What to do with a biter?

[luv2sparkle]

One of my son’s was recently in a auto accident and suffered s severely broken ankle. He has been laid up for about 10 weeks now with many more to come. He had a friend stop by the other day, while we were gone. He had one of our doxies sitting with him, who has become very protective of him lately. She bit his friends hand. He has pretty deep puncture wounds and some bruising.
She has always been fearful, and I feel like I didn’t socialize her enough when she was little. We had her spayed pretty early and she had complications, so when I would have normally brought her out among people, she stayed in. We just felt she was too fragile.
Is there anything I can do at this point to change her? My first thought was that I was going to have to put her down, that I can’t risk her biting anyone else. When I am around, she listens to me. But now I am afraid of having her around the grand babies. We love her dearly, and she is great around us, just not other people.

 

[Gussie]

I am so sorry to hear about this. Can you kennel your dog when others visit? We have a barker who hasn't bitten but has a mean sounding bark. When people come to visit, he has to go in his kennel until he sees us greet the people. He's ok after he sees us with new people.

I am sorry about your son. I hope he's better soon!

 

[Matata]

Find an animal behaviorist to work with the family. Talk to your vet about anxiety meds for the dog. Last resort: rehome her in a low-key adult-only home where they'll give her the time and attention she needs to work on her issues.

 

[MamaBee]

@luv2sparkle I also have a dog that is a nervous Nellie and barks at everyone. If someone comes to the house I put him in my bedroom. I have a grandson now and I can’t trust Bailey with him..so we have a gate that keeps him in the family room so he can still see us...but my grandson is in the living room, dining room, sitting, and kitchen area. My other son watches movies in the same room as Bailey..so he’s not alone..Since I don’t see them more than a few times a month..this arrangement works. If I have a plumber, etc. to the house he just goes into my bedroom..which is pretty large so he’s very comfortable...He’s smart as a whip and understand so many words, listens and understands commands from family..but put him with a stranger..and I’m not comfortable so I make sure nothing can happen..

 

[whitewave]

I too had a difficult dog and I kenneled him in a room with a closed door anytime someone came over. It was a pain, but he was 110 pounds. We also have two permanent gates in doorways where dogs aren’t allowed.

 

[whitewave]

One of our gates

 

[Gussie]

I got this kennel from Amazon and it is surprisingly well made, well worth the money. It looks decent and can be disassembled and used for gates.

https://www.amazon.com/Merry-Pet-Co...s=kennel+wood&qid=1554760635&s=gateway&sr=8-4

 

[MamaBee]

@whitewave We have the same type of gate in this house..but it’s for me to delay having my dog attack anyone that comes to the door. It gives me a chance to grab him!

 

[luv2sparkle]

@Mamabean, we usually do put her in a kennel in another room. This time, DS friend came over unexpectedly and she was sitting with him on his bed. Now that I think about it, I will have to ask him how he got in the house. DS is on crutches and can't put any weight on his foot. He couldn't get the dog in the next room by himself once she knew someone was there.

 

[MamaBee]

I got this kennel from Amazon and it is surprisingly well made, well worth the money. It looks decent and can be disassembled and used for gates.

https://www.amazon.com/Merry-Pet-Co...s=kennel+wood&qid=1554760635&s=gateway&sr=8-4

That sure beats the kennel Bailey was in when he was a puppy. His kennel was ugly and all metal..He’s too big now to fit in anything..so my bedroom is his kennel..

 

[luv2sparkle]

Unfortunately, our house is completely open floor plan down stairs and gates won't work. We do have kennels and the two of them are in a large one when people are over, and the smaller ones, where they sleep at night if they won't quit barking.
I didn't know if once your dogs had bit a person, if you are obligated to put them down. I bawled my eyes out all the way home. I love this dog and can hardly bear the thought. She adores our family and frankly I don't think I can even bear the thought of re-homing her. I can't even stand the thought that she wouldn't understand why we would do that.
When we go out of town, we have a boarding facility close to us that we take them to. They stay together and the people there just love them both. When we are away from the house evidently they are fine.

 

[MamaBee]

@Mamabean, we usually do put her in a kennel in another room. This time, DS friend came over unexpectedly and she was sitting with him on his bed. Now that I think about it, I will have to ask him how he got in the house. DS is on crutches and can't put any weight on his foot. He couldn't get the dog in the next room by himself once she knew someone was there.

If the boy is anything like my sons friends when they were teenagers..they walked right in. I would be in my nightgown and boys would be in the kitchen getting themselves a snack! I had to start locking the door. You may have to do that too!

 

[luv2sparkle]

Thanks @ceg, those are beautiful. We have a couple of soft sided kennels that fold up if we need them to. Each dog sleeps in their own at night. The older one always slept with one of the boys but now that he is 15 he is like an old man and wakes up too many times a night. He doesn't need to go out, he is just wakeful and keeps them up. So for the last year, he has been in a kennel that we throw a blanket over so he stays toasty warm.

 

[MamaBee]

Unfortunately, our house is completely open floor plan down stairs and gates won't work. We do have kennels and the two of them are in a large one when people are over, and the smaller ones, where they sleep at night if they won't quit barking.
I didn't know if once your dogs had bit a person, if you are obligated to put them down. I bawled my eyes out all the way home. I love this dog and can hardly bear the thought. She adores our family and frankly I don't think I can even bear the thought of re-homing her. I can't even stand the thought that she wouldn't understand why we would do that.
When we go out of town, we have a boarding facility close to us that we take them to. They stay together and the people there just love them both. When we are away from the house evidently they are fine.

I hope the boy’s parents are understanding..I would offer to pay for physician visits and beg the parents not to press charges. I hope the boy is okay.

 

[luv2sparkle]

If the boy is anything like my sons friends when they were teenagers..they walked right in. I would be in my nightgown and boys would be in the kitchen getting themselves a snack! I had to start locking the door. You may have to do that too!

That has happened to me too! Now our door has a key pad and automatically locks less than a minute after it is opened and closed. He probably hobbled down the stairs when his friend phoned and left the dog sitting on his bed. He mistakenly thought since he was sitting right there with her, she would be ok.

 

[luv2sparkle]

He is ok, and really he is a grown man. My son is a grown man. He just doesn't want to live alone. He was actually planning on moving in with a room mate at the first of the year but the other person had some family issues and had to move out of state. I offered to send him to the doctor and of course pay for it all but he refused. I keep checking on him every time he comes over and he insists he is fine. I still feel bad. I would do whatever I could for him before this happened and I certainly would now. He just won't let me.

 

[MamaBee]

He is ok, and really he is a grown man. My son is a grown man. He just doesn't want to live alone. He was actually planning on moving in with a room mate at the first of the year but the other person had some family issues and had to move out of state. I offered to send him to the doctor and of course pay for it all but he refused. I keep checking on him every time he comes over and he insists he is fine. I still feel bad. I would do whatever I could for him before this happened and I certainly would now. He just won't let me.

Okay so you’ve done everything you could..Thank goodness he’s older..I was picturing a very young boy..I would just keep doing what you’ve been doing...Your son will think twice now and not let anyone in if he can’t manage the dog. Did you say the dog is fifteen?!

 

[luv2sparkle]

I think Abby (the biter) is 8, the older one, Maxx is 15.

 

[kgizo]

Since your dog doesn’t have have issues outside of your home I think this is something that can be corrected. Ask for animal trainer / behavorial specialists recommendations from a local rescue group or your vet. Interview a few and pick the one you connect the best with as this person will be training you, too. My guess is that they will recommend 6-10 private lessons over a few months. You and your family will need to work on the socialization exercises during that time and all of you will need to try hard to be consistent in your reward / discipline during this time. Good luck to you!

 

[lyra]

Stop letting her on furniture, especially the bed. Definitely use a crate.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

Find an animal behaviorist to work with the family. Talk to your vet about anxiety meds for the dog. Last resort: rehome her in a low-key adult-only home where they'll give her the time and attention she needs to work on her issues.

I see a lot of dogs every day, and some of them are just anxious. Smooth-coated (or Standard) Dachshunds are known for their fierce protectiveness. Much like humans, they have individual personalities and fears, and respond based on their experiences. While we can appreciate her loyalty to your son and willingness to protect him, she does need to learn manners. However, I would NEVER put down a dog over one bite. I would change the environment to something less triggering for her. I agree with @Matata except for the anxiety meds, that would be like putting a band-aid on the problem rather than fixing the underlying issue. If you really fear for little ones that visit, you might consider contacting a Dachshund rescue that can rehome her for you in an adults only home as a last resort, as mentioned above.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Thank you, @SandyinAnaheim. Our older Doxie is smooth coated, but Abby (the biter) is a long hair. She is completely obedient on most levels and she did go through an obedience classes as a pup. She is a barker and that is the one area previously we cannot get her to stop. She will bark softly, but it is like she cannot get herself to completely stop. My son agrees that it was a combination of things that went wrong and was mostly his fault. What I didn't know, or wasn't sure of, was if I was obligated to put a dog down that has bitten someone. It hasn't been reported to animal control, but didn't know if legally I would have to anyway. So I appreciate you saying that you wouldn't.
I feel like the situations can be controlled, especially if I am around. She is very obedient to me especially. I will look for someone to work with her. I would love for her to be ok with people coming over and the kids petting her. Her biggest anxiety is people coming over. Our older dog doesn't have the same issue. He doesn't like people coming to the door, but once they are inside, when he sees we are ok with them being there, he is fine.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

@luv2sparkle I think there is a big difference between the bite that occurred and a dog that perhaps mauled or bit someone several times in an attack. THAT would be a cause for concern. I don't know what your local requirements are for reporting a dog bite, but from my experience, each case is reviewed and considered individually to determine if a dog is a threat to the community, or an isolated incident. I would say yours is not a threat. I have been bitten multiple times as a dog groomer and I have never reported a single one, as they are not a danger to anyone, they are just nervous babies that hate what I am doing to them. I specialize in older and anxious pets because I have the patience for them.

If your little one is food motivated, I would make sure everyone who comes to visit that could be a trigger, is provided with some high value treats for her and make the interaction as pleasant for her as possible, until you get a trainer to help you. Dogs learn by association and this technique could help a great deal.

 

[AGBF]

I would NEVER put down a dog over one bite.

I couldn't agree with this more! And, of course, I would never in a million years report a bite to animal control that no one else had reported!

That does not mean that I would allow a menacing dog to roam free at risk of biting people or killing other animals. But my first instinct is to protect my pet and at the same time to be sure that no human gets bitten. The only dog I reluctantly agree had to be put down was a Pit Bull my best friend saved from Hurricane Katrina who, despite her best efforts, suddenly bit her niece in the face. My friend has another Pit Bull and wolf hybrids. Some of her dogs have bitten each other and one of the wolf hybrids who was allowed into a nursing home bit a physical therapist while there. Things happen. But none of those dogs was dangerous in the sense that he was likely suddenly to maul a human without provocation and they could be kept away from people and dogs that triggered their biting.

I had a huge Lab who nipped people, never drew blood, but also shredded one cable installer's jacket and grabbed a mailman's leather belt in his mouth because they came on our front porch. Now I have a Lab mix who, when he broke down our fence, bit (but did not do serious injury to) two other dogs. These are challenges, but challenges that one can meet if one is determined.

A dog who puts life at risk is unacceptable, but as one animal control officer told me: "Dogs bite; cats scratch; and horses kick".

 

[AGBF]

I have been bitten multiple times as a dog groomer and I have never reported a single one, as they are not a danger to anyone, they are just nervous babies that hate what I am doing to them.

I totally forgot that I was bitten on the face by a Pit Bull my next door neighbors had. He was very young and played with my Newfoundland, Griffin. It was a good match because Griffin was so strong and the Pit Bull was strong enough that Griffin could actually play with him. The Pit Bull did not mean to harm me, but liked me and flew at me and, in excitement, nipped my cheek near my mouth. I still have a tiny scar. I never sought medical attention. I did put an end to the "play dates" between the Pit Bull and Griffin, however. I explained to the owner that their dog was getting too excited and that they should seek a trainer, which they did.

On the flip side, my big Lab, who loved to go to the vet's, was confined in a small space while being boarded. One of the staff, whom he liked, was resting her arm on the wire where he was contained. When she sneezed, he bit her. She said it was her fault. I felt terrible and gave her a gift. But I knew Biscuit loved her and being at the vet's. He must have felt startled and reacted instinctively. (After all, she wasn't a stranger on the front steps!)

 

[AGBF]

@Mamabean, we usually do put her in a kennel in another room. This time, DS friend came over unexpectedly and she was sitting with him on his bed. Now that I think about it, I will have to ask him how he got in the house. DS is on crutches and can't put any weight on his foot. He couldn't get the dog in the next room by himself once she knew someone was there.

Dear luv2sparkle, I feel for you.

In my opinion, the dog lives in the house. The dog belongs there, not visitors. If someone has to go, it is the visitor.

I would not allow anyone the dog might bite to enter my house until the dog was secured for the dog's protection. Lock your door if you have people wandering in. Post a sign that people may not enter. Keep a crate in your son's room or in the room where the front door is if you are keeping it locked.

You can work with a trainer, but the bottom line should be that it is your house and your dog and other people do not need to come to it. Why should you cry? Why should you be traumatized over losing your precious pet? Your visitors will just have to cope with a little inconvenience while you crate your dog.

AGBF

 

[AGBF]

You mentioned kennels you used. I have an extra large crate because my last dog was a Newfoundland. My current dog is exactly half the size of my last one (80 pounds rather than 160). He has a lot of room in the XL crate. What if you got an XL crate and could put both your dogs in it when your grandchildren came? My dog loves his crate. I have a cushion for it. I drape a blanket over it. He has toys in it and if I crate him he gets special treats. A Kong filled with healthy peanut butter provides a long lasting chew.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Both dogs are usually in an enclosure when there are people working at the house or visitors. I do have people coming in on a regular basis, primarily youngest sons girlfriend who she particularly dislikes (). We always put them in the enclosure when we know she is coming over. If we don't, DS puts Abby outside right away. Today we have roofers here, making a ton of noise, and both dogs are happy in their enclosure. Both dogs are terrified of the grandson. He is three, and they have a big lab who tolerates all his rough-housing, but little dogs don't. They will bark/snap at him to get him to back off. They don't get near him, but they do want to scare him. It works, and we hear it so that we make sure he doesn't get too close. They seem to have no fear of the 1 year old grand daughter. She toddles near their enclosure and they just watch her. She is happy and sweet. They are very good judges of character, lol.
I will try the treats, and also some additional training. The large crate with a lid, would also be a good idea. People seem fearful when they come in the house and see them in an open topped crate. One of the roof guys came in this morning and was really hesitant when they started barking. It makes it easier for me, not having a lid, but safer for everyone else.

 

[luv2sparkle]

@SandyinAnaheim, we are in Southern Ca also. I have a friend from high school who has a mobile dog grooming service, Polka Dot Poodle. I think she is in Yorba Linda now. I was glad when you chimed in, since you would probably be familiar with CA regs when it comes to dog bites.
I appreciate so much all who chimed in, (Deb, Mamabean, Lyra, kgizo).

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

@luv2sparkle That's so funny! I just saw her for the first time last week in YL. I waved but I don't think she noticed.