A couple was walking their Chihuahua. This is my favorite breed (other than Mals) so I had to stop them. They told me the dog didn't like anyone but them. They had a local trainer see the dog and declined her services because she wanted to use an e-collar. I mentioned this site and the wonderful training videos on it. I told them I used to rescue and rehab Chihuahuas and that the dog could be helped. They just nodded along, didn't ask for the web address or anything else for that matter. They were holding the dog because my kids were outside. When the dog growled at me from within their arms for no reason guess what? They pet him!!!! I didn't waste my breath any more after that.

That kind of thing drives me crazy, but you were smart not to waste any more time. Some people spoil their toy breeds beyond belief. And unknowingly encourage nasty behavior, like petting after displaying nastiness <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
The chi litter I currently have has been raised around my kids and nasty behavior is not tolerated. My male (the sire) loves everyone. I only have one chi who has an attitude with strangers and, not to make excuses for her- but she wasn't raised properly for her first 4 months before I got her (she seemed fine at the breeders). I wasn't in a place or position where I could take her around people to properly socialize her so I did my best at home.
The day I brought her home she bit me hard enough to draw blood and I scruffed her and yelled no, and she hasn't done it since. She loves me and my kids, avoids my husband <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> and when people come over I put her away.

Hi Amanda and Stacy,

You both sound very knowledgeable about dog aggression. I am hoping you can help us with a situation we're dealing with.

I have a 3 year old male Sheba Inu. For the most part he is a good dog. He has always shown some aggression towards other dogs but after watching Eds dvd’s I think it is because he was attacked by another dog as a puppy. With people he has always been fine (even with strangers) until recently. The only incident we had was about a year ago… I was told he nipped at a child that was trying to pet him through the fence. He didn’t leave a mark on the child and I wasn’t there at the time so I couldn’t correct him for it. It would have made no sense to him to correct him hours after the fact.

All hell broke loose with this dog about 6 weeks ago when we brought a new dog home. Knowing he had the tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs and he is male… I picked a female. I was very cautious not to introduce them right away. She was in heat when she arrived so they did not have any direct contact for the first three weeks. I did let him check her out through the kennel after a week.

The day after we brought her home… he nipped at me when I was feeding him and bite my daughter the same day. He got a very sharp correction immediately and I was praying that would be the end of it.

The first couple times we introduced the dogs on leashes he showed aggression towards her… we separated them immediately. In sympathy for what he is going through… I have made a conscious effort to spend more time with him then usual trying to reassure him. However… He has bitten me twice when administering a soft correction like pushing him away when he jumped up on me.

This new dog has stolen my heart… and I will not get rid of her to appease him… but I feel horrible that he is taking this so hard. I really do love him. I have seen so many articles on the site that say… once they bite they always bite. I have 3 small children… and I can’t have a biting dog.

I have thought about just muzzling him. Is there anything else I can do to correct this situation?

Any feedback is appreciated.

I haven't been a member here for more than a few days, but I would personally get rid of a dog that bites like that. He can't be trusted. Don't wait until he bites one of your kids to the point of stitches or worse to make the decision.
Also, what kind of correction do you use when he lashes out? I have never been bitten more than once by the same dog. All I can say in honesty is if a dog of mine deliberately bit my daughter, that would be the last person he bit. I know it sounds harsh.. I can tolerate dog aggression easily by avoidance of a situation...human aggression, especially in my own home to members of my family is not acceptable.
Please know this is my opinion and may not be respected as I have stated my many mistakes in training, but one thing I am confident in is dealing with aggressive dogs. It sounds to me like he is getting pretty confident and obviously is not responding to the corrections you are administering.
I hope someone else can give you more input.

Here is a link I found that might be of interest to you:

http://www.northeastshibarescue.com/biting.html

Thanks Stacey,

Great Article. we have had this guy since he was a pup... and considering the new house changes do you think it would be appropriate to put him back in a kennel for a month or so until he adjust to the new pack member and basically treat him like a ban new dog... only allowing him to be handled by one person… out of the kennel during controlled breaks like Ed explains in his training?

If after 6 weeks he is still aggressive to the other much bigger dog… do you think there is hope for harmony between the two?

Thanks again for the link!

Correction...

I didn't see the double post and responded above to your second post before seeing the first.

I was fearful getting rid of him would be the suggestion. How does one get rid of a dog? Would I just take him to a shelter... or put him down myself? (the latter is a hard pill to swollow) :-(

Will a shelter even take a dog that has biten?

If you take him to a shelter, you're just passing on the problem, with possibly worse results.

Unless you find an experienced aggressive dog handler who lives out in the country with no kids around, you don't want to risk putting that dog in the hands of someone so irresponsible that they let the dog cause severe harm to a child, accident or not... difficult situation for sure :\

 Quote:

I mentioned this site and the wonderful training videos on it.

People don't want help, they want to justify their problems. However much you think someone will appreciate your advice - forget it, odds are they are just humoring you. Odds are they'll talk ____ behind your back or throw it in your face some time in the future. God knows I get everything thrown in my face sooner or later, if I keep my mouth shut I don't talk enough, if I talk about something I'm enthusiastic about I get it thrown in my face. Apparently I'm the dog obsessed guy that likes to make dogs aggressive. I don't think anyone I've referred to Leerburg has ever spent more than 2 minutes looking at the site. Almost every dog I see in my neighborhood is aggressive and I just laugh to myself about how well behaved my dog is.

The shelter may accept the dog but will put it to sleep.