Anonymous wrote:We have a medium-sized shepherd mix from a local rescue organization. When we got her (as an adult) she was very dog-friendly and we went to dog parks, she went to doggie daycare, etc. Over time she has become increasingly hostile to other dogs -- started with not liking the dog park, then to not liking her doggie "friends" when they came over, then to not liking daycare. Earlier this year she bit a neighbor's leashed dog, completely unprovoked, while we were out for a leashed walk (did not draw blood, but still not acceptable). We now consider her too unpredictable to allow near other dogs.

I do not know what has caused this -- she is maybe 5 or 6 years old, certainly slowing down but not old enough to be this cranky. She gets long daily walks and has no health problems we've identified. She is a great family dog, no food aggression or other issues, but we avoid all interactions with other dogs now. I'm posting this to show that you can start out with an apparently well-socialized normal dog, and continue its socialization, and still have things go wrong. There are no guarantees.

This happened to my five year old jack but I know what caused it. I socialized her as a puppy and she was always fine but at one daycare she was attacked by another dog and since then she has been fearful of all dogs. As long as the other dogs don't come to close she is fine but if they sniff her butt she goes nuts. We have also had the unfortunate experience of walking by aggressive dogs that were not trained and would bark and snip at her.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with 17:00. My dog has snapped at me in two situations: when I try to pick him up while he's sleeping and if I try to take away a high-value treat (like a bully stick).

I used to think this meant he "didn't respect my authority," and we'd get in these power struggles over it. But then I realized we could just avoid these situations -- which was confirmed by an animal behaviorist I heard a lecture by. So I nudge him awake first, and he never gets bully sticks. Voila -- no problems since.

I really hate that phrase. A lot of people who insist they are good with dogs harp on about the authority thing.

But what they don't understand is that dogs became dogs because they learned they could get food from humans with less effort than hunting it if only they did things pleasing to the human.

That "respect my authority" comes from people confusing dogs with wolves. But dogs are not wolves, and in fact, the evolution from wolf to dog has a lot to do with this very thing -- learning to read humans, figure out how to please them and get food.

I don't think that dogs "respect authority" in the way that people think. And in fact, I think that a lot of biting and aggression isn't because a dog doesn't respect authority; it's because the dog feels insecure and defensive. That is part of why food is a hot-button issue with some dogs. I hate the term "food aggressive" because it really is "food defensive."

A dog might bite when you startle the dog (i.e. try to pick the dog up while it is asleep).

Of course dogs who were bred and/or trained to fight other dogs are a different issue entirely.

PWD - Portuguese Water dog?

Anonymous wrote:We have two pointer/terrier mixes from rescue. They are brothers. Pointers are excellent with children, and when you mix them with terrier they don't shed. Try and get a dog from rescue that is 6 months or older, and try for a shepherd/collie mix, pointer mix or if you want a smaller dog a poodle mix. I would steer away from lab mixes right now as our rescue is receiving more and more of them that are mixed with pit. For experienced dog owners the pitties are the greatest dogs, but for a beginner, get a friendly, low stress dog.

Unless you do DNA testing, ANY mixed breed dog could have pit mixed in. So exercise caution.

I have found that shelters and pounds aren't very reliable in their breed identification. So, really, look for characteristics that might indicate the dog is a pit and don't rely on what the shelter says.

In fact, I think a lot of shelters knowingly falsely identify dogs as a "lab mix" or a "husky mix" or a "shepherd mix" when they suspect pit bull mixed in. But they don't want to stigmatize the dog.

The problem with this is that it is unsafe and irresponsible. Pit bulls aren't necessarily bad. But even the nicest pit bull needs a really experienced, knowledgeable owner. Because that breed was bred to fight other dogs. They can NEVER be trusted around other dogs without close supervision. And they were also bred to hold on when they bite. That combined with their strength is a dangerous mix, even when diluted in a mixed breed dog.

Terriers actually have the same tendency -- to hold and shake when they bite. If you're concerned about biting, a terrier or terrier mix is probably not the best avenue.

Anonymous wrote:We have a medium-sized shepherd mix from a local rescue organization. When we got her (as an adult) she was very dog-friendly and we went to dog parks, she went to doggie daycare, etc. Over time she has become increasingly hostile to other dogs -- started with not liking the dog park, then to not liking her doggie "friends" when they came over, then to not liking daycare. Earlier this year she bit a neighbor's leashed dog, completely unprovoked, while we were out for a leashed walk (did not draw blood, but still not acceptable). We now consider her too unpredictable to allow near other dogs.

I do not know what has caused this -- she is maybe 5 or 6 years old, certainly slowing down but not old enough to be this cranky. She gets long daily walks and has no health problems we've identified. She is a great family dog, no food aggression or other issues, but we avoid all interactions with other dogs now. I'm posting this to show that you can start out with an apparently well-socialized normal dog, and continue its socialization, and still have things go wrong. There are no guarantees.

Shepherds are bred to protect. They tend to bond very well to a family, but they are extremely protective.

It's possible that she was fine with other dogs before she bonded with your family. But the longer she lived with you, the more she bonded. And now other dogs are viewed as threats.

The other possibility is that something happened at the dog park when you weren't looking or, perhaps more likely, at doggie daycare. All it takes is one bad experience with another dog.

A third possibility is that she has something medical going on. It could be something like a brain tumor. Those kinds of things can happen at any age. Or it could be something as simple as arthritis that is causing her pain. 5/6 is not young for a German Shepherd or any large breed dog. So arthritis, et cetera, is most certainly a possibility.

We have two pointer/terrier mixes from rescue. They are brothers. Pointers are excellent with children, and when you mix them with terrier they don't shed. Try and get a dog from rescue that is 6 months or older, and try for a shepherd/collie mix, pointer mix or if you want a smaller dog a poodle mix. I would steer away from lab mixes right now as our rescue is receiving more and more of them that are mixed with pit. For experienced dog owners the pitties are the greatest dogs, but for a beginner, get a friendly, low stress dog.

I have had a Lhasa and a Yorkie to bite humans. Each time it was a child who made the first aggressive move and the dog was protecting himself. (In one the child just hauled off and bit the dog first no one saw that coming. The second the child basically put his face in the dogs mouth. Scratch on the eye very small)

My pit never has bitten a person and has only attacked dogs that have run up to him.

We have a medium-sized shepherd mix from a local rescue organization. When we got her (as an adult) she was very dog-friendly and we went to dog parks, she went to doggie daycare, etc. Over time she has become increasingly hostile to other dogs -- started with not liking the dog park, then to not liking her doggie "friends" when they came over, then to not liking daycare. Earlier this year she bit a neighbor's leashed dog, completely unprovoked, while we were out for a leashed walk (did not draw blood, but still not acceptable). We now consider her too unpredictable to allow near other dogs.

I do not know what has caused this -- she is maybe 5 or 6 years old, certainly slowing down but not old enough to be this cranky. She gets long daily walks and has no health problems we've identified. She is a great family dog, no food aggression or other issues, but we avoid all interactions with other dogs now. I'm posting this to show that you can start out with an apparently well-socialized normal dog, and continue its socialization, and still have things go wrong. There are no guarantees.

I currently have a boxer and a minpin. In the past, I have had 2 pitbulls and 4 other boxers. None ever bit a person or another dog (but the minpin has killed mice before). Both of our dogs are very elderly and will probably pass soon. As a parent, I would never own a pitbull again. Not because I feel they are bad dogs, but because they have such a strong bite. Likewise, I would not bring a rotweiller, mastiff, doberman, etc. into my houshold with a child, because if dogs like this DO bite, it will be bad. As long as I have children in my houshold, we will have dogs that have weak bite power, just in case.

Anonymous wrote:Dogs will bite if they feel threatened. Hence the PP whose dog bit when startled awake. My childhood dog snapped at my mom once; turns out the dog had an ear infection, didn't hear my mom coming and was startled. Our rescue mutts have never tried to bite us and are incredibly tolerant of our DC.

Dogs can be trained out of food aggression, yet you should also train your kids (and any kids visiting your house) not to mess with a dog who is eating or enjoying a toy.

Regardless of what size dog and whether you get a puppy or an older dog, plan on working with a trainer. We found it easier to have one come to our house than to drag two dogs and a preschooler to evening classes.

In my experience, I find small dogs to be more likely to nip and bite. Not sure if that is from natural temperament, or because smaller dogs are less likely to be well trained (owners don't feel the need, as they can always scoop them up or otherwise control them forcibly).

I agree. I think it's actually because people tend to coddle and hold small dogs too much, so the dog never develops confidence. A dog with no confidence is going to be highly defensive and feel threatened at every little thing. I cringe when I see people walking small dogs in strollers or constantly holding them. It's not good for the dog.

I also think that is partly why small dogs tend to pee all over the place. Part of that, of course, is that their bladders are smaller and they can't hold it as long. But I think it's also a lack of confidence. They get nervous so easily, and they pee everywhere. You want your dog to be confident and feel secure. It's when dogs don't feel confident and secure (either because of abuse, at one extreme, or smothering/babying at the other) that dogs are more inclined to have behavioral problems.

Dogs will bite if they feel threatened. Hence the PP whose dog bit when startled awake. My childhood dog snapped at my mom once; turns out the dog had an ear infection, didn't hear my mom coming and was startled. Our rescue mutts have never tried to bite us and are incredibly tolerant of our DC.

Dogs can be trained out of food aggression, yet you should also train your kids (and any kids visiting your house) not to mess with a dog who is eating or enjoying a toy.

Regardless of what size dog and whether you get a puppy or an older dog, plan on working with a trainer. We found it easier to have one come to our house than to drag two dogs and a preschooler to evening classes.

In my experience, I find small dogs to be more likely to nip and bite. Not sure if that is from natural temperament, or because smaller dogs are less likely to be well trained (owners don't feel the need, as they can always scoop them up or otherwise control them forcibly).

PP here. I totally understand the dog being aggressive around food. We know more about animals nowadays, and we know how to train them and we have far more resources.

Training around food is the most difficult part, but it certainly can be done and is done often. I definitely would not let a child get near the dog who is eating their food. Anymore than you would want the dog getting in between you and your food.

OP, if you are responsible, and take the time with the dog AT THE BEGINNING to show them the basics, you will have no problem. Most breeds are not so protective that they can not be trained. As PP mentioned, dogs have to be trained.

We rescued a Lab mix puppy a little over a year ago. He is the least agressive dog on the planet. We live in the city in a rowhouse so he gets walked to the dog park at least once a day. He is very well socialized with both dogs and people. He likes kids and when a kid comes up to him he sniffs and licks. I'm never afraid of him biting anyone, dog or human, except in the way that dogs play at the dog park. You can tell which is playful doggy wrestling and what is agressive.

Very few dogs will bite without provocation or training to do so. If a dog is well trained/socialized you shouldn't have a problem.

Anonymous wrote:I got bit by a dog as a child... A little terrier neighborhood dog

My in laws have a lab -- raised from a puppy and totally gentle. We have a puppy 8 mos old that now that he's outta the puppy nipping stage, I totally trust with my preschooler. I don't worry about him biting anyone. More afraid he will run up to a stranger and end up going home with them because he's such a love bug!

Another vote for a lob. We got ours as a puppy and she is so gentle and relaxed around our DD and other kids (even lets DD rest on her like she's a pillow). She's even tempered with children and other dogs.

The only dog I had that bit anyone was a shelter dog growing up - she bit my mom who unwittingly got too close to her food bowl. Overall a sweet dog but we think the previous owner(s) and the time she spent in the shelter made her very skittish and protective of her food, house, dog bed, etc. She was a mixed breed, probably with a bit of German Shepherd, but we never knew definitively what her lineage was. We did get her as an older dog - she was three or four when we adopted her.

I think adopting as a puppy can be - though obviously not always - a good way to get training and socialization off on the right foot. It is hard to undo the damage of abuse and neglect - no matter what the Dog Whisperer and similar "experts" will tell you.