Quote:
Originally posted by nononono
I have not yet spoken to the rescue people about other alternatives or people who will take in special (aggressive) cases, but I do know that the main breed-specific rescue organization will not take a dog that has bitten. But a real conversation or list-serv questioning should be part of the process of this, I agree.
I am a pretty consistent bitch, indeed. But yes, I've let him annoy me with the "I want to go out" barks and give in, even when it is not time for it, and I've hollered and fussed when he's stolen food. I generally don't tangle with him - he has a particular habit of getting aggressive when sleepy and on a bed (blame for allowing that habit falls squarely on the ex-), and I just trick him to get him off rather than trying physically to move him. So there have already been adjustments to his temperament made - obviously, not completely successful efforts.
Honestly, I think he deserves some time with a trainer. I may end up being the one solely shouldering the burden for it, because my recalcitrant (as a general matter) ex- goes silent whenever this has been brought up. But I think the dog deserves it, or, as you say, to live with someone who will provide that for him.
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Safety of the kids has to be first priority. My sister's high strung Bichon was a serial nipper. The dog broke skin on several adults and I told her she needed to be careful before kids were bitten. The dog was her "first born" so she was reluctant to do anything. Then the dog nipped one of the neighbor children (also breaking the skin but not a bad bite) and the parents hinted at calling a lawyer.
Finally she decided to talk to the vet about it. Because the dog was older and had bitten so many times, the vet said it was not going to change so she had to euthanize the dog.
If the dog bites again, I don't think you are going to have much choice but to get rid of the dog, one way or another. As G3 wrote, don't wait until you have to take one of the kids to the ER.
