Scary Fear Biting - HELP!

[mtndan]

Help! We've had Oscar the rescue (he's almost 4) for almost a month, and he's been doing so great for the most part.

Twice though, for no apparent reason, he's bit our friends. Just now, our friend was sitting quietly with him, petting him and feeding him treats. Oscar was wagging his tail, licking our friend's face and seemingly very happy. Then, out of nowhere, he got scared, jumped up and bit our friend's face!

I feel so terrible, and I don't know what to do. We know he was abused and neglected some by his previous owner, but he seems so responsive to our love and care. At his training class, he's "most improved".

We're scared, we want to have a baby at some point and we don't want to fear that he's going to hurt anyone.

Help!
Dan and Paige

 

[JulieM]

If he's biting "out of nowhere" and "for no apparent reason," are you sure he's scared? How bad were the bites? I would strongly suggest you contact a behaviorist, since it's very hard to evaluate these kind of situations without actually seeing what's happening. A behaviorist help you figure out if there really is a reason for the biting, and if it is fear or aggression. Also, the book and video "Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas would be a good investment - it will help you learn to "read" your dog and to communicate with him in a language he understands

 

[mtndan]

Hi Julie

Hi, thanks for the reply.

We don't know what to think. He shows absolutely no sign, no warning before it happens. He's licking and wagging his tail and all the sudden wham!

Unfortunately today the bite was on our friends face and while not too bad, required three stiches. Luckily he is a very understanding friend and is more worried about the dog than himself.

We talked extensively to our trainer about it, and she thought perhaps he was play biting, but it sure seemed aggressive to us. She said if there was some identifiable trigger, it could be worked with but if it's random then maybe we'll never be able to really trust him.

We live in a small town, and there are no canine behaviorists for hundreds of miles in any direction. Our trainer works as a vet. asst. also so she is very well connected and knowledgable.

Any other ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thank you again,
Dan

 

[Krikkit]

Hi Dan, a trip to the vet would be worthwhile just in case there is something physically wrong with Oscar.

I second Julie's suggestion of investing in the Calming Signal's booklet and video. Another excellent resource is the video called 'Biting' by Ian Dunbar - actually if you can only get one video get the Biting one - it is cram full of excellent information on Biting and teaching bite inhibition and dealing with a dog who bites. Even if Oscar did this in misguided play the Biting video is good as it goes into detail about teaching bite inhibition to older dogs. Both these resources are available at www.dogwise.com The book 'Culture Clash' by Jean Donaldson is also excellent and would be very helpful to you with Oscar.

These articles may be of use:

Calming Signals: Canine Life Insurance
http://diamondsintheruff.com/calmingsignals.html

Dog Bite Prevention
http://www.dogscouts.com/biteprevention.shtml

Mind Games: Playing for Confidence and Compliance
http://www.kaylar.com/ezine/090700mindgames.html

Fear Aggression Towards People
http://www.gooddog-training.com/aggression.htm

People Empowerment Program
http://www.marin-humane.org/html/behavior.html#PEP

Understanding Aggressive Behavior In Dogs
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/agg_dog.htm

Here are the resources mentioned:

Biting From master trainer/behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar, these video seminars present two aspects of aggression in an entertaining and enlightening style, with commonsense preventative measures and remedial training techniques. The goal of “Biting” is to make every dog a friendly dog. Dunbar presents a detailed program of simple and effective behavior modification and temperament training techniques to prevent dog bites, plus an indepth review of the causes and nature of aggression, how to recognize warning sings, and much more.

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals Now available, THE companion video to the popular book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals! This new video shows footage of calming signals, how dogs use them, how people can use the signals in their own interactions with dogs.You'll visit Turid's own dogs and those of her clients, while seeing her in action on her beautiful farm among the fijords of Norway. Communicate more effectively with your canine friend, and diffuse potentially explosive situations using canine calming signals. You’ll want Turid’s book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, to go along with the video.

Culture Clash Over the years, there have been many theories about dog behavior and what makes them tick. Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson takes a new look at dog behavior and how dogs relate to people. Based on the simple concept that dog are DOGS – not honorary humans with a sense of morality and an ability to seek revenge or plan – Culture Clash has helped thousands of dog owners to better understand their animals.

All the best with this - keep us updated.