Bitten by a Newly Adopted Rescue Dog

The dog was never properly socialized, and was likely locked up for most of the time.

the dog needs to be put down.

What is wrong with people? Many rescues have issues that resolve on their own once the dog adjusts. He probably was never socialized and a good training class will work wonders. Support your friend and congrats to him for taking a less than perfect dog and giving it a chance.

"Newly adopted" and "when you entered the house" are things that make me say the above. Also, your friend should crate train the dog. He shouldn't be able to "guard the door."

Old dogs can't learn new tricks.

Bleu wrote:

What is wrong with people? Many rescues have issues that resolve on their own once the dog adjusts. He probably was never socialized and a good training class will work wonders. Support your friend and congrats to him for taking a less than perfect dog and giving it a chance.

"Newly adopted" and "when you entered the house" are things that make me say the above. Also, your friend should crate train the dog. He shouldn't be able to "guard the door."

That's a really good point about the dog trying to act as a guard dog. It would be nice if that's what triggered the bite, just because it would mean the aggression wasn't totally random. The dog is seeing a trainer but it doesn't sound like dog is steadily improving. I think my friend assumed the dog was progressing and has been a bit more laid back in terms of bringing guests into the house and letting the dog go close to other dogs.

My neighbor rescues the worst of the worst. It takes weeks of careful training and interaction to get a neglected/abused dog to begin to socialize, rebuild trust and become reliable. Dog rescues should not be putting dogs up for adoption until the dog has had its aggression/anxiety issues addressed. It is too much to expect the average pet owner or even a pet owner with some experience with rescue dogs to be able to address serious issues like this. That is why so many rescue dogs end up in the pound or right back with the rescue organization.

That is not to say that the dog is a lost cause. Chances are that the dog will get through everything with the right help and careful training and nurturing. The good sign is that you just got a bite and were not mauled (multiple bites, uncontrollable dog). The dog was just trying to tell you to step off, but lacks the socialization to be able to deal with that kind of situation.

It is not an easy process. And the owner will need to understand that he will need to accept limitations due to the aggression. No dog parks (terrible for dogs with problems as most dogs at the park are in a very heightened state of excitement). Very limited interaction with children (often see by dogs as rival pack members). Always on a leash with either a muzzle or gentle leader. No other pets kept at home with the dog.

What breed of dog is it?

To a dog an emaciated runner looks like a bone.

I have a rescue dog that bit one of my good friends in the face. He needed only one stitch, and it wasn't a big deal - but since that day I don't let my dog around any children. And I tell anyone that says, "can I pet your dog" that my dog must first smell them and show interest, and then they are not to get at face level when petting him as he has bitten in the past and does not respond well.

Basically, I have to tell people my dog is a biter. It's a freaking pain and I've been doing this for 4 years now, but he didn't have to be put down and he's still good company on my easy runs.

Time to grow up. Dogs are not people - they are animals. If they bite they are dangerous to actual human beings and should be put down. Give up on the savior complex and do the right thing - the dog should be put down.

Does it make you sad? Grow up and join the real world.

grow up you people wrote:

Time to grow up. Dogs are not people - they are animals. If they bite they are dangerous to actual human beings and should be put down. Give up on the savior complex and do the right thing - the dog should be put down.

Does it make you sad? Grow up and join the real world.

I agree MOSTLY. Dogs are not people, and we rule their world, so if they step out of line and hurt people, then they need to be put down. HOWEVER, there is a difference between a serious bite and a little nip. I'd be willing to give this dog a little longer...perhaps some really good training...before deciding he has to be put down. If, after training, the dog continues to act like that, then it's time to put him down.

grow up you people wrote:

Time to grow up. Dogs are not people - they are animals. If they bite they are dangerous to actual human beings and should be put down. Give up on the savior complex and do the right thing - the dog should be put down.

Does it make you sad? Grow up and join the real world.

You are ignorant on so many levels it's pointless to even try to respond to this.

Are your trolling or are you really that stupid?

He really is that stupid.

I help out with a breed rescue group. We do evaluations, etc. inquire about bite history (if it is an owner surrender) sometimes people will not volunteer this info. Some dogs have bite issues - my wife has had a number of dogs euthanized because of bite history, coupled with evaluation. Our rescue cannot morally (and legally) place dogs with bite histories.

Were you doing anything stupid? What was the situation?

Practically any dog can be induced to bite.

this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard in a long time. putting a dog on prozac? putting up with getting bit? that's the glue factory for that worthless lump of dog. no coming back from that one.

lol.

put on some weight wrote:

To a dog an emaciated runner looks like a bone.

Dogs can sense that you are an Imbecile and bit you.

Talking about the glue factor, didn't you post about your horse in a thread about Caster S. getting married?

wheels have come off wrote:

that's the glue factory for that worthless lump of dog. no coming back from that one.

Flagpole wrote:

HOWEVER, there is a difference between a serious bite and a little nip. I'd be willing to give this dog a little longer...

Nope itsybitsytinyweeny nip and flesh rending blood letting frenzied attack stems from the same antisocial behavior pattern and that's not a good thing in a domestic animal PERIOD.

which leads to the more pressing question: is the period(.) redundant in the above sentence?