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.

[MrsJayy]

The stuff he is eating stealing is high value to him have you tried to distract rather than take off him

[Owllady]

Have you spoken to your vet? :(
I'm an out and out dog lover and I don't think you need to feel at all guilty. I completely understand how you feel though, I'm sure we all do :(

[GazingAtStars]

Being pts is hardly the worst thing that can happen to a dog. Far better to have a peaceful end with his owner who loves him with him than to be sent off to live in a rehoming centre indefinitely.

Not saying this is what you should do by the way I know how hard it must be. Just that if you decide you can't keep him then considering the start he's had, pts is probably the kindest option

[MrsJayy]

Is there a Ridgeback rescue you could contact ? Or contact dogs trust for advice he really could do you a lot of damage it must be really stressful managing him

[NickiFury]

I absolutely would not have this. Would you live with a person that you never knew was going to go for you? I've had dogs all my life by the way.

[Sweetdisposition91]

Mrsjayy,
Distractions don't work when he is stealing food although I have just bought a pet correcter spray which he has been responding to but it'll only be a matter of time before the no longer becomes effective.
A time when he last bit me pretty bad was when gypsys had been over our local park and unbeknown to me left a load of food rubbish. He was off lead (very early morning no one else about don't worry!) ran over to the rubbish bins eating whatever he could. I always carry high quality treats and reward him every time he comes to me or does something good. I tried calling him, running away from him so far he was no longer in my sight, taking my other dog with me. Making noises, walking calmly towards him literally everything yet he kept running away from me frantically eating what he could. When I could finally get close to him, I very calmly went to clip his lead on to his collar, I didn't tell him it or anything only went to put his lead on and that's when he snapped bit me multiple times on my arm causing puncture wounds, and me in a complete upset state whilst he carried on eating what he could!

Trainers have advised the usual positive reinforcement, get him to sit and wait before everything, I eat first, I go through doors first all the usual stuff which I have always done. Back off calmly from him which I always do I have never hit him back although I sometimes feel like he bloody deserves it! I fear that if I Ever did he would get into a fight with me which I will never win.

[BellaGoth]

If I didn't have children, and stayed away from other people, I would keep him, but am have qualifications and experience in canine behaviour.

Has he been throughly vet checked? Are his allergies properly managed? What is he allergic to and what do you feed him? And what have behaviorists suggested so far? The pp is correct, dominance theory in dogs has been widely discredited and any rank reduction problem will probably do a lot more harm than good.

Has a full fear profile ever been done on your dog? He sounds very stressed.

[PikachuSayBoo]

I don't think you outpght to let a dog which bites off the lead unmuzzled in a public place.

[Sweetdisposition91]

Also I got my other dog through a ridgeback rescue and every one I meet always tells me how amazing I've done with him compared to when i first had him and I feel as though no one can offer me advice which I don't already do or haven't already tried

[BellaGoth]

Sorry, X post. You eating first, going through doors first comes under the heading of a rank reduction programme. This is not what you need and will quite possibly ly exacerbate the problem. If you don't mind pm'ing me your location and how far you're willing to travel I'd be happy to see if I can find a good behaviorist.

[Truckingalong]

I've always had border collies but the last one we had would bite. He was walked without a lead because he would never ever go up to anyone - he would do anything to avoid being near strangers, so he was very easy to manage. He would give you warning though and would never attack in an unpredictable way. If he had behaved in the same way as your dog, I would have pts. The risks you're taking are just not worth it. Being pts is so peaceful. Just like a general anaesthetic really. He will just drift quickly off.

[PikachuSayBoo]

I felt the same as Gazing. That for my dog being pts was a preferable alternative than being shipped off to a rehoming centre where to be honest the chances of him being refined were minimal. There's enough non biting dogs looking for homes. My dog would have been stressed, scared and not understand why he had been sent away. Instead we went to the vet after a nice walk and he died in my arms.

[Meadows76]

You definitely cant rehome a dangerous dog. That would be completely irresponsible. I think your only option is PTS. I had to do it with a pony about ten years or so ago and she wasn't even an old mare she was about 8 and we had bought her as a first ridden pony. She was an excellently schooled pony, and a great teacher but she was an absolute lunatic in the field. Dangerous to the point of everyone being scared to go for their horses. We felt we had no option as we couldn't pass her on.

[dodobookends]

You had him off the lead in a park and he didn't have a muzzle on? That's really not on, especially when you know that he attacks people.

[neonrainbow]

Absolutely not. He can't be happy either. And do not try and rehome you are just passing your problem onto some one else.

[Sweetdisposition91]

This is the thing in general he isn't a stressed out nervous dog.. if you met him out or if I took him away with me, so many people comment on what a lovely dog he is! He isn't a full on maniac it's like he just has another side to him!

Our vet only this year advised us he had a mild form of hay fever? He now gets an ante histamine a day.

I feed him skinners duck and rice with mixer in cooked meat and vegetables fish etc but have tried various (high quality) kibble over the years. Unfortunately I couldn't really afford to feed two big dogs on raw but he also is strangely a bit funny about raw meat any way.
What's a full fear profile? How do I go about getting this done?

He is walked on lead when other people are about and no one barely is about when and where we walk any way, and in general he isn't a danger to anyone else apart from his family (but I'm not naive to think that he would never bite someone so I am responsible about it just in case, or he goes out muzzled)

[Unicorncatsack]

I'd have him pts, I'm sorry The risk of him seriously harming another person is too great.

[Floralnomad]

Provided I could guarantee he wouldn't bite anyone else I'd persevere but our family have a history of owning some fairly unpredictable and deranged animals and keeping them until the bitter end and I accept we are not the norm .

[neonrainbow]

He really had to be pts you know this. You could never trust him again and every time you take him out our anyone comes into your home, you're placing other people at risk.

[GinIsIn]

I'm sorry - I am a big dog lover and lifelong dog owner, but this dog does need to be PTS. It is a dangerous dog, and it is hurting you. If it gets out and bites someone else, you are legally and morally responsible for that person's injuries. Is that something you could live with?

[TheoriginalLEM]

how awful for you.

i have had experience of aggressive dogs both professionally and personally and it really is scary.

I had a rescue rottie that was food aggressive and generally a bit unpredictable. We tried the behaviourist route and got no where.

One thing -don't take his food or toys away unlesd you have to. My dog used to crouch over his food and bare his teeth ' i like my arms attached to my body so we simply didn't take his food away. Over time his confidence increased and we were able to be near him when he ate.

How would you react if someone gave you food and then took it away or made you wait for permission to eat it.

So long as feet are on the floor id forgo the making him wait. Just relax and let h eat.

I also used to add things to his bowl and wouldn't clear away what he left. So my approach usually meant addition of food or treats.

All the advice in the world is great but if you feel scared of your dog you would not be unreasonable opting for pts. You have tried your best for him.

[Avengerhart85]

I'm sorry but I do agree with pp he really should be PTS he is too big and unpredictable and if he ever got out could cause serious damage to anyone who had food he wanted, if you keep him he should really be muzzled at all times out of the house to avoid any harm being done to other people/animals :(

[Garthmarenghi]

If you want to see a behaviourist I would recommend Vicky Kelly, who is based in Essex. I've used her and she was very helpful.

[Justwanttoweeinpeace]

No.

I'm sorry, you've worked so hard, but it's far too dangerous.

[Palomb]

No and you're negligent to not put the dog to sleep if it's that much of a danger.