need help our dog gets out and will bite can she be rehomed as we live next to a school?

Question

we had connie when she was 5 months old, shes nervous but loving dog if she gets out she runs off when she escapes out if she meets someone she will bite them. we have secured the back garden very well she has been reported once and now she has just bitten someone again, shes brilliant with us and the children shes lovely but very nervous i don't want her to have to be distroyed as we love her very much, i need some help please

Answer 1

Go to pawpersuasion.com you will find help there do not be discouraged

Answer 2

You need to get a behaviourist in to find out why the dog is biting. Once you know the reason you can start doing something about it. Rehoming here through a society wouldn't work as they would probably consider her too aggressive and so put her down.
In the meantime, before the behaviourist comes you could consider getting a basket muzzel - one that allows her to open her mouth, but not bite, unlike the canvas ones where they can't open their mouth at all - she should then where this whenever outside, and keep your doors secured, so that before anyone can open them you can make sure she is crated or shut away to ensure that she cannot possible escape. This will only be a short term method to prevent any more accidents while you sort out the route cause.

Good luck sorting her out.

Answer 3

Oh dear. If the person she bit has reported it to authorities it is likely they will want her put down. I also have a dog that is brilliant with the family but will bite if approached outside of the home so we have to be extra vigilant. Unfortunately there isn't much help to be offered. If I were you I would see if another family member could take her that is not in the area. It would be better than having her destroyed. The authorities can get a court order if they want to take it that far. Not much they can do if you haven't got the dog anymore. You could say she got out and has disappeared.

Answer 4

She sounds like a fear biter to me. She probably should have gotten out alot more as a young pup. Socialization is key in making a nervous pup more confident. And a confident dog will not feel threatened by a friendly stranger and bite out of fear.

One option is to keep her muzzled at all times, another would be to keep her in a secure crate or kennel while you are not with her and the best option.... although, it is the one which takes the most time, dedication and persistance... is to socialize her and desensitize her to strangers.

Teach her that being out around people she doesn't know is a good experience, not a scary one. Bring her everywhere with you and ask random strangers to give her a treat and praise her for sitting nicely to receive it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You should either make your mind up how to keep your dog secure or have her put to sleep.

If she is getting out then that it is entirely your fault and you should ensure that your dog is kept where she can't do any harm. If you love her as much as you say you do you would make sure that she was kept safe - no dog should be running about by itself especially one that you know is nervous.

Having her re-homed is merely passing the responsibility for your dog on to someone else.

If she cannot be controlled and you know she will bite again then I don't see that you have any other option.

Answer 6

Pets that bite others are dangerous, they may not bite any of you now but it is quite possible that she will one day. If she is still a pup she may outgrow this but you have to put a stop to it by catching her in the act.
In this case she only bites others therefore you can never catch her in the act to stop the behavior. The only way to ensure this is to make sure she does not escape, ever. Make sure her collar is snug and you'll have to tie her up with a heavy cable (depending on her weight) when your not with her. You have to make sure that she is safe and is under close supervision at all times. Give her lots of love and attention when she is with you and lots of praise.
She is nervous with other children and is unsure of how to react with them so keep them away for now. She may outgrow it, she may not, be aware and make sure another child is not left alone with her.
If this is too much and you don't have the heart to keep her tethered, you have give her up. You don't have to destroy her but take her to a Humane Shelter and let them be aware of her tendency to bite.

Answer 7

Honestly, I would be afraid she would bite one of the children if she got out and then you'd have a law suit on your hands. Have you thought about maybe taking her to a training class to maybe help her with her bad habits. I know you would hate to get rid of her, but maybe if she is trained a little better, she will even be a better pet. Also, I know they have those electronic fences that are great for people who have dogs that do tend to jump fences. I would check into doing those two things before considering getting rid of your pet that you've become attached to, but she does need some help.

Answer 8

Get a behviourist IMMEDIATELY. Your vet can refer you. You do not necessarily need to rehome her. You are much better off trying to solve the problem. In the meantime you are leaving yourself open to legal action as you know your dog bites and that she can get out. At least if you are seeing a behaviourist you are trying to deal with the problem. If you love this dog, you owe it to her as a member of your family to help her.

Answer 9

well, it would be unfair to try and re-home the dog with the problems she has.It's just passing the problem to someone else. Maybe you could think about muzzling her when she could be in a position to bite. Obviously securing your garden would be the best answer of all.

Answer 10

maybe get a long leash and tie it to your dog so it has the run of the garden. this way it cannot get off but stil has a run?