My dog just started biting, can someone help?

Question

My dog is a little over a year old, and today she bit me twice and a stranger once. She is not biting hard, but she has never bit before.
Today I was baby-sitting for a toddler at my house, and she got jealous and bit me (lightly) when I tried to take a stolen muffin away from her.
Later on, we took her to the local dog park, and she was acting up and nipped a couple of dogs. Once, when she was nipping at a dog, trying to get it to play, she bit the owner (by mistake), and he got very angry.
A couple of minutes ago, I tried to fix the pillow she was leaning against and she attacked my hand.
I don't know what to do! She hasn't broken anyone's skin, but I'm not sure if it is going to get worse or not!
Please Help! Thank You!

She graduated from puppy obedience over the summer, and we DO go by the nothing is for free policy. That is mostly why I am so confused righht now!

We have decided that the dog park makes her too stressed out, so we are not going to bring her back there in the foreseeable future.

Answer 1

Your dog has assumed the dominant role of Alpha, she is biting because she thinks no one else has the right or social rank required to boss her around. You need to take control NOW before things get out of hand, lucky for you it is fairly easy as long as you work on changing the way you act towards your dog... alot of people make the mistake of treating dogs as equals in a family situation, in reality dogs arent furry four-legged people, they have a unique social dominance hierarchy that they follow when living in groups. You should love, respect and care for your dog but you should also be your dogs leader in all things and you and all your family members should occupy a social rank above that of your dog. It is how dogs thrive in group life, within a strict social dominance hierarchy...if they have no human that is their solid consistent leader then they try and assume the dominant role because that is their nature, they dont believe in social equality... in their world someone else leads them through life or they lead others. We humans need to learn how to act like the leader of a wolf pack would.... I suggest you take a "Lesson in Becoming Alpha"..... http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-alphadog.htm and that you practice a way of living with your dog called "Nothing in Life is Free" it helps establish your role as leader in all things... http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-dog_nilf.htm

PS the NILF only works if you walk the walk and talk the talk....you have to BE THE ALPHA in every aspect, commanding voice(no wheedling), Stiff posture(no slouching) Direct eye contact(dont look away before she does), Never ASK your dog to obey COMMAND the dog to obey, and dont take no for an answer!! EVER you are the master at all times your word is law. Its all in your attitude, if NILF isnt working its because you arent being as rigidly domineering as you should be. If you play the role properly you can command your dog with your posture and demeanor without ever resorting to violence, because the dog is confident in your leadership. Dogs naturally want a strong pack leader and it is up to us to provide that for them... for their benefit and ours we need to be in control of our best friends so they dont hurt themselves or others.

Answer 2

Your dog needs obedience classes YESTERDAY. She's decided she's top dog in your house and you need to get the control back.

I'm not as concerned by her accidentally nipping the person at the dog park as I am her resource guarding ie the muffin and the pillows.

In addition to obedience classes you also need to implement NILIF. Nothing In Life Is Free. This means that your dog must do something for you before she gets anything. This includes food, treats, toys, going outside, being petted etc. When you feed her make her sit, when she wants to go out, make her sit first, if she comes up to you and wants to be petted, make her sit first.

If you do not nip this in the bud now by enrolling classes and working to get your role back to the pack leader, this will get worse.

Absolutely do NOT alpha roll your dog, some may suggest this, but I do not reccommend it. Its dangerous, and very outdated.

Just please be sure to call and find a trainer Monday, let them know what is going when you call as well.

Answer 3

I'd say get her in training with a qualified trainer who knows how to work with issues of aggression. You need someone who can identify the cause of her behavior and to help you learn to stop it. I wouldn't take her back to the dog park until she has had this addressed because I'd hate to see someone sue you or make a bite complaint causing your dog to be quarantined and then you could also face hefty fines and possibly even lose your dog as a result of her biting.
A dog does not have to break the skin in most places for these sorts of consequences to happen! In my city if a dog bites and a person complains, you have to get expensive insurance and your dog has to wear a red tag that identifies it as a dangerous dog. And yes, this can happen to a dog and dog owner even if the dog does not break the skin but is an identified biter.
From what you just described, it is already getting worse. It can get better though!

Answer 4

Your dog is questioning your authority as leader of the pack. She is viewing herself as the alpha female, this leads to biting. Check out the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel or purchase "Ceasar's Way" it's a book about dog behavior. Your dog should submit and back down to you always, if not I strongly suggest that book.

Answer 5

I am here in support of Jess from up topside here

You are dealing with a dog who has decided for whatever reason that THEY are the ALPHA within the household---and this MUST be stopped NOW
You will only experience more and more of this behavior until it is dealt with in the harshest of terms---
Dogs are by nature---PACK animals --and the law of the land for a pack animal is set by the ALPHA and if YOU are not in that role-- the dog is-- and that my friend is not a good place to be---so put an end to it and regain the alpha role---be harsh and if needs be heartless in this determination !!!!

Answer 6

bite him back. on the ear. just hard enough for him to know this hurts. tell him ;no bite' I did thid with all the dogs I had And the one I have now. Only had to do it once.

Answer 7

When my dog bites me...
I usually squeeze his mouth for a couple seconds look him straight in the eye n say" No Bite!" and i always do that wen he bites so he is getting better at not biting lately.
Hope I helped!
Good luck

Answer 8

I love dogs, however ive never been able to own one. I had hamsters though and they used to bite me. I would scream out loud each time they bit me (because it really hurt) and after a while they stopped biting. It may have been coincidence but i do believe that they realized that if they bit me- i would scream and they didnt like that. Perhaps this might work with your dog??? Hope this advice helps.

Answer 9

I read this before, this is a stage where your dog is reaching its "teenage years" when there start competing on who should be the boss between the owner and his/her dog (e.g. biting, snarling). My dachshund is in this stage at the moment.

All you have to do is show her whos boss. Like showing her who is in charge of her food if she misbehaves. All you have to do is show signs of leadership to you puppy.

Answer 10

I think shes having some hormonal changes, especially you said your dog is just over a year. My dogs sometimes get bit hot tempered, you need to correct her when she does that to you again.

Wrong actions should be correct immdiately to lessen the possiblity of having it appearing again.