Wendy,
This isn't going to be a training issue, you usually can't "train" away a temperament, so this becomes a management problem.

Crate your dog in your bedroom each and every time that people come over, no exceptions *ever*.
You'll have a happier dog for this, whether you believe it or not.

And you'll lower your legal liability a lot.

The description of this dog reminds me of a neighbor's dog when I was a kid. They were stationed in Germany (Army) and brought the dog home with them when he retired (General). The kids could not have friends in the house. We had a chain link fence between the homes until the dog started charging the fence. A big ugly cement block monstrosity that they totally wrapped around the back yard took its place very quickly. (It was pink!)

Once the dog finally passed away, we could come in the house...but the kids didn't know how to share ANYTHING of theirs. They were not socialized at having friends in their home. And the mother was not enthusiastic at having to entertain kids in her home, either.

As I write this, I realize this is me. But it was our miniature poodle who was allowed to behave this way, my kids never learned how to share and I didn't like having other kids in my home.

Oh, dear. Wish I'd had this resource then.

Thank you all for your feedback. It is so greatly appreciated!

Willie, I will give you a call. I am located in Mechanicsville, MD. I do believe I need help from a trainer, it is just finding the right one.

I think it was Jessica who offered the story of the scared child and I get it. I see it with my dog...she watches everyone. I really thought she was guarding, but I really see now that she is nervous and keeping tabs out of self preservation.

This weekend we had family in from out of town for my daughter's birthday party. I kept Kinsa in my room while most of the guests were here. She wasn't happy about it but did calm down. I did let her socialize with my family after all the other guests left. At first she was nervous, but I told everyone to ignore her. She smelled each one and went to the center of the room and laid down...head at rest and very calm. She even fell asleep, but we were all watching tv and there was not much activity.

One thing I need to mention is that I used to think that she was more protective of my daughter. Kinsa follows her everywhere. Now I really think that she looks at my daughter as her protector....she feels safe with her. Let me also say that my daughter is a natural trainer. She was bitten by another dog at a young age and still has never shown any fear.

Since you all have helped me to see thing differently, I have noticed that I have to work at making Kinsa follow my lead, but my daughter doesn't. Kinsa will automatically sit at any entry door to our house and wait for my daughter to give her the okay to enter...I, on the other hand, have to command her every time.

Having shared this, I need to let you know that Kinsa nipped my father's ankle last night. We were all going to bed and my daughter walked up the stairs and my father followed her, I was behind him with the dog. That is when Kinsa nipped his ankle. There was not any barking, not any frantic behavior...just a grab and release. My dad did not react, in fact I caught her in the act and gave a firm NO! She lowered her head and turned to me...we all continued up the stairs and all was fine.

Kinsa has been crate trained, but we have not been utilizing the crate. I am going to take the advise and start using it again.

I am trying to reply to all the amazing input, so forgive me for the long response.

My goal would be to have a dog that I can trust with anyone, but I am now seeing this may not be the case. We can live with that. We love her too much and do not want to make her live her last years in an environment that she does not feel safe in. It is a great compassion lesson to teach my children.

I don't know any of the details of her first owner. I am going to make some calls tomorrow to see if I can find out more.

Thanks again and I will let you all know what I find.

Hi All,
I hope that some of you are still checking this post. I have been putting all of the comments into practice and things have been working well, until this past weekend. We went to visit my parents and had no choice but to take Kinsa with us. She bite my father, no skin broken, but a full out bark, bark, two front legs up and bite at his hip. He looked at her and then turned his back and that is when the bite happened. I know in dog world, it was a confrontation, and when my father turned away, Kinsa was in control and asserted herself. This is not acceptable.

I contacted the person who we got her from and she wants to take her back and put her down and give us a new dog. I know her former owner wants to do what is right, but we are heartbroken and truly torn. We want to rehabilitate her, but are extremely concerned that she will bite again.

We have an appointment with a local trainer, who trains dogs for the presidential unit. He is also retired from training military dogs. He is willing to come to our home and evaluate her. We have been turned down by two other trainers and are thankful that he is willing to come and assess her. We are preparing ourselves for the worst.

I have done my research on how police dogs are trained, and it truly angers me! This dog is soooo great in every other aspect. She deserved more out of her life....We are making our final attempt, but are willing to accept the outcome. Again, I am angry and we are hurting. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! This really stinks!

Sincerely,
Wendy

 Quote: will rambeau

Wendy,
This isn't going to be a training issue, you usually can't "train" away a temperament, so this becomes a management problem.

Crate your dog in your bedroom each and every time that people come over, no exceptions *ever*.
You'll have a happier dog for this, whether you believe it or not.

And you'll lower your legal liability a lot.

Wendy, I do not have the expertise to help in this situation, but this man does. His advice, if followed, would have prevented this from happening. There are collapsable, portable crates which could be used when traveling.

I can only imagine how torn your heart is, but if this is in fact not a trainable issue - it is up to you to manage it. It will require a significant life-style change...

I read this thread when it was first written, and didn't feel the need to comment, as people who are much more knowledgeable with fear-based aggression were posting.
I re-skimmed it tonight. Follow Will's advice to a 'T'.

I did notice, that imo one piece of advice is missing. If you MUST bring her out in public, (walking, relatives house, etc) or with strangers around- MUZZLE HER! Get a comfortable basket muzzle for her. Use marker training to get her used to wearing it, and ALWAYS muzzle her when there is ANY risk of her beginning to get agitated.

I know in your first post you said it seems to rile her up more, but thats better then her biting, if she's going to be in a frame of mind to bite. Try different kinds, find a fit that comfortable for her.

It'll save you stress, and potential heartache. It is by no means a fix to the situation, but it can prevent bites from happening. She really needs your help to avoid the situations where she feels the need to bite, but if you have any doubts about her comfort level, just use it, rather then be sorry about it later.

 Quote: barbara schuler

 Quote: will rambeau

Wendy,
This isn't going to be a training issue, you usually can't "train" away a temperament, so this becomes a management problem.

Crate your dog in your bedroom each and every time that people come over, no exceptions *ever*.
You'll have a happier dog for this, whether you believe it or not.

And you'll lower your legal liability a lot.

Wendy, I do not have the expertise to help in this situation, but this man does. His advice, if followed, would have prevented this from happening. There are collapsable, portable crates which could be used when traveling.

I can only imagine how torn your heart is, but if this is in fact not a trainable issue - it is up to you to manage it. It will require a significant life-style change...

I'm signing off for the night but can't get this post off my mind.

You have a huge liability in your home. If you are not willing to follow the advice given by the qualified people who have provided that information, you need to rehome/return the dog. Someone is going to get hurt, and the dog is miserable in the mean-time. Either COMMIT to keeping the dog away from all visitors/extended family members or admit this is out of your league.

JMHO and best of luck.

 Quote: Wendy Bumbernick

I contacted the person who we got her from and she wants to take her back and put her down and give us a new dog.

I have done my research on how police dogs are trained, and it truly angers me!

Why would you get another dog from this person? She wants to put this dog down, yet she was attempting to breed her!

Did you find out any more history on her? Again, just because she had some training,it didn't make her a police dog.

History doesn't matter, managing from this point does, she has bitten again, what do you think training is going to do?

Edited by Connie Sutherland (09/08/2010 11:24 AM)
Edit reason: delete counterproductive stuff