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Original poster

Think we might have to rehome our dog.....

25 replies

ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 17:55

we've had him about 2 months and he's lovely BUT he bit our babysitter last week - didn't draw blood. we had left 10 minutes previously and she raised her hand to stroke him, he went for her arm.
Then yesterday a friend came to visit, dog was in the front garden, started barking, as i went to get teh door, saw our friend offer his hand for dog to sniff and the dog just bit it! again didn't draw blood but there was no hesitation at all. I think he thinks he's protecting us.
I think we have to rehome him, altho i'm gutted to have to do so as we can't risk him biting DS1 or DS2 or one of their friend.

OP posts:
bamboobutton · 09/05/2010 17:58

how old is the dog?

is he a rescue dog that might have been abused?

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:00

he's 2 in july.

i thought he could have been but previous owner has assured me that they owned him from 8 weeks and no history of aggression- but then he was kept in the kitchen/garden so never saw guests/visitors. I contacted them first to check.

OP posts:
bamboobutton · 09/05/2010 18:04

looks like the previous owners lied then!

dog will be teenager now so will will be naughty (my sisters dog was still jumpy and bitey at 2)

have you gone to any training classes? i would try that first before rehoming.

tiredlady · 09/05/2010 18:06

tbh whether you leave the children with him attended or unattended is immaterial.

If he decides to bite your dcs for no reason he could easily do that with you in the room.

I am sure someone will come along with advice about training classes etc, and were you childless that might be a good idea. However,he wont be cured overnight, and I'm sure you would feel really shit if he went for one of your dcs in the meantime

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:07

do you think it's worth the risk keeping him?
that's where I'm torn- my head is saying rehome now before it escalates, my heart is saying give him another chance.
He was really going mad , he freaks everytime someone comes near the house. the postman leaves the post by the gate now.
The breed is not known for being aggressive or 'guard dog' like so I'm wondering if it's fear aggression.
Would training classes fix that?

OP posts:
Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:08

Sorry-should have said, haven't been to classes with him yet. He's not good with other male dogs altho i've jsut had him done so hoped that would help.

OP posts:
Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:09

x-post tired!

You're right, I would be distraught. they are only little.

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 09/05/2010 18:09

Where did she go to stroke him? Top of the head rather than below the chin?
I never leave my dogs in the front garden. As you say he was put in postition of guarding and so that's what he did.
PErhaps you need to research before you ever think of getting another animal again.

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:09

He hasn't been allowed hear them since the babysitter incident. I said to DH I wouldn't want to risk it, just a few seconds is all it takes.

OP posts:
Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:11

Rainbow- yes top of the head.

Kids play in the back garden. and they are loud and fast, i didn't want him to get overexcited. He's still young so very bouncy.

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 09/05/2010 18:11

Why on earth would you buy a dog without knowign any of it's history, you have small children, it's doign what you woudl expect it to do considering it's background, you are now goign to pass the problem on to someone else without even having tried getting in help. BEggars belief.

Yes, you should rehome it but to a reputable place rather than selling it on. Make sure it goes somewhere who will vet future homes to make sure this doesnt happen again.

rainbowinthesky · 09/05/2010 18:12

It's an aggressive action to do to a dog. Most confident dogs are fine with it but I would never do this to a dog I didnt know well.

bamboobutton · 09/05/2010 18:14

if it's fear aggression then something definitely happened at the previos owners house.

how did you end up buying the dog? newspaper ad?

i think i would rehome if it's fear aggression rather than just a boisterous dog, too risky.

dogs trust don't put dogs down.

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:18

i did check the history. met the owners. believed that he was bomb proof etc. he has been great until the thing with the babysitter.

I've contacted his breed's rescue society. i think he would get worse in kennels.
I'm not selling him on. it wouldn't be fair on next owner.

Saw him on preloved.

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 09/05/2010 18:20

Owners wishing to sell a dog lie. You've had him for such a short time of course it's going to be hard work and effort. We've had our dogs since puppies but still have to be persistent in training etc. You were told the dog hadnt been socialised and yet you left it in the front garden...

Missus84 · 09/05/2010 18:21

The dog in the front garden biting is understandable - most dogs would react if a stranger came into their territory while they were on their own like that.

bamboobutton · 09/05/2010 18:23

but it's their version of his history, iyswim.

how long did you spend with the dog before buying him?
it would be so easy to stage manage it so he looked like a nice dog.

i would look for a rescue place that doesn't put dogs down (rspca will pts), they will train him and make sure he goes to a suitable home.

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:25

We were told the dog was friendly and he was fine when we (strangers) met him, it's only when I contacted them to check about any history of aggression that I realised he had been shut up alot of the time.

Thanks for your advice. I wanted another perspective and I got it.
I wanted to know if there was any hope of 'training' it out of him or whether it wasn't worth the risk.

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 09/05/2010 18:25

Of course he can be trained but it will take effort and time.

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 09/05/2010 18:27

Spent about an hour, took him for a walk, met the family etc.

I've contacted his breed rescue society-i'm waiting to hear back. They have foster homes with more experienced owners.

If that fails, there is a place near us with a non-pts sleep policy.

He is such a lovely dog in other aspects , i really don't want him to go but I can't risk him being triggered by goodness-knows-what and biting one of my kids or one of their little friends.

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 09/05/2010 18:30

This dog needs help, not necessarily a new home. If he has a problem he is going to have a problem go with him and unless you are lucky enough to find someone willing to take on a potentially snappy dog and deal with it this is not going to solve his problems and he is going to wind up being put to sleep . I think your best hope for a sucessful rehomeing would be through a rescue centre as the chances of finding a suitable individual yourself experienced with such behavioural issues is very small indeed. Much as you dislike the idea of him being in a kennel environment at least most rescue centres are experienced in dealing with behaviour problems and have access to professional help.

If you want to try and help him yourself then you need to contact your vet asap and get a behaviour referral for him. If he is insured then the chances are this will be covered by the insurance policy you have.

bamboobutton · 09/05/2010 18:31

i think it would be best to rehome with experienced owners.

fear based aggression is too unpredictable a risk with young children around.

bumpsoon · 11/05/2010 10:04

I think this dog is very lucky to have eneded up with you ,get him to the breed rescue ,where he will be fostered by someone with more experience and probably time too . Just out of interest what breed is he?

Original poster
ihavenewsockson · 11/05/2010 10:24

Northern Inuit. Agression is completely unknown in them.

Breed rescue won't take him as he has no papers

I have an acquaintence who is a retired behaviourist, she's a farmer and used to take dogs on and rehabilitates them- so cures sheep worrying, lack of socialisation, pulling on lead etc. She might take him, she's ringing me back today.
Would be fabulous if she did,she said it could take a few months to get him well socialised but it would mean a much happier dog and no need for him to go into rescue!!

OP posts:
midori1999 · 11/05/2010 12:57

I think this is something for which you need the advice of a good behaviourist who uses positive re-inforcement/learning methods and doesn't even mention domincance or pack theory. Try looking on www.apdt.co.uk

The dog hasn't drawn blood or done any damage. If it wanted to, it would have done. That suggests to me that the dog does have some bite inhibition and maybe hasn't learnt when play biting is or isn't appropriate. Or, maybe it felt threatened, has been told off for growling and so progressed to giving a 'warning' snap. It could be many, many things, but I doubt the dog thought it was protecting you.

You really need professional help, but in your position I would be inclined to keep the dog at least for now, but not to take any risks with it both for the sake of my children and the dog. So, keep the dog physically seperated from the children when they are up and in the house, behind a stairgate or closed door if you need to. Or allow the dog to be in the room and muzzled, although if you do this I would absolutely ensure the dog makes positive associations with the children and muzzle, so maybe feed him treats through the muzzle when the children are nearby. Do not allow the children to be over bearing around the dog, or 'cuddle' him etc.

Most of all, you need proper professional help, and in your home would be best, not sending him off somewhere.

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