A dog that bites is looked at very differently than a dog that doesn't bite. It's a very fine line, the line between a biting dog and just a barking dog. But that very fine line turns into a giant chasm once the actual bite happens.
Insurance companies treat you differently (and charge you more). Animal Control has a file on your dog. Neighbors make a wide arc around your house. Lawyers love people who have biting dogs – it makes for good business. Last, but certainly not least, YOU look at your dog differently after that first bite.
You may not have seen the bite coming. Or maybe you did see it coming, but just didn't know when. Regardless, situations get sticky in a hurry once a dog has crossed the line and has bitten a person.
The dog in the picture above was mine. His name was Lucky and he played a big part in my transition to dog trainer, and specifically the transition to a dog-friendly, positive reinforcement dog trainer. Lucky bit people. He loved to bite people. He was a dog who kept a lookout for people to bite. Through a strict management program and a non-stop behavior modification program, Lucky lived a very happy, very long life with us, thankfully.
I've had two clients recently with dogs who have bitten or who are very likely to bite sometime soon. The first client, whose dog escaped the yard and bit a neighbor, have chosen to give their dog away instead of train the dog. To an elderly relative who "is good with animals." I hate hearing this – even if the relative is excellent with dogs, he'll also have to have stellar management practices. By that I mean the dog can never — ever — get out of the fence, the gate, or the door unless he's safely leashed. The dog must be put in a locked bedroom if anyone comes into the house. That's a hard bill to fill and it's very stressful, wondering if you've remembered everything.
Here are the management practices we put in place when we had Lucky: When guests came over, he was behind a locked bedroom door and a baby gate was placed in front of the locked door. Another gate was put up between where we entertained guests and the bedroom that contained Lucky just in case a wayward guest tried to visit Lucky, despite our warnings to stay away.
In the yard, we padlocked the gates to ensure that the neighborhood kids couldn't open the gates to come inside to retrieve a ball or play with the friendly Labradors and the not-friendly Lucky. We educated the neighbors about Lucky and how they were to never (ever) put their hands inside the fence, nor were they to tease or even talk to Lucky over the fence. And never, ever, ever were they to come inside the fence. For any reason. Ever. Even with those cautions, one of us was always outside in the fenced yard when Lucky was out. Unless it was after 11:00p – then we figured if there was a burglar lurking in the bushes, Lucky would be within his rights to bite him!
Another recent client mentioned that their dog often charged people on the street, barking with hackles up, circling the pedestrians, but they hadn't ever considered that behavior a problem, let alone a warning sign that a bite could be close. There's no better warning sign that a bite is coming than a charging dog, hackles raised! The very next thing the dog is going to do is bite! The time to take action is now, before the bite occurs. I advised the dog never be off a leash when outdoors. It's just too easy for a dog to cross the line from charging and barking to charging, barking, and biting. And it only takes one bite for everything to change.
Don't wait for the bite to happen. Your dog doesn't need the trouble. You don't need the headache. Or the financial liability that comes along with a dangerous dog. Do yourself, your dog, and your neighbors a favor and find a positive-reinforcement trainer who can help you develop a management program along with a behavior modification program to ensure that your dog — and your neighbors — stay safe.
So often I hear, “Yeah, he does that [red flag behavior], but he’s never actually bitten anyone, so it’s okay.”
Every biting dog had a first bite.
Dogs give us so many signals that we need to intervene and change the environment, rescue them from a tough situation, or train them how better to live in human society. “He hasn’t bitten anyone yet” doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t, given the right circumstances.
So often I hear, “Yeah, he does that [red flag behavior], but he’s never actually bitten anyone, so it’s okay.”
Every biting dog had a first bite.
Dogs give us so many signals that we need to intervene and change the environment, rescue them from a tough situation, or train them how better to live in human society. “He hasn’t bitten anyone yet” doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t, given the right circumstances.
Our rescued miniature Australian Shepherd “herded” people but was quite aggressive about it. He also nipped at heels when people came into the house and charged with a menacing bark and teeth bared if anyone tried to come into the fenced back yard. We did all the management strategies and after four years, he doesn’t have to stay behind closed doors now when someone comes to the house.
It took a very long time but eventually he adapted and has become quite a nice and friendly dog. He’s a good watch dog and lets us know if anything strange is going on outside or around our house.
I wouldn’t say he’s unpredictable like he used to be, but he is very protective (of his people and his space). We go camping quite a bit and he loves meeting and greeting people on walks, but with his history, I’ll never let him run loose.
We have a boxer who is the friendliest and sweetest dog you’ve ever met except when approached by another dog his size or bigger then he’s a monster dog. We rescued him too and the trainer we worked with thinks he exhibits signs of having been a bait dog. I hope not but it is what it is and whatever caused the behavior, we have to deal with it.
Some dogs you just have to maintain specific management strategies their whole lives. As responsible dog owners it’s best for us and for the dogs (whatever their individual neuroses happen to be).
Great post. I really appreciated what you described as your management techniques for Lucky in case a “wayward guest tried to visit.”
When I was a little girl, my parents got a puppy from my grandparents. His mama was a purebred collie but his papa was a wolf/GSD hybrid. Duchess was very affectionate to me as a child. I think he saw me as a puppy. But he was a biter.
I’ll never forget the day a friend of my parents decided to say “hello” to Duchess in the backyard. My parents told him to stay away from the dog but he didn’t listen.
Of course, Duchess took a piece out of this man’s arm and the next week had my parents’ friend threatening to sue and to have my beloved dog killed.
I guess it was a happy ending. My dad heard of an auto parts store that had been robbed. The GSD they had guarding the place did nothing. So we “traded” Duchess for their “Duke.” 38 years later I cry as hard thinking about losing Duchess as I did that day.
I guess I started learning that day the responsibility that came with having a dog.
Lucky was indeed lucky to have someone who worked so hard to manage his behavior, teach him better options, and manage the behavior of everyone around him.
Laura, you’re so right. I’m not sure why people seem unfazed when their dog is displaying troublesome behavior – especially when a professional describes how and why the behavior is troublesome and will most likely lead to a bite. All I can do is explain what I see, encourage responsible training and management, and urge them to look at their dog’s behavior through different lenses…
Sherlocok: I’m happy to hear you were able to use management and behavior modification to help your dog live a normal life. It’s rewarding to see your dog come so far. And I’m sure his life is much better now because of all the time you invested in modifying his behavior.
My dog Lucky led a long and happy life. He still got to go places – we just had to be sure they were much less populated than the normal places people take dogs. We went camping, but made sure to always go in the off season, and to get a cabin (with a locking door) whenever possible. We never (ever) left him behind in the cabin (or tent when we camped where there weren’t cabins) and he always wore a Gentle Leader and we stayed well off the beaten path.
A dedicated owner like yourself can really make a difference in a dog’s life – I’m glad you left your comment. Makes me smile just knowing how good a life you’ve given your dogs.
Pamela: I’m glad Duchess found a good home – one where his personality found a good fit. It’s tough, though, I agree. Especially when you’re a child and your favorite friend goes to live somewhere else. 🙁
Lucky was an interesting dog. He bit to get people to stay away from him – he was a fear-biter. Thankfully, wasn’t biting to kill. He was an ankle biter, but would escalate if pushed away or yelled at. And since both of those are common reactions to being bitten, we figured we were better off safe than sorry. We probably went way overboard on our management techniques, but you can’t ever take a bite back. And I never wanted to be put in the position where I might have to euthanize him because he bit a neighbor.
Lucky was very friendly to those he knew. He had a circle of (human) friends he trusted and loved. Once you were in his circle, you were a friend for life. My mother-in-law [a cat person, NOT a dog person!] visited every six months. Once Lucky knew her, she could come in the house whenever she wanted – with or without us being home – and Lucky was the first to greet her. If you were a stranger, though — look out. Lucky would greet you, too, but with his teeth!
Had a behavior consultation this morning for a 9-year old westie who has become aggressive towards young children now that grandchildren are entering the picture. It’s so true that behavior problems can get worse when ignored. Don’t let problems become serious before you address them, and don’t waste time in denial. Thanks for posting this!
Very interesting post Laurie. I took a dog behavior seminar at the humane society a while back & was quite surprised to learn the behavior & warning signs dogs are giving us prior to biting.
The instructor told us that biting is often the last resort for the dog, as they have tried to tell us with body language to stay away or that they are frightened & uncomfortable with something.
Even though I don’t have a dog, I truly enjoy reading your posts & try to remember some of your suggestions when I am volunteering at the animal shelter.
I only wish I could have more time with the shelter dogs so I could try to implement some of your training & behavior modification suggestions.
Keep up the good work!!
Michelle
Glad to hear you’re doing behavior consults! It’s wonderful to find great veterinarians to work with — the vet-trainer-owner team is a powerful one and lots of good can come of that triad!
Michelle: Glad your humane society is offering dog behavior seminars. We need more of those! I’ve been toying with the idea of offering these in my community – a lot of good can come from a little education! Thanks for your kind words.