is there hope for a dog once it bites and shows aggression?

[Anonymous]

I have a 3.5 yo German Shepherd female who bit a teenager at a family gathering a few days ago (not at my house). She has bit dogs in the past (luckily only minor injuries to them) but this is the first people biting incident. She has always been an extremely anxious dog. She became protective around age 2, but in the last 9 months or so I think her behavior can be described as aggressive rather than just protective. She barks aggressively whenever someone comes to the house, has run while barking aggressively up to the repair man at the house (who was minding his own business), etc.. The day before the gathering I had told everyone that she gets nervous in groups, and to give her her space etc. From what I'm told, the kids were petting her and she seemed happy, then she started growling, the girl backed up, and the dog lunged after her and bit her in the hip. It did not break through her pants but it left nasty bruises and teethmarks and terrified the poor girl. If I had been present in the moments leading up to the attack I would have taken the dog in the house, but things happen quickly. She has never shown aggression to anyone in the immediate family, but we have young children and now I'm not so sure I trust her.

We recently started medicating her for general anxiety (before the biting incident), low doses on typical days, and high doses on stressful days (like vet visits, when we have people over to the house). The problem is that in stressful situations the meds seem to have no effect as she acts extremely anxious anyway. She was heavily medicated when the bite happened so it obviously didn't help much.

I have an appointment with a vet behaviorist and am trying to remain optimistic. But her (now well-established) history and her size and strength make me wonder if we can safely keep her in the longterm. I know that certain situations trigger stress and we do try to avoid those situations, but realistically we are not always going to be able to control every situation she's in.

I am bawling just thinking about the possibility of having to euthanize her or find her another home. We are very attached to her and consider her a family member. Anyone have any hopeful (or not) stories to share from similar situations?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know any story that ended well. The only difference is how many bites before the owner realized what needed to be done.

It’s awful and I am so sorry. But you have tried everything and your dog is not happy like this either.

[Anonymous]

Don't rehome her, put her down. She unhappy like this, and she's dangerous. You have had multiple warnings in the form of less-serious bites, situations you thought you could avoid but didn't, etc. Don't wait until someone is greviously injured or killed. Don't make her live in anxiety, fear, and isolation.

There are so many dogs that never bite, that need homes. Why twist yourself up to keep this dog in it's unhappy existence when you could be helping (and enjoying life with) one of them?

[Anonymous]

A pet behaviorist will help, because there is a lot you are doing wrong. And yes, there is hope.

If your dog is anxious, it should not be at a family gathering around a lot of people she doesn't know outside her home. Why take her?

She should be separated and not allowed to roam or chase people when the repair man is there. Tether her to you, crate, or put in her own room.

She needs door training and leash training.

You have an anxious dog and her aggression is not her destiny.

But you keep putting her in situations that bring out her worst. Almost setting her up to fail.

Get help immediately.

[Anonymous]

This doesn't sound like a dog that needs to be euthanized but definitely needs a home that you aren't suited to give it. Someone that knows how to work with aggressive, reactive dogs, particularly German Shepherds. I say that because I don't believe this is unusual behavior but can be very dangerous for anyone in your home or that the dog comes in contact with. Now the dog is a known biter so you are that much more culpable. I would be reaching out to behavior specialists that can potentially match you with someone willing to take your dog on to train it to keep for themselves or find another home for her after rehabilitating. I know that is easier said than done but is possible. There are people that use these dogs for security and protection, but no way to know if your individual dog would work out for that without finding someone and having her evaluated. Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Why the heck would you bring your dog to someone else's house?! And an anxious dog that you know has been anxious? It is like dumb and dumber.

[Anonymous]

^ To add, when I was younger, I had a biter. She did basically what your dog did, but only twice. I trained her hard. Learned good situations for her. She lived from age2-16 without ever another incident.

GSDs are super smart dogs and can be handled. But you need someone who knows how to work with this breed. And with you.

[Anonymous]

ps - I would not have the dog in this type of situation with other people. It's not fair to them or the dog. And in public she should be muzzled. It's better for both of you.

[Anonymous]

You have no business keeping this dog. You are incredibly lucky your dog hasn’t killed anyone yet.

[Anonymous]

Why did you take her to that gathering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn't sound like a dog that needs to be euthanized but definitely needs a home that you aren't suited to give it. Someone that knows how to work with aggressive, reactive dogs, particularly German Shepherds. I say that because I don't believe this is unusual behavior but can be very dangerous for anyone in your home or that the dog comes in contact with. Now the dog is a known biter so you are that much more culpable. I would be reaching out to behavior specialists that can potentially match you with someone willing to take your dog on to train it to keep for themselves or find another home for her after rehabilitating. I know that is easier said than done but is possible. There are people that use these dogs for security and protection, but no way to know if your individual dog would work out for that without finding someone and having her evaluated. Good luck to you!

All of this, exactly.

[Anonymous]

The anti-anxiety medication is likely reducing bite inhibition, meaning she is more likely to bite. I am surprised your vet suggested it.

Honestly, and I am sorry to say this, I think your dog should be compassionately euthanized. This is not recoverable.

[Anonymous]

Are you willing to have her seriously harm or kill someone? If the answer is no, then you need to put her down.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The gathering was at my parents' house. The dog has been there a lot and is very happy there. (There's a lot of room to run.) It's out of town so the only other option would have been to kennel her. The difference this time was the volume of people. My dad yells to me informing me that the dog was inside the house (everyone else was outside), and then a few minutes later I hear yelling about the bite. Apparently someone let her out of the house. If there is a "next time," we will have to keep her locked up where someone can't casually let her out. She hates the crate but we may have to start using it regularly. We'll see what the behaviorist said. My family has had several GSDs and this is the first biting incident for any of them. They are a real handful and I would never get one again unless I lived in a very different environment.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry what a horrible situation. I think the best solution is to put her down. If you gave her away to someone else, she could still attack someone one day. It’s the responsible thing to do.