Hello everyone. I hope this is the right place to post this.

I just learned yesterday evening that the Golden Retriever of my boyfriend's good buddy severely bit a woman. What's scary is that the dog has know this woman since puppyhood. She practically house trained him by taking him for walks while his owner was at work. At the time of the bite, she was still taking him for almost daily walks during the day.

The bite occurred when she was bringing him inside. He did 3 or 4 regrips and the damage to her arm is really quite bad, to the point where it might affect the use of her hand.

I don't know the dog all that well. He's approximately two years old, un-neutered and NOT breeding material.

Personally, I think that the dog isn't structurally sound. I have noticed him limp more than once after hard play and he's built funny. His back has a hump and it isn't straight. I once told the owner that he should have the dog x-rayed for structural defects but the advice was ignored. I was told, "The vet says he's in perfect health".

I also noticed that the dog is somewhat dominant and that he tries to take control. I had also suggested to the owner that he take the dog to obedience classes but I was ignored for a second time. The owner has also encouraged the dog to be protective of the house without proper training. Again, I stressed the importance of obedience training, and of course, I was once again ignored.

I don't really have a question. I just needed to get this off my chest because I'm so frustrated! There were so many warning signs and every single one of them was ignored. I'm worried that the dog will bite again because the owner seems to be in denial. He's totally downplaying the severity of the bite despite the fact that he's been visited by the police.

Thanks for "listening". I just need to get some comments and know that there really wasn't and isn't much more that I can do.

Natalie
http://vegamalinois.tripod.com

Natalie...

You're probably right that the dog will bite again. And it's good that you're concerned.

From everything you have told me about this dog, he seems to be a product of irresponsible breeding that was unlucky enough to wind up in a home with an irresponsible owner.

The dog has bad nerves and an unpredictable temperament and should probably be put down, especially since the "owner" isn't inclined to take any steps to modify the dog's behavior and/or keep him from interacting with people.

The police already know about the dog and you've tried to reason with the guy. Probably not much else you can do except warn other people that this is a dog they should avoid.

Lots of Goldens around these days with awful temperaments. I have one living across the street from me and another lit up on a rescue dog I was bringing in to the vet's for a shot last night. Since Goldens are the #2 breed in popularity in the USA right now, this is hardly surprising.

Wish I could be of more help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Pete Felknor

I agree with Pete, the dog sounds like a genetic mess and should probably be put down. Lesson to be learned for all inexperienced prospective dog owners ....Don't get the first Golden Retriever (or Lab for that matter) you come across with the thought that you're guarenteed that sunny temperament everyone talks about. There are plenty of horror stories..... all because of poor breeding by greedy folk trying to capitalize off the reputation of the breed. I'm very lucky to have a great Golden. I did my research, and purchased from a sound bloodline. Unfortunately, most people don't research, they go on impulse. Good post Pete. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the responses guys. Unfortunately, I have to agree with the both of you.

I've already told another friend that he made the right decision in telling the owner that the dog is not welcome at party that he's going to have the end of next month. Especially since kids will be in attendance.

Natalie
http://vegamalinois.tripod.com

This is where your dangerous dog legislation would be helpful. I don't know what state you're in, but if this type of situation went down in my jurisdiction, this would be a very good candidate for formal restrictions. It's the owner's failure to address this as a situtation that is very serious that allows for future tragedy. Please make sure, to the best of your ability, that the animal control agency has some knowledge of this. It is not uncommon for neighbors to protect each other and not report this bite to keep on "good terms" with the neighbor, owner, friend. Even the PD may not forward this info to the animal contol department. This dog owner has not come to terms with the threat to others, and if not made known to animal control, may go unreviewed. If the people in San Francisco had reported the problems to animal control concerning the Presa Canario dogs, the death of Diane Wipple might have been avoided. Once animal control is involved in a report of aggression that results in a formal report, the whole question of accountability changes. It's got to be documented in the respective animal control agency. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "I didn't want them to get into trouble!" I investigate these types of aggressive dog cases all the time. It's never the dog's fault, always the owner's fault. Hopefully, this can be traced to the respective jurisdiction and followed up. If not, the next bite, and there will be a next bite, may be much worse. Susan

This guy needs to take responsibility for this dog if he plans to keep it. First, he needs to buy a muzzle and make sure the dog is wearing it any time he is around people. Second, he needs to contact an animal behaviorist and get it obedience trained. If he doesn't, he's going to find himself in some serious trouble.

I have an unpredictable dog, and he is never allowed around people unmuzzled. If there are people outside, he is muzzled....if we even think there are people outside, he is muzzled. His contact with the outside world is very limited, which is probably how he will need to live the rest of his life. So far, we've been able to make it work, but if he ever does manage to bite someone, he will not have the opportunity to do it a second time.

how is the woman he attacked responding to the situation? personally, if it happened to a friend of mine the dog would not be alive for long (especially if it was my dog!)-just another accident waiting to happen, and maybe not to an adult next time.

Hi Adam,

I wish that fill you in a bit more. I don't even live in the same country as the dog. I'm in Canada and the dog is in New York State.

I don't know the woman personally but I suspect that it was the attending physician that called the police and not the woman.

The only reason that I was able to make comments on the dog is because I've stayed with the owner for 4-5 days at a time while visiting and was able to observe the dog and his behaviour for a few days at a time.

I'm still frustrated with this situation and if it had been my dog, there would be no issue. He would have been put down. I've been trying to get my boyfriend to stress to his buddy that at the very least, he should enroll in private obedience classes with a behaviourist if he's going to keep the dog. Don't know if it's going to happen though since this guy has ignored all of my past advice.

Natalie
http://vegamalinois.tripod.com

I think everyone is in agreement that this gog is a libility. IMHO He should be put down. Reading the post, his owner will not do much for this dog in trying to change his actions.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

"My dog bites me, shame on me//My dog bites anyone else on his own/ Dog put down" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Simple answer to a complex problem!

Damn shame the owner could not be put down along with his squirrley dog...That would really solve the problem!