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.
Most dogs, even old dogs can be trained, but this is a big animal.
Best to train them from puppies.
Any aggression toward a child should be dealt with immediately.
Face nipping should be nipped in the bud.
It is an animal instinct that they go for the face or neck when in alpha mode.
In pack mode they will tend to legs or arms if YOU are in an alpha mode, unless YOU correct them.
Donning flame proof tinfoil suit.
The same is true of pit bulls.
And germam sheperds and yady yada.
There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.
Those are the dogs that I was raised with.
They are a lot of work.
I have a black lab now LOL
Some dogs require a workout and a regime.
In short, discipline and attention.
You need an animal behaviorist. You can probably find one through “The Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP)”
Punishment will not help and may lead to more aggression.
Thank you for writing that first. I was so tempted.
well... er... girl bites dog, at least.
And fart. Really smelly.
Since this is such a new problem I suspect it may be caused by a medical condition possibly neurological. The dog needs a complete work up. He should be muzzled and not allowed public contact with anyone and kept away from children in the household until you find out what is going on.
A loud voice and an upraised hand has perfect effect, without hurting your hand, or your dog.
Hurting your dog is counterproductive.
It sounds as though you were able to make clear who was boss.
Burr in paw??
Sounds like fear.
Always reward good behavior.
It is much more productive, and be judicious in correction.
I have a theory that most people are pack animals.
Still not acceptable.
A whelp would alert the good Samaritan.
Dogs are not people. You cannot reason with them. Some people cannot be reasoned with, even to the degree of needing to permanently incarcerate them or shoot them. If this dog cannot be kept incarcerated, eliminate it, for the good of other dogs and humans.
Good. I always used voice coupled with a hand clap to train mine.
People who beat their dogs to "teach them who is boss" are just setting themselves up for being attacked.
Put it down humanely. Immediately.
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