April 22, 2011
My dog bit our neighbor and caused 17 stitches. Our vet recommended filing the dogs teeth and neutering. Should we put the dog to sleep?
Full Question:
I have a 5 year old male German Shepard that bit my neighbor last week severely enough to need 17 stitches and will need some plastic surgery. The dog has never been a problem before and always has been very friendly with our family friends.We were visiting at home with my wife and another couple at our lake house when the next door neighbor came over as he usually does when we are at the lake. We welcome him to come over any time and enjoy his company. He and my dog have never gotten along like the dog does with other people. My neighbor has two dogs of his own and I always thought my dog did not take to him as well as others because of the scent of his dogs on him.
My wife had our dog on a leash with the dog between her and our neighbor. He had been over for at least an hour and the dog acted no different with the neighbor than with anyone else. I told the neighbor to pet the dog on his breast, that he very much liked that. He did so and the dog responded as he always does by putting his paw on the neighbor's let. When he quit petting and removed his arm the dog suddenly, without warning bit the neighbor on the arm causing the injuries described above.
Our dilemma now is what to do with the dog. Our vet has suggested filing teeth and neutering the dog as a solution. My first reaction is to put the dog to sleep. I would very much like some advice.
Can you help me?
Ed's Answer:
I hesitate to offer advice on a dog when I cannot see it.
The mistake made was asking the man to pet the dog. I cannot say that this was anyone’s fault considering you and your wife are not dog experts.
If you choose to keep this dog you should not have the dog around strangers. A stranger is described as anyone other than your wife and yourself. A stranger is someone the dog has seen before and has accepted before. You should get a dog crate and put the dog in the crate any time someone is in the home. No one should be petting this dog.
You also need to put the dog through some serious obedience training. This should not be in a class environment. That may be too dangerous at the moment. Get a prong collar and run the training I show in my Basic Dog Obedience video. This training establishes rank and pack leadership.
When the dog is out in public have the dog wear a wire muzzle (we sell them) these muzzles allow excellent air flow and the dog can drink with them on.
I would also put up an outside dog kennel, or if you have a fenced yard I would install an in ground fencer (Innotek not Invisible Fence) to have a double barrier.
Any vet that recommends filing dogs teeth is showing a lack of understanding of dog behavior and training. Neutering of an adult dog has no effect on aggression. It is a waste of time to do this and it will not modify his behavior.
The mistake made was asking the man to pet the dog. I cannot say that this was anyone’s fault considering you and your wife are not dog experts.
If you choose to keep this dog you should not have the dog around strangers. A stranger is described as anyone other than your wife and yourself. A stranger is someone the dog has seen before and has accepted before. You should get a dog crate and put the dog in the crate any time someone is in the home. No one should be petting this dog.
You also need to put the dog through some serious obedience training. This should not be in a class environment. That may be too dangerous at the moment. Get a prong collar and run the training I show in my Basic Dog Obedience video. This training establishes rank and pack leadership.
When the dog is out in public have the dog wear a wire muzzle (we sell them) these muzzles allow excellent air flow and the dog can drink with them on.
I would also put up an outside dog kennel, or if you have a fenced yard I would install an in ground fencer (Innotek not Invisible Fence) to have a double barrier.
Any vet that recommends filing dogs teeth is showing a lack of understanding of dog behavior and training. Neutering of an adult dog has no effect on aggression. It is a waste of time to do this and it will not modify his behavior.
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