My dog attacked me a few days ago, and I don't understand why.?

Question

A couple of days ago, it was really warm up here, so I brought my Austrailian Sheperd Lab mix inside my house where it was cooler. Later that night, I came home from band practice, and I was putting him back into his outside inclosure, and he attacked me. I struggled with him for about 10 minutes, trying to put him in the cage. It was strange for him, because he's never acted like that. I didn't want to let him go because he was acting so strange and I was afraid of what he would do if I did let him go and run through the neighborhood. I finally just let him go, and he bolted back to my house door and went back inside with me. By this time, I was dripping blood from my arm and nose.

I didn't get any serious injuries, but I don't understand why he suddenly decided to attack me. Does anyone have any idea why this could have happened? I've also been afraid to go near him again, so my mom's been taking care of him with no problem. Should I try going near him again?

I don't think it was the heat. It was about 95 degrees during the day, but that night it cooled off considerably, and it was about 65 when I tried to put him back outside.

It's not a small "cage" outside either. He's got a very large pen.

Answer 1

I'm going to love the replies you get here. Especially the ones that will tell you that you have to show your dominance over the dog. I hope they give you their name and phone number, so if anyone or any other animal gets hurt you can sue them.

If your description is any where close to being accurate, you have a loaded gun on your hands.

You need to a professional look at this dog and determine what the problem is. By law, this dog should be quarantined and kept in a place where it cannot get loose, or out. PERIOD. NO EXCUSES.

IF this dog bites anyone else, it's YOUR fault. This is not a dog that isn't housebroken. This is TOTALLY unacceptable!

If I haven't made myself clear enough, YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL help here. There's a possibility the dog should be put down. Who cares about anything else?

Thank you Greekman.

For most of the others. If you've NEVER wondered whether a dog was going to come at you, with it's mouth fully open, this is DANGEROUS. If you haven't handled this, you shouldn't be giving advice.

Answer 2

It's a FACT that outdoor dogs are more likely to be aggressive than indoor dogs. They don't get enough socialization, period. No one has an outside dog that spends as much time with their owners as an inside dog does. If you want a well behaved dog, it should be indoors. Yes, dogs CAN survive outdoors, but survival is different than living. A LIFE for a dog is with it's owners.

What can you do? First, ask your mom to hire an animal behaviorist to help you with this issue. Your dog doesn't obey you, and you'll need help with that. Second, after you all have started working on the issue, bring the dog in the house. Last, don't struggle with your dog like that again, he SHOULD listen to you, but if he doesn't, ask your mom to deal with him...the dog will always win.

Answer 3

What kind of LAME A S S answers are these? The heat? Dogs act different at night? He wants to be in the house? None of you should own a dog. You have no idea of what a dog is and you are giving BS answers to someone who got bitten by her own dog. Only the Judge has any idea of what he is talking about here. Listen to me carefully. Stay away from that dog. I am not as nice as the Judge who is willing to give it another shot. Will you ever be able to trust that dog again? EVER? Have him put down before it happens again, out of nowhere. This is not normal behavior from a dog you have owned for a while, regardless of what the humaniacs and tree huggers here tell you. No dog should ever bite its owner, ever, under no circumstances. I hope you hear me and do the right thing.

ADD: Sorry DP, did not see you in here before I posted. Love your answer, as usual, but, again, I am not as nice as you and the Judge.

Answer 4

If this dog attacks you again take him to the shelter to get euthanized . But if this is the first time he has done this he was probably frustrated with the heat . If you live in the south thats probably why he attacked it's over 100 degrees down here so frustration could be it . It is unsafe to leave a dog in 100 degree or 90 degree heat . There is no telling what the outcome maybe or how he might react . But for best reasons it would be safer if you put him in a cooler enviroment. If you plan to leave for a couple of hours put him in the house where it is cool .

Answer 5

First of all, take the dog to a veterinarian and have him checked out. Illness-- in animals as in people-- can lead to behavior problems. Don't panic over the prospect of rabies-- the incidence of people getting rabies from a bite from a pet is extremely low-- but get the facts for your own peace of mind. There are many other causes for pet violence.

Secondly, discuss the situation, and your over-all program for caring for your dog, with someone trained in animal care. Discuss the animal's diet, your program for exercising him.

How often does he get to walk and run? He could be suffering from cabin fever. Larger dogs like Australian shepherds often are quite happy in a large pen attached to a weather-proof house outdoors, daily walked or allowed to run in the yard.

It's harsh to say, but, if this is not just a one-time thing and the dog is truly dangerous, get him out of your house.

Answer 6

I honestly don't know what's going on with your dog.. There could be all sorts of things that we don't know about.. It's too hard to make any sort of judgement based on one thing..
One thing I do know tho.. You should seek the help of a professional.. Someone who is used to dealing with dogs that show this type of aggression.. Not just some little obedience class down at the local petstore.. You need someone who is truly knowledgeable about aggression in dogs.

You should find someone that can come out to the house and meet you, the family and the dog and see him in his natural environment. So they can see the dynamics of the household and be better able to judge what maybe went on.
You might also want to have him into the vet to make sure that he hasn't any health issues.. that might be causing him to act this way..
Has your mom been able to get him back into his pen, or have you just given in and allowed him to win and live in the house???

I don't know if you should bother with him so much. I wouldn't show fear, and I wouldn't run away or act as tho you are worried about him. If it were me, in your situation.. I would ignore him, and get the trainer to meet with him. I wouldn't risk trying to put him back in the run yourself... It may be worse next time as he won last time.

Thank you Greekman!

Answer 7

Is he neutered? It is quite possible there is a ***** (female) in heat close. He can smell her and it can make a dog very aggressive.

Maybe he does not like the cage. It does not sound like it is big enough for him. Dogs need to run and exercise. They also need companionship (they are pack animals).

Look at all the possible reasons for the attack and do not let him know you are afraid of him.

Answer 8

He possebly doesn´t want to live in a cage. There might be something roaming aroung the cage, which he doesn´t like. Being inside the cage gives a sense of not being able to defend himself, and you trying to put him into the cage triggers fear in him. He attacking you is a way of saying "dudess! this is NOT cool!!!".

Let him stay in the house. Try create a running yard for him at another place on your property.

Answer 9

Sometimes dogs do actually behave differently at night. This, combined with you entering his private area may have influenced his behavior. There does exist the strong possibility that this was an isolated incident, so yes, approach him again. The chances are that if you treat him normally, everything will be fine. Good luck!

Answer 10

Honestly, and I know you don't want to hear this... I think you should consider getting rid of him. They say once a dog attacks, you can never fully trust him not to do it again.

You could ask your vet for recommendation of an animal behaviorist in your area. We hired one for a consultation before we had a baby because our dog was very spoiled and we wanted to prevent jealousy issues. Sounds like maybe a social order needs to be re-established.

Also, I have to ask, is he neutered? Un-neutered males are the dogs most likely to bite.