child is tempting your dog to leave your fenced yard. You have a he-said, she-said situation here and that's really awkward in court. If you have a solid fence, and not the invisible fence, your dog should not be capable of leaving your property. If you have a solid fence, you can post it with signs to leave the dog alone. It's a coin toss. You could offer to pay half if their dog was not on their own property either, but how do you know that is the case? How do you KNOW the kids called your dog down the street? Was it the antagonistic neighbor's kids, or some friendly kids? You could also fence the back yard of your house, away from the street and keep your dog in the back yard. That way (hopefully) the kids would have to enter your property to call the dog to them. If you choose to ignore them because they are so antagonistic as neighbors, they will have to sue you. If they sue you, you'll have to know and have proof that the dog was called by kids, and what kids called the dog. You'd need a witness who can state their dog was also out of it's property. You have a neighbor problem, and you need to do whatever it takes to make sure your dog CANNOT get to their property without them coming and physically removing your dog from your yard. Get good information from impartial 3rd parties on what happened. Have them write it down, or tell you and let you write it down, and have them sign to indicate this is their statement from 1st hand knowledge of the incident. If you choose to pay half their vet bill, make sure you get copies that are YOURS to KEEP of the vet's billing. You can write it off on taxes next year.

Answer 4

The first question that must be addressed is, has the dog had all the rabies shots? If no you are in big trouble, and the dog would be put down and tested for rabies. Otherwise the argument will be that the girls went to the tied up dog, and tried to pet the dog. The dog did not attack the girls say when they were out playing or something. You did the responsible thing by keeping the dog tied up and in a safe place. If the shots are up to date I think based on your story you are in the clear.

Answer 5

You are doing a great disservice to your dog, as well as the community by keeping him tied out and in a kennel instead of living with you as a family member.
Your dog is unsocialized, which means he doesn't know how to behave appropriately around people because he's never been taught how and has no experience with anyone except the family.
I doubt he hates people, he just feels threatened when they enter his territory - he has no where to go since he's tied up and this makes dogs defensive! He only has whatever area he can reach on his tie-out to claim as his territory, and anyone entering that territory is breaching his comfort zone.
He needs you to begin obedience class with him so you can learn how to teach him manners, and build his confidence so he can earn your praise and attention. He also needs to be allowed to live in the house as a family member, which will be easier with manners.
You should be more horrified at how you have neglected your dog more than you are at his behavior. Labrador Retrievers are bred to be companion animals, living and working side-by-side with humans. They are a very responsive breed of dog and to keep them banished and alone in the yard is cruel. Knowing he had problems with people, yet not doing anything about it until faced with a possible lawsuit is irresponsible and lazy. Now your dog may need to be euthanized after a short lifetime of neglect.
If this is the case, may I request on behalf of dogs everywhere, that you not get another pet until you learn their value and are ready to be a responsible owner?

Answer 6

First of all, Why is the no.1 AKC breed that everyone loves and is the BEST for families tied up outside? What is his purpose in life? All 1440 minutes in a day? Unsocialized, untrained, and does not have the skills to properly interact with people. If you can't have dogs inside with you don't get one. If it is too big, should have chose a smaller one. We as human beings domesticated dogs, brought them into our homes, made them dependant on us. Now we must take care that we do the job right.
Why are more and more labs bred with terrible dispositions? GREED!
As for a solution to your problem; I advise you to get a trainer. It will cost you. If you can't afford it call a Labrador Retriever rescue group. Look them up online.

Answer 7

I'm actually very shocked at his behavior. Any lab is generally great with people especially kids! You probably should find him a home in the country or some place where he isn't likely to meet too many new people. Have you thought about having him neutered? Sometimes that can help with hostility! I really hope you can find a solution to your problem. Contact your vet - he may have some answers for you or may be able to find you a great home for him versus putting him down!

Answer 8

I think you've gotten enough advice about your dog by now. That's very sad and I'm sorry you're going through this. My only advice to you is to make sure you extend a sincere apology to the girl and her family. Feeling terrible isn't enough. You actually have to express it to the person(s) hurt. You very well may know this already. Do what you can for your dog to not be put down and put into a healthier environment, but that may not be an option.

Answer 9

This dog was obviously not properly socialized, and, to be honest, most non-working dogs that are kept out on a lead as opposed to being kept in the family tend to have problems with over excitement and new people which leads to biting.

Try to find a no-kids responsible home for this dog, where he will interact with people & become more socialized, or send him to a no-kill shelter. There is no reason to euthanize a healthy dog that with proper training will be fine.

Unless you can devote more time to training & socialization, I would advise you not to get another dog. Dogs left staked out often come to a bad end, especially when they are not socialized.

Answer 10

Unfortunatly, you are right, he will probably need to be put down. This is something that will probably not be avoided. And think, for the safety of everyone around, what would really be best... You say he has come close before, but never done it... now he has. It will be worse next time, if you allow their to be a next time. I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, and I really hope that you will not hold it against me, but for the sake of your friends, family and people you don't know yet, PLEASE be a responsible pet owner, and have him put down even if you are not asked to. A lab is capable of killing a person, and as bad as you feel right now about him biting a child, imagine how you would feel if he killed someone...

Answer 11

Why are labs turning out to be so mean? Labradors aren't suppose to attack. I have a 100 pound black lab who barks aggressivly to strangers and people he doesn't like. But I don't think he would attack. But I am not so sure. One time he almost bit a man ....
If your dog didn't bite the girl so badley I don't think you need to worry. Maybe he only wanted to play.