Well, Will, maybe Ms. Wetter is writing a novel (and if so, she's GOOD at it!) -- But I guess you could check out her story with the Arizona Attorney General's Office & the Phoenix branch of the ASPCA, if you really want to get to bottom of it...

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Why, it almost reads like fiction....

Yes, yes it does! :O


Annalynn, if that's all 100% true, hoolly smokes do I ever feel sorry for you! I hope much better things are ahead of you now that you've found a safe place to live.

Getting back on topic... Exactly what sort of work does the dog do for you? I'm picturing him picking things up with his mouth and giving them to you. I'm wondering if he would be able to do his job wearing a muzzle? You're obviously in a position where his assistance is invalueble to you. At least with a muzzle on, he could safely accompany you outside of the house and not be a potential threat to others and a potential liability to you if god forbid he bites a child while thinking he must protect you.

If he is a certified assistance dog, there must be some sort of a governing body involved. Would they be able to help you in person? They must have some sort of charity opportunities, perhaps that could be an avenue to persue? Dealing with aggressive dogs, especially in such a complicated situation can be extremely hard to do well over the internet. A lot of times a trainer needs to see the dog and its reactions in person and make their own judgement of what is happening as opposed to being told by possibly inexperienced eyes.

From reading your story, my first impression is that you are not dealing with a dominant dog. He listens to you and none of what you describe deals with him challenging your leadership. In regards to the post you made asking if this behaviour has to do with poor breeding or poor socializing, I think it is neither. The dog was fine up to a point of a traumatic event. In fact not one, but a number of traumatic events! Had he after all that continued to behave as if nothing happened, I honestly would be looking for a trap door on the tummy containing blinking lights, and electrical wires.

To modify his behaviour to begin accepting strangers again may not be impossible, but it certainly will be extremely difficult. The biggest issue I see is plain and simple regardless of how much time and effor is put into reconditioning him, being able to trust him again.

To an overwhelming extent, this story does not sound plausible to me. However, here goes: If the fella you're living with is a boyfriend, pay a *proportionate* amount of rent. The money you have then available can go towards a thorough evaluation by a different independant service dog trainer. Bear in mind that there could be a genetic component, and events have brought out obvious instability/weak nerves that were congenital in the dog. With head injury and possible anxiety, you yourself could also be cueing the dog to anticipate frequent threats. Or, the dog can be simply conditioned to react out of fear with aggression after such a history. In any event, weak nerves, conditioned fear responses, or being cued by an anxious owner are all very significant, difficult to "fix" problems for a dog you want to have full public access as a service dog under the ADA. You've been astoundingly lucky that you haven't had public access rights waived/stripped as a result of the series of bites so far. Good luck with your dog, may you find a supportive trainer for guidance.
Incidentally for anyone curious, there are people who do own legitimate, certified, "unconventional" service dogs that are not from an agency. You'll know one when you see one, because it'll be a Beauceron, Leonberger, working line GSD, etc. with full service dog certification through a certified service dog trainer. They are generally selected as only the stablest pups from very clear-headed parents with rock-solid nerves and medium, balanced drives. So, never weak-nerved nor aggressive working alongside the public. Next, enter the certified independant service dog trainer experienced with working lines, and a safe, reliable working service dog partnership is born.
Sometimes disabled laypeople need service dogs... but sometimes experienced working dog folks become disabled too, and only a suitable, carefully evaluated/selected dog of their chosen working breed will suffice.