I have a three year old doberman and has bitten me more than once?

Question

the first time he's bitten me was when he fought two pittbulls and somehow won. the pittbulls were in our yard He is very muscular bigger than any dobe that i have ever seen. I think he got this big b/c i would always ride my dirtbike in our one acre yard and he would chase me until he dropped to the floor and couldnt run anymore .So when the pittbulls attcked him and we pulled them apart i tried pushing him inside and he knew he did something wrong and knew my dad was going to punish him for it so when i tried to give him a little push to go inside he attacked me when he attacked me he bit me many times but not as hard as he could but it still made me bleed. The second time he bit me it was when my friends had come over and i wanted him to go inside so i pushed him inside and he bit me hard really hard probably to the point were he could bite any harder. The third time he bit me he was wearing a shirt and when i pet him he attacked. what should i do, how can i change his behavior.

I dont want to put him down. he starts growling when i try to boss him around like if he wants to do something and i want him to do another thing he gets mad. This usally happens when people that he dosent know come. and he wants to stay ouside but i want him to go in. he also gets mad when i get the broom to sweep ive never hitten him with a broom. he is scared of my dad but is not scared of me.

Answer 1

from the way you worded you problem, i would say that your dog has asserted his place in your "family pack". The fault belongs to you and your father. I know, sounds harsh but it is true. The thing is, the dog sees your father as his Alpha Male. From there, he sees himself as the next member in line after your father. He sees you as younger or unsure of yourself because of whatever actions he has done in the past. Do you cower or get scared when he growls at you? If you do, its normal to be scared but it is something that you need to stop doing in front of him. What I suggest doing, place a collar (perferably a choke chain) and a leash attached to the active ring (the ring that actually slides around) and have the dog walk around with it for a while. ANYTIME the dog makes a motion towards you or ANY member of the family, someone needs to snap that chain quick enough and just hard enough to break the dogs concentration at that instant. This will do two things, one, it will inform him that he is doing something wrong and it will not be tolerated, and two, that he is not 2nd in command and should not see himself in command of anything until instructed by his superiors (you and your father plus any other members of the family). A lot of people are going to disagree with this method but let me tell you, after 30 years of raising and training "hard" dogs, I know what I'm talking about. A doberman can be a great dog to have in a family but it must be reminded of its place from time to time.

If you are in your early teens, you should not handle the dog on your own until he has learned that you are supposed to be superior to him. Have your dog spend time with you AND the dog. Dobermans like assuming command when their owners will not be leaders.

Answer 2

There are probably a number of therapeutic approaches to take in a case like this. A trainer might or might not help the fundamental issues, but might put you and your dog into a little better relationship.. training you AND the dog.

I'd recommend that you consult with a qualified veterinary behaviorist or animal behaviorist. The problem could be dominance aggression, but might be a myriad of other things. Get a good diagnosis, first. THEN treat accordingly.

No diagnosis nor treatment via the internet --- or via watching a TV show. This requires someone qualified and "hands-on".

Answer 3

Wow. My Doberman would NEVER even growl at me. So yours bit you AFTER the dogfight, not innadvertently during it? He sounds like he may be rather traumatized by his home life, or rather, by your dad. ANY mistreatment or abuse, physical OR emotional, is torture for a doberman. They aren't outside guard dogs, they are people dogs! You need to give your dog to a reputable Doberman rescue agency, there are chapters all over the place, just look on linefor one in your area. And do it soon, before you, or somene else are hurt. And before your dad can do any more harm to that poor animal! Then, DO NOT get another pet till you are capable of taking on the responsibility! And for the record, following you around while your riding won't create a super-sized doberman. Only cross breeding w/other, larger, breeds, ie; genetic defects, will do that.

Answer 4

You need to consult a professional behaviorist asap. He needs some serious training and it sounds like you and your dad need to learn as well. It needs to be done soon or else you are going to have a HUGE problem on your hands. Also is he neutered? Have to ask because the majority of the time when someone is talking about an aggessive dog, they are usually unaltered so if hes not neutered get it done and still go to a behaviorist. Good luck.

Answer 5

The alternative to "put down" is professional training.

YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!
Have you not heard of the French lady who had her face destroyed by a dog? She has had the World's first face transplant.

Animals can be bred with a bad bloodline.

Professional trainers may gladly take him off your hands if you can't afford training cost.

Answer 6

Read this website -- http://www.leerburg.com/dominantdogs.htm

Some dogs are tainted forever by the type of fighting you explain.

Don't try to physically 'push' the dog without the right equipment. You MUST keep a dominant dog collar and a prong collar on this dog until he learns you're the boss. The website will explain it all.

Good luck!

Answer 7

It sounds like to me he could have thyroid dease. This is genetic, and can cause temperment problems. This can also explain why he is so large. I had a golden retriever named "zeus" and he had thyroid and we didnt find this out untill he was about six. He bit me several times, all over food and other members of my family. Side effects were:excessive sleeping, aggression towards people and other animals, excessive weight and loss of energy. Check with your vet though. Sadly, we had to put him to sleep in july of '06 due to a heart condition. After he was medicated he was the best dog any person could ask for.

Answer 8

It seems that this dog is the alpha and he knows it. I would take him to training as soon as possible. When a dog acts as yours does there can be serious and devastating consequences unless you learnt he proper way to put him in his place.

Please find a qualified trainer who has experience with this particular breed. (Not PetSmart).

Answer 9

That dog is dangerous to you and your family you need to call around a local vet or a dog trainer. If it doesn't help you should probably put the dog to sleep if there is no answer.

Answer 10

He has put himself in a dominant role in your relationship. You need to lay him down on his back in a submissive position until he quiets down, if you are not afraid to do that. Also, go to the library ASAP and get the Cesar Milan book "The Dog Whisperer." Good luck!