I am so sad because I was suddenly attacked by my own dog that I love very much. His name is Max and he is a German Shepherd. We've had him since he was eight weeks old and he's four and a half years old now. It is difficult for me to make the decision to put him down, but even the pound asked me why I still have him because they said it could be dangerous for me, my family, and the people around me. They are not giving me any options, because they said that if they catch him outside, I will be charged $1000 dollars.
So please, if anyone can help me I will greatly appreciate it. I know inside in my heart that he is a nice dog and he can be saved by someone that can help him. Thank you for reading this message.
Karla
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Be really careful. I was in this situation. We adopted a great dog who was fear aggressive. He was fine with us but would get scared and nippy around noisy children (even though I had children) and strangers. I did a lot of work to socialize him, but eventually he bit someone out of the blue (a single tooth went in) and that person took my home-owners insurance company to court. If it hadn't been the first reported bite, the insurance company wouldn't have covered him. I had to put the dog to sleep and pay a ton of money to have him quarantined first, even though he had shots. It was a giant mess.
A lady at works beloved dog attacked her 3 year old daughter while they were out of town because the sitter let the little girl get between the dog and his food. The little girl needed surgery and 80 stitches. There's no way to know if something like this WILL happen, but you need to decide if the risk is worth it. Once a dog bites it's easier for it to bite the next time.
I recommend talking to your vet to make sure there isn't a medical cause. If you're dedicated to keeping your dog, invest the money and go to a behaviorist (in person, not online). I wish I had. They're going to know a lot more of what your choices are than any of us in a forum.
Before the dog does anymore bodily damage to you and others, take the dog to the vet for blood work and use a good muzzle that's easy to put on and take off, for when the dog is around others, to be on the safe side. If blood work comes back negative then see if you could get some of the dog's teeth pulled that cause the most bite damage if you can afford this and believe all else has failed before putting the dog down. If the vet will consider doing this as a last resort, you can always feed the dog soft dog food. It's an expense, but if the dog is very healthy, young and playful I'd take it that much further.
Some dogs need plenty of exercise; does it get a lot of walks or do you take it to different places like the woods so it can sniff/smell? Lack of exercise is usually why a dog becomes aggressive as it's bored and frustrated being cooped up; especially a high energy type dog over the winter months.
I read that you can put a dog pack on a dog and load it down with some heavy items to help wear down the dog while he's walking and when the walk is over, the dog will be more relaxed. You might want to try this idea out too.
Your dog is allowed to be outdoors as long as it's on a leash or dog run confined so it cannot escape it's living quarters. You are still responsible should someone come onto your premise and the dog bites or a neighbor's child puts their hands through the fence and the dog attacks it. In this case, it'll cost you more than $1000 fine and additional medical expenses and pain and suffering if you're sued.
Also, do a google search on the "alpha dog" type and learn what you can, to see if there are more noticeable signs in your dog that could make you say he is or isn't this type.
Does the dog sleep in the bed with you? Stop this right away and when the dog does act up, separate it from you for awhile. It needs to know that biting is not acceptable and also don't play tug of war games with the dog as this encourages aggression.
When a dog wins in the game with you; it already has figured out it's stronger and the leader. Make sure you are always coming out the winner.
Because you no longer can trust your dog completely then you need to be as cautious and careful with your dog as you can be. The surprise out of the blue w/o warning is stressful to the dog owner who has been attacked and you're living in a scary situation. Expect the unexpected. Pay attention to the look in the dog's eyes. You'll eventually see something there you overlooked before that is a for sure warning even though no growls or barks were heard. Jot down the full incident prior to the bite like what were you and dog doing. What kind of mood was he in before the biting began, Was it growing tired by the end of the day when heavy play started? Just anything you can think that might have triggered it. This may help to find the cause of his sudden change. Hope this helps.
I believe even as a puppy not letting them bite or nip at your fingers teach them to lick your hand or fingers if you only let them lick at your hand or fingers it will carry out to being an adult dog and also neutering or spading will help as well. You or anyone will have a lot less trouble on your hands also don't have the tugging toys where you and your pet pull it makes them more aggressive. Geta puppy used to being pulled by the tail, grabbing the nose, pulling the ears and legs as a child would do, then if children grab your dog that way they won't get bit. I train any dog I get this way and never had any trouble with anyone getting bitten baby, child or adult.
My 4 year old dachshund will get aggressive with me at times; but he's never done it with anyone else. I've learned to recognize when and under what circumstances he does it. When we have company and his sleeping and daily habits are changed. When he's out of his home for any length of time like when we visit a relative or on vacation. I've learned his habits so I just stay away from him under those circumstances and let him rest in his crate or in his favorite chair. He has never bitten either of my Grandkids but I'm always carefull when he's around them because I don't want to take a chance.
Had he just been vaccinated? Mercury, aluminum, anti freeze, rotting animal tissue in vaccines often affects the brain. Vaccine damage can be treated. See a holistic vet who will treat with thuja and possibly other things. Google thuja on the internet and start your own treatment now. Purchase at better health food stores. do not touch tiny pellets with fingers. It should help. No more vaccines.
I don't have an answer but a question. Is the dog "fixed"? My son has a german shepard and his dog attacked his wife Twice! both times there was a nieghbor dog in heat and the dog hasn't been fixed. Could it be something along those lines?
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