I need someone who is more of an expert, than I think I am. Call me crazy, but i took in a big gsd....as a rescue, who had 4 bites behind him. I like to work, well used to like to work, with biter dogs. So, here is the history on dog.

Large male, recently neutered due to bite issue. Dog seems to have been mistreated, by too much crating as a pup and poor training and social skills. Makes dog go on walk refues to cont at some point, she alpha rolls pup, he bites, she sends back to breeder.
Bite #2 happend at a boarding facility, vet tech got too loose with instructions and he reached in to get food bowl and was bit.
Bite #3 man on fence line, neighbor, gate open, dog bites when man moves a little too much for his likeing.
Bite #4 Lady on property looking at pups, owner is no where on property, dog sees lady, bites her. she was NOT suppposed to be there.All bites, with no handler present....

So , I usually, would consider these bites, legit, and say,"Thats what we want our shep to do.

I take dog, bond with dog at about 30 days, he has bad nerves, that was one thing i know. Seemed to like going on walks and seeing a few more things, we build bond...he gives me tons of belly, with all four paws in the air.......so we are doing ok.

Took to vets office to check weight, dog very thin coming from stressed out kennel situation, so knew i had put a pound or two on him and wanted to see, where we were. Nice, leather, dondi plus muzzle, pinch collar, we go to office.
All goes fine, we go get weight, we stand at front and lady starts talking,,,,she is nice, we talk, and honestly, I was looking at her, when this happened, because, dog seemed calm, he was at heel sit and no vocals, no ancy movements, nada. He moves, nudges, forward, and she reads as a pet me,,,,yes, we stood there a hot minute or two....i see this, and looks like, dog is wanting to be petted. We both, read it that way...and in a nano second, he is on her..then the growl,,,,no warning, no ear set change, nothing. I pop in nano second and vet comes around and says, we gotta go.
I called later to ask about seditives for his next vet visit....not yet scheduled,,,,,,he tells me, no way dog is back on his property and is concerned for the liability for me. I have been with this vet only 4 years.

I discuss with him, and two other rescue people I work with, and we all agreed, dog needs to go down. So he did.

My question is, at what point, SHOULD this dog, have been put down? Because, he is a danger to anyone on his property and probably should never be taken off his property. That means no visitors, no children, no spouse, no ambulance or police to your house, unless he is contained.

I would really like to have an answer for that, and maybe more insight as to what you think, went wrong with this dog. He is of special breeding and was EXTREMLY smart, he had already learned his danish commands in three weeks and would do all sorts of other kinds of smart things, was soooo toy driven, he should have been sar dog, but those bites.
If only Ed, would see this post. I value his opinion sooo much,,,,,,I am sure there are others.....but I need someone who knows biters well....and advise, if eu the dog, was the right thing to do, and when, should this have been done. On bite #5?

Alpha rolled, he bites. No handler present? I wouldnt have an opinion on whether the dog should be put to sleep or not, but you should know now, the difficulty of finding an owner for a dog like this.

For some, maybe the management he needs would be no big deal. For someone who wants a pet that they can hang out with and chat thinking the dog is fine, you saw what can happen. I'm not insulting you, just pointing out the attention this dog will need.

You did put the dog down? You are asking now if that was appropriate? Is that it?

I read it as past tense.

Yes.

" ... we all agreed, dog needs to go down. So he did."

 Quote:

So , I usually, would consider these bites, legit, and say,"Thats what we want our shep to do.

Really!

Anna, I was quoting the OP...Does she really think it's "legit" for a dog tp bite under these circumstances?

I don't!

Sorry Tammy, I was trying to quote the OP's statement. I didn't meant to have it look like your quote.

I agree with you 100%..it is absolutely irresponsible to have an animal in a posiiton to make it's own decision on who & when to bite.

1st X your mistake (the dog) 2nd X the owners mistake.

This dog was practicing the only behavior he knew that worked for him. Bite people and they go away. It was reinforced time and time again because he was put in situations where “HE” was the one allowed to make the inappropriate choices.

As Mr. Strom indicated, he is not your traditional family pet – many dogs aren’t. When you take on a dog like this, you assume a huge amount of liability that MUST be monitored and adhered to in ALL situations – regardless how well YOU think you’ve bonded with him.

Your assumptions and his potential behaviors are two very different things. I like to look at these dogs as we would recovering alcoholic/drug addicts. The past practicing behavior can be managed but is lying there just under the surface – given the right/wrong set of circumstances, the dog will make the choice he knows best and is most comfortable with. Every day without a bite is a good day and another step further in the socially acceptable way they live their life in the situations they’re placed in.

Once the work begins I don’t believe these dogs can or should ever be re-homed again. You must truly love and understand the work involved. Solidly building that trusting bond – you as the leader, protecting and NEVER putting him in a situation where he is confused/scared and feels he must act on own - using insticts that most likely won't be the appropriate ones.

A lifetime of work that, given the opportunity, can allow a beautiful soul to emerge.

Based on the circumstances you mention and advice you received – I believe you made the right decision at that time with the understanding and resources you had available to you.