My dog(SHL) has biten my wife for the second time in three years. First time was right after our other dog passed away. SHL was wierd for a couple of months afterward. Now, more than 2-1/2 years later, it happened again. We both love the dog too much to destroy it but it's killing us that we have very little option. We know SHL can't be around kids, but she has never bitten anyone else. Anyone have any ideas?
2007-02-27 12:10:59 · 23 answers · asked by Robert T 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'd seek the advise of a dog trainer who is knowledgeable about behavior issues. They will give you an honest answer as to if behavior modification for the dog AND your wife or if the dog is likely to bite again they will recommend euthanasia.
The problem lies in that you KNOW your dog has bitten twice, and if you do not seek and follow the advise of a behaviorist and she bites someone else, you will have huge legal issues on your hand for having a "vicious" dog.
I understand your plight. When I was much younger I had to have my dog (cocker spaniel) euthanised because we could not modify his aggression towards young children. It was a heart breaking decision, but we just couldn't allow him to be a ticking time bomb.
2007-02-27 12:22:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How serious was the bite?
Did SHL draw blood?
Did your wife do something to provoke or annoy SHL in any way?
(anything that could have annoyed or made it snap and act out)
Have you thought of trianing the dog?
( have her atttend traning classes with the dog)
Does the dog have a problem being around her at times?
More likly she did something the dog didnt like those two times, so think about what she was doing each time and figure it out, Also how old is your dog. Old age can be the problem.
My aunt had a dog that was getting older and just bit her for no reason, But she still has the dog today. It's not there fault, just try to figure out what caused the attack to happen before you destroy a beautiful animal
2007-02-27 12:22:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are in a very difficult situation. Your dog has a "bite history" meaning it has bitten people. If anyone and I mean anyone know's about this and then it were to bite someone's kid or some visitor to your home, you could be sued, and IF your insurance covered you ( and since the dog had been known to bite people it might not) then they would immediately drop you afterwards and you might not be able to get any more insurance. If you insist on keeping a dog that bites people then the dog will have to be muzzled around people. There are muzzles you can buy that the dog can eat and drink in ( used in Greyhound kennels) but that it can't bite someone in. It would probably be useful for you to examine the exact situation that the dog has bitten your wife in, as in what room, what was happening, was the dog being asked to do something etc.? If it is a dominance issue then the dog is learning that it is the alpha in your house, and maybe if you could convince it otherwise ( perhaps a good dog trainer) then maybe it would quit biting.
2007-02-27 13:19:04 · answer #3 · answered by avalon_bz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to hear that? Did SHL bite her bad enough to make her have stiches or go to ER?? If its just a small bite you may be able to get some sort of obiedence training to help with your issue. It can be pricey but can have its rewards :) You can call them and they will let you know what they can do. If the dog bites have been bad, you may have to consider putting the dog down I am sorry to say. My best friend has a dog for three years that she got from the pound. I believe he was a rodesian ridge back - pitbull mix. He bit a friend of mine, then me. I had to stitches by my eye and in my mouth he bit through my lip. I wasn't rough housing him, I just went to give him a hug and he bit me. He was a good dog for the most part- but he had a dark side no questions from the owners he had before. She did put him down, I felt awful she had to do that, but he would have bitten someone else eventually. I missed work for almost a month. I think a dog that has been brought up right and had good training may have a chance. The dog she had they were not able to spend alot of time with- so which is a reason for his behavior. Good luck, I hope it works out for you :)
2007-02-27 12:24:25 · answer #4 · answered by Jen H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, ask yourself: Did your wife do anything to provoke your dog? Did she hit it, or was she teasing SHL in any way? Was the dog excited, and you were egging it on? If the answer is yes, then the dog was either protecting itself, or playing around. Talk with your veterinarian and see what they think. They are most likely not going to tell you to put the dog down. If you do keep the dog, you might want to warn company and children that the SHL is friendly, but may bite. And, whatever you do, remember that your dog loves you.
2007-02-27 12:52:40 · answer #5 · answered by I LIKE CHOCOLATE MILK!!! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
before you put down the dog I'd certainly see a good dog trainer and get some pointers on behavior from him/her. It is possible that your wife is handling the dog or behaving around the dog is such a manner that the dog has become the dominant figure over your wife. This can very easily be reversed, and a good trainer can show you some pretty easy steps on how to achieve this.
So..don't do anything drastic yet.
2007-02-27 12:24:48 · answer #6 · answered by dressage.rider 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the dog is mean to people, put it down. You dont know if it will do it again or be worse next time.
If it ever bites someone outside your wife, it will most likely be put down anyways, and you may have a law suit.
I have always owned pit bulls, they are sweet, but if one ever shows to be people mean, it should be put down.
Remember, it is only a dog, not a person.
You and your wife can start new by getting a dog for you both. And raising it from a pup will show it the pecking order, You, your wife, and then it. Your dog is trying to usurp her authority by this action. The longer you let it go on, the worse it will get.
Sorry, but do the right thing.
2007-02-27 12:19:12 · answer #7 · answered by plowmscat 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My dog has bitten twice since we got her about four years ago. I took her to a dog trainer to get some advice and she has never bitten anyone since. If it's really too much for you to handle you can always put it up for adoption, but that would be terrible to put it down just for two bites
2007-02-27 12:40:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Search for an experienced trainer or behavior counselor/applied animal behaviorist in your area. It is probably a dominance issue if it is not medical in nature. A trainer won't be able to guarantee they won't bite again, but you'll have a better chance than not. See sites below (I am member of both):
2007-02-27 12:22:48 · answer #9 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
depends on the reason for the bite. for example did she bite out of fear, anger, aggression, guarding something? was she eating? how is she in public? around other dogs? there are several options for her not just euthanasia. there are rescues that might take her. not a shelter but a rescue. there are some training places that help with that. there is a place be me that specializes in the behavior. or just ask your vet what they suggest.
2007-02-27 12:23:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋