My dog keeps biting me, should I keep him?

Question

I have a 1 year old boxer/german shephard mixed puppy. He is very, very sweet. Has a good temperment, but is very headstrong and does not listen to commands.
When I try to take him outside, he will either run to his house or run to a corner. Then when I try to put the leash on him, he growls, bears his teeth and bites me. He hasn't broken skin, but has left many bruises.
I love my puppy, but I am at a loss of what to do. This has been going on for abou 5 months now.
I want to keep him, but afraid that this might get worse. I live in an apartment and I am his only owner. He loves the dog park, but it is a chore just getting him there.
What should I do? Should I keep him? Give him to someone with a backyard? Please give me some advice.

NO ONE JUST LOOKING FOR POINTS PLEASE!!

Answer 1

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Answer 2

This is going to take a lot of patience and determination. Working with dogs who have not had any training as a pup can be somewhat unruly as adults. However, do not expect any magic over night remedies. Just be ready for the ups and downs of training your dog. You're dog is a large breed in general they need a good size yard to live and play in. If you don't have this, you need to provide a good amount of time at a place where your dog can get out, regardless of how much of a "chore" it is. The decision to keep him or find a better home for him is a decison that you need to make on your own as a responsible pet owner. You should take in all considerations of the dog's well-being and your own. Here are some tips if you decide to keep him.

#1 Get a kennel. Kenneling your dog is not mean or cruel. It is honestly the safest way to keep your dog when you cannot be with him. Also, it becomes the dog's space in your house, like his own bedroom. The kennel needs to be an appropriate size. Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably. If it is too big your dog may try urinating/defecating in one corner and sleeping in the other.

#2 Make a big deal of your dog doing the right thing.

#3 When playing with your dog, try to keep a toy between you and him. If the dog "play bites," this is unacceptable. Say "no!" sternly (like you mean it), stop playing, and ignore him. Your dog will learn that biting makes him not give you attention. (This is the reverse of #2, ignore the behavior you don't want, but scold when needed).

#4 Find a good training school and go through the obedience course. They will give you great pointers on caring for your new pet. Also, obedience school will build you and your dogs relationship. It will also teach your dog how to interact with other dogs in a nice way. Obedience school is worth the investment!

#5 Neuter him. This may help with some behavioral issues (marking territory, aggression). However, there are no guarantees on that. As for the whole low cost spay/neuter, my advice is....you get what you pay for. So, if having a surgery performed properly, with the right care, and medications means investing a little bit more money....than so be it. You want to do what is best for your dog.

#6 Get vaccines! Talk to your vet about getting proper vaccine series. This can help prevent a lot of problems/diseases in the young dog.

I hope this helps you in some way. The last thing I wish to leave you with is....there is no such thing as a free dog. This is an investment for your dog's life span. Have fun and Good luck!

Answer 3

I have an energetic Lab/Border collie... I know what your going through. You need to demonstrate that you are the clear leader of the pack...he takes his commands from you. Turn him over on his back and use a firm voice - hold him there - dominate him. Establish your dominance - what you say goes. Reward all good behaviour...start with simply stuff, sit, stay.....mean it - and reward it. If he's not in the mood - try restriction - cage/kennel (not punishment). Get him into a daily routine - dogs love and look forward to it - incude walks/runs.

Its a labor of love. Be patient - never let him growl at you and re-establish his dominance... he thinks he is the pack leader - and your love is spoiling him to think that.

If after a month you see no improvement - professional training is needed - but I don't reccomend that - since your the one you want him to bond to/listen to....not some else.

Answer 4

What? why does the dog associate fear and aggression with going for walks? I think there is something you arent mentioning. No dog that I have ever known bites the person who is trying to take them for a walk unless it is an unpleasant situation ... Why does your dog hate being put on the leash? what has made him fear and avoid it? Do you use a choke or prong collar or something?

From what you have said he loves the dog park if that is true he should be EAGER to have the leash put on so he can get there. My 2 dogs go insanely hyper when I put their collars on and they get excited because they know it means they will get to go on a walk which they love... If your dog hates being put on the leash and actually bites you and growls there has to be more to the story and there HAS to be a negative association with the leash or collar or something in the process of taking him to the park has to be negative. Even dominance aggressive dogs display anticipation for positive activities.... You need to tell us what it is that your dog fears and hates before you can get good advice because NO DOG IN THE WORLD bites someone who is taking them for a pleasurable walk.

Answer 5

From what you say, I believe you know giving him to someone with more room to play outside, and move around is the right thing to do. I admire you for realizing this. It will be hard, and I'm sure you will miss him; however, it is the best thing to do. Perhaps you can find someone that will be glad to let you come visit and even take him to the doggy park. But - - before you do that, please take him to dog obedience school. It's the right thing to do, and you can feel good you were a super master while you had him. Calling the local humane shelter to find where they offer obedience classes

Good Luck, you can be proud of yourself for considering what is best for your dog, and protecting yourself from a future serious dog bite.

Answer 6

Get yourself a good dog trainer immediately! You have to keep control and maintain dominance over this puppy before he gets worse. A good dog trainer can show you how to work with him before this gets to the point you are really hurt!

Your dog is a fear bitter as well as showing nasty aggression and this needs to be stopped right away. He is also showing fearful tendencies by running into the house and into a corner. Please, for your sake and your dogs sake, get a trainer. This can be trained out of your dog by a gentle trainer who really understands how to work with your puppy and with you too.

Once you've worked with a trainer you will be amazed at what a new dog you have! You can get a list of trainers by visiting the AKC online as will as speaking to your local veterinarians. Do some research and spend the money on training now, don't wait until you get hurt!

Good luck.

Answer 7

You need TRAINING CLASSES!

With him being like this he is walking all over you. You need to take him to a trainer where you can work with him.

Tell him WRONG or BAD BOY!

NO HITTING! As this will make him more aggressive.

Do NOT let him walk all over you. Show him no fear and that your the boss. When he growls at you growl back louder! That is telling him sorry your not my boss I am yours.

When he snips at you pin him down and get in his face an growl. It is a dominate thing and works.

Mom dogs tell their pups when they are bad by growling at them and pinning them down.

He must learn! How he is now he will not find a new home fast and will sit in the shelter.

Answer 8

Have you tried enrolling him in a class? Or asking your vet? I am sure that you have but I always find them to be a great source of info. My dog goes to the park all the time..... I sit around with other lab owners and ask like a million questions and since they have done it or been through it I find it helps. The dog might have been abused in its other home, or might have some insecurities..... it doesn't mean he doesn't love you he is just unsure and probably needs a soft but strong loving hand! good luck and ask around, I find doing that always helps!

Answer 9

You have to think about yours and other peoples safety...I understsand how you feel about your dog but if he bites someone else it could mean litigation and your dog may get put down by authoities...how would you feel if your dog bit someone especially a child. I wouldn't take the risk if I were you....find a home better suited for your dog or eventually the law will if he bites someone.

Answer 10

Fleas may be perplexing. in case your 100% constructive no fleas then what are you feeding him? may no longer damage to look right into a month-to-month remedy anyhow. Then i ought to look at an allergic reaction (may reason warm spots on canines) to the nutrition first. make constructive there is no corn or grains. locate EVANGER'S. it is more effective than something available. Then there is Canidea, Evo, Innova and Blue Buffalo. merely make constructive no CORN, grain, with assistance from products or unkown factors on the label. also may be an allergic reaction to surroundings also. stroll or exercising makes a contented/healthy canines too. considered necessary! GL