My parent's new dog has bitten my mum! Should they keep him?

Question

They have had the dog (a schnauzer) for less than a week. He was with his previous family for six yrs but due to a new baby they felt he deserved a home where he would have more time and attention devoted to him. The dog has previously had liver surgery and is still tender around the scar area. He may have bitten my mum because she accidentally caught this area...she's not sure. Should we just put the bite down to the fact the dog is probably very unsettled at the moment getting used to his new surroundings? The previous owners said he can sometimes get snappy and they were worried that their small children would aggravate him into biting them. Should my parents give him longer to settle in and see if it happens again before giving him back to the previous family? All you doggy people out there, please help!!! Thanks

Answer 1

Always a problem with older dogs moving families, especially if your parents removed him from his previous home and not the previous owners bringing him to them.
Was it a bite, or was she caught as the dog barked. One good rule is always leave the dog plenty of room and don´t approach it if it goes into a corner. Yes a dog can bite, as a reflex action, if hurt accidental makes no difference if you have had it a day or decade but the way it reacts when it realises what it has done will tell you if it will be a future problem. Yes dogs can tell you "sorry" or "watch it mate". The latter foretells future problems as it is used to being the pack leader which a dog should never be.
One misconception is that dogs smell fear, this is rubbish.
What they do sense and smell is the production of the enzyme we humans have when we are going to "Fight or Run" The dog does not know if you are going to attack it or run so they can at times get the first blow in purely as a means of defence, you´ve got to be calm and not worried. Not just act that way but actually be that way. If it was a real bite, it sounds as the previous owners never cured it and let it ride with their remark about snapping and it will try it´s hardest to be pack leader with your parents needing some good training and Patience. After all this there is one simple answer; If they are truly worried it will bite again they have got to return it as it appears the previous owners have just passed on a problem to them

Answer 2

It would be great if your mother could go to some basic obedience training classes with the dog and also address the aggression issues privately with a qualified trainer. Schnauzers can be nippy with children and with strangers and this dog may well settle in over time. What concerns me is the liver surgery. That is unusual for a dog to have. Your mother should check with your family's vet and see what that Vet thinks about the health history and the biting. She should describe just how the bite happened. It may or may not be related to that past surgery. Sounds more like this dog has a history of aggression. It may or may not be something that can be safely worked out.

Answer 3

Ooh that is a difficult situation, but reading between the lines it would seem that the previous owners had a problem with this dog and were aware of him being snappy, therefore not wanting him to be around children.

Understandably the dog is rather tender still and may have snapped as a result of being touched in that area and is probably feeling poorly but my gut instinct tells me that this dog has problems that have never been resolved and feeling poorly or sore is not an excuse for snapping.

This dog is six?? Or at least that anyway?? At six years of age he should not be snapping at all and I would be inclined to think that he could have a long term problem with this unless it is addressed with some obedience and training. Perhaps your parents could try to talk to a dog trainer or expert in your area. I believe that all problems can be solved with dogs if you have the right knowledge and tactics.

He is worth the chance!

Good luck and I hope this has helped.

Answer 4

We don't know what happened so cannot tell the reason for the bite. I am always for giving a dog the benefit of the doubt and trying to work through any problems. Take dog to the vet for a check up to rule out any medical problems and to check the scar. Also, a behaviourist will be able to evaluate the dog and help you with further training. the dog will need time to settle in a learn to trust your family too. Read Kendal Shepard's book 'The Canine Commandments' to learn more about dog behaviour and understand your dog better. Good luck

Answer 5

Without knowing if she touched the sensitive area, I would give the dog the benefit of being in a new place and around a new person. Many people assume that just because you have a dog, that it shouldn't bite. Give the dog a chance to come to you before you pet it. That eliminates the chance of picking one up that may not like to be handled. If the dog snaps at someone again, then consider obedience training and warning guests that the dog may not be friendly to them right off.

Answer 6

i think this may be the case however if he is snappy you can stop that, by scolding him, now i would not slap a dog that bites cause more then likely he will feel threatened and may bite again. you could spray him with water from a a little bottle, i have never tried that so i sont know the outcome but i heard it works also, a muzzle but i would not go to that extreme. Everytime he even makes a run to nip or bite flip him over and make him submissive, this way you are the alpha dog not him, You can also make a mouth with your fingers and snap right back, I guess i usually stop the biting when they are young. We only had one dog that bit and only because she was old, deaf and blind and if you snuck up from beind her she would lunge at you. We never tried to fix that, we understood and we just never came from behind her. hope that helps but dont sell him if you dont ahve to , its like yuor parents giving you to someone else a bunch of times, iim sure you would feel unloved

Answer 7

Only you can make this decision, talk it over w/ a professional if your not sure. If you decide to keep the pup it sounds like his going to need strong leadership. Get a book about becoming the pack leader. Taking the dog for controlled walks is a great,subtle way to establish your head of the pack. But dont let him walk you ,be sure to walk him! Give him food and treats only when he has earned them by doing a basic command such as sit. I wish you the best!

Answer 8

I think they should give him a while longer, I mean after 6 years he’s probable grieving for his lost family I think your mum & dad should take him for walks but when he’s at home maybe they could put his bed in a quiet room in the house and allow him his own space to come to terms with his new environment & family, and im sure when he’s ready and he doesn’t feel threatened or forced into a situation he will make a loving companion for your mum!
Good Luck

Answer 9

Give him a little time and love to settle down.
He may have been ill treated by his past owners.
The trust will come, but check with the vet on his scar as it may be painful still.
Hope it works out for your family and the dog.

Answer 10

They should give him some time to settle in. While this behavior is not acceptable and the dog should be diciplined for it you can also do things to prevent this from happening. For example your parents need to make sure he is getting adequate exercise and having his prey drive stimulated. This accounts for 50% of dogs problems. If he is sensative around the scar then steer clear of that area for the time being. Try petting his head and scratching his ears and as he heals he will begin to show signs that he wants to have his belly scratched or his chin etc. If he does bite or nip then grab him by the scruff and pin him to the ground to establish dominance.