She tried to pull him off the bed, he was just protecting "HIS" ground. Had him for 12 years since he was a puppy, only had her for 3 months. She is now afraid of him but has not told me to get rid of him yet! This is only the second bite he has ever made against any human. He bit me 6 years ago for trying to yank him out of a car he was not supposed to be in. I don't want her afraid forever but I would hate to get rid of the dog for a once only kind of occurence. Any one have any INTELLEGIENT suggestions?
2007-10-23 10:34:21 · 9 answers · asked by Willy B 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Have the wife take him to obedience training. Not only will it enforce any training he has had previously but it will help the dog bond to her.
Stay away from Petco or Petsmart classes, they tend to be of shoddy quality. Finding a trainer who has worked with this kind of dominance issue before would be a very good idea.
2007-10-23 10:37:23 · answer #1 · answered by fluffy_aliens 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well, i don't consider the bed "his" ground. that is yours and your wife's bed, presumably. maybe not pulling on the dog would help, since both times he has bit is when people are pulling/yanking him. he is an old dog, and if it were me, i would just avoid what triggered it. if you say he has only bitten twice in 12 years, it would be hardpressed for me to tell my husband to boot the dog. if i were her, i would make sure to let the dog know that i wasn't afraid, even though i am, and pet the dog, walk it, give it treats, etc. good luck.
2007-10-23 10:47:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
educating your wife about how dogs respond to humans would be a start. she needs to read up on dog behavior and how to avoid putting herself in the same position as before.
next i would suggest that you make darn sure that your dog respects your wife as an ALPHA pack member. you and your wife need to be the alphas...NOT your dog.
since it's been you and your dog for the last 12 yrs that's going to take a while...but it can be done. perhaps updating him on his obedience would help...w/your wife as an ACTIVE participant in his training.
btw-please don't get rid of your dog..you've made a commitment to him when you got him JUST as much as a commitment to your marriage. you don't throw in the towel when things get hard, you work on it. a dog that old would NOT do well in a shelter environment, and not many ppl are willing to adopt a 12 yr old dog...getting rid of him would pretty much be a death sentence to him.
2007-10-23 10:40:33 · answer #3 · answered by ☆MWφM☆ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you better get some training in to him, it seems like he dose not like being yanked off of things!
Fonz is right! You need to show that dog not to EVER Show agression to it's owners! I had a dog a few years ago like that and beat the $hit out of him he never bit me again and he still loved me then he passed on 1 year later of cancer. I wouldn't do it to a puppy but if it is a dog that has behavior like that ya have to show them who is boss.
2007-10-23 10:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by Jess. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if i had a wife i loved and ANYTHING hurt or scared her, including a dog i rasied as a puppy i would make damn sure it didn't happen again. neutering it is probably a good idea, and if your wife can't live 100% comfortably with it, you'll have to find the dog a new home. it's not fair for animals to have the priority in a home. she needs to show the dog that she's the boss. a bed is not a dog's territory.
2007-10-23 12:44:56 · answer #5 · answered by italian_stallion1313 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A 12 year old dog is likely starting to have aches and pains (arthritis, ec).. Not excusing the dog, he needs his butt whooped, but maybe she can understand why he snapped at her...
2007-10-23 10:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by maccrew6 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell her to get a fly swatter and wear his *** out the next time he shows any aggression toward her. The human has to be the Alpha or the dog will run the show. What did you do when he bite you?Also if he has not been neutered, do it now..
2007-10-23 10:40:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
I agree - she needs to take him to obedience training because he needs to learn that she is alpha in your house - not him. That is the best way to get him to submit to her and get over her fear of him.
2007-10-23 10:53:57 · answer #8 · answered by Shannon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the wife get rid of the dog would be my first suggestion. My second would be to put the dog in a crate at night. The bed is not his territory. It is hers.
2007-10-23 10:42:55 · answer #9 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋