My dog just bit my husband?

Question

We have a 3 yr old westie that we acquired around 3months ago. We know little about his past, he is generally good natured, but growls and snaps if you mess with his bed which he's very possessive over, or if you pull him by his collar- something which my husband does rarely when the dog needs to be moved for some reason e.g to give him his ear drops. He also may flinch if you go to touch the top of his head, so we're thinking he was probably hit at some point in the past. This evening we needed to move him and he wouldn't be moved and bit my husband, not severe, and he is definately upset by the incident.
My question is, where do we go from here. He is not a bad dog, and I want to help him, and at the same time, I need to be assured that he is not a general risk to anyone.
Please help.

Answer 1

When we got our cocker spaniel, she behaved in the same way (obviously abused in the past). It's been about 4 years and she's getting along great with us and went from a food-possessive dog that randomly snaps when you pet her the wrong to a real sweetheart that lets you flip her over on her back for a belly scratch with little complaints. She's no longer as possessive with food. Now she usually barks if you put your hand near her bone, but she doesn't bite anymore.

It takes a lot of love and dedication and your westie will eventually realize that he is safe. If he is possessive about bedding then make sure you avoid moving it unless he is out on a walk. Instead of yelling, which his previous and most likely abusive owner did, try using other forms of correction like shaking a tin can of change. While saying "off" or something similar. The tin can works wonders.

These dogs come from a bad past and it's sad when people don't give them a chance. Your Westie will learn he can trust you and your husband. Just give it some time and if you want, obedience training and watch the behavioral problems disappear.

Answer 2

How sad:( The dog sounds like he has been severly physically abused in the past. It's going to take him a while for him to realize that your not out to get him. I recomend that you take him to some obedience training or have a trainer come to your house (that way your not putting others at risk of injury from him biting them). It may help with his fears and help build some trust in you and your husband especially if you both take part in the training. Now that you know that he is capable of bitting you'll need to take extra precautions like keep him in a kennel or another part of the house when you have company over. And making sure that you let people know that he isn't a very social dog and needs to be left alone. Don't let people come up from the streets to pet him and so on.... With a little time, patience and a lot of work he should come out of his shell and understand that you are a loving home and he wont be abused ever again. Good luck

Answer 3

Many behaviorists will tell you that it's most important to work with what you have. If you don't know much about what happened to him, you can still be a good observer (as you have been) and look for the things that upset him.
It's fairly clear from your description that your dog is a resource guarder. These dogs need help in being taught that people are not going to take things that the dog values away from them wothout paying the dog. You must always offer a treat in exchange for whatever your dog is 'guarding'. In this case, this would probably look like you tossing pieces of chicken towards where you need the dog to go. You are not rewarding your dog for being snarfy - you are simply getting him to move away from 'his' spot before any upset happens.
Please hire a trainer to help you. Learning about what to do is not rocket science, but you and your husband will need help to be sure that you don't get bitten again!
Please use a trainer that uses positive, reward-based methods. It is a terrible mistake to punish a dog for this behavior.

http://www.ccpdt.org/
to find a trainer - good luck!

Answer 4

You need training classes asap. these people will help you with the problem. in the meantime try not to do the things you know upset him. He may have been abused and needs time to realise you won't do the same thing too. Also, have you had a vet check out his head area? If he has been hurt in that area he may have some damage and that is why he reacts in that way,I think you need to discount this before you try to train him out of the behaviour as if it's medical no amount of training will work.

Answer 5

I've got two dogs a doberman and jack russel and i found reading the dog whisperer a real eye opener into pack behaviour it may be he thinks he's higher up the pecking order so resents being pulled and pushed around. I've also had a dog that snapped i really wish i had read this book then its by jan something or other and shes also had the same problem good luck xx

Answer 6

The Westie is a naturally feisty breed of dog.The growling and snapping over his bed, probably means that it was at one time a place of refuge and comfort for him.As you are having problems about this area i would leave him alone with his bed ,until he feels he can trust you more,to allow you to mess with his source of comfort.
You probably guessed right about him being hit on the head at one time as he flinches when you touch his head.Why not spend the next weeks trying to relax him by showing he can trust you.Gently call him to you,let him approach you and reward him with a cuddle,or a little treat .Rather than
trying to do too much to soon by pulling him to you he probably felt threatened especially as he showed he didn't want to move,.
Perhaps his previous owners held him by the collar while they hit him .Your chief aim now with your dog is to gain his trust,and win him over with kindness.But above all don't force him by pulling him,otherwise someones going to get a bite.

Answer 7

If you rescued him from a rescue center,phone them up and ask if they have a behaviourist or can give you advice on the matter,most rescue centers have free round the clock advice/behaviourists to help you while your dog settles in etc.If this isn't an option contact a good behaviourist who will work with you and your dog on a one to one basis,prices can be costly but alot of people highly recomend them.If money is an issue ask your vet if you can be referred to a local behaviourist.It's important you get this behaviour corrected before it possible esculates.In the mean time, be patient and dont make sudden sharp movements around your dog.Good luck.

Answer 8

Obedience class. I'm sure from the day you acquired this dog it had behavior that was bad. That is when you should have started behavior correction and you learn that in obedience classes. Now the growling has progressed to biting and biting is never to be tolerated. I've corrected behavior in dogs much worse that what your dog is displaying and you should take heart in that.

Answer 9

if hes flinching when touch him it sounds like the poor mite was mistreated previously..this is the case with my 2nd grey prior to him being trialed his owner smacked him about,he had been at the kennels for 9years but i gave him a home and he cowers if you go near him or lift your hand to stroke him..but we just leave him to it we dont force him and we cant hold him by his collar coz he goes nuts,but hes getting there and given time im sure your westie will be the same the biting that happened sounds like fear aggression,my gsd i had 10years back was the same,she feels somewhat theatened or fearful(thru no fault of her own and not your fault either)and her bed is her security ,somewhere she feels safe so by going near it she feels you are trying to take her away from that security(her bed)im not an animal psycologist by any means but i saw the exact behaviour in my gsd and in someways my 2nd grey...so dont give up on her give her time lotsa love and cuddles xxx

Answer 10

I have had 2 rescue dogs-I still have 1 of these,the other sadly dies 2 years ago.

The big problem with them is that you hardly ever know the complete story of their past,especially in cases of dogs who have been badly treated.

Get an animal behaviourist in to work with the dog and his issues.

Don't get him put down and ignore any idiot who suggests that.