sticky biting situation

smittenkitten · 07-08-2008, 12:39 PM

When a stranger comes into our house & I am alone i.e. fix-it man I always lease my dog so I can properly introduce her to the individual and control the situation immediately, this is because I think it is the right thing to do and I am too small & this lets me control. After that I unleash her if I feel ok about everything.

Now the situation:

My husband & I had his boss and the wife over before a 4th of July event. Doorbell rings I let the boss in and hubby lets our doberman in from the backyard without lease and without initial supervision. Of course our girl comes into the front room where a tall man in her house is, what do you think she would do, bite of course.
He showed fear, who wouldn't and now we have a sticky situation. He & we are not going to report it but "the boss" thinks she should be checked out and possibly muzzled. My husband admits what a dumb thing he did and now she is looked upon as dangerous. She is not, she has been trained since puppyhood & she goes to doggy daycare 3 times a week for socialization. .e recently had my daughter and her boyfriend stay with us and my dobie loved him he is also 6'2.

My husband learned a tough lesson but this one could of cost us our dog and of course she has all her shots but we are still shaken. We did contact the trainer & her breeder who said any dog in that situation could of bit but it is unfortunate that now we have this hanging over our heads.

Any one come across this and what did you end up doing?
Smitten

**dobermansrule** · 07-08-2008, 12:50 PM

"Of course our girl comes into the front room where a tall man in her house is, what do you think she would do, bite of course."

hold on now.. unless you were in imminent danger - a lot different than you both being in the room with guests - then the dog should not just jump and bite. How old is she? That's an aggressive tendency and she needs to be taught the difference between visitors and attackers. Sorry, I can't offer any comments on what you do now that the bite has happened. i haven't been in thsi situation.

**BlackandTans** · 07-08-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobiesrule

"Of course our girl comes into the front room where a tall man in her house is, what do you think she would do, bite of course."

hold on now.. unless you were in imminent danger - a lot different than you both being in the room with guests - then the dog should not just jump and bite. How old is she? That's an aggressive tendency and she needs to be taught the difference between visitors and attackers. Sorry, I can't offer any comments on what you do now that the bite has happened. i haven't been in thsi situation.

I agree... She just bit him for no reason??? Just cause they were not introduced? I could understand barking or backing away or something but not just running up and biting someone.....????

Leroythedobe · 07-08-2008, 12:57 PM

i agree with others. Leroy has came in from the backyard and there has been people inside and he just stands there and looks at them, because they are posing no threat. If they were attacking my wife or I then I could see him biting. Im sorry for the situation your in.

Crow · 07-08-2008, 12:58 PM

You're lucky because your boss is being understanding. But you need to sort out this problem with your dog, because no matter how careful you try to be a similar situation could arise again and next time the bitten person may not be so understanding.

I would look for a good behaviourist in your area, preferably one who specialises in aggression issues. Make sure they are fully accredited and have good references.

A dog should not bite in the situation you describe. It is not normal at all. Woofing, yes, if your dog was surprised, but not just running up and biting someone like that.

smittenkitten · 07-08-2008, 01:03 PM

Thank you guys this gives me a different look at the situation. It is true the boss was just standing there and she did bark and then as he backed away she lunged toward his leg and gave him two quick bites.
I did not see it but I came into the situation as my husband was correcting her by putting her down. Now the trainer says we should recreate the whole thing and to correct her at that stage.

Caelestis · 07-08-2008, 01:05 PM

I only recently got a Dobe but I have had Boxers and GSD and I would be VERY concerend about a dog that bit anyone unprovoked!

A Dobe or Boxer should assess the situation, I would expect them to be on guard until they figured out if the "intruder" was friend of foe but NEVER would I expect a dog to run into a room and bite anyone just because she didn't know them.

So far Kinder will stand between me and the unknown person and look them over and as soon as I say it's ok she goes over for pets and head scratches. When someone comes to the door she stands alert, quiet, and watches intently, but makes no move to be aggressive in any fashion and I would not expect her to!

I think you have a serious problem on your hands...I have no idea why you think it's to be expected that a Dobe (or any breed) would automatically bite a stranger just for being a stranger. Thank god that wasn't a child she went after, but next time it could be!

**BlackandTans** · 07-08-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittenkitten

Now the trainer says we should recreate the whole thing and to correct her at that stage.

Sorry for your situation....

Yes keep working with a trainer and needs to be someone who is a specialist like Crow said. Re creating the situation is not going to help. You dont want to encourage your pup to do it again... Keep us update on how things are going...

**RedFawnRising** · 07-08-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittenkitten

Thank you guys this gives me a different look at the situation. It is true the boss was just standing there and she did bark and then as he backed away she lunged toward his leg and gave him two quick bites.
I did not see it but I came into the situation as my husband was correcting her by putting her down. Now the trainer says we should recreate the whole thing and to correct her at that stage.

I find that trainer's advice HIGHLY irresponsible, and downright dangerous.

Find a new trainer.

Your dog has bitten. You are at risk of a lawsuit. Your husband's work situation is undoubtedly tense now. Someone was injured. ALL dog bites are potentially life-threatening, due to infection, regardless of severity.

A trainer telling you to put yourselves, your dog, and other humans back into this same flammable situation is ridiculous.

Find a new, better trainer.

**BlackandTans** · 07-08-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFawnRising

I find that trainer's advice HIGHLY irresponsible, and downright dangerous.

Find a new trainer.

Your dog has bitten. You are at risk of a lawsuit. Your husband's work situation is undoubtedly tense now. Someone was injured. ALL dog bites are potentially life-threatening, due to infection, regardless of severity.

A trainer telling you to put yourselves, your dog, and other humans back into this same flammable situation is ridiculous.

Find a new, better trainer.

Sorry that is kinda what I meant to say... I meant to say keep working with a trainer but find one that is a specialist.....

RedFawn- I thought that re creating the situation was a little strange too....