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.

[RaveclawZia13]

There is a rescue centre called Oakwood Dog Rescue. They are in Hull but as far as I'm aware they have never put a dog to sleep they work to home them in the most suitable home with ongoing training. You could always give them a call and see if they can offer you any advice.

[BabyGanoush]

How difficult for you.

My aunt had an airdale terrier who behaved like this.

It got worse progressively, we stopped visiting her.

One day, when she had been out longer than usual, the dog pinned her down when she came home and started biting her face.

She went to hospital, the dog was pts

With some dogs you just have to cut your losses

[BellaGoth]

Ok, I'm no doubt going to get flamed here, but I absolutely would not take your dog to Vicki Kelly, or anybody else who still believes the outdated and widely discredited ideas of pack theory / dominance theory. There is plenty of evidence that Amichien Bonding is ineffective and often dangerous, have a quick Google.

[bimandbam]

I would 100% pts. You can never guarantee that he won't seriously hurt you or someone else. In fact I would say a dog that size and that reactive is quite likely to seriously hurt or even kill someone. It must be like living with an unexploded bomb.

Have you considered when would happen if he ever got injured and needed treatment. You would be risking your own and any veterinary staff by taking him for treatment. What happens if he escapes one day and gets hold of a child?

He needs to be pts to protect everyone not just yourself.

[devilinmyshoes]

Has he been fully checked out by a vet, thyroid function, epilepsy?

[devilinmyshoes]

Vet might be willing to prescribe antidepressants and or benzos, if you haven't already tried these.

[Booboostwo]

Are you taking this dog's behavior seriously? I am worried that you are minimizinghow dangerous he is. Why was he allowed off lead and unmuzzled in a public place?

There may be someone, somewhere who can deal with such a difficult dog but he seems well beyond the abilities of a decent owner to deal with. You know what you must do, now you need to build up your courage to do it before he does anything even worse.

[Sweetdisposition91]

He has had his cruciate ligament operated on and has to be sedated for serious things looked at however he had his booster injections today he's never good at the vets and always is muzzled as he will go for them when he feels scared or nervous.
Haven't tried antidepressants and not heard of benzos I will read about them thank you.
I guess it's hard hearing everyone suggest pts as the rest of the time although he can be hard work and generally naughty, he is a big sop the rest of the time that's what makes it so hard, as after an outburst he is back to his big baby self.. if it was an every day occurrence the decision would probably be a lot easier.
Thank you all for your input

[devilinmyshoes]

Have you ever spoken to the vet about the aggression? There are lots of things they can look at, maybe some neural thing going on but they should at least check thyroid function as autoimmune thyroid conditions are a common cause of this sort of thing.

[devilinmyshoes]

I wouldn't have him put to sleep without fully investigating all possible medical causes! 😮

[ozymandiusking]

I find it extremely difficult to understand how, after yet another child has died and one hospitalised you haven't yet come to the conclusion that your dog needs to be put to sleep.
You say you have seen behaviourists and not much progress. You must realise the responsibility you have. This dog could really damage you or your husband. I know it's hard, but get on with it and take it the vet.

[Amandahugandkisses]

"Big softie"
Hmm. Right.

[ShmooBooMoo]

I would exhaust every other avenue before I would pts.

[everythingis]

I couldn't keep a dog like that I couldn't take the responsibility. You have tried your best. My daft spaniel bites occasionally but with a distinct warning growl and only after very definite provocation (by my 3 year old poking him in the eye usually). That my limit of what I could tolerate and I had a rescue previously who needed all kinds of extra support because of the cruelty she has experienced

[GeorgeTheThird]

I'm so sorry op, you've obviously done all you can. But he has to go. Because if/when he really injures someone else, maybe blinds them, you will know that you ignored many many warning signs. And you shouldn't have to live with that. So he has to go.

[Sweetdisposition91]

Amanda, I said big sop as in soppy which he is the rest of the time, I am trying to paint the bigger picture of him.
Also I do not have children and he is never around children any way, unless it's in a forest in the summer when he is on a lead and muzzled, and has never shown signs of aggression towards children when they have randomly ran up to him to stroke him! Like I said, to a random person they would think he's a gorgeous big boy who loves attention, this is why I posted as I have never known a dog to be like this before.

[Sweetdisposition91]

Devil,
Would a thyroid issue cause aggression then? He would find it hard to lose weight with a thyroid issue wouldn't he?
As he's been on a successful on going diet which came off gradually

[Ylvamoon]

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!

^I know, you want the best for the dog, but if you are scared, uncomfortable or nervous around him, than he is not the right dog for you. Further more, he will sense how you feel and act accordingly- in his case biting. Even if you are not aware of it, you will be under constant tension around your dog, avoiding the triggers for his biting. Not healthy for both of you!
Please be aware, that you are responsible for the dog and if he bites other people you are liable- especially if he is known to bite. He is an accident waiting to happen.
For your own safety and the dogs happiness, he should be pts. This is also to stop him from being passed around from person to dog home to rescue centre.
Think about it, there are so many animals in rescue shelters, that are safe and waiting for a loving home... ^

[wellhereweare]

I've had lots of dogs with issues. Some from pups and some as adults.

It's just no bloody fun once you know they're capable of biting.

It's so dangerous.

[devilinmyshoes]

It's really not unusual in dogs, it should be one of the first things to check out. I don't know about weight but it definitely causes mood swings and unpredictable behaviour - there are dozens of possible reasons for that kind of behaviour but I'd certainly rule out obvious and treatable (not expensive either) conditions like that.

[allthatnonsense]

He is dangerous and unpredictable. I think that you know what needs to be done.

I'm so sorry, it sounds as if you've tried your best. This isn't your fault.

[Blackfellpony]

I have a fear aggressive dog. She would lunge at and nip a stranger or strange dog if frightened.

However I would draw the line at showing aggression at family or in the home and would have her Pts. For some reason biting me would feel so much worse than anyone else, almost like a betrayal in some way!

[Soupandasandwich]

Sorry, but you sound completely irresponsible. How many more times do you, your mum or brother have to be bitten? And not just 'nipped'(though that would be bad enough), but bitten badly enough to draw blood and cause scarring. Allowing him off the lead, unmuzzled is wrong. In the circumstances you describe, if someone else had appeared, your dog wouldn't have returned to you to have his muzzle put on and then you can't guarantee the safety of anyone else. If your dog did bite someone else, not only would he likely be pts but you would more than likely be prosecuted. Better to do the right thing now, whilst you have some control over it, rather than having the decision taken out of your hands and being even more stressful for the dog.

[LaPharisienne]

I would have him put down. And if that's what you choose to do, you should feel confident that you're doing the responsible thing - he could never be rehomed.

[Amandahugandkisses]

I'm sorry sweet I didn't mean to sound sarky but I really have little time for people with dogs like yours. He doesn't give warning signs with is honestly a huge red flag here. He has bitten. Honestly your dog is not safe and it's not fair on anyone.
I shouldn't post on threads like these. My sister has lifelong facial scarring from a "big softie".
Every dog who has bitten and wounded/ killed was called a big softie once. I can't bear it.