My new rescue dog bit someone today. I had a fence guy come over to give me an estimate. I answered the door, had her on the leash. She seemed really excited, wagging tail etc. He stepped forward to come inside and she bit his leg. He had jeans on and she’s a smaller dog so I think he’s fine but I am so embarassed. First thing I did was take her inside and scruff her with her laying on the ground. Then I put her in her kennel. This is the first time she’s done this while I’ve had her. My parents come over all the time and my realtor came over and she was very polite. What can I do to ensure this never happens again?
Keep scruffing her, and you can guarantee you will end up with a biter, only one that will bite any hand that goes near her collar. Look up alpha rolling and why it isn’t recommended. It was a myth that dogs force others to the ground to show submission. Dogs will WILLINGLY roll over to show submission. They aren’t forced. For now, I would look up some good dog trainers, and look at the website fearfuldogs.com.
She may be biting out of fear, protection, etc. Being new, she probably isn’t settled in yet, with who is good or not. Many dogs have issues with repair people. I’d work on socializing her, inviting people over, and having them feed her treats, teaching her to sit and stay when you open the door, etc.
For now, assume she will bite strangers entering the house, and keep her where they and she will be safe.
What does scruff her mean? To keep this from happening again restrain her completely before letting someone in, or muzzle her. With a rescue dog you have no idea what she is prone to do.
[QUOTE=jetsmom;8820720]
Keep scruffing her, and you can guarantee you will end up with a biter, only one that will bite any hand that goes near her collar. Look up alpha rolling and why it isn’t recommended. It was a myth that dogs force others to the ground to show submission. Dogs will WILLINGLY roll over to show submission. They aren’t forced. For now, I would look up some good dog trainers, and look at the website fearfuldogs.com.
She may be biting out of fear, protection, etc. Being new, she probably isn’t settled in yet, with who is good or not. Many dogs have issues with repair people. I’d work on socializing her, inviting people over, and having them feed her treats, teaching her to sit and stay when you open the door, etc.
For now, assume she will bite strangers entering the house, and keep her where they and she will be safe.[/QUOTE]
Thank you. I’ve been having her sit when people walk by us or are across the street when we go for walks. Initially she would bark at them. She’s doing great with that and this really caught me off guard. Maybe a muzzle is a good option because I do want to socialize her not keep her in the crate when I have guests, but I want everyone to be safe. I’ve bought a training class already but cannot start until October. The training class is a package of adult level 1 for 6 weeks and then akc canine good citizen.
Ahh it looks like if I scruff her when she does something bad that she may associate scruffing with the scary thing that causes bad behavior (visitor), instead of what I intended, which was for her to know that biting a stranger is bad and results in a scruff. I’ve got some reading to do!
Punishment doesn’t work. You need to set her up for success and reward the good. I wouldn’t wait until October if you all ready have a biting issue!
[QUOTE=horsenut_8700;8820978]
Punishment doesn’t work. You need to set her up for success and reward the good. I wouldn’t wait until October if you all ready have a biting issue![/QUOTE]
I have a vacation coming up in 2 weeks. I want to wait until I can do the training course straight through rather than start 1 week and skip 2 weeks.
[QUOTE=Jhein12;8821003]
I have a vacation coming up in 2 weeks. I want to wait until I can do the training course straight through rather than start 1 week and skip 2 weeks.[/QUOTE]
you do understand that to get this dog comfortable, will be more than 3 weeks? The training should start now, and continue till the dog is placed.
I would not answer the door with the dog in hand - that gives them access to “strangers”, and strangers can be scary (to a dog).
I would probably put the dog in a crate where they can see the door, and work on having “strangers” come to your door. (They can be your friends). Put the dog in the crate, answer the door, let everyone settle down, and praise the dog. Eventually I would bring the dog out of the crate on a leash (but not within reach of the “stranger”) and ignore the dog…then praise when they settle down.
It is possible your dog will never get over their anxiety about meeting strangers. But crates and practice might make it a tolerable experience for her (and your visitors).
[QUOTE=jetsmom;8820720]
Keep scruffing her, and you can guarantee you will end up with a biter, only one that will bite any hand that goes near her collar. Look up alpha rolling and why it isn’t recommended. It was a myth that dogs force others to the ground to show submission. Dogs will WILLINGLY roll over to show submission. They aren’t forced. For now, I would look up some good dog trainers, and look at the website fearfuldogs.com.
She may be biting out of fear, protection, etc. Being new, she probably isn’t settled in yet, with who is good or not. Many dogs have issues with repair people. I’d work on socializing her, inviting people over, and having them feed her treats, teaching her to sit and stay when you open the door, etc.
For now, assume she will bite strangers entering the house, and keep her where they and she will be safe.[/QUOTE]
Can I totally support this answer, OP! A scruffing (or partial alpha roll) is NOT going to sort this out - although I can so understand your reaction in the heat of the moment. My young BC is very timid and we have worked hard on her getting to accept being touched - this would have set her back.
Please read fearfuldogs.com - it has good links - and ask your question there. believe me, you will get answered :D. Also look up Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnel, Victoria Stillwell for some other examples.
I am going through this with one of the dogs in my group at our Dog training club at the moment. Taking quite a while but we are getting there - now only need to conquer yellow dogs and people wearing hats. (Don’t ask! It used to be all dogs and All people.)
Crate her before she needs it, not afterwards as punishment.
By the time you’ve scruffed her, she’s long forgotten the bite behavior and crating will have no cause and effect.
Crate her before answering the door, preferably where she can see. If she’s calm and quiet, new person can toss some treats in (new people mean treats! Yay new people!!!). If she’s barking and being silly or acting aggressive or fearful, EVERYONE ignores her, including you. Walk right by and don’t acknowledge. Reward when she’s calm.
Always reward when showing appropriate behavior (my little dog hates to lie down in public…I throw her about a pound of treats when she does). Never punish, especially in this type of situation. I will get loud to get attention, but I always reward the right behavior or redirect to get it once I have it. Yelling and punishment just make for scared dogs.
[QUOTE=Altermyne;8821009]
you do understand that to get this dog comfortable, will be more than 3 weeks? The training should start now, and continue till the dog is placed.[/QUOTE]
They don’t do the classes like that. It doesn’t make sense to go to class 1 week- 1 class and then skip 2 weeks while I’m away. I will start formal training when I return from vacation. Of course I’ve been working on what I can at home- having her sit when we go on walks if someone approaches, potty training, etc.
[QUOTE=Jhein12;8821492]
having her sit when we go on walks if someone approaches,[/QUOTE]
Is she being rewarded with food or toy when she sits on these walks? Are people approaching her? When she sits, is it snappy, loose, and waggy or slow, hesitant, or sticky?
Stranger = treat and distance. Shove hot dogs in her face and create distance between you and the stranger. Both are rewards and will change her conditioned emotional response to seeing strangers.
At home, put her away when you have visitors. I suspect she’s experiencing too much pressure and needs a lot more distance and choice. How long have you had her?
We just took away the opportunity with our dog who would act anxious when people come over. Always crated until the excitement wears down and then he acts completely appropriate. He is now well trained enough that I can sit and place him when people come over so we don’t need the crate anymore.
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;8821647]
Is she being rewarded with food or toy when she sits on these walks? Are people approaching her? When she sits, is it snappy, loose, and waggy or slow, hesitant, or sticky?
Stranger = treat and distance. Shove hot dogs in her face and create distance between you and the stranger. Both are rewards and will change her conditioned emotional response to seeing strangers.
At home, put her away when you have visitors. I suspect she’s experiencing too much pressure and needs a lot more distance and choice. How long have you had her?[/QUOTE]
Yes I have special treats that I only use for that purpose on walks. People don’t generally approach her they’re just walking by or outside in their yard. A couple people have pet her and she was fine. I’ve only had her since the end of June.
When I first adopted her she was barking at people and lunging (I thought it was a playful lunging, no growling, just wanting attention but maybe not?) but since I’ve been having her sit and giving the treats she no longer barks at people or lunges during our walks. If she sees an animal she will still get over excited and lunge at the animal.
I stumbled onto this problem with a 1 year old dog many years ago. She came to us scared of everyone, especially men. She bit the plumber out in the barn on the calf…I was flabbergasted! She had been staying away from him and then I noticed her slowly circling around and came from behind. The bite didn’t break skin.
I don’t remember what I did but I was very careful with her after that. She was also afraid of young children and I do remember that, with the parents’ permission, had the little ones give her treats. Didn’t take long for her to enjoy their attention. Over the years, she became a very loving, calm and affectionate dog to everyone. She never lost that wary look but she was totally trustworthy with everyone, including strangers.
So, there’s hope with time and training.
