Fear Aggressive dog? What can I do to help him and prevent a future bite?

Question

I've had a lab mix dog for approx. 7 years now. I brought him home when he was 6 months. They said he was beaten with sticks when he was a puppy. He was always been great with our family and kids. But he is very scary when he sees someone outside of our fence. Jumping up on it and growling very "Cujo" like. If a stranger tries to pet him too suddenly, he'll snap at them. He escaped the fence last week and snapped at the neighbor. A few months ago my little girl was trying to get him to walk with a leash and he snapped at her for the first time. Thankfully, not actually breaking the skin. I just don't know what to do. It seems like the older he gets, the worse it's getting. We have a new baby now and my Hubby is pressuring me to have him put to sleep before something happens. I would hate to do that. I know he's not a mean dog, I don't know where to turn with this! Anybody have experience with a dog like this?

Answer 1

try this;

on the time where the street by your fence is buisiest, have him on the lead at your side, as soon as he jumps up and trys to snap/bark make a loud noise at him, short but warning. repeat this untill he learns to be calm as someone walks past, each time he relaxes, praise him, it may take a few tries, but if you really don't want him to be PTS like your husband suggested, then i reccomend you give it a go.

good luck!

Answer 2

Put him down.

Not only is he a danger to your children, and the general public, but a fearful dog is a miserable dog.

Just put down a fear biter two months ago.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but when it comes down to it, it was the best thing I could possibly do for HER.  

You are waiting on a lawsuit here.  

Answer 3

Nobody wants to do it, nobody wants to say it....but the simple fact of the matter is that a fear biter is very, very rarely fixable and the best solution for both the dog and the people he endangers is euthanasia.

I have, and have worked with, many fearful dogs.  The reason I was willing and able to work with them is because they were NOT fear biters.  

You're right, it has gotten worse with age, and I don't see that changing for your dog.  Please think long and hard about it, and do what's right for your kids.  

Answer 4

Unless he is extremely dangerous, no vet worth his salt would euthanize him. I don't think there is much you can do about people walking by your fence, but when he does go out, go out with him and supervise him. Get a piece of rolled up newspaper and have it in your hand. When he shows any sign of aggression, or misbehavior, swat him with the newspaper. It will not hurt him, but the noise it makes lets him know you mean business. I have trained many dogs doing this, and I can tell you from my own experience, it works. But you do have to be consistent.

Another trick is to use a dog clicker. You can get them at Petsmart. Again, accompany him when he goes out. When he starts showing aggression use the clicker, and yell loudly "No" to him. The clicker will get his attention, and your voice will tell him you are not happy with his behavior.

Answer 5

Get thyself to an animal behaviorist.

Answer 6

Putting down a dog is never the answer if there could be a solution. Im sure if you cant keep him that some one in the country would love him! I gave my pit lab to the humane society because he bit my minpins ear off, and he went to a home with other large dogs and is great. Sounds like he wasnt properly socialized as a pup!

Answer 7

Take him to a behaviorist. He has issues that have stemmed form you and your husband. Coddling an abused animal, and not correcting due to fear of triggering a fear response out of the animal is your fault, sorry but it is. Go now.

Answer 8

Get him to a trainer ASAP.  He needs professional one on one help.  I do not know all of the circumstances or triggers.   A good trainer can evaluate him and teach you to help him.  

Answer 9

Get him EVALUATED by a trainer who has many years experience with biters.  The way to find such a person in your area is to call every vet in your phone book and ask them to recommend someone. If you get the same answer from 3 vets go to that person.

I am not saying this dog can be saved with training.  You want the expert's opinion to confirm that it CAN'T.  Also, you must ask hard questions of yourself- with a toddler and a new baby do you even have the time to commit to re-training this dog?  Ask about rehoming it- but be aware that there are serious legal issues to be addressed if you give away a dog that is a biter.  Think very seriously about the danger to the children.  Can you guarantee that you will ALWAYS be there to prevent the dog from snapping?  Will you separate the animal from the only family it knows, therefore increasing its fear and anxiety?

These are terrible things to think about, I know.  Believe me when I say the dog is also experiencing terrible thoughts and terrible fears.  If you cannot realistically come to a solution then you must consider euthanasia.  Better for the dog to die peacefully with a loved family member present than for it to be sent to a pound or given to a new family who will encounter the same problems and then take it to be euthanized alone and scared.

I wish you the best of luck.  But do this, please.  EVALUATE, then DECIDE RESPONSIBLY.

Answer 10

Listen to Amanda - If anyone knows first hand, she does.  She spent a FORTUNE on trainers and behaviorists before finally making the decision she made.

Your Dog is a walking Law Suit waiting to happen...