Please Help Me!! I am begging you!!!?

Question

My dog, 6 1/2 year old german shepherd mix, has recently(past 6 months)started BITING!! The first person she bit was the cop that lives down my streets 3 year old son, well she actually tried to bite him but I pulled her back fast enough that she didn't make any contact. The next was my 3 year old cousin, and she actually bit her, but it didn't break the skin. And then was my 8 year old neighbor, and she didn't bite because I caught her and called her before she actually made contact.
We have talked about finding her a home with NO kids, but she has been with us for so long that we couldn't do that to her. Even though she is the greatest thing I have right now, I cant risk actually hurting a family or a neighborhood child. And I have mentioned a muzzle and the prong collar to my family, but they considered it animal cruelty and yelled at me. She is an inside dog, we got her from the pound, the people before us abused her with sticks and hit her. And I really don't want her to go back.

And my dog doesn't run my block freely, she is an INSIDE dog. And she goes on daily runs, 1 mile a day!

She is a very well trained dog, she was never like this.
I have had a job training facility and I have delt with dogs whom are slightly aggressive, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Answer 1

Before you try and find her a new home, I would contact a dog trainer/animal behaviorist. They are generally great with analyzing dog behavior and helping you to correct the problem. It may take some work on your part, but it sounds like you love your dog. In the meantime, make sure she gets plenty of exercise on leash (long walks with you) so that she remains in your control at all time. Please don't just muzzle your dog- it will not solve your problem and may make it worse- especially if she is biting out of fear. Behavioral expertise is the most humane and effective method- a good trainer will help you find out the reason your dog has recently begun to bite. I volunteer at a shelter and have seen animal behaviorists work with dogs with major issues and the results are amazing. It does take time and commitment on your part though. This may not be a problem you can solve, but understanding what is behind it can help you be proactive- a muzzle will not. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

First off did you take her to the vet and have her checked?

Second:
You must be in so much turmoil and my heart breaks for you. You have so much on your plate right now I'm sure it's hard to think. The main thing here right now is what is the right thing to do. Shepard mix is a large dog and as you know if she gets a hold of a child horrible things can happen. You really need to sit down and write on a piece of paper all the pros and the cons. If you actually see what your options are, in black and white, some how they seem to be a little bit clearer.
Example
1. Giver her away
2. Put her down
3. muzzle her when she goes out or is around small children.
or what ever other options you may have Then you break those down to how you would feel about each option and could you handle the results. Like, if you give her away how would you feel, to who etc. Muzzles, you could do research on what types and you also have to think of the commitment you have to using it. The list goes on. Sit back and really think about what needs to be done. Only you can make that decision and if you don't the decision tragically will be made for you. I hope it works out for you.

Answer 3

1) Consult your vet immediately.
2) NEVER let the dog be in the same area as a child. The dog should be in its crate, in a closed room, or in the back yard if you have a child in your house. If you do not have a sturdy dog crate, buy one immediately.
3) Hire a dog trainer that only uses POSITIVE training methods.
4) Use a muzzle when walking the dog outside.
5) Do not take the dog outside for a walk again until you are sure you can control the dog on the leash.

Answer 4

There is a reason, I am sure, that she has just started biting. Maybe she is just very territorial and protective of her family who she loves. I would be very vigilant as far as not letting her be around others without being muzzled. There are mesh muzzles that really aren't cruel in any way but they will protect somebody that she could potentially bite, and also will protect her. I would of course be very weary of what she might do to a child and/or adult if she bites and also be weary of her being taken from me if she bites more than once and it is reported. I think I would check with an animal behaviorist--sort of like the Dog Whisperer and see what they have to say. There is definitely something going on with her that makes her feel she needs to bite. Maybe ask your vet to refer you to somebody who could help. It's very commendable that you adopted her from a shelter. I would do everything I could to keep her, she obviously needs and trusts you. Good luck to you I hope everything works out.

Answer 5

I agree with "taking her to the vet. Before you bring her, try to remember what changed in her life for her to start biting. Is she suddenly around more children? Maybe she's getting less attention when they are around. Or maybe she's jealous of them and is controlling you by eliminating them. I understand your families thought about a muzzle, but what are they going to think if the dog bites someone and YOU are FORCED to put her down? I had to muzzle mine ONCE. Yep, after the humiliation of the muzzle, he didn't growl at people anymore. It's more of a psychological thing.

Answer 6

If she has never shown any aggression before now then you need to take her to the vet and rule out health issue. There are many things that can cause sudden aggression. Cancers for one but also heartworm preventative meds have been proven to cause sudden aggressive behavior as well as vaccines. Has she had any heartworm prevention or vaccines lately? Flea and tick topicals? Any and all of these chemicals we do to dogs in the name of health can all cause sudden aggressive behavior. Even if they didn't in the past.

Until you get it figured out keep her AWAY from any and all children unless supervised and on a leash. She has become unpredictable and you may not be able to stop her one of these times.

Answer 7

why if you know about her issue is she allowed to be around children? does she travel down the street and to the neighbors unattended? if so, there are several issues to address. NO KIDS...if kids are over to visit ,kennel the dog,lock her in a bedroom whatever. she should not be roaming freely outside....cruelty is allowing the dog a chance to bite yet another child not a muzzle.

Answer 8

Just keep her away from kids. It sounds like the kids that she has bitten are not in you're house. So just make sure she's not around kids. And if kids are at you're house when just put her in the basement of something until they leave. And if kids live there then you should defiantly find her a new home. Just make sure it's a good home and you can visit her that way she wouldn't think you totally abandoned her.

Don't listen to star9crystal. If dogs are muzzled in their our home (their territory) then they are going to feel threatened and what to attack more.

Answer 9

I concur that you you should see your vet first to rule out any physical problems for behavior changes. If nothing turns up (make sure they do a blood panel that includes a thyroid test), then you should try to consult an animal behaviorist. These are veterinarians who have received extensive training in/are board certified in animal behavior. The behaviorist will be able to tell you if this is a solvable problem or not. Sadly, it sometimes is not.

Answer 10

muzzles aren't cruel. You are being responsible if you know your dog has a problem. You can buy muzzles that don't restrict beathing and even still allow your dog to drink.

Have you taken her to your vet and had her vision checked or just an overall check-up? Maybe there is a medical problem that is causing her to behave this way.