My 2 year old Doberman has bitten three people. We are considering putting him down. Is this the right thing to do?

Hello,

I read your web site and found the information very helpful. I did, however, want to place my situation before you. If you would be kind enough to respond it would be appreciated.

My background with animals is fairly strong. I have worked for the Humane Society as well as with veterinarian, I have taken dog behavior courses through college and strongly believe in dog obedience classes, socialization from an early age and firm correction (very sharp words and correction of leash - but nothing that is physically harming).

Our pet of choice has been the Doberman. I am very aware of the social stigma of owning these dogs. People are naturally afraid of them and the owner has to understand this.

Our last Doberman died of cancer at age eleven - he was the favorite of the neighborhood - was well socialized, obedience class (by the way - my dogs are always neutered ).

Anyway, three years after his death we decided to research breeders (the one we got Mags from was no longer breeding) and we finally decided on a breeder just south of us.

We visited the mother and father (prospective parents) and they seemed fine. We visited the pups at various ages and stages until it finally came time to make choice.

We took Luke at 8 weeks of age. He wasn't submissive in the litter and seemed confident.

Anyway, from that point on I had him out in the car with me, took him along a busy walkway in our town often, and when he was old enough took him to obedience classes.

I noticed that at about 4-5 months of age he started shying away from strangers and in particularly - men. There is no known reason why he prefers women - he just does. My father came to visit (3-week stay) and though eventually Luke let Dad pet him - it was always when Dad was sitting in the family room and Luke very carefully approached - he never really warmed up to my Dad and would run away when Dad walked about the house. I tried having my Dad feed Luke, I tried having my Dad be the one that opened the back door (the way Luke had to come in from our fenced back yard).

He's always gone ballistic at the mail coming through the slot and despite heavy correction from me, the behavior really didn't lessen. It didn't help that we could never know when the mail would come. We ended up putting an outdoor mail box in to stop the mail from getting chewed.

I have a crate for Luke - have had since he was a pup. He goes in it very willingly.

Now here's where it gets difficult. A few months back, (Luke will be 2 this November), Luke was on a close line run on the front garage. We were all working out front (it was summer - and we thought rather than isolate him in the back yard we would bring him out front with us - it would also help him to see the activity of people going by). Anyhow, a little boy on roller blades came scooting up the drive to deliver paper. We were all surprised and bottom line - Luke ran up behind him and nipped his leg. Seems like a very classic fear bite. He didn't break skin but left a bruise. SPCA came out and took pictures. We spoke at length and over several days with the neighbors to check on the boy. They were very nice and left the matter as it stood. I also told them their son didn't have to deliver paper to us if he was afraid and we assured them Luke would never be out front again under those type of circumstances. This was the first incident of this type of behavior.

One odd thing: prior to all this, many weeks earlier, I was holding Luke by his collar - we were at my mother-in-laws - my nephew with his two year old daughter came in and the visit ended with Luke taking dried cranberries from her hand - very very very gently.

Yesterday I returned from a conference - I was away for several days - my husband had cared for Luke, took Luke with him to his business. He has a fenced yard, has a tow/car storage business. Luke had been in the fenced yard a number of times before - it is well over an acre. Anyhow, Luke was running around playing with the dog there, two men came in - others had been coming and going prior. Luke specifically zeroed in on these men, and he got them by running behind them - one in the buttocks, one in the leg. I don't believe skin was broken - but I'm sure there was/is bruising.

We are seriously thinking of putting Luke down. I am taking him to the breeder tomorrow as she wants to see him and judge his behavior. I told her that she might find it hard to view this behavior (unless she has a number of men lined up).

Would you be kind enough to give your opinion?

V. A.