[aishebahl]

If your obviously not mistreating your dog, but your own dog bites you,
what's the best thing to do?

My friend has a moody dog that bit his wife and another friend of his.

Should he put the dog to sleep, given that the dog is turning on members of the family? I know this is common practice in the rural South.

Please help.

In both cases, the dog was being pet when he attacked.

 

[Elana55]

Most dogs give a warning and most people do not see it.. and so the dog ends up biting.

There is VERY little information in this post and it is all 2nd hand so it is very difficult to advise you. I would recommend you get Jean Donaldson's book "The Culture Clash" as it has extensive discussion about dogs biting people. The book will give you insight as to why and when dogs bite people.

Beyond that, wisdom dictates that the owner get a certified behaviorist (not a trainer) to come and assess the dog and its interaction with its owners and people. There is usually a LOT more going on at some point in the dog's relationship with people than can be described on these threads. A behaviorist (trained and certified) would be able to assess and recommend actions for the owners to take.

 

[Curbside Prophet]

Did anyone go the hospital? If not, the dog was exhibiting some form of bite inhibition. To me, that's more telling than any knee jerk reaction.

 

[TooneyDogs]

You used the word "moody".....to me, that's a red flag and the first thing I think of is a medical condition. Dogs that are in pain.... from a cracked tooth to any number of other conditions will appear moody and 'testy'. I'd urge your friend to get the dog in for a full checkup.

 

[digits mama]

I know this is common practice in the rural South.

No..I dont think so.

 

[melgrj7]

Take it to the vet and get a full work up on it . . . blood work, physical, check the teeth, check the thyroid (blood work), check for lyme disease and other similar diseases, if the vet thinks its neccessary, x-ray hips, elbows, knees, back.

 

[Elana55]

Absolutely the dog should go to the Vet.

I have to wonder if anyone will spend $$ on a dog if they think it is common practice in ANY region to PTS a dog for biting his owner(s).

I do realize the OP does not own this dog.. it is someone else's dog.

 

[aishebahl]

Thanks guys,

Both times the bites happened, I was there.

One time, the friend was in the kitchen cooking when the dog (pitbull mix) showed up behind him, I guess looking for dropped food. Our friend turned around, bent over and started petting the dog under his chest and neck as he was talking to the dog. I did see the dogs mood change, he went from normal mood to angry eyes, but the time between then and the bite was only a second before he chomped down hard 2 times on his hand. Deep puncture wounds but worse than the cuts, the muscles where traumatized (like a very bad case of charlie horse) to the point he could not move his hand.

Second time with the wife was similar thing but in the living room. I wasnt there for that one but she told him to go somewhere else cause she was cleaning and went to pet him and chomp.

The dog is older, about 10-11 years old.
We do know that he has achy rear hips... however,
I will definately advise my friend to take the dog to the vet for the check up. Thanks guys.

Any further thoughts and opinions are definately appreciated.

 

[deege39]

I would also have them check his eyesight, seeing that he's an older dog his eyesight may not be as clear as it was when he was pup.

That's so strange for a dog to just bite like that, out-of-the-blue, so more than likely there's something wrong with him medically...

And to resonate what others have said, it's not common practice anywhere to just put a dog to sleep because it bites... (If it is, it shouldn't be!) If we were to just punch someone, would everyone want to put us to sleep? No, lol. We're given warnings, lectures, and if nothing else works, we're caged up until we exhibit proper behavior. : P

Good luck!

 

[blackrose]

One thing that comes to my mind...has this dog had any type of aggression problems before? In the first instance, the dog is looking for food and the owner bends over it and pets it. In the second, the dog is told to move from a particular spot.

If Chloe wants to be left alone, she won't hesitate to warn you off and you have a space up about two seconds to head that warning or she chomps by your hand. I shudder to think of how she is going to be when she is old, has joint problems, and is loosing her senses.

 

[Marsh Muppet]

Definitely cvonsult a vet. It may be a problem that is quite treatable.

My Rott began getting snappish when he got old. He had bad arthritis (which I already knew) and the vet determined that he was going deaf in one ear, and his eyesight was diminished. There isn't too much you can do for a dog who's condition will only further deteriorate in the future. None of us recover from old age.

 

[melgrj7]

If his hips are aching that could be why he is getting easily aggitated. Putting him on a joint supplement and possibly a pain killer might help (again, consult a vet). Also, older dogs often have bad teeth that need to be pulled. Most dogs when they have bad teeth are VERY cranky, as are most people.

 

[peppy264]

Being cranky, sore teeth whatever, is not a reason to growl at or bite your owner. There is a serious lack of respect.

Without more info its impossible to say too much. And with lots of work both the behavioral side and the medical side (if anything is wrong) can likely be resolved.

But lets be realistic. They have an 11 yr old dog with bad hips who has repeatedly seriously bit his owners at least twice. The future: lots of rehabilitation type training, probably a lot of vet bills, likely never complete trust, and a very limited life span.

If it was a friend of mine, I'd recommend he spend his money and energy on buying and training a new pup.

 

[digits mama]

you say that without to much info...it is impossible to say too much.. Which I totally agree with


But basically you are saying the dog is disposable in your final comment.


That makes as much sense to me as a football bat.