February 15, 2012

Our small dog is very aggressive and has bitten several family members. He runs after family members with teeth bared and acts like a wild animal. A trainer came to our home and when the dog attacked him, he held him up off the ground by the leash until he passed out. Our dog was really aggressive and did bite him but was this extreme in your opinion?

Full Question:
I have a small dog, who has become very aggressive. He has bitten several family members and recently, in the last 6 months, has ran after several family members with teeth showing and acting like a wild animal. I had a trainer come to my home to help us with him. The dog did go for him very aggressively and he leashed him and held him head up in a choking (hanging) manner and the dog was fighting until (to me) he passed out with lack of oxygen. At his time the dog did defecate and urinate on himself... it was very traumatic and upsetting to be honest and I cannot get this out of my mind. The dog became lifeless and gasping for air... I know he was aggressive and out of control... We love this dog with all our hearts and would be devastated to have anything happen. I felt this was over top... the dog was really aggressive and did bite him, but was this extreme in your opinion?
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
Since I didn't see what happened, I can't really offer an opinion on how this was handled.

I know from experience that some owners enable their dogs to behave aggressively and by the time a professional is called upon, the dog is so out of control that drastic measures need to be taken to prevent injury and (in many cases) to save the dog from being euthanized.

We have a lot of information on how to handle dominant and aggressive dogs on our website. Check out Dealing with Dominant & Aggressive Dogs DVD. We also have a number of online courses, which include topics that may help you.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Rhodes

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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