Pls. help - i may have to put my dog down

[cpeacott]

I am so heartbroken. My GS has bitten my husband badly and this is not the first time he has bitten. My vet feels the dog is a control biter and in her opinion, not much can be done. Do I have any other options? Are there places for dogs that bite where they can still have a productive life? Are there medicines that won't totally debilitate him.

Pls. help with suggestions, I'm not looking for sympathy just a miracle that I may have another option

[mysweetkaos]

I think more info would be needed before people could even pretend to have any answers. Not familiar with "control" biting...is that resource guarding, fear........Info such as situations that preceeded bites. How the relationship with husband/dog usually is. Age of dog, dogs training, etc Sorry to answer your questions with questions.

[BlackPuppy]

Other than a police department, I wouldn't pass a biter on to another victim. A friend of mine is a vet, who likes to adopt rescues. She tried working with one of her dogs for 2 years before putting it down. It bit numerous people and also other dogs. I think she tried more than anybody else would have in that case. I know a dog breeder who put down an excellent show prospect for biting/snapping at people. (I even wanted one of her future puppies.) I think you know best what your dog is like, and you will have to decide.

[gsdraven]

How many people has he bitten and why was he allowed to bite again after the first time?

You can contact a qualified trainer/behaviorist that has experience with aggressive dogs and manage him for the rest of his life so that he never has the opportunity to bite again or you can put him down. Neither option will be easy.

The kind of help you need cannot be obtained on the internet unless it's a recommendation for a trainer.

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by mysweetkaos

I think more info would be needed before people could even pretend to have any answers. Not familiar with "control" biting...is that resource guarding, fear........Info such as situations that preceeded bites. How the relationship with husband/dog usually is. Age of dog, dogs training, etc Sorry to answer your questions with questions.

I agree. Also agree with Jamie. The only good advice from the internet is to direct you to a qualified professional who can deal with it in person.

[JakodaCD OA]

I also think more info is needed, and I agree with Nancy's advice.

[wyominggrandma]

I don't know of any police departments who will take uncontrolled biters to train. They have as much or more responsibility to the public than the average person, they don't want a biting dog anymore than anyone else.
How badly was he bitten? Was this the first time? Are you AFRAID of your dog?

[Chicagocanine]

I would recommend consulting a trained animal behaviorist.

Here are some resources:

How To Find The Best Dog Trainer For Your Dog - Whole Dog Journal Article

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

Animal Behavior Society Web Site

ACVB

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - AVSAB - Find An AVSAB Veterinarian

[GregK]

Tell us the circumstance under which he has bitten. Many biters have become non-biters after dedicated training and behavior modification.

[cpeacott]

Originally Posted by GregK

Tell us the circumstance under which he has bitten. Many biters have become non-biters after dedicated training and behavior modification.

My husband was bitten with really no provacation. he was half sleeping on the couch. the dog jumped up for patting which he does often and my husband patted him and then the dog went behind the sofa and started growling and my husband dropped a hand behind him and the dog attacked We have had the dog for 4 yrs. We are the third owners and we estimate he is about 6. He has bitten me twice really unprovoked and bitten two other people. Usaully he is very affectionate.