HI ALL,
HAVE NOT BEEN ON THIS FORUM FOR SOME TIME BUT I REALY NEED ALL YOUR HELP & ADVICE.
ARCHIE IS A SHIH TZU WE HAVE HAD HIM NOW FOR 9 MNTHS, HE IS 18 MONTHS OLD, OUR PROBLEM IS HE KEEPS BITING PEOPLE WITHOUT WARNING.
HE HAS BEEN NEUTERED BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT MIGHT HELP BUT IT HASN'T, HE HAS NIPPED SO MANY PEOPLE NOW AND DRAWN BLOOD AND THERE IS NEVER A REASON FOR IT HE JUST TURNS.
fIRST OF ALL I THOUGHT IT WAS A CASE OF HIM BEING NERVOUS BUT NOW I THINK IT IS JUST PLAIN OLD DOMINENCE. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS WE ARE GETTING QUITE WORRIED NOW AND DO NOT WANT TO LOSE HIM AS HE IS A GREAT DOG OTHERWISE.sad:

Hi. You have my sympathy. One of my rescue's is a biter, although it is only in the house. I have to go to work now so can't write anymore.

When does it happen? What is the trigger? What are the people doing at the time? How long has it been going on for and when did it start?

x

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Hi Goodvic2,
He showed some signs when we first got him,he was with a family with 3 small kids before he came to us and he also spent a lot of time either in the utility room or shut out in the garden,perhaps he started nipping the kids so was put out the way.
He lacked training when we got him but we attended training classes and I still carry out aspects of his training although my husband is more of a problem than the dog as he is too soft with him and is more likely to let Archie get away with a lot he spoils him rotten..
LIST OF BITES: ALL BITES ARE ON THE HAND.
MOTHER-IN-LAW BITTEN 4 TIMES, STROKING OR PICKING THINGS UP NEAR HIM.
VISITING FRIEND ARCHIE GOT IN HER DOGS BED,SHE TRIED TO GET HIM OUT.
FAMILY VISITING WILL SNAP WHEN THEY PLAY WITH HIM OR IF HE SITS NEXT TO THEM.
FRIEND (who was) HE BIT HER AFTER WALIKNG HIM ON TRYING TO TAKE HIS LEAD OFF,NASTY BITE LEFT SCAR ON HAND ALSO,HER FRIEND TRIED ALSO TO TAKE HIS LEAD OFF AND HE SNAPPED AT HER AS WELL.
NEIGHBOURS LITTLE BOY WHO HE USUALLY LOVES HE JUMPED AT HIM AND NIPPED HIS FACE.
HE IS UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN HE IS GOING TO BITE AND THERE IS NO PATTERN.HE IS LIKE PUTTY WITH ME AND I CAN DO ANYTHING WITH HIM.
LAST NIGHT HE CHALLENGED MY HUSBAND FOR A PIECE OF TISSUE AND SHOWED AGGRESSION BUT DID NOT BITE (this time).

Hi, not realy any advise but i have always said if a dog shows people aggresion in all honesty it should be pts,i know its not a nice thing but after so many bites caused to people unless you can maybe take him to training and keep him muzled when near people until he learns? i have always had large breed dogs and know that some smaller breeds can just be a little snappy however if any dog i owned bit a child and other people i would not take the chance as its a lawsuit waiting to happen(more in bigger breeds) but all the same thats just my views on people aggresive dogs,sorry
if it were a staffordshire bull or large breed would you keep it knowing it would bite children/friends and family? should be the same ruleno matter what breed IMO

What do you do when it bites someone ?

I would pick it up by the scruff of its neck & give it a good shake & shout NO
also i'd back hand it in the mouth
luckily none of ours have ever bitten us or anyone else but they need to learn its wrong,
no doubt no one will agree with with me & the way i would handle the situation buts thats what i would do

Just as well then Kirsty that my dog has me as an owner and not you! You do not just give up on a dog because it bites people. You manage the situation!

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Okay I'll not raise to your comments cos they are not worth it , but to the OP who might be tempted to try this, please don't. It's asking for a bite or one terrified dog. Neither of which are a good idea.

When it comes to unwarrented aggression, get some PROFESSIONAL help and don't listen to the misguided advise from strangers on a forum (no disrespect meant to those members who are geninue and want to help.).

It can be sorted with the correct handling, I have 2 dogs in my pack that were aggressive and with correct training they are absolutely fine now and most certainly don't need to be PTS!!

Oh and to Kristy...I hope your kids don't ever bite or kick another child...quick quick to the doc and that needle eh love?

My advice is first off, you must ensure that nobody else gets bitten. He needs to be totally IGNORED by everybody. It could be that he is nervous and this is the reaction.

Nearly every bite has been because a person has interacted with him in someway. By him being ignored this would not have happened.

Your husband is not helping at all. He is showing weakness to the dog and the dog does not respect him. This is obvious because of what you have said about him being spoiled and the fact the dog turned on him. How can your dog ever respect people if he doesn't respect the owner. My advice, tell your husband to manage the dog properely or consider re-homing, or rehome the husband lol! Unless you are both sticking to rules and discipline, you are never going to get anywhere. It takes both of you.

I would imagine he goes pretty much anywhere in the house, inc sofas, beds etc?

A dogs behaviour is brought on by the handlers.

My dog Max was a rescue and we spoiled him and allowed him to do what he wanted. Beds/sofas etc He became territorial and dominant, because we were showing weak leadership. This caused him to turn protective and begin biting. He recently bit a friend of mine in the house, but this was the first time in 6 months and I let my guard down. We have not had so many bites as you, but we muzzle him or keep him on a lead. We ensure we practice exercise, discipline and affection and we are both firmly committed to being the boss!

I would consult a behaviourist, muzzle train your dog and ensure that you supervise ALL interactions with people.

If you don;t already watch The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan and read his books or books by jan Fennell.

Good luck x

__________________


Do you own a DINOS (dogs in need of space). To find out more and to find a walking buddy follow the link!


www.dogsinneedofspace.co.uk

I absolutely agree with this.

I wouldn't even attempt to attempt to give advice for such a problem on a forum. Even if experienced and knowledgeable, no one can know exactly what is happening without seeing the behaviour first hand. This requires an experienced professional, not random ideas from those who have tried various methods with their own dogs, and it certainly won't be found in a book.

Good luck.

have you had his eye sight and hearing tested?? in the case of people picking things up nearby, stroking him and taking off the lead it could be that his hearing or sight is not as it should be and he is just being startled.

most aggression is caused by pain fear or illness, if you can rule out, pain, illness and problems with his eyes/ears then i would seek a behaviourist. put him on a low energy diet, and possibly exercise/train him more, it could be built up frustration from not doing enough in the day.