Please advise what to do when your dog bites someone : (

[GreatEXPATations]

This is my first dog, a rescue, he's been "done" and is 1 1/2 years old. He's a very strong, determined medium-sized dog (mongrel, part alsation,lab, african hound)

We did take him to a few puppy training classes but to be honest he's not very responsive and we struggled a little. I realise this is human not canine error and that we should resume.

He's generally affectionate and non-aggressive but has changed over the last few weeks, mainly since an incident outside a pub where a disabled man accidentally waved his stick in the dog's face and really scared him. His response was to bark/snarl and any men who then passed the table which was new for him.

We got into the habit of walking him, then going to the shops, leaving him on his lead outside. No problem until just after the incident above when we left him outside a shop and he then, completely unprovoked bit a passing young man quite hard, drawing blood.

What to do? He's a much-loved family pet. He's fine with people he knows and all women, just v v defensive now with strange men. My dcs would be gutted if we got rid of him. Dh is unconcerned!

Just to add we DON'T live in the UK but in Africa in rather a security-focussed culture where dogs tend to be very protective and territorial. We haven't trained him this way but he may have picked this up from neighbouring dogs, patrolling security dogs near our house etc.

I want to do the right thing, just don't know what that is.

[noinspiration]

First and foremost never ever leave him tied up on his own. If he is nervous he will protect himself when people approach.

I don't think you need to get rid of him on the back of this incident, but you do need to restart training classes and build his confidence up again round strangers.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I am by no means an expert but I would suggest not leaving your dog unaccompanied. My brother lives in Africa and the lives of the dogs there are very different to the UK.

Without wishing to sound uncaring, is there any issue with the dog having bitten someone, or is it just you who is concerned?

[GreatEXPATations]

thanks, both. I'd wondered if people were going to say "get rid" whether this is a deal-breaker for any dog if it bites?

No, amazingly, the guy he bit was v good about it..so no concern there but he was hurt and bleeding, not good..

I hadn't realised it would be an issue to leave him alone for a few mins after a walk..shame as it's how he gets his walks. have to rethink then.
how come some people do this with no problem? depends on the dog??

[ExitPursuedByABear]

In the UK it would be more of a worry........

[ExitPursuedByABear]

You could always muzzle him when you want to leave him alone.

[GreatEXPATations]

i'd wondered about a muzzle. We are going to be bringing him back to the UK eventually so he needs to be ok there also!

[ExitPursuedByABear]

In that case - definitely more training and maybe some professional help.

[innerstrength]

If the dog bit a stranger, drawing blood, the dog should be put down. I am shocked. Imagine if it had been a small child.

[GreatEXPATations]

ok, thanks.

[ragged]

I would muzzle whilst in public. I am from another culture, too.

[GreatEXPATations]

my last message was to Exit, crossed with Inner's. I was expecting a response along those lines, Innerstrength..It has crossed my mind but in his defence, it's VERY different here, dogs are for security, he must have picked this up. I really don't think he would ever bite a child as he sees them as no threat to us/himself. I really don't know what to do...

[NarkedPuffin]

'We did take him to a few puppy training classes but to be honest he's not very responsive and we struggled a little. I realise this is human not canine error and that we should resume.

You know what you need to do. Address this now before it gets more entrenched.

[GreatEXPATations]

I get the message! I know.. and I don't..as in is this innate or can he be trained out of it? I DON'T know dogs which is why i'm asking for/appreciate the advice.

[Ephiny]

Definitely don't leave him tied up unattended, I would never do this with either of my dogs (neither of them have bitten anyone, but still there are many reasons it's not a good idea).

I would maybe try getting him to sit and stay, or 'watch me' or something when a strange man passes, if you do reward-based training then give him a treat when he does this successfully. I've done this with one of mine (both with strange men and horses, both of which he liked to growl/lunge at). Try and stay very calm yourself when you see someone approaching - if you need to walk him calmly away from the stranger then do it, but don't panic, or start shouting at him or yanking on the lead or anything, that just reinforces the fearful/defensive behaviour.

I don't think you should 'get rid' of him (or worse) over this, but you do need to make absolutely sure it doesn't happen again. If that means you need to use a muzzle, even just for the short term, then do it.

[Ephiny]

(I think that if it's something he's started doing recently, in response to a particular incident, then it's clearly a learned behaviour and not something 'innate' - so it makes sense he could be trained out of it.)

[NarkedPuffin]

Get him to someone that does know dogs for training and advice. Ask at your vets for recommendations. Avoid anyone who talks about pack theory and dominating your dog.

It's not normal or inevitable. He was frightened and now is edgy and adopting a 'get your retaliation in first' policy. If you want to keep him you need to commit to putting in the effort it will take to change his behaviour. From what you've described that sounds like it's a problem that can be dealt with.

And decide what dog you want to have. If he is treated as a guard dog, that is what he'll become, and you'll have to leave him behind when you come to England because he'll struggle to adapt to being a suburban pet.

[Adayforthinking]

I would absolutely resume training classes and as everyone else has said, don't leave him outside on his own.

We had an issue recently where our (nearly) 2 year old lab (apparently) bit our neighbour, not once but twice. I didn't see it happen either time but heard her wailing like a banshee that "that f*ing dog has bitten me AGAIN".

Since that time I have asked all regular delivery men (the Next delivery driver, the man that delivers the eggs etc) and they have all said that they always stroke our dogs through the gate when they come and other than occasionally being wee'd on because the same dog gets so excited to see people, they have had absolutely no problems with aggression at all. So we really believe that the neighbour is exaggerating...

Anyway, I digress, when we were concerned that she may call the Police we called DH's best friend (and best man) who is in the Police who said that they would never recommend destroying a dog under these circumstances, we just had to make sure that we put actions in place to avoid any further incidents (whether real or not). So we put up a new fence between us and the neighbour so the dog can't get to them at all.

So I guess my rather long-winded message, is that it's all about avoiding any risk. Muzzle the dog everytime you take him out and don't leave him unattended. But don't get rid of him. He loves you and needs you.

[seeker]

Get rid. He bit someone unprovoked.

[WhatTheCatDraggedIn]

dogs are for security, he must have picked this up

Er, no. Dogs are not that clever. If I moved with my dog to your town he would not change unless I trained him to change.

Back to training, muzzle if necessary and do not leave him unattended.

[GreatEXPATations]

Thx everyone v helpful. Will call the trainer and avoid leaving unattended from now on

[SnoopyKnine]

I apologise if this sound harsh but to me this is the reality. You are at fault here not the dog.

You have not trained or socialised your dog eg did not continue with training classes when it got difficult, You left your dog unattended when he was scared. He bites and reacts with fear and he is considered unfit and may get put down Hmm poor dog!!!!

He needs you to help him out big time.......It is your responsibility to start considering your dogs needs. He needs training, he needs socialising, he needs support.

This can be turned around so easily. Call the trainer find out a way to reward your dog - "the unresponsive at training" is that you have not found out what makes your dog happy - once that is worked out training is so easy. Training will help improve his self confidence and a confident dog will not need to be aggressive you will have a better relationship with him. A win win situation.

[GreatEXPATations]

I know, Snoopy, I know!

I admit I'm still learning - i have always seen dogs left on leads outside shops, so had thought nothing of it (and, ironically, was trying to avoid leaving him home alone!)

I shall get us both to training and keep you posted.

[GreatEXPATations]

training AGAIN that should have read. We did complete a full course of puppy training and had a couple of 1:1 follow-ups. I realise the urgency of building on this and following through on the training at home. I shall sort this.

[SnoopyKnine]

GreatEXPATations fantastic response. I am sure you will sort it. Good luck