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.
ping
ping
I know what my old daddy would have done. Actually he did do it a couple of times.
After the first bite, the dog would be pushing up daisies.
Call Cesar Millan - the “Dog Whisperer” ... :-) ...
Short of that, I would simply get rid of the dog.
How’s your insurance? Are you sure it will cover you if he bites a kid? Your entire net worth is at risk.
Stew pot
Broken the skin and required treatment, the doctor is obligated by law to report the dog.
It is only going to get worse, get rid of the dog.
I know what I did.
Grab collar, and insert other hand in mouth as a fist.
EAT it! You want to gnaw on it? Eat it!
No need to be cruel about it.
I would suggest talking to your vet and seeing if he or she could recommend an animal behaviorist.
A nip I could overlook but this sounds like it’s a problem and a purposeful biting. I adore dogs but I would not keep a dog like that.
Bullet
Yeah, a biter like that is a lawsuit waiting to happen. The really unpredictable part is that he bites if you wake him up suddenly. Most unfortunate.
He’s now the alpha dog. No way to fix this other than to dispose of him. Someone might want it for a guard dog, but it is not suitable around people or other dogs.
Dogs should Never be abused, but you can never let them be the alpha.
The sleeping issue is easy, dogs should NEVER sleep in their owners bed. This introduces all sorts of behavioral problems due to pack order and dominance issues .
The second issue is an easy fix as well, the dog needs a muzzle whenever any sensitive work is performed. The vet needs to be informed.
However, my opinion is that this animal will continue this behavior and is a potential time bomb. This dog should NEVER be allowed around any children.
You call, but I think you know the answer...
Understand that young dogs especially will get scared and bite when you are doctoring on them or in some manner scaring them.
And there are dogs that are very protective of their home or their toys, as well as their food.
But this dog is different. By your description, if it is accurate, the dog had absolutely no reason to bite other than he has something missing.
Some dogs are just mean or have something missing. This dog is apparently one of those.
You had better get rid of him before he bites a kid. At two years old, he is what he is. He is not going to change his ways and he is getting big enough and strong enough that he can ruin, maybe even kill, an adult.
So a kid would have no chance.
Zap him.
First of all. Get the dog out of the bed. The dog has decided that it is the leader of its pack and has no fear of biting them. The owners need the help of a dog trainer to retrain them and the dog.
Unless you want to contact he Dog Whisperer, I recommend getting rid of the dog and getting a nice dog.
There are too many nice dogs that need homes to warrant giving a home to a biter.
He has already showed you his tendencies, you need to pay attention to them, the dog is dangerous.
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