Would you put up with a dog that bites?

[Sweetdisposition91]

Hi,
My dog in question is a 5 year old Rhodesian ridgeback. I've owned him since he was 9 months old, he was very nervous aggressive, aggressive to strangers, hadn't been socialised, dominant etc.
I took him training classes, made him experience all different kinds of social situations (whilst muzzled!) and gradually over time he became a confident dog who enjoys human attention. However, there has always been on going issues and I've never met another dog like him!

He has bitten me various times over the past 5 years, causing me to bleed, scar etc. Although he does growl at certain times, every time he has bitten me he gives no warning, and goes into a frenzy attack where he will grab my arm/hand 3/4 times before he calms down. I have seen some behaviourists with no such luck as there is no specific triggers, although it is predominantly when I try to stop him from doing something or over food if he shouldn't be eating it (but will let me take bones and food off him under a normal circumstance)

So basically, has anyone had any experiences of dogs that unfortunately will always have this side to them? a trainer told me this and said I just have to manage him!

And would you just put up with it?

I honestly can't ever see him changing as it's not just me he has also bitten my mum and brother. I love him so much but it's getting to a point where I am now becoming scared of him in certain situations which I know will never end well!

Please be gentle with me as I feel embarrassed to admit this and I am a responsible dog owner when it comes to walking him etc.

[powershowerforanhour]

I agree with smiling about breeds and breed history. Having a job big game hunting and guarding in Zimbabwe is not for a soft dog. Patterdales and Kerry Blues are hard hunting dogs- fox and badger dogs. Shar Pei and Akitas were fighting and guarding breeds; Rotties were guarding dogs and hard enough to drive cattle as were Corgis I believe (you need a harder dog for driving cattle than heading sheep).
I have met some lovely gentle kindly examples of all the above breeds but also some who would absolutely nail you given the chance, and I think they are on average much less forgiving than, say poodles or spaniels of imperfect upbringing or an inability to read and respond appropriately to subtle behavioural signs.
I'd love to have a Dutch Shepherd or Malinois, I think they're superb dogs. But I know my limits- I'm still a bit too sloppy with training to own one, and I don't have enough time or motivation to work one properly and consistently for years, at least not now. So these big gorgeous smart working breeds will be a pipe dream for me, perhaps forever.

[powershowerforanhour]

I disagree with trying to rehome/sending to a shelter. The odds of you finding a permanent home with someone good enough to take on a ruined (before you got him) large breed dog that has shown aggression for years, turn him around and manage him such that owner, dog, friends, family and general public live happily and safely ever after are very, very small. The chances of the dog being miserable and even more dangerous are high. PTS would be kinder for the dog and safe for everyone.

[Ilovemygsd]

Sorry if I've missed it in this massive post, but what are his protein levels like in his food? And has he been neutered?
Apprantly that helps with fear aggression. Mine is booked in. The vet mentioned protein levels to me and I changed my dog onto grain and gluten free balanced raw diet a year ago, He has been much better. His allergies have almost gone and that alone has made him much less stressed. He's never bitten any1 but does need a muzzle for the vets. I know the muzzle training is a nightmare, especially with a big dog but you'll both be much less stressed when it's done. Mine actually gets excited for his a bit now :) fingers crossed you sort it out, couldn't imagine possibility of putting my dog down

[Ilovemygsd]

leadchanges.net/dogs-diet/

[shockingsocks]

I have heard of artificial colourings and preservatives in some dog food causing some dogs to behave aggressively in seemingly random ways and I think Cheesy's comment about finding a tumour post mortem is also worth noting. The behaviour you describe is really, really odd. My ridgeback really tried to dominate me when we got him - saw himself as #2 after dh, and it was a battle for quite a while, so I worry that if you're becoming scared of him, that he will sense it and dominate even more.

[SauvignonPlonker]

I don't think OP will come back to the thread. She genuinely hadn't considered PTS as an option & was shocked by the responses suggesting this was for the best.

I don't think she was being honest with herself & kept backtracking/minimising the dog's behaviour. She was very much in denial.

Am just glad I don't live anywhere near her & won't encounter her at a Playpark, allowing children to pet her dangerous dog unmuzzled & off lead - which was happening. I think we'll read about hers in the newspapers.