Old Dog Needs New Tricks - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

Scarecrow03 · **^ Top** #1 02.27.2007

As some of you know, Missourigirl and I just moved in together earlier this month. Along with her came her three dogs (2 dobermans and a rottweiler). The elder of the 2 dobermans, Taz, is 10 and according to many websites has either lived passed or is in the twilight of his years. By and large, he's a good dog. The only problem that has come about over the past few weeks is his tendency to bite maliciously. The first incident came about when I was attempting to remove him from the brand new couch bought for our house. He bit me on the forearm while I was physically trying to remove him. I was understanding of this as he didn't know me too well yet and he viewed me as a threat. However, about three days later when my mom and step-dad came over to see our new house, he bit my mom in the face after he approached her to "check her out". Luckily, I had his leash and collar on him and was able to react to get him off of her before he did any serious damage. Mom's face did get scratched a little and she had some swelling over her eye the next couple of days. Now, just this past Saturday, my 22 year old nephew stopped by for a visit and Taz approached him, was smelling of him, then began to growl. I quickly grabbed Taz before he was able to snap at him, but there's no doubt in my mind that was the dog's very intentions. Is there anything that I can do to help this dog out. I love all animals, and am especially fond of dogs, but not ones that are biters. To say the least, when he attacked my mom, I was furious and MG and I considered options for sending him back to Missouri. As it turned out, no one there wants the dog so he's still with us. Problem is, now my mother doesn't want to come to my house, and I'm sure my nephew is a bit more standoffish about it as well. If anyone has any suggestions as to how we might be able to help break this dog of this awful habit I would greatly appreciate it.

notarps4me · **^ Top** #2 02.27.2007

Could be the age of the dog or an illness. Also keep in mind he is now in a new enviroment and seeing a lot of new faces may have him upset. Thing to keep in mind is sooner or later you may face charges and damages if he hurts someone. You would be responsible for medical and perhaps other damages. Main point is I would not want to be worrying what his next move would be. I would suggest a vet looking at him and discussing this with him. Good luck to you. Hope all your bitten guest and you are OK.

Cybergal · **^ Top** #3 02.27.2007

YOU also might want to try a muzzle too.

Obviously he can't be trusted and major decisions need to be made about whether you can keep him in line on this behavior.

YOU might want to take him to the VET for a check-up and a simple blood test to see if he is feeling OK and go from there.

If his health is ok...then you know it's mental and you must make him aware that you are the boss, and analyze the situation to see if you can come up with what made him act like he did.

It certainly could be a new environment/strangers making him nervous/scared, which would make him lash out like he did.

But, I do believe I would start with a VET visit first and go from there.

notarps4me · **^ Top** #4 02.27.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybergal

YOU also might want to try a muzzle too.

Obviously he can't be trusted and major decisions need to be made about whether you can keep him in line on this behavior.

YOU might want to take him to the VET for a check-up and a simple blood test to see if he is feeling OK and go from there.

If his health is ok...then you know it's mental and you must make him aware that you are the boss, and analyze the situation to see if you can come up with what made him act like he did.

It certainly could be a new environment/strangers making him nervous/scared, which would make him lash out like he did.

But, I do believe I would start with a VET visit first and go from there.

Wish I would have thought of that!

roadkill439342 · **^ Top** #5 02.27.2007

You say he is at least 10. Could be age related. Knowing dogs like I do, once they begin a pattern or history of biting, it's time for them to "go", age aside.
You can't (legally) even give that dog away. His 'history' could come back to bite you. He is definately a liability.
"Loving" dogs is one thing, but safety of others is more important.

missourigirl_n_illinois · **^ Top** #6 02.27.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarecrow03

As some of you know, Missourigirl and I just moved in together earlier this month. Along with her came her three dogs (2 dobermans and a rottweiler). The elder of the 2 dobermans, Taz, is 10 and according to many websites has either lived passed or is in the twilight of his years. By and large, he's a good dog. The only problem that has come about over the past few weeks is his tendency to bite maliciously. The first incident came about when I was attempting to remove him from the brand new couch bought for our house. He bit me on the forearm while I was physically trying to remove him. I was understanding of this as he didn't know me too well yet and he viewed me as a threat. However, about three days later when my mom and step-dad came over to see our new house, he bit my mom in the face after he approached her to "check her out". Luckily, I had his leash and collar on him and was able to react to get him off of her before he did any serious damage. Mom's face did get scratched a little and she had some swelling over her eye the next couple of days. Now, just this past Saturday, my 22 year old nephew stopped by for a visit and Taz approached him, was smelling of him, then began to growl. I quickly grabbed Taz before he was able to snap at him, but there's no doubt in my mind that was the dog's very intentions. Is there anything that I can do to help this dog out. I love all animals, and am especially fond of dogs, but not ones that are biters. To say the least, when he attacked my mom, I was furious and MG and I considered options for sending him back to Missouri. As it turned out, no one there wants the dog so he's still with us. Problem is, now my mother doesn't want to come to my house, and I'm sure my nephew is a bit more standoffish about it as well. If anyone has any suggestions as to how we might be able to help break this dog of this awful habit I would greatly appreciate it.

first i think we should explain a few things about the situation scarecrow.... that being that things need to be taken into consideration.. 1.) his age 2.) had just been taken out of his environment into a strange one 3.) had made a 6 hr trip in a uhaul with a total stranger 4.) was being pined up in a bedroom for 2 hrs at a time and then out for 2 hrs~ alternateing the dogs . and im sure all the dogs were confused and stressed from the change. i had woke up hearing you with a stern voice telling him to get down which was fine but i also told you he didnt like people up in his face like that and to stop or he would bite,you were warned.but you continued on pressureing him. i told you to wait i would get him so maybe he felt provoked. then when your mother came over... you knew he didnt like people in his face so why did you let him in her face... HE DID NOT LIKE THE SMELL OF HER DOG ON HER AND THATS WHY HE BARKED AND SNIPED AT HER. NOT EITHER TIME WAS HE VICIOUSLY ATTACKING EITHER OF YOU. im not saying what he has done is ok but like when your nephew came over you were expecting him so why did you open the door before he was put up? he is in a strange place with strange people without me around why would he not feel as if he may need to be at his defense? dogs sense others out. rather it is ones fear of him or that they dont like him will make a dog react in defense for themselves. taz has just begun to adjust and is just now getting use to you. i didnt raise him like i have the other two. i didnt put him threw training like the other dobberman. the first 4 yrs of his life was totally different than it was when i came into the picture. he had human contact and love as a little puppy but not much due to mike being a truck driver, brenda working a busy job at peterbilt and the girls were in high school so ya know how much kids at that age are into pets. his security became in me. and when i left mike i couldnt take the dogs with me at first so his security and trust was broken in his heart. then when we got them like i said he took a 6 hr drive with a total stranger not me ~you. give this dog a break. maybe im being silly... i will defend my dog when i need too! sorry baby! you are makeing people to be mislead here and they need to know the condition of the situations that took place! taz was under alot of change and stress which does not excuse his manner but also needs to be taken into consideration too. you make it sound like just out of the blue this dog has become mean. i take no chances.. i will gladly say dont come in or dont come near the dog cause he is a grumpy old man that is set in his ways and dont like certain things so let me get him up before you enter. POINT IS DONT PUT HIM OR OTHERS IN THE POSTITION FOR HIM TO FEEL THREATENED! ESPECIALLY WHEN AT THE TIME HE HAD REASON TO BE UPSET AND CONFUSED WITH CHANGES IN HIS LIFE. IM SURE WHEN THE FENSE IS UP AND HE IS OUTSIDE YOUR MOTHER WILL COME OVER.

Brickman · **^ Top** #7 02.28.2007

Scarecrow you know the honeymoon is over when you get called out on the net.

luvmyhubby · **^ Top** #8 02.28.2007

Well as for Taz, changes in his life should not result in aggression, and I would get a muzzle for him, of course AFTER going to the vet to be sure there is no physical reason for his behavior......if he is old he could just be hurting etc.

Dogs that bite can not be trusted, period.....and they can costs you A LOT if they bite the wrong person. I dont blame friends and family for not coming over, I wouldnt either. PLEASE dont put up a sign warning of the dog "beware of dog" etc, that opens you up to HUGE liability!
Maybe get him a large crate, put it in a common area of the house and when people come over put him in there, so that he can see that they are ok, that he is not the boss, and so that he has his own space that nobody can bother him in. It would also be a visual signal to visitors to leave him alone.
As for you scarecrow, I think your in the doghouse now....

Cerberus · **^ Top** #9 02.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brickman

Scarecrow you know the honeymoon is over when you get called out on the net.

SNAP..................................

Cerberus · **^ Top** #10 02.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by notarps4me

Could be the age of the dog or an illness. Also keep in mind he is now in a new enviroment and seeing a lot of new faces may have him upset. Thing to keep in mind is sooner or later you may face charges and damages if he hurts someone. You would be responsible for medical and perhaps other damages. Main point is I would not want to be worrying what his next move would be. I would suggest a vet looking at him and discussing this with him. Good luck to you. Hope all your bitten guest and you are OK.

cosign....................i moved a dog (she was only 8yrs old) from Louisiana to florida yrs back. she ended getting really aggressive and we took her to the vet. she was allergic to the grass and it made her miserable and feisty. they tried to put her on meds but that did no good. when she snipped at me i knew something had to be done. she was euthanized by the vet after all else failed. it might sound mean but i felt it was better than her living a miserable life. it just broke my heart to make that decision.

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