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SOS

A few months ago I posted about my CC biting me. It has occurred more often. Level 3 bites at unpredictable
times and without warning. We have seen her trainer, an animal behaviorist and also a veterinary behaviorist. The veterinary behaviorist says that this is a dangerous situation, and it's not safe for me to be around the dog anymore. She sadly recommends euthanasia.

This is of course breaking my heart and my husband's... he and the CC are close and love each other dearly. She's not always a bad dog, it's just that we can't predict when she will hurt me next, and behaviorists can't pinpoint a why or way to pivot the behavior. We don't want her to hurt anyone else, and I guess euthanasia is the only way to guarantee that, but we need to feel like we've tried everything. The VB said we have to think about it as the CC is sick; somehow mentally. But we are struggling still.

If anyone knows of any way she can go somewhere to be rehabilitated, please reply today. I've already reached out to a rescue and a sanctuary, but they won't take an unpredictable biter. I don't know if it is only me, or if she has a problem with all females. I feel just absolutely terrible.
 

Michele

Super Moderator
Staff member
This is a tough situation. Does the dog only go to bite you and not your husband? Where did you get the dog from?
 

Michele

Super Moderator
Staff member
My opinion is this........the dog might be genetically wired wrong. That would be due to a negligent breeder. This is only my opinion. IF that is the case, no responsible sanctuary or rescue will take the risk of taking this dog. The decision is a tough one for you.

I want to add that normally I would suggest getting the dog to the vet to make sure all is good but since this dog only bites you and not your husband, I am gonna stick by what I said above.
 

jen.vanlieu

New Member
I am so sorry to hear of your situation. Have you tried reaching out to your breeder? Perhaps they can either give you guidance, or take the pup back. I know that our breeder has a lifetime guarantee on all of his pups and should anything happen, regardless of what it is, he wants us to reach out to him before euthanizing the dog. I can't imagine the pain that you are going through. Sending you a virtual hug!
 

Michele

Super Moderator
Staff member
I am so sorry to hear of your situation. Have you tried reaching out to your breeder? Perhaps they can either give you guidance, or take the pup back. I know that our breeder has a lifetime guarantee on all of his pups and should anything happen, regardless of what it is, he wants us to reach out to him before euthanizing the dog. I can't imagine the pain that you are going through. Sending you a virtual hug!
This is a good idea to reach out to the breeder.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Livegracefully, would you be interested in doing a consult with my daughter? She has personal experience with a situation very similar to yours and is also a behavior intern technician, positive trainer. If nothing else it may help you talk to someone that has been in a similar situation AND is a professional. Her initial hour consult is free so there's nothing to lose. I would recommend her even if she wasn't my kid. I know you've already worked with professionals, but I don't see any mention of training methods used, muzzle training, or medication tried and she has experience with these things. Here's her info if you're interested.

pawsitivebondstrainer@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/pawsitivebondsdogtraining/
 

BattleDax

Well-Known Member
So sorry to hear you're going through this.

I agree that a good course of action would to be contact the breeder! Don't be surprised, though, if they try to suggest it is your/your family's fault. If they are a good breeder, they will listen to you and believe what you say, but also challenge it with questions in order to try to find out what is happening. Most reputable breeders will take back dogs for pretty much any reason.

We went through something similar with our last dog. He would unpredictably go after my wife and guests. The best we could tell, and I know my way around training pretty well, and we consulted a trainer, it something being off in his head. The breeder agreed that that might be the case. The breeder was willing to take him back, despite him being almost 8 years old. I would just have to pay the airfare. I could not bring myself to do it – to part with my boy. Things were particularly bad because we had welcomed our first child into the home. The problem was solved a few months later when the dog died of bloat while I was traveling to attend my wife's Grandfather's funeral.

So, again, you have my sympathies.

It would be great if there was a home out there that could accommodate such a dog.
 

Michele

Super Moderator
Staff member
Livegracefully, would you be interested in doing a consult with my daughter? She has personal experience with a situation very similar to yours and is also a behavior intern technician, positive trainer. If nothing else it may help you talk to someone that has been in a similar situation AND is a professional. Her initial hour consult is free so there's nothing to lose. I would recommend her even if she wasn't my kid. I know you've already worked with professionals, but I don't see any mention of training methods used, muzzle training, or medication tried and she has experience with these things. Here's her info if you're interested.

pawsitivebondstrainer@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/pawsitivebondsdogtraining/


Good idea.....The only thing is that IF this dog is not wired correctly, no training will fix it.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Good idea.....The only thing is that IF this dog is not wired correctly, no training will fix it.

No, it won't fix it. Unfortunately there's really no way to know if it's genetic with any certainty. I don't want anyone to think I'm just pushing my daughter on people to get her business. She's not making money from any of these consults. She has personal experience almost exactly like what is being described and wants to help people that are feeling as scared and heartbroken as she did get the help they need. She has been dealing with this aggressive dog for several years now. Medication (many trials), management, training, proper handling techniques ... he's still with us because of these things. Management training can, at the very least, keep both the people and the animal safe while different things are tried. Including medications, if necessary. Not meds to knock the dog out. Meds that can help the brain chemically. Behavior modification meds work in conjunction with training and managemnet. In our case - and I say our because this dog now lives with me because her home can't accommodate the strict management needed to keep everyone safe and let the dog live as fulfilled a life as he can - we all know that there may come a time when we have to let him go due to his issues. Will come a time. Anyone that hasn't had to make that decision won't really understand how hard it is to live with a dog like this.

Livegracefully, even if you don't want to contact my kid, please tell us what management techniques you're using right now. What strategies did your behaviorist give you to keep everyone safe? Perhaps there's something we're doing that you haven't tried that could help. Right now it's all about keeping everyone safe.
 

Michele

Super Moderator
Staff member
No, it won't fix it. Unfortunately there's really no way to know if it's genetic with any certainty. I don't want anyone to think I'm just pushing my daughter on people to get her business. She's not making money from any of these consults. She has personal experience almost exactly like what is being described and wants to help people that are feeling as scared and heartbroken as she did get the help they need. She has been dealing with this aggressive dog for several years now. Medication (many trials), management, training, proper handling techniques ... he's still with us because of these things. Management training can, at the very least, keep both the people and the animal safe while different things are tried. Including medications, if necessary. Not meds to knock the dog out. Meds that can help the brain chemically. Behavior modification meds work in conjunction with training and managemnet. In our case - and I say our because this dog now lives with me because her home can't accommodate the strict management needed to keep everyone safe and let the dog live as fulfilled a life as he can - we all know that there may come a time when we have to let him go due to his issues. Will come a time. Anyone that hasn't had to make that decision won't really understand how hard it is to live with a dog like this.

Livegracefully, even if you don't want to contact my kid, please tell us what management techniques you're using right now. What strategies did your behaviorist give you to keep everyone safe? Perhaps there's something we're doing that you haven't tried that could help. Right now it's all about keeping everyone safe.

I don't think you are pushing your daughter on anyone. I hope the poster does contact your daughter. As far as meds go...i'm really on the fence. It's putting a band aid on a genetic malfunction. If the dog can live a quality of life with management training and the meds....maybe I'd be for it, I don't know. For me, a dog, any dog, that is not wired correctly, is really setting that dog up for failure. You can do training, you can do meds but there is still that fear that you don't know what the dog will do.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I don't think you are pushing your daughter on anyone. I hope the poster does contact your daughter. As far as meds go...i'm really on the fence. It's putting a band aid on a genetic malfunction. If the dog can live a quality of life with management training and the meds....maybe I'd be for it, I don't know. For me, a dog, any dog, that is not wired correctly, is really setting that dog up for failure. You can do training, you can do meds but there is still that fear that you don't know what the dog will do.

Medication for dogs really isn't any different than medication for humans. Sometimes it's a chemical thing and the correct meds along with behavior modification can make all the difference. I'm constantly amazed at all the advances that have been made as far as different medications and behavior modification techniques available for animals. There's absolutely no way to know if there's a genetic component with any surety, unless you can directly see it in the parents and their other offspring. A regular veterinarian doesn't have the education and training to prescribe more than the typical meds. For that you need a veterinary behaviorist. Basically a doggy psychiatrist. I used to be opposed to medication, but now that I see the benefits when used properly I definitely think it's worth trying in many cases. I'll see if I can find more updated info and start a separate post.
 
I will contact your daughter, even though I've had input from other professionals, one more opinion certainly won't hurt. We are still trying to get in touch with the breeder, so that avenue is up in the air at this time. We really are trying to find a way to rehome her. I'm not even sure that is a responsible option, so I will be interested to hear her opinion on that.

We have been given management techniques for the situation. They include bite prevention: no toys are left around the house, I am not allowed to reach for her or use my hands with her and stick to verbal commands. I must keep my hands close to my body at all times and be careful not to point or touch anything that is on the floor while she is out. I can bribe her with treats if I need to and toss them or place them on the floor. We have been instructed to avoid any and all punishments or scolding; only instructive reprimands. It was suggested to use a gentle leader that only my husband will put on her. Exercise only with my husband. My husband practicing sit and say please behavior extensively before I am brought along side. Those kind of things. Basically I am limiting my exposure to her as much as possible. Unfortunately, my husband travels a lot for work, so this is not a good situation and adds to the urgency. It sounds like you understand!

Like a few of you have said, the part that we and the behaviorist and the vet behaviorist don't know is if this is a mental or chemical hurdle that cannot be "fixed." Honestly, it is really, really scary to be around a big, strong dog with very sharp teeth and excellent front arm dexterity. I am never confident in my safety.
 

Michele

Super Moderator
Staff member
I hope you find a solution. Please keep trying to get in contact with the breeder.