My Doberman bit my boyfriend ...Right through his hand ......And now he wants me to choose him or my Dog?

Question

My Doberman was siting on the couch/sofa and my new boyfriend told him to get down (In a rude tone of voice) and my dog growled and than my boyfriend grabbed his collar and than my dog bit him right through his hand.
I told him if he asked Nitro(my dog) Nicely ..like I do .....he will do anything you ask.

Now my New Boyfriend(going out 9 months) gave me the ultimatum him or Nitro

what do you think????

I TOLD HIM WHAT IF HE HAD A SON AND I TOLD HIM TO CHOOSE.......but it fell on deaf ears....Now he wants an answer in 3 Hours...HELP

My Dog Nitro is like my son and he is 5yrs old.....how can I get him to get along / Respect my new Boyfriend........OR........Is Nitro jealous?

Answer 1

MAN "that's not good" Dogs don't forget when they didn't like someone and dobermans are very smart, JEALOUS AND TERRITORIAL First buy a muzzle for the dog then start walking him together (dog in the middle) this lets the dog know that there's a new ALPHA MALE around that must be respected after doing this a few times (while walking together)give your boyfriend the leash and fall behind a few steps until the dog sees you're not the one holding him.and tell your friend to keep his voice in a medium tone when he tells the dog to come or (keep walking) keep the muzzle on until you're sure he gets the picture"OH YEAH " don't forget to give nitro lots of GOOD BOY'S WHEN YOU THREE ARE TOGETHER and a pack of hot dogs works wonders with dobes after a good walk let your friend toss him a hot dog or two with a GOOD BOY while you hold the leash if nitro ever barks or growls at your friend put him in check quick and hard to let him know that's BAD DOG but don't beat the dog its cool to give him a tap or two on the nose to get his attention but dobes don't take whippings for long and take it slow
good luck
signed "the cat"

Answer 2

Stop complaining. If you lived in New Jersey a dog who bites someone will be put to sleep. All he would have to do is to file a complaint and the dog would be taken away and put down. I would say the dog goes. Who needs a dog who will bite someone? Next thing you know the dog could rip the head off a 5-year old child. What do you do then?

I can understand why your bf does not want to be around you if you keep a dog that is into biting. The dog could very well be protective of you and will defend you if he thinks there is a threat. If your present bf bails on you because of this just remember that the same thing will probably happen again as long as you still have this dog.

Answer 3

I'd say choose the dog, but I agree with previous posters. Depending on where you live, if your bf files a complaint-- which is likely, especially since he'll be bitter if you DO dump him-- it's very likely that animal control will get involved, and your dog could be put to sleep.

Just remember that Nitro will be around long after your jerk boyfriend is gone. Is a 9 month relationship worth the loss of a friend?

Answer 4

Animals and children are very good at sizing people up. My guess is that your boyfriend is a jerk incognito and your loyal dog knows this and hates his guts on your behalf.

Dogs give warning 'nips' but your dog just hauled off and BIT him. Meaning your dog Nitro does not believe your boyfriend deserves the effort of a warning in the first place. Well, actually the growl WAS the warning... Keep the dog - loose the boyfriend. Trust me.

Also your boyfriend crossed the line with your dog by grabbing his collar if they are not bonded at all. It gave Nitro just the opportunity to teach him a lesson he'ld been waiting for. Good luck.

Answer 5

If your dog has not shown aggressive behavior in the past, I would have to say lose the boyfriend. All my bfs have always known NOT to make me make that choice... my animals were there first and they'll be there last!

The event you've described sounds like a dominance issue. Likely your dog is an "alpha" dog. When it plays with other dogs, is it always the one "on top"? Or is it aggressive to other dogs? Your dog needs to know that YOU are the boss - and dominance training can help with that. Flip the dog on it's back (with a large dog, I'd suggest using a muzzle) - do so gently... have the dog lie down, then roll him over - then hold him on his back (belly up) until he stops struggling. Once this works, you can growl loudly while doing it. It sounds crazy, but it's a proven training method. The dog should learn to immediately submit to you. Remember, submission and fear are two very different things. You want your dog to recognize you as his leader, not to fear you as his master. Another simple dominance training technique is to make the dog "wait" until you tell him to "get it" when feeding him, and also to "wait" and let you go through a doorway first. Look up dominance training online and I'm sure you'll find tons of stuff. Unfortunately, most of them will tell you not to allow your dog on the bed or furniture until he's learned to submit fully, as him simply being on such items is a way of asserting his own dominance. :(

Good luck. Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss it more. I had similar problems with a Lhasa rescue I had... with these and other training methods, I finally was able to get him adopted into a loving home.

Answer 6

I am surprized that it took 9 months...Dogs are usually very good judges of character. If your boyfriend is willing to try to drag the dog off the couch...he has to be man enough to live with the concequences. This is a decision for him to make...either be a proper man and treat the dog like a dog not a toy....or go find someone that doesn't have a dog that judges character as well as Nitro does...

remember the dog reacts to the actions of the people around him...

Answer 7

jealous over a dog? get real. and yes, he does need to speak in kind tones. dogs will defend themselves if they feel threatened. that dog had more rights then he did obviously for the couch.

grabbing and yanking the dog for one when the dog growls, when the dog just met him, is stupid. anyone knows that.

sorry. but right there, your new boyfriend, just showed you how he is not only demanding, but forceful.

most men, know that a dog is very protective, - and not just over the owner. his over all 'spot'.

if the dog was on the couch, one does not snarl at the dog and yank at his collar.

the dog did not know him, the dog growled.

hhhmmmm...lets stop and think.

the boyfriend should have stepped back, told you, and then ask you what to do. it was after all, your home, your couch, your dog.

i find this boyfriend to be rude, controlling, arrogant.

the boyfriend needs to make the effort to get along with the dog, not the dog getting along with the boyfriend.

the boyfriend just proved that he has no patience.

i was not there, dont know what happened exactly. use your best judgement.

if the dog growled and the guy yanked at the collar after snarling at the dog, i would think differently about the guy. dogs smell not only fear...

Answer 8

Dogs have a good instinct about character. Get rid of the boyfriend. If he cared for you he wouldn't give you an ultimatum. Nitro comes first!

Answer 9

First of all how long have you been dating this guy? If he is a recent boyfriend I dont see why you would have to choose, the dog was obviously provoked and for some reason or the other does not like your boyfriend. Think about this? If you've had your dog for a long time your dog probably is out to protect you, he could sense somthing in your boyfriend that he feels might not be good for you. I see dump the guy, if you consider your dog to be like your son then you need to find somone who is going to respect the love you have for him. GOOD LUCK..dont hesitiate..dump the guy!

Answer 10

Girl, I'm an animal lover and your dog warned you about your boyfriend. Keep the dog (nitro) and get rid of the other dog with fleas. Your dog is your protector and your guardian. And ask yourself this question? If he truly loves me he wouldn't ask you to give your companion. Good Luck