Could this be a cane corso mix instead of dobe/rott?

Ah shoot. I'm sorry to hear this. Recently, after many weeks of awesome progress, Jethro charged a dog on leash from half a block away. He had never met this dog before, he was standing there with my husband waiting for me and Skipper to come up. My husband had momentarily dropped the leash (we had been practicing more and more recall games because Jethro had improved so much) and Jethro took one look and then caught a scent and was gone. I was almost caught up when he bolted and tried to jump on his trailing leash (it is a 12' for this very reason). I managed to kick the leash under a parked car and as Jethro ran forward the leash jammed under the tire. Jethro was going so fast he broke his Starmark collar and kept going (yes, we had forgotten to attach the backup tab to his web collar. He was circling and in close barking at this poor dog and owner when I caught him and fell on top of him.

A collection of errors that culminated in Jethro loose and in full reaction. Ugh.

I guess I am commiserating with the 'perfect vigilance' scenario, knowing that none of us is perfect. Harley looks like a loveable goof. Who knows what is going on his brain?

I agree, if this is truly uncharacteristic, he should probably be checked by a vet to make sure he isn't suffering in some way.

I think I've shared before, our family dog, a black lab bit me when I was five. I hugged him and he clamped down on the back of my head. After getting me to the hospital and back with stitches, it was noticed that he had a wound. He had been hit by a car...(where I grew up dogs just roamed and nobody ever thought anything about it.) He was sent to my aunt who had no children. Everyone thought it was because I'd hit a sore spot on him when I hugged him, because he was a trusted family pet.

Anyway, a year later, a neighbor to my aunt was not watching their grandchild who was a toddler and she wandered in the yard. I will not go into detail, but she was hurt badly and was scarred for life.

I'm not saying this because I think your Dad's dog should be PTS. I'm just thinking that it's a gamble to have children under the same roof with a dog who's bitten before. It should be carefully considered whether they can manage 24/7 containment when the kids are over. I also agree that a trip to the vet is a good idea if he's had an overnight change of personality.

I'm truly sorry. This sucks for everyone involved.

Just saw this post, very glad Kylie is ok. I have a 3 yr old son and totally understand what a nightmare you went through.

One thing though, a dog's temperament can not be changed. Kylie reaching in to the crate is just one scenario, if the dog is fearful, insecure, then there will be many other scenarios that would result in a defensive reaction also.

Harley is healthy. I have him a through going-over last night. The thing is, both bites are not totally out of the blue, if you look at the scenario. (Food, stranger. Ball, child, crate)

Betty, He's definatly a Dobe/Rott. Previous owners had Mom and Dad, and Harley is build like the 'gladiator' style Dobes. We've got a neighbor with a Corso though- breaks every breed 'trait' as far as this guy is SWEET, and loves everyone.

I'm honestly not all that worried about it happening again. Dad is paranoid at this point, and the dog will be carefully managed when company, or my children are over. I don't expect his temperament to be changed... in fact, he's got a lovely temperament except for these 2 incidents, which are almost flukes.... almost, but it's not ok, even as a random bad incident.

And really, muzzling when company is over is not a big deal at all. It will put everyone more at ease. Sure he could still cause damage with it on since he's so huge, but he won't be able to sneak in those quick bites.

Heck, I muzzle my old dog every time I walk him out from our apartment as he can't be trusted 100% and I'd rather not risk him seriously injuring someone's dog on that 0.1% chance. It didn't take him long to associate it with good things, and now he smushes his face willingly into the muzzle.

EXACTLY Tabatha!!!! It's really no big deal. It's a lightweight plastic basket muzzle, and other then him bonking you with his head cause he's pouting about the muzzle, it'll make everyone feel more secure, especially my Dad.

This dog wore a muzzle for the first month they owned him. His previous owners put the 'soft paws' thingys on his toes, and they DESTROYED his feet to the point where the dog was chewing himself bloody. He's used to it, and it'll give everyone reassurance about his mouth being contained.

This stinks that this has happened twice in such a short period of time.
My sister is going to give birth to my nephew in 2 months and I am terrified something might go wrong logically I know nothing will happen because I have worked hard to make sure she does not see children as bad things and she will have no interaction with him but I sometimes don't think rationally what if she gets loose when his out and acts aggressive.

But like I said 99 percent of the time I am confident but its that one percent that I sometimes think something bad may happen

 Quote: Tabatha Farnel

And really, muzzling when company is over is not a big deal at all. It will put everyone more at ease. Sure he could still cause damage with it on since he's so huge, but he won't be able to sneak in those quick bites.

Heck, I muzzle my old dog every time I walk him out from our apartment as he can't be trusted 100% and I'd rather not risk him seriously injuring someone's dog on that 0.1% chance. It didn't take him long to associate it with good things, and now he smushes his face willingly into the muzzle.

Good post, IMHO. I had not really thought before about how certain situations, with certain dogs, might benefit like this.

Thank you, Tabatha!

Having dogs comfortable in a muzzle can be a God send. Vets, post surgery. A muzzle is a lot easier if they are use to one rather then one of those stupid lampshade things.