I own a pet shop and see lots of dogs every day. Today, a couple came in with a young (year old) female Chow wanting to buy a harness. I asked if she was friendly, and they said "Oh, yes!" I spoke to the dog, gave it a liver treat and petted her. She seemed friendly enough and her tail wagged so I grabbed a cloth measuring tape to measure her chest to fit a harness. In an instant, right as I knelled beside her; she exploded into an open mouth shaking back and forth and loud growling. She caught my cheek and eyebrow, but just barely broke the skin right over my eye.

It was more of a swinging open mouth than a bite, thank goodness. The only thing that made me upset about it was that AFTER the incident, they said "she's never snapped with someone at her side, usually has only done that when someone got in her face!" Seriously? I'm trying to fit a harness on a dog that has snapped at people's faces before and even ASKED -and you gave me no indication that this might be something to look out for?!?

We discussed the matter (I was super-civil about it), and they said that she goes from happy to snappy in a hummingbird's heartbeat from time to time if strangers get in her face. I was at a loss on how to safely work on curtailing this behavior, but gave them this website and pleaded that they sign up and discuss it. I didn't get the feeling that they would, so I'm asking. They didn't reprimand the dog at all (other than pulling her away with the lead) when she snapped at me, but it did happen quickly and they aren't experienced trainers. FWIW, I did scruff the side of her face hard with my free hand (and almost got that arm bit), so she got some correction; albeit nowhere near the correction level had it been my dog.

What would you suggest for advice for this type of biting? It's almost certainly fear biting, but the dog wasn't particularly shy. Aloof, yes, but no cowering or anything that would make me expect this. As an added bonus, when they were leaving, they let a little girl about 8 years old who was coming in pet her! Ten minutes earlier this animal had just bitten someone in the face, I still had a paper towel on my eyebrow and they were comfortable enough to let a child pet this dog!

Sure it wasn't an akita? Did they have a 9 month old baby with them?

Just kidding. Making a little joke about this post

I have no advice, but wanted to commend you on your composure.

People are stupid.

Yeah, most are. That Akita video was the scariest thing I've seen in a while, almost wish I hadn't seen it.

You did darned well, I think, in terms of remaining self-possessed. Do you have a lil stack of cards with Leerburg's web address? I do now. :-)

I don't know what I would have had time to think of saying to them about them allowing a child to experience their dog's teeth up-close and personal right after seeing what the dog did to you. :-(

I would have spoken, though. Probably VERY rudely.

*Edited*

Edited by (05/21/2009 08:23 PM)
Edit reason: 'cause I don't wanna get banned today. Maybe next week or something...

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

*Edited*

Yes, my own response to those owners would have had to have a ton of editing too.

I think these people needed a strong verbal correction.

They don't need a harness for the dog, they need an education for themselves, and some common sense. At the very least they need a muzzle for the dog (probably won't happen as that would make the dog "feel inferior" and harm it's "self esteem"), that way the people they encounter may be clued in to the fact that they might have a biting dog and avoid "socializing" with them.

They should be compelled to wear a sign around their neck alluding to their sparse mental acuity.

Edited by Debbie Bruce (05/22/2009 12:27 AM)
Edit reason: A sure sign of old age is when a person says what they want and they don't give a damn if they step on some toes. I only have two this week, and I'm enjoying it.

Oooh! Oooh! Are these people related to that guy at the circus who repeatedly let his 2 year old grandson toddle across the arena to play in the circus ring (during the show), while he sat on his butt and made no attempt to stop him or retrieve him????

Or the woman who sat behind me letting her infant suck on a plastic bag, until I took it away from her????

I am NOT kidding!

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

They should be compelled to wear a sign around their neck alluding to their sparse mental acuity.

It's like a quote right out of my personal fantasy world. If they were labeled, they'd be SO much easier to avoid....

Totally your fault. Don't EVER put your face next to a strange dog, now you know. Harnesses are adjustable anyway