Help me with the pain and decision of rehoming

[fizzingbubbleseffervescence]

I absolutely adore our dog. She's very loving in the house to me and the kids, she has excellent obedience and training in terms of sitting, waiting, recall and toileting. But she keeps biting me when out on walks. We've taken her to puppy classes (she's 14 months old), we've worked with two one-one trainers, she's had a check up at the vet, we've had two behaviourists give their advice and she even spent time with a trainer in his home for a week. We've spent thousands of pounds and tried just about every method advised. But nothing seems to crack this problem. The biting can be at any time at all during the walk, whether she's run her legs off or is near the beginning. It can be off lead or on lead. Some walks are perfect and it doesn't happen. But when it does its like she's gone mad, she gets into a jumping biting frenzy and she's a big 40kg dog and I really struggle to stop her doing it. She's growling and tugging the lead as she does this and it's very frightening. But when we get home she's lovely again and it's like nothing happened. My arms and legs are covered in bruises (but strangely never blood?). I feel like I could put up with this if it was just me (it's only ever been just me she's done it to) but I'm so frightened it could happen to the kids or someone outside our family. All the professionals she's worked with say how lovely she is and how she's unlikely to do it to anyone else, they say she's being a teenager and taking her angst out on me. But can I take that risk? It's been happening for a year now and I'm becoming a nervous wreck.

We found a breed specific rescue centre who've said they can take her in, train her and give her to a more experienced dog owner. But the kids are absolutely devastated and I'm the villain as she's only attacking me.

Please talk to me about what to do and how to deal with the guilt and pain. The idea of handing her over and the kids sobbing destroys me.

What breed is she?

She sounds like she is getting over stimulated/excited? When our dog gets really worked up he can mouth. We stand literally stock still until he calms. No interaction what so ever. My guess is you've already tried this.

Also 14 months is still very young depending on the breed.

If this is your only problem I’d keep working through it , she’s still a very young dog .

I had exactly this problem with my 40kg rescue lurcher. I was black and blue and he was breaking the skin. Didn't do it to DH just me.

What advice have you been given so far? The rescue told us it was because he was bored and needed tiring out and stimulating. The behaviourist observed him for 5 mins and said he was clearly massively over stimulated instead. So we took him out when there'd be minimal distractions. Same walk everytime so he could get used to it. Bum bag full of treats to reward him every time he saw something new- doggy, bird, car. This was lots of treats! I broke my wrist at the same time (not the dog's fault!) So DH did walks for a few weeks, then accompanied me so he could take the lead if Ddog started being an arse. We got the harness she recommended as 1)he couldn't escape, 2)it covered more of him so it felt comforting. If he got antsy we'd stop and put him between our legs so he could feel secure. Sometimes 30 seconds would do, sometimes he needed 10 mins.

At home, compulsory naps. Lead on while we were sitting on the sofa so he couldn't get up and wander off. Games permitted at set times. We practiced flitting- so us moving from one room to another for no reason, just standing there and going back to sit down. This was to teach him that he wouldn't miss out if he wasnt following us all day and he didn't need to seek every bit of stimulation going.

We also worked on a firm down when he was excited eg people coming into the house which we could use outside as well.

It took about a month before things really improved. He started sleeping most of the morning and afternoon. Now he walks so nicely and will sit at my side when we talk to people while we are out. He's still jumpy when other dogs rush up to him but now just nudges my hand when they've gone to get his treat rather than try to bite through my coat.

I think growing up helped as well. He was 14 months when we got him. He's just turned 2 now and less of a teenage arsehole.

Good luck with finding the key to unlock this. I know how big an impact this behaviour can have.

I don't know if you have tried this but I had the same with my rescue dog when he was 10-12 months. We took him back to the rescue centre for advice and they were brilliant. Two things helped.

1. No off-lead walks in open parks/fields, just along woodland paths. He got over excited in open spaces.

1. Bring a soft toy (no squeaker) to give him to carry if he started to get over excited. Then he wouldn't try to bite because he didn't want to drop the toy.

Good luck!

Our boxer was like this at roughly same age, he totally regressed and became a nightmare on walks and sometimes at home if I tried to move him he would bite me- never drew blood it was more mouthing me, if he wanted to rip my hand off I'm sure he could. We used distraction technique until he eventually stopped. We bought a can of air that I'd squirt and the pssst sound would get his attention and snap him out of it and he would stop playing up.

I think the advice given above sounds excellent. The only other thing I can think of is to pay an experienced dog walker (solo walks) perhaps a change of person would break the habit.

I know you have spent a lot of money already.

I have a lurcher puppy who also does this when she is over stimulated. I tend to put her in her crate with the cover over it and minimal toys just to calm down. She whimpers for about 5 seconds and falls asleep.

This is sortable. Probably over stimulation and needs redirecting and managing out of it. You need to work with someone who shows you how to control your dog. With the right lead and techniques this can be stopped instantly and training can go on until it doesn’t happen. You shouldn’t be left bruised - no wonder you are so worried. If the people you have worked with haven’t helped find someone else.

Can someone other than you do the walks?

Is it your first dog OP? Looking back to my first so many things I thought were her actually were me because learning how to manage dogs is more than training h individual commands - it’s a whole philosophy really and it takes time. Things that seem hard with your first get much easier as you get better too. Dogs are like children in their variety though but most grow up great!

I know you are asking how to overcome the guilt. I think if you do try these things and still no luck, then just know you have absolutely done your very best and she was lucky to have you for part of your life. The children will be upset, but it’s possible if you get another dog, it won’t be a long lasting thing.

Funny enough I pet sat a lurcher who also would jump and bite at my arms (no blood just bruises). It didn’t endear me to him.

Ours still does that very occasionally when he’s over excited. Standing still and a firm “stop”, does stop him in his tracks now he’s almost two. They do calm down.

Start showing you are alpha more. Make sure you always go through doors first. Make him wait for his food after you’ve put it down etc. Practice a deep, stern voice.

Yes, the can of air really worked for us when he was younger. Just make sure you don’t direct it straight at them.

I’m not experienced enough to give advice but my heart goes out to you, its tough to make a decision.

But for everyone’s safety, including the dog’s don’t let it off lead on walks!

You have seen an awful lot of people in a very short space of time.

I would stick with one method and give it more time

I would use a harness and head collar which will give you total control of her head and not enable her to turn to bite you.

I agree with several PPs. Your dog sounds overstimulated so I'd stick with quiet, calm walks in familiar places for now. If she isn't drawing blood, is it more like rough mouthing than actual biting? And is the growl a play growl?

I can understand how frustrating it must be, but in some ways it may be a habit your dog has developed and breaking a habit can take time. Sadly, many dogs are rehomed during the teenage phase, because it can certainly be a challenging time. But many of them could grow into lovely family pets. In your shoes I think I would continue working with her rather than rehoming.

That sounds like over excited play type behaviour and not aggression. I'm sure it feels like aggression, but it's much closer to the behaviour of a toddler after a party where there's been ALL the sugar and ALL the playing.

I reckon it'll settle with age, if given half a chance.

Why not muzzle train the dog, and muzzle for every walk? Then you've no guilt over rehoming, no risk of being bitten, the less they're able to practice the behaviour - you may find in a few months you don't need the muzzle. I can't believe none of the behaviourists have suggested this?

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your responses. You've really surprised me actually, I thought you'd tell me I was mad to think twice about rehoming a bitey dog. You've encouraged me to try a bit longer.

I'll try and answer some of your questions.

This is what I've been recommended by the trainers so far:

Standing stock still and ignoring the behaviour/saying no in a firm voice - very hard to do when a huge dog's teeth are knashing towards your face so I probably haven't given this method enough time to make a difference.

Hitting her firmly on the nose - the breeder told me to do this but I just can't, I love her and I don't have it in me.

Repellant spray, coins in a metal jar - recommended by a 'balanced' trainer and worked at first to shock her out of it but now makes her more angry.

Ignoring her in the house, being alpha all the time, no cuddles ever - recommended to me by the balanced trainer. Makes sense but also, what's the point in having a pet? She loves cuddles.

Scattering food every time the behaviour starts - recommended to me by both behaviourists and one positive trainer. It worked occasionally to distract her but often she went back to biting. It always felt a bit wrong, like I was rewarding and reinforcing the behaviour.

Prong collar to eradicate pulling and give corrections when she starts biting (recommended to us by the residential trainer who also wants to try an ecollar). Haven't tried these yet as they seem a bit extreme.

I agree with the poster who said I probably haven't stuck with any one method for long enough. I just don't want to pick the wrong method and stick with it if that makes sense.

Please feel free to critique or expand on any of the above methods if they've worked for you or if you think they're hideous!

Thanks to those who shared their similar experiences with overstimulation and excitement. I always feel I have to make everything enriching for her to I'll try to do the same on lead walk to bring her arousal levels down. In the house we had to stop any 'fun' (games of tug etc) as she would get bitey so it fits the pattern.

The professionals have never suggested a muzzle. I did try a baskerville once and she managed to get it off in one of her frenzies but I'll try again.

Here are photos of some of the bites in case it helps

She sounds like she is peak teenager, has she had a season yet?

All dogs have their own personalities. She sounds light a flighty, over sensitive one. Was she the fun give it 110% one of the litter?

You have met some crap trainers. Anyone who suggests a e-collar should have it attached to their bollocks.

Standing still tends to work but it is bloody boring for the owner.

Scattering food works, but you have to get in quick at the first sign of her being a lout. You want to distract not reward bad behaviour as you have noticed.

Never hit a dog, they are equipped with rather effective cutlery.

Vets can provide you with the details of reputable trainer, if you have insurance it may even pay.

Do try a muzzle.

Is there another adult in the house to share the load with?

What general region are you in? Some people here might have regional link that are helpful.

My arse of a dog used to behave similarly, now she is three life is much better. Some dogs just have demanding personalities.

Bottom line is, your family must be safe.

Ouch! mine were a bit like that, but with puncture marks as well.

Totally agree with the standing still while a giant dog tries to bite you is unrealistic- might work with a small one, but mine is as tall as me on his hind legs and rather more daunting! I found standing on the lead easier- stopped the jumping up. Then I'd stand there til he'd calmed. If he started up again once I moved off then we went back to me standing on the lead.

I tried a muzzle, but the one I got rubbed on his poor nose. I was going to try a different kind, but he'd started improving at that point. Our vet uses a soft one that looks like it would have been better.

I'll admit to knowing nowt about dog behaviour but I'd think tapping her nose or making a noise might just ramp up stimulation rather than calm down.

We were definitely doing too much with DDog- boredom turned out to be the thing he needed so he could adjust to new things in his own time. I've got ADHD so I started treating him like I want when I've got sensory overwhelm- we'd go home and have a nice treat as a reward for putting up with the outside world

if you are in the NE I can give you the name of the lady who helped us- she was excellent.