Posted on 12/04/2013 7:00:11 PM PST by Usagi_yo
He's a male Blue point Doberman, rescued from the animal shelter at a very young adult age. He's actually grown a bit over the 2 years we've had him.
Well he's starting to have some biting problems now after 2 years. He's bitten my sister (the owner) 3 times breaking skin each time, bruising bone and requiring antibiotics. These have happened to her at night when he's sleeping with her and her husband. Seemed it was some type of sleep problem from being woke up from dead of sleep.
Now he's bitten me. I've had direct contact with the dog almost everyday and pet him, give him biscuits, he loves to get facial rubs from me.
After coming in, he had one of those giant burrs from a sweetgum tree in his front paw. I've picked them out of his paws many times, and I know how to pick up a dogs paw. Well this time he latched on to my arm, pretty vicious, drew blood in multiple locations. Deep enough I'll have to go to the Doctor and get x-ray and antibiotics.
If you own a doberman you know they don't growl or warn before biting.
Suggestions? We have 5 dogs between the two of us. We live on about 10 acres in separate dwellings with both houses fenced in for a common dog area. Non of the other dogs are problems, German Shepard, Red Heeler, Basset hound and a hybrid 1/4 wolf 1/4 Malamute the rest Husky. None of them have been a problem or challenge the doberman.
What to do? Is this fixable? My sister doesn't want to put him down. Her husband is pissed. I say have his canines pulled.
I just can't tolerate a dog like this. Not knowing it's going to go off on any slight, perceived or otherwise.
It’s NEVER too late.
I have successfully rehabilitated Dobermanns that were well into their middle/senior years.
A crate is an -excellent- idea...especially until the blood work comes back.
You know Dobes.
You cannot let them become alpha.
Wonderful family dogs if raised correctly.
They would not, could not, hurt a fly.
Muzzling is usually counter-productive.
Quite often, a dog bites from fear rather than aggression and removing his means of defense makes him even more insecure and paranoid.
I tried to explain this to a dumb ass with a clearly terrified, muzzled Pit and even showed her how great her dog could be when -properly- handled and she was in awe of what wonders I achieved with him in just 10 minutes.
And then she slapped the muzzle right back on him because the PetCo “dog trainer” said she should.
And the poor dog started shaking and growling again, just like he had been, before.
If I had to bet, I’d say he’s probably dead by now.
The OP’s sister -must- get the dog a blood panel done; or at *least* a full T3/T4 thyroid panel.
90% of Dobes will get thyroid issues at some point in their life.
It’s only a matter of the degree.
Yep.
Jet done gone and woke the bitch up.
;D
Doh! I and here I have to go to bed. LOL
That is the worst idea I’ve ever heard.
You do not, in any way, shape or form ever hurt a misbehaving Dobe.
They accept reasonable correction gracefully but they understand when it goes too far.
I dearly hope the OP ignores your suggestion.
The way to do what you did, -properly- is to make your hand into a “claw shape” and poke the dog’s neck.
It mimics the corrective nip/shove of the alpha dog.
Dogs “get” that.
You were -very- lucky.
Sorry for the drama...
I don’t know about Doberman thyroid issues.
I do know that I was bitten by my own dog, a chow, a number of years ago. His personality was going down hill rapidly, and it was clear that he was looking for someone to bite. Luckily it was me. But not for him, he was put down the next day.
I won’t tolerate that, and if you own a known biter and it bites someone, you can be charged for harboring a vicious animal and sued and if it’s a child.... I’d just as soon not have that happen.
As far as GSD in rescue, if that dog is a biter, then yes I’d have everyone pass that dog for one that it is not a biter.
It happens sometimes Salamander. Not every dog is meant to be a pet.
Now note that I did say unless he wants to contact the Dog Whisperer, and I’m serious about that, it’s an option. But outside of that, I wouldn’t keep the dog, and I wouldn’t give it to anyone else.
That is how you stop any attacking dog.
It is not, however, what I would do in this situation.
Something has clearly changed in the dog.
That needs to be discovered and addressed.
I would bet money on thyroid.
ALL Dobes are prone to hypothyroidism.
Blues and fawns, doubly so.
Good way to teach a stubborn dog to release an object, as well.
You start with that and then switch to substitution, later.
Put it down.
I am off to bed.
Hypothyroidism.
After 40 years in the breed, I know whereof I speak.
Cheap pills would’ve cured him.
MY mutty has Thryoid issues but it slows him down.
It dont speed him up.
But he aint a Dobe, he is a Black Lab.
Different breeds are different.
But Dogs are pretty easy to understand IMHO.
They are pack animals.
You are in charge or they are.
as a small kid, my dad taught me that first thing when we got a pup from one of his friends...works every time, especially in getting something out of the dogs mouth that he shouldn’t be chewing on...He had a hunting dog in the back yard, I was to stay away from her, she was trained for hunting and wasn’t allowed in the house...She never did bit or snap at anyone, but she had one job, hunting pheasants and small game.
You ever watch Dobes in Schutzhund training/exhibitions?
The agitators mercilessly ‘whack’ them with saps, whips and rubber hoses.
It doesn’t ‘discipline’ them; it just royally pisses them off.
Bad, BAD idea.
For the record, Dobes are some of the finest loyal lick yer kids and protect the house dogs ever.
I trained one Dobe in bite work.
Usually, the noise and teeth baring is all that’s necessary.
I stay on the porch when they’re rough housing the yard.
Those full speed body/butt slams get outta hand and I’m pretty light weight.
:)
American ones are.
That’s why I went Euro.
Seven’s 5 generation pedigree has only about 5 or 6 dogs *without* ScH or IPO titles.
Like Odin, she is already guarding flawlessly and wholly without fear.
And she’s only 8 months old.
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