My dog just bit someone!

[SarahBeth9394]

Sounds like your dog is doing his job protecting your property. You need to make sure the mailbox and package box are out of dog reach. And as far as someone sticking their hand through the fence well holy cow I was taught not to do that as a teeny tiny kid. Why the neighbor thought it was a good idea is beyond me. Here no visitors or small kids allowed out back without one of us. My girls are sweet as pie but they are dogs and if they feel their master needs protecting they will do it. They consider all of us their master.

 

[Dar]

this may sound right off the wall given that he is a young dog...but that about his hearing or his eyesight?...

 

[Black Feather]

I'd say your next step then is to get professional help, and a trip to the vet to make sure there are no physical issues that may be leading to his behavior issues.

 

[Redfeathers]

If you can't afford a trainer (who can these days) or obedience classes, and the dog can't be confined to an area of the yard where he can't hurt anyone, then perhaps a soft muzzle, the kind he can wear and still drink easily from.

It's a tough situation and I feel for you....but you do have to do something to insure the safety of those that come to your house. Someone is eventually going to press charges and that might be the end of what is most likely a very good dog.

Do watch Ceasar Milan, he has great ideas on how to curb this behavior.

 

[PQ]

Is he nutered? If not try it... As long as he has not showed signs of hurting anyone in your fence, make sure shots are up to date,
Get a muzzle if you want to keep him a large dog run for the day. Get a sign Dog bites stay away from fence may protect you from being sued. Make your fence taller in the front or where ever people can get to dog or dog can get to people if they can reach through get chickenwire to cover those parts. It is the dogs job to protect you and yours that sounds like all he is doing. Hope this helps... if you take to pound tell them he is very protective if you say he has bit he will be distroyed...
Hope this helps.

 

[NancyDz]

Because his demeanor is different if you are there, he is just protecting the property.

Here in CA, if a dog bites someone, more than once and maybe even once, they are cited
and without proof of rabies, they can be taken and quarantined for months. I would
consider the bell option someone mentioned and also a LARGE sign stating to not
approach the fence at all. Also is there anyway you can contain him in a separate area that he doesnt have access to the front? Not just your porch once in awhile but a permanent
fenced area for him. I would probably do that as once the county steps in , it's highly likely
your dog will be put down. The fact that he bit a postman probably means it will be reported
and you will be given at least a warning if not cited. I think the postman has to report it.
Maybe your state is different but I wouldnt take any chances with a beloved pet.

Good luck!

Nancy

 

[Felicia]

I am so sorry about what happened. My dog has had some aggression issues about men coming up to me. What I did was teach him that all men give him yummy treats.

Have people walk up to the fence (not to close, so that he can not bite them) and toss chicken/liver/hot dogs on the ground near him. Do this all the time, and eventually he will think that everyone who comes to the fence will give him really yummy treats. You won't ever be able to trust him completely but if you keep doing this he will start to get better. Even after he gets the idea you have have to keep it up so he doesn't forget.

I would also go to a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement. They can help you with the obedience part, so that you can tell him to back up, sit, down, and stay. If you work on it, no matter what the situation - he will listen to you.

I wish you the best of luck. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

From the perspective of a liability claims adjuster - your insurance company will not be happy if they find out you have a dog that has bitten twice - especially in such a short amount of time. Normally, the first bite is forgiven as long as the breed of dog is not considered dangerous or aggressive. After that, your insurance company will take steps to eliminate liability by either placing a dangerous dog exclusion on your homeowners or cancelling your coverage altogether.

Difficult as it sounds and harsh as it may seem, this is a situation that will only worsen with time. My sister has a Golden Lab neutered male who is dangerously aggressive toward people he does not know, especially males. He was a house dog until he bit her. He's at the end of his leash now - one more mistake will earn him a bullet.

It's not hard for me to say this because dogs like this one scare the bajeebers out of me - humanely put him to sleep for the safety of everyone and to save yourself a lawsuit. If the dog bites again, you could possibly be found liabile of harboring a dangerous animal.

 

[Redfeathers]

Quote:
Excellent advice Felicia.

 

[Picky Chicky]

A trip to the vet is important, and of course keeping him all up-to-date on his shots (you may need the paperwork if he bites the 'wrong' person who is just sue-happy). I didn't catch his age, but he doesn't appear to be a puppers anymore - so retraining him will prove to be difficult.

Socializing him would mean taking him out of his familiar surroundings and introducing him to people - I would start off with a humane muzzle - you don't need him taking a chunk out of every stranger walking by him. By him getting pepper sprayed, it's quite possibly reinstilling his biting habits - he's being attacked for protecting his home and people. He's going to retaliate.

Again, my biggest fear would be the sue-happy person that he might bite in the future... I'd be devestated if I were forced by animal control to relinquish my baby so they could walk him to the 'chamber' to euthanize him.

Be dedicated to retraining him, and ask the vet what their opinion is. By the way, I think they have obedience classes or personal trainers for aggressive dogs - not that yours sounds normally aggressive - that is until his home/people are compromised.

Good luck and lots of hugs to you and your pup.

P.S. Felicia's advise was really great!