My dog has bitten people three times. Once 4 years ago and twice within the past 7 months. He doesn't seem to like to be close to anyone who is not in my immediate family and usually he will run up to visitors, lick them, then leave them alone or he will stay away fromt he people and go off by himself and sleep.
When he bit this past summer, my friend was very upset that we did not put him to sleep. My family has not taken this lightly. We have had many arguments about whther to put him to sleep or not. We are very divided. We started watching the dog whisperer and have learned alot about the pack animal tate of mind and try to keep him away from people.
My sister's bf came to visit and my mom warned my dad not to let him walk my dog, even though he wanted to. But my dad did anyway (we are all upset about that) and my dog bit my sister's bf. Now my sister wants to put him to sleep and the rest of the family doesn't know what to do.
Should dogs who bite die?
2006-11-30 17:17:45 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have an aggressive dog too. She hasn't bitten seriously, and is mostly aggressive toward other dogs.
I am a certified tech and a trainer, and I don't believe a dog who bites should die, unless they bit unprovoked and are unpredictable, putting the owner in danger. That situation is very rare.
You are doing a good thing watching the Dog Whisperer. I like his style, and he has a lot of experience with aggressive dogs. DON'T listen to "positive-only" trainers. They know about average nice dogs, but not aggressive dogs, and can do you more harm than good. Another good resource is a book by The Monks of New Skete, called How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. I have one by the Dog Whisperer called Caesar's Way - it's great too.
Know that your dog is going to challenge people - that is how he is wired. You need to work with him every single day, for at least 10-15 minutes, on basic obedience. The idea is, it gets his mental energy out (most alpha dogs are very smart), and reminds him every day that humans are his boss. It also teaches him confidence, and confident dogs are easier to handle. Do this every day, for all his life.
You are right that your dad should not invite situations where your dog is set up to fail. He should not be around anyone where there is a chance for aggression. Otherwise, it isn't his fault he does his thing and bites a stranger, is it?
Having an aggressive dog is a commitment - you commit to the dog out of love, that you will never allow him to be in a situation where he bites someone and ends up euthanized. Protecting him is taking your responsibility on daily to work with him - working to teach him rules and boundaries and obedience. Smart, tough dogs, need structure in their environment..
One more thing - please understand that dogs sense when you are expecting them to be aggressive. He senses your tension. Also, he senses that everyone is very displeased with him. That can increase his stress and his aggression level. Let him know he is a good dog.
So. .. . give him lots of boundaries and structure. Teach him to obey you. Let him have successes and be praised. But stand your ground with him always - so he knows he is not in charge of you. And most of all - don't put him in situations where he can get into trouble again. Keep him away from people who aren't family members. Period.
He won't always be around. While he is, appreciate him for his good points, and protect him from himself.
Again, I think a dog like yours is a special opportunity - these dogs are smart as can be. If you can channel the smartness into obedience and manners, you can have a great dog who understands his place. But he is wired to be alpha - and nothing will change that. Just respect it.
2006-11-30 17:40:49 · answer #1 · answered by Mac 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
I don't think that dogs should die just because they bite. Were they bitten badly, requiring stitches? In that case the dog needs to be either put down or be put in an environment where he can't harm anyone.
I rescued a "biter" who had been abused by idiots who tried to "guard dog train" it and then it bit them badly. It messed the dog up as far as it would never have been safe around kids but I found her a home with a Wrecker driver who had other dogs of the same breed (chow) and no kids around. Also had a reinforced large yard. The driver knew the dogs history and knew how to work with chows. She took the dog with her on calls and it became her companion at work.
Sorry that your dog is biting. Hope there is an alternative to euthanasia. If your dog went to a shelter he would be put down since he has a history of biting.
2006-12-01 02:37:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It depend under what circumstances the dog has bitten a human. If the dog is defending him/herself than it's not fair to put him down. If the dog has bitten for no reason than maybe. But in your case I think that maybe you need to keep the dog away from other people than your immediate family as he obviously has a problem with strangers. Maybe you should just keep him outside in a confined area. You obviously love him and really don't want to hurt him but you do have to remember, the next time he bites it might be a small child who has no defence and is unaware so do what's best for your dog but don't forget yourself and others!!!!!!
2006-12-01 01:30:44 · answer #3 · answered by bex 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Ugh, the dog whisperer is a quack. I wish that he'd just get canceled already. I'd never trust anyone who has a lawsuit against them for animal abuse and who thinks that accessory dogs are just great. What a cretin.
Anyway, if your dog has a biting problem, this should have been addressed and he should have been muzzled anytime he was out of the house. This is your family's fault for permitting this problem to recur. This is also your famly's fault for not having him properly trained in the beginning.
No, I don't feel that a biting dog deserves to be killed, in most cases. But, if your family isn't willing to take more responsibility for him, then it's better that you put him to sleep yourselves rather than have him killed in a shelter somewhere once the law comes and gets him. What a shame. And your family should not own any more dogs until they can make the committment to train them correctly and be responsible for them and their problems.
2006-12-01 01:40:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
no, I'm soooo against putting dogs that bite to sleep. people get in fights and we don't kill them. animals don't understand. consider getting him a muzzle for walks or when you have visitors he might bite. if some one gets bit it's usually their own fault, warn people that come near him he may bite so they should leave him alone. it biting your sister's bf was his fault, I'm sure he knew that the dog has had problems with biting in the past, so he should not have even tried to walk the dog. my dog used to bit people that petted her when she was sleeping or didn't like to be petted, but we just left her alone unless we knew she wanted to be petted and told people while we were on walks no to pet her because she might bite. she had to get put to sleep last december because of liver cancer. she would have protected us though if anyone tried to hurt us, and I'm sure your dog would do the same, he probably loves everyone of you so much and wouldn't understand why you were doing it to him. keep the dog alive, please. maybe look into ways to train him not to bite, I'm sure there are plenty of sites and books on it. hope everything works out.
2006-12-01 01:29:45 · answer #5 · answered by Kylie Anne 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No! That was an idiot move to walk to the dog when you all warned him not to. Dogs are dogs-- they bite! It's not like it's killing a person. I got bit by a lab all the way to the bone once when I was little, but I understand dogs are, well, dogs. They don't deserve to be punished for things they can't control, or for acts done in order to protect themselves. The people who want to put your dog asleep should just bite their own toungue, it's not their dog or their choice.
And please, for my sake, don't put your dog to sleep.â¥
2006-12-01 01:32:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it depends on what the bite was like. if it was a quick bite and then release, i would say that this a problem that can be resolved. those are usually "fear bites" and you can work through them with a good behaviorist. if it's aggressive behavior and an all out attack, where it's difficult to get the dog off the victim, then this is a more severe case, and while it can still be worked on, you will have to always be very careful and vigilant.
2006-12-01 02:35:01 · answer #7 · answered by olivia 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Dogs who bite have a role to play...but not for you, if you want a dog to guard and protect you maybe you should look at putting him to sleep, I know this is probably a hard thing, since you get so attached to your dogs, but sometimes its better than loosing friendships, or something worse might happen...my suggestion would be to try to figure out why he bit them, and if you can't, or you can but can solve the problem then put him to sleep (Its painless) and get another dog or puppy to ease your heartbreak...be sure to socialize him.
Now thats just my opinion, I'm not really in your shoes, so I don't know how you feel about this...
2006-12-01 01:24:58 · answer #8 · answered by wyomingirlie16 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Oh for heavens sake,just get him a cable which he can run on,put up some signs(beware of dog & such)& dont allow strangers to pet him.He may be feeling threatened,protective,nervous or something else that is provoking him to bite.It doesn't sound as if he is doing it to be mean,but it wouldn't take much for him to put a small childs eye out or something worse,so be responsible,but let him live.
2006-12-01 06:34:48 · answer #9 · answered by roosmom 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How bad were the bites? Do you love your dog enough to spend some time and money on a behavioral consultant? Your vet could recommend one, if you think your dog can be saved.
2006-12-01 01:28:43 · answer #10 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋