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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

My dog tried to bite someone :-(

74 replies

superlambanana · 11/02/2014 19:30

I am SO upset. I absolutely adore my rescue Rottie. She has been a bit of a handful as she is scared of strangers and has backed away from them and given warning snaps (in the air) so we've tried positive reinforcement (getting visitors to give her treats), making sure she's not crowded or put into situations where she's nervous, (eg not leaning over her) and not letting others stroke her until she knows them well. We've also started using a Halti to stop her pulling on the lead.

Today DH was bringing her up the path and she apparently just went for the builder and got his trouser leg. She always barks her head off at people coming up the path and this seems to have got a bit worse recently but she has never, ever gone for anyone. DH had her on a short lead.

We are going to muzzle her every time we take her out but I'm just gutted. We can't afford behaviourist sessions, which would otherwise be my next step. We have a baby on the way in June I love my dog to bits and just want to sort it out. Does anyone have any advice? She is six and we've had her 18months.

OP posts:

Branleuse · 11/02/2014 22:52

youve done your best with the dog, but i think nows the time to say enoughs enough.
you cant reason with a dog, and it isnt a puppy.
i love dogs, but this dog stands a big risk of going for your baby

Original poster

superlambanana · 11/02/2014 23:02

I'm sorry if I missed anything out - I am upset and haven't done that intentionally. If it makes you feel better I have just had a big argument with DH as he and his parents think I'm overreacting and it will 'probably be fine', which I am not prepared to accept.

OP posts:

Original poster

superlambanana · 11/02/2014 23:05

And I completely accept that we should have done something before, and I am seriously regretting not because it's not fair on the dog (or us). We spoke to a behaviourist a while ago, who recommended we get her checked for physical symptoms - we did and after much investigation she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, so we focused our attention on sorting that out and, as per the behaviourist's advice, attributed the warning snaps to that. Clearly we were wrong. We started her on the Halti for pulling (which worked).

OP posts:

hercules1 · 11/02/2014 23:05

Said I wouldn't come back but you said on this thread she was fine around your friends baby but on an earlier thread said she wasn't.... You are deluding yourself.

tabulahrasa · 11/02/2014 23:10

I think you need to get her properly assessed and go from there - then you'll have an idea of what you need to do.

But I don't think you're overreacting at all...what could be a manageable issue with a small dog just can't be left with something as big and powerful as a rottie. The down side of having a large breed is that you do need to be more responsible than with smaller dogs, because the potential harm if something goes wrong is so much more serious.

It only took about 3 days to train my boy to wear a muzzle btw - video on muzzle training. A massive plus point with rotties is that they're very trainable and usually really easy to motivate with food.

Original poster

superlambanana · 11/02/2014 23:11

First time she was taken aback and it took her a while to settle but then was fine. Saw them again the other day and she didn't bat an eyelid even when I was holding the baby with it screaming its head off. I use lots of positive reinforcement when the baby (or anyone she doesn't know) is around.

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 11/02/2014 23:12

I've just seen your last post - don't rule out hip dysplasia as a cause just yet, mine has behavioural issues caused by pain, he associates the pain he gets with dogs and strangers that happen to be there when it hurts.

I'm not saying it is that, but it could be a factor still.

hercules1 · 11/02/2014 23:13

It's your baby. If you're okay with the risk for your own child then just make sure she always, always wears a muzzle outside to keep other peoples dc safe who haven't made the same decision.

hercules1 · 11/02/2014 23:16

Where were you when you held the baby?

Original poster

superlambanana · 11/02/2014 23:18

In my lounge with the dog curled up on the floor - why?

OP posts:

hercules1 · 11/02/2014 23:24

How about her fear of toddlers?

hercules1 · 11/02/2014 23:26

Actually, I apologise to you. I have become necessarily annoyed at this thread and am making low shots now. Best of luck and hope all works out well for all.

hercules1 · 11/02/2014 23:27

Unnecessarily.

fackinell · 11/02/2014 23:37

Sorry but I agree with the others, much as you love your dog you need to rehome. I'm not a 'dangerous dog' hater, all animals have the potential to harm, regardless of breed. It's all in the early training and treatment. I couldn't risk it. Especially in light of the news today.

Original poster

superlambanana · 11/02/2014 23:40

Thanks Hercules, appreciated. We currently don't let her anywhere near toddlers and haven't since we realised they scare her - something I'll talk to the behaviourist about, as clearly we won't be able to do that for much longer.

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fackinell · 11/02/2014 23:46

Meant to add, my friend had a lovely Rottie but she went for her baby and she rehomed within her family with no young kids. Children can annoy the life out of pets and large dogs have so much power behind them. I really feel for you and you beloved pet. It's not easy but I think you know what you need to do. Rehome

Whoknowswhocares · 11/02/2014 23:48

I feel really sorry for you, it's an awful situation.
However, you need to think very carefully. You will inevitably have more people visiting and once your baby is older, friends with children too.
Even if the baby stage is ok, your dog is scared of toddlers. From nine months on, DDog will have to contend with a crawling baby, intent on grabbing her. The vigilance needed generally would be wearing enough, but the constant worry of keeping them apart for you and the stress your poor dog will endure in sharing space with a scary shrieking toddler......and it's visiting playmates? Not fair to the dog either imo.

As heartbreaking as it is, your dog will be happier in a quiet child free home

Original poster

superlambanana · 13/02/2014 19:31

Just an update - I spoke to the rescue centre at length and explained all the issues and the situation. They were very supportive and said they're happy for us to work with the dog - they would take her back if we felt unable to cope, and if she'd turned on one of us would recommend it, but said that contacting a behaviourist was a good next step and think we can sort it out. Also spoke to our vet, who knows the dog, and she has referred us to an APBC member who is apparently one of the top behaviour specialist vets in the country (and is conveniently up the road!). We are now training the dog with a new, more comfortable muzzle in the meantime. Just checking out insurance and will hopefully be covered for it.

OP posts:

TwittyMcTwitterson · 13/02/2014 19:43

I haven't read all your replies so may be repeating etc.

I have a rottie. He is by far the best dog I have ever seen with a child. He's perfect but he is not a rescue dog and is not nervous of strangers.

I think you would be best to give her back to the rescue. A rescue dog is never a cut and dry case. You can train her to be better but you can't train it out of her. Something could make her scared in an instant and your baby pays the price. Better safe than sorry

picnicinthewoods · 13/02/2014 19:44

That sounds positive:) I hope the problem gets sorted, although I should tell you that working with a dog with behaviour problems is a long road, there are no magic wands. We have a fearful golden who growls and barks at strangers but never air snapped or tried to bite. It will be different with every dog and every situation but just wanted to offer support, it is so so hard rehabilitating a fearful dog. My children are 8 and 7 and I never leave them alone with the dog, not for a second. I can't easily invite their friends around either. I wish you the very best of luck with this:)

picnicinthewoods · 13/02/2014 19:48

We have APBC behaviour support too. I must admit that if my children were babies or toddlers I don't think I would be able to keep a fearful dog, it is only the fact that they are older and can follow instructions that means I can do this.

Greenmug · 18/02/2014 07:04

I'm sorry, I know you love your dog but I can't believe you are even considering keeping this dog in your circumstances. I really can't.

doglover33 · 18/02/2014 22:49

Glad you are getting this problem sorted.
Luckily she only grabbed his trouser leg... she obviously was doing it as a warning if she meant him harm she would of easily ripped his leg off.
I think you are doing the right thing , im happy you are not considering putting him down a lot of people use this as a quick resolve when infact its NOT!! would these put down a relative that attacked someone....I think not. Wish you and your family including your gorgeous rottie all the best.

NumptyNameChange · 19/02/2014 15:12

OP make sure you tell the behaviourist EVERYTHING. that it has snapped at several people, that the behaviour has been escalating over time, that she is afraid of toddlers, that she still isn't lead trained, etc.

you will seriously regret it if you give half the picture, therefore don't get the right advice and end up with either the guilt of your child injured or the guilt of the dog biting someone and having to be destroyed.

IF there was a decent, experienced with the breed, no children home for the dog to go to i think you would be best to send it there.

if i was you i would talk to the rescue again and ask them if such a home exists to their knowledge and if they'd be willing to search for one. if you knew for sure the dog was going to a good home that could address it's need without undue risk you may feel differently about letting it move on.

on a random note though i'm curious as to whether this behaviour started after you got pregnant? sounds crazy but i had a cat who got very weird when i was pregnant as if it could smell it or something, who was totally freaked out the night that i went to bed happy enough and wondering why it was being weird only to wake a few hours later with my waters breaking and going straight into active labour. mind you that cat also was hell bent on attacking my son and would not be deterred from his loathing and clear distress at my having had a baby. fortunately i got him from an excellent breeder who takes back her animals for life and rehomes where possible, where not she keeps them. he eventually went to a single man with no children who lived very quietly in a flat due to a disability and they were the perfect match. sometimes it is the best thing to let an animal move on.

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