biting dog question?

Question

i have a three year old mixed breed terrier that has always ben tempremental but has suddenly turned savage. he began by growling at my wife recently and bit me moments ago when i tried to pick him up. i have owned and trained dogs for many years and this is the first time i have ever ben bitten with no forwarning by any dog. this dog is in good health and never ben abused. what are your thoughts about this.i only want to hear from expierenced 'dog people' please

Answer 1

Wow, for a breeder and trainer to be stumped, this guy must be something. Is there an issue of dominance here? Does your wife allow the dog to be dominant? If so, the dog is simply acting out his role. If he was growling at your wife and she was backing down from it, then he was establishing his role as the leader. I'd make sure that your wife never allows this behavior.

You may have startled him if he was really focused on your wife. Maybe you should consult another trainer? It is possible that an outside person can see something you are overlooking.

Answer 2

The only time one of my dogs has ever bitten me is when he tried to jump over a low swing on a swingset and got caught. The chain from the swing was cutting into the skin by his hind leg and I knew he did it out of fear and pain.

Your issue sounds like an aggression problem, but I'm puzzled what would bring on these sudden impulses. Smaller dogs do see being picked up as threatening. It leaves them totally vulnerable to your will and acknowledges you as the dominant one. There must be some change somewhere. It could be and underlying health issue...eyesight or hearing. There could be enviromental issues too. Is there a nearby female going into season early? Or even a new dog in the neighborhood? Was there some change in your house? Maybe a houseguest or things being re-arranged that would make him feel disorientated? What is your wife doing when he growls at her?

Bottom line, no matter what the reason, it has to stop. If he's already bitten you, you need to take action now before he does it to someone else. There are many other helpful aggression posts on Answers that give good advice. If that doesn't work, seek out an animal behaviorist and your vet. Good luck.

Answer 3

Your dog may have an irritated spot or a pyscological problem. It's very strange that he's suddenly turning with no indication of his anger. He might be sickly and not feeling to good and a little bit disoriented so things don't look right. I would consult your vet over the phone and see what medications he might say are ok. At pet places they sell dog calmers that can help. The problem may lay within the dog's brain or else where. See if he has any reaction spots on his body that hurt or are causing him to act like this. It is strange for a dog to behave so suddenly like that. Becareful around him. Don't get your self uselessly hurt. I hope it goes well.

Answer 4

Several things come to mind:

1. He has been allowed to act this way for the last three years and he decided that tonight he was taking over the household for good.

2. He has been labeled as temperamental and wasn't corrected instead.

3. And nobody has truly challenged him before now.


I'm sorry that you were bit. I hope that it wasn't a really bad bite, but you should still go ahead and see your doctor, get antibiotics, etc. I have to tell you that dogs just don't wake up one day and act like this. Unless he has some sort of acute physical injury/pain, this behavior has always been there. It just has been ignored.

If you are going to keep this dog you need to get a professional trainer to help you one on one.

Answer 5

My guess is this is a small dog that is allowed to get away with too much and has assumed the alpha role because the dog felt the position was open.
I hope this dog was corrected hard for the aggression(bite). This dog needs to understand and learn where his place is within the pack and that aggression will NEVER be tolerated. This dog needs to earn everything it gets NOTHING for free, it should eat after you no sleeping in beds or getting on furniture and lots of downs should be done.
You better work to correct this now because it can and will get worse.
The site listed has some good info check it out.
http://www.leerburg.com/dogtrainingebooks.htm

Answer 6

I'm a behaviorist...it could be a medical issue, though it is more likely a dominance issue as it sounds like your dog doesn't respect you or your wife. I would put this dog through a very strict Nothing in Life is Free regime (NILIF for short). Google NILIF for more info, but basically, the dog doesn't get to do anything without doing something for you first. It must sit before it goes on a walk, it must go in a down stay before it eats, no getting up on the couch or the bed, that sort of thing. Reward the dog for compliance and correct the dog for aggression. Read the website below thoroughly for more.

Answer 7

My parents have a mixed breed terrier also (part lab/part terrier) and this sounds just like him. He's very protective over my father, to the point of growling and barking at my mother when she tries to wake my father or even hug or kiss him.

My only question is what was he doing when you tried to pick him up? If he was eating, or chewing on a toy or bone, or thought you were trying to play, biting you is reasonably understandable, he was either protecting what he was doing, or didn't realize he would hurt you.

If he wasn't doing anything, I would say he's just as tempermental as the next terrier mix.

Answer 8

I do not know, I have a poodle that acts the same way. We tried training, doggy downers and Prozac, nothing helps. We just never know when he will get vicious. He is not neutered, so I think that aggravates the problem. My husband and I have been bit rather severely on many occasions. My vet said he would not have a dog like Sammy but we love him, so we deal with it-Good luck!

Answer 9

I would start watching the dog whisperer...he addresses this very problem often.
someone, somehow has convinced this little guy that he is the dominant member of the pack.
I could explain to you what I know, but I would get typers cramp..watching cesar milan will be quicker and easier.
Please note that this says nothing about your training ability...cesar says that trainers train dogs how to perform an activity, he teaches folks how to conquer dominance issues. (which it sounds like your little guy has)
good luck.
btw, if he is biting when you touch him in a certain area, it may be that he is in pain, so before you try cesar you might want to take him to a vet for x-rays and for safetys sake, use a muzzle, we don't want dr. getting bit!

Answer 10

He probably thinks hes the alfa dog. you see, your entire household is a pack. he thinks hes the leader. thats his way of dominating you. you need to show him youre his boss and the owner of the house. that kind of thing usualy happens when people spoil their pets, give them whatever they want and cater to them at the drop of a hat. if you are doing this, STOP, do the exact opposite. you may feel like youre being mean, but the dog needs to know its place...last. he will actually be happier that way.