Can you explain the circumstances in which he bites?

Is it over food? Toys? Being too close? Random?

 

Unfortunately this is common for Doxies. I had one that was rather aggressive although he never bit family members or people he got to know. He tended to just go after leather shoes occasionally. It sounds like you can't handle him but maybe he can be trained to behave better. Contact this rescue and see if they can help you.

Dachshund Rescue of North America

 

Your real option was to work with the behaviorist, but as that doesn't work for you this really is the only feasible remaining option.

You could try contacting some rescues, but his bite history (be upfront about this when speaking to the rescues!) is going to be a real problem. That is because each serious bite a dog commits generally increases the likelihood and severity of future bites. As a rescue, it is really hard to responsibly put a dog in a household knowing that it will likely bite anyone-- the owner, a family member, or worst-case scenario, a child. For this reason, dogs with lengthy bite histories are usually euthanized, or kept by a long-term no-kill rescue (which really, isn't much of a life for a dog, as they spend a lot of time in solitude).

You are right in that what you are looking for does not exist. It might have if his aggression was addressed when he bit the first time, the second time, or even the third time. But honestly, at this point, a lot of trainers would be hesitant to give this dog the 'stamp of reformation', ever.

There were a lot of mistakes made along the road of this dog's life, and at many turns, everyone failed him. At this point, however, I think that the most compassionate thing to do is that which you dread. Remember, dogs bite out of fear. Behavior like Borat's indicates that his life is full of scary things; things that he feels that he has to defend himself tooth and claw from. It sounds counterintuitive but ultimately, I think it's the biggest service you can do to this dog.

 

At this point, however, I think that the most compassionate thing to do is that which you dread.

I completely disagree with the above recommendation. Euthanasia is compassionate way to put a dog or a human out of their suffering if they have nothing to look forward to but pain.

Borat is 7, an old dog, but not too old to learn new tricks. Please try to think of him as a living animal and not an $800 purchase; remember that killing him is something that can never be taken back.

First and foremost let us help. There is centuries worth of dog experience on this forum, let us give it a try.

Going back to @Naira 's question. When he has bit, what were the circumstances?

Who did he bite (you, family, strangers)?

Has he always been biting or did this start at a certain point in time?

What did the behaviorist recommend that you weren't able to follow through on?

 

I would contact dog rescues near you and see what their suggestions are, or if they can take him in. It doesn't sound like you are willing or able to deal with a dog with this many issues.

I would definitely not put him down until someone who CAN try to help him, really checks him out.

Poor dog.

 

I have a 7 year old male short hair miniature dachshund that has an aggression issue. I really do not want to put him down, but starting to think about it now.

Just really frustrated right now... just does not seem possible that a dog that cost us about $800 as a puppy is now going to be put down.

This dog was originally owned by my adult daughter and her husband but has been with me for the last 1.5 years (since they started having kids).

Although this dog (we call him Borat) is about as cute as a little dog can be, he has bitten about 7 people (multiple times for 2 or 3 of them). These bites have caused bruises and numbness in fingers. I've tried several things to correct the aggressive behavior, but not much luck so far.

A dog behavior specialist was hired last year but I have a hard time with committing the time and energy that is required to follow everything she said to do.

Just wish I did not have to put him down but is definitely starting to appear to be my only real option.

I suppose what I am looking for does not exist. I wish there were a place I could take him to where he would not be put down and would be well cared for.

Why? Why do you have a hard time following through with saving your dog's life?

 

Who is he biting is a big question. If he is not biting you and other immediate family members, this is manageable by removing him from situations where other people can scare him (by being present). He can be crated or put away in another room behind a closed door while guests are in the house.

Is this dog biting you? If so, what is happening when he bites?

and as others have asked, what tasks did the behaviorist lay out that you're unable to follow through on?

 

Put it up for adoption. Let someone else train it if you don't have the desire to. Worst case they put it down and you don't have to pay for it.

$800 is a steal for a puppy, chalk it up as a loss

 

Would you be willing to take on that dog? A dog who has a bite history, a dog that is likely fearful of people and aggressive due to it, and one that you'll likely have to hire a behaviorist or do loads of studying in order to determine the best way to go about trying to fix the aggressive behavior. Hire the wrong person and your dog is worse then when you started.

It's not a matter of training, it's changing your lifestyle, changing the way you take the dog for a walk, having a plan for when people come over so that your dog doesn't go ballistic and bite someone. Some days you look at other peoples friendly dogs and wish your dog was like them, you wonder if your ever going to make any progress.

The worse case isn't rehoming the dog and having the new owner put the dog down, the worse case is that you rehome the dog and the new owner starts abusing the dog because of it's behavior, or they decide to no longer work with the dog and instead of rehoming it or putting it to sleep they shove it in a crate or pen, never taking it out just feeding it and every now and then giving it clean water.

 

I strongly disagree with the above advice to adopt out this dog, especially to a private party. The dog has bitten multiple individuals multiple times. This is a huge liability. If you simply give away the dog, he's quite likely to repeat his behavior and bite an unsuspectingly person. If the dog ends up biting a child down the road, I think you would bear some responsibility for having handed him off.

You can try contacting rescue groups, but the groups in my area are overwhelmed with the excessive number of healthy adoptable dogs that are crowding our kill shelters and most won't take on a dog with a bite history.

Your local shelter will most likely euthanize the dog, and if that's what is going to happen, then it would be much more humane for you to take your dog to the vet and be with your dog as he passes on rather than dump him in a shelter so that you can avoid paying for the procedure.

I think you have two choices - either really invest in training your dog by following the advice of your behaviorist or put your dog down. Obviously, I hope that you'll do the former, but your options are really limited at this point.

 

Honestly, if you want to fix this, you HAVE to be willing to follow through with what the behaviorist was telling you. That is the key to dealing with this. Nobody here on this forum can give you any better advice than what that behaviorist gave you. That is your option. Fixing aggression is not easy. It will take all the time and energy you have.

So really, this is up to you to decide whether you can make the commitment, and if the dog's life is worth it to you. If not, then I think the best thing to do is to put the dog down. Having and working with an aggressive dog is a huge responsibility, and a huge liability, and not many people are able or capable. I certainly wouldn't hold it against you if you chose euthanasia. You can try contacting rescue organizations, but most are so filled to capacity that they aren't going to have time to deal with a biter.

 

I certainly wouldn't hold it against you if you chose euthanasia.

I certainly would. As would millions of others.

Can we please get the definition of Euthanasia straight.

Euthanasia (from Greek: εὐθανασία; "good death": εὖ, eu; "well" or "good" – θάνατος, thanatos; "death") is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering.

The British House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics defines euthanasia as "a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve intractable suffering"

What is being discussed in this thread does NOT fall under this definition.

I am stunned by the sociopathic egocentrism - this idea of better off dead than without me- that I have seen not just in this thread but in other recent ones.

I'm not sure where the OP lives but I'm guessing if they went to Facebook, craigslist and or the local newspaper with the picture of the minature dachshund with an advert that said "Owner to execute dog for causing minor bruises" and included the complete story, including a full disclaimer of ALL bites, they would not have problems finding someone to take him.

Or maybe I'm wrong about that, but it is the onus of the owner, not just as a pet owner, but as decent moral human being to exhaust all other alternatives before choosing to kill their pet.

 

If the OP ever returns to this conversation, I'd love to know what the behaviorist believed would be the prognosis on this dog. Did s/he think it would be a simple fix, or something much more complicated?

I'm also wondering exactly what s/he asked the OP to do in terms of training, and what your limitations are.

There are certainly options for this dog. I'd run through them before settling on euthanasia. These options being:

>There are trainers out there who would be willing to take dogs into their care and work on issues - would that be an option for you? That way, you could work with the dog after he's already had some foundation modification and it may be easier on you.

>You could also see if there is someone out there who would be looking for a project dog - wouldn't hurt to at least put a message out there, but be sure to vet them first and make sure they are legit.

>Depending on the bite situation (who he is biting and why) there may also be an option to rehome to someone who lives in the country and/or doesn't have many visitors OR someone who is okay with putting the dog away in certain situations. Again, you'd have to be sure they were legit.

>For the above situations, you may be able to contact a rescue for assistance in getting the word out and screening some people. They may not take the dog and adopt him out for you since he's got a bite history, but they may help you a bit, at least.

>And, of course, medication and training are always an option if you're willing to do so.

I would NOT just adopt this dog out to any random person as that could turn ugly quickly. I would also NOT adopt with an ultimatum ("someone must take this dog or I will have to put him down due to his bite history") since even if you are sure to mention that he has bitten, you're very likely to get someone to take him just because they think you are a monster and they feel sorry for him - and even if they believe they are prepared to take on such a dog, they probably won't be and he'll be in the same situation he's in now (or worse).

I also wouldn't euthanize without exploring your options first. For a truly aggressive dog euthanasia may be a better decision, but without knowing the specifics of his bite history it's hard to say if he's "truly aggressive" or if he's just fearful and isn't able to escape or cope with the things he fears. It's probably the latter. Just give him a chance before you jump to a rash decision.

 

Rehoming an aggressive dog does not fall under "exhausting all options". It's passing the buck. There are very few people in this world capable and willing to work with aggression. Like the OP, most do not have the time or energy, or they simply don't want to commit to it. IF a home can be found with an individual who CAN and WILL work with the dog, that's great. But chances are, if this dog is rehomed, the next owner will realize that they've bitten off more than they can chew and the dog will end up at a shelter being kept caged in a stressful environment, or it'll be neglected and abused in the home.

It's not fair for the dog. It's not fair for the people involved. And if you think this dog is safer to have as an aggressive dog because it's small, you're dreaming. A dog bite is a dog bite. If they want to cause damage, they will. A coworker of mine was bit by a highly fractious doxie that weighed no more than 12 pounds. She had to take the next couple days off because she couldn't move her thumb at all. She also had to schedule a surgery to remove her thumbnail completely, because it became infected underneath the nail bed, and antibiotics weren't working.

Can something like a rottweiler cause MORE damage? Absolutely. Just by principle of being a bigger dog, bite force will be stronger. But this dog is already to the point where when it bites, it means business. Zero bite inhibition. I'd rather have a vicious rottweiler or GSD that still has bite inhibition than a small breed dog without. To me, the rottweiler or GSD would be the safer dog.

 

Some questions..

Who has he bitten? Is it you, your family, visiting people, the vet, etc? Letting us know who will help us let you know if the situation can be managed so that you won't have to have Borat put to sleep.

What did you try to correct the behavior? Doing the wrong thing can actually make the situation 100x worse then it started. Doing things like punishing the dog, alpha rolls, hand bites, etc when the dog acts up at the sight of a person works to convince it that the person causes bad things to happen. The dog can then decide to escalate the behavior in the hopes of driving the scary person away before the bad thing happens.

What did the dog behaviorist suggest that you do?

I have a dog that is fearful of people and he acts aggressive because of it. I've had him for a year and I do work with him to lessen his fear, it's working slowly but that's to be expected. I manage him so that he NEVER has the chance to bite someone. When people come over, and I don't have a lot of visitors, I do one of a few things, I'll hold him, put him on leash, or put him in his pen, till he's more calm and my guest has a chance to sit, then I'll bring the dog out and give him high value treats for being calm. The guest is not allowed to touch him unless the dog solicits attention. On walks he's never off leash, and I carry small bits of treats in a treat pouch, when we see a person he gets treats as long as the person is in site, when the person is gone we continue on the walk. Slowly he's learning that seeing people while we're outside gets him yummy food, the people aren't so scary anymore. Can you do something like that for Borat?

 

He sounds like he has a few issues going on.

He may have been resource guarding the bed, or he may have just been startled when your daughter kicked him in the bed. Either way the easiest solution for that is to provide him with an extra comfy bed of his own and make him use that.

Showing him whose Alpha is one of the worst thing you can do, it just convinces him that you are scary, that he is right to be afraid of whatever he was reacting to, after all it caused you to act scary. It gets to be a vicious cycle. See these links for more info on that
http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/suppression-modification-shutdown-fallout-4776/
http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/4-quadrants-operant-conditioning-23702/
http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/dominance-dogs-4076/
What you need to be doing is showing him that what he's afraid of, like the scary things that he sees when you walk him (scary being anything he's afraid of) is the source of good things happening, like really yummy food, or a fun play time, whatever he loves.

What were y'all doing to him, or around him, when he bit? Was it trying to make him move, trying to take something from him, etc? Just for the two I mentioned, if he's resource guarding food then this thread will help http://www.dogforum.com/training-be...aining-behavior-stickies/resource-guarding-causes-prevention-modification-7511/ if he's objecting to being moved then teaching him a move and/or off command will help. This video shows how to teach a dog to get on and off he couch on cue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DAzZVRYYXY The trainer uses clicker training and if you aren't familiar with it we can give you some tips on how to get started using a clicker to train a dog.

For your son in law I'd have Borat stay by you, or whomever he trust and when your son in law comes in the room feed Borat little pieces (the size of your little fingernail) of treats that he only gets when your son in law is around. When your son in law is sitting down and Borat is calm stop the treats till your son in law gets up to leave, then have him toss Borat some treats as he leaves and you feed Borat some until SiL is out of the room. Rinse and repeat till Borat is comfortable with SiL coming and going, once that happens you stop feeding him the treats and have SiL start dropping treats for him as he moves about. Next step is to have him drop treats by his feet, then hand feed Borat, finally see if Borat will let him pet him, BUT don't pet Borat on the head or reach over his head, many dogs find that scary, pet him on the chest or side of shoulder.

I don't know what your behaviorist recommended, but if you want to try a new one as a last ditch effort check this link http://www.dogforum.com/training-be...ining-behavior-stickies/finding-trainer-behavior-consultant-behaviorist-113946/ it will help you find one that uses positive reinforcement methods that won't make Borat worse.

Decided to give it another "real try" (training Borat and not putting down) for now at least (or until there is a baby in the house - daughter living with me is having baby in October).

Borat really likes the bed and will whine, but I will re-try your suggestion for bed time. I was doing this at first and I think gave in because he was whining a lot and keeping my daughter awake. But back then he was also in a dog cage in the living room. I will not be doing this again, but will try letting him stay in my room this time with the door closed. Also like the other time, he will have a nice dog bed and blanket he likes.

Also your suggestions for working with SiL sound good and I will try this too.

Yeah the Vet recommendation (showing him who is boss/alpha) was only tried for about a month or 2 in 2008. Have not tried that since then when he bit me really bad for holding him down. He was trying to run up to someone barking very aggressively when I grabbed him by the back of neck (after trying verbal commands) and he turned his head around and bit me. One of my fingers was numb for many months.

The behaviorist I hired last year also recommended lots of yummy treats for a lot of different things (very small amounts too), but also said to only reward positive things or for doing something you want him to do. Often she said "nothing for nothing". She also said to have Borat on a lease all the time.

Borat also has bathroom issues (like a lot of dachshunds I think). Also he barks wayy too much. So some of what behaviorist said might be related to this too. But his bathroom issues seem a lot better lately, although definitely not completely under control.

Borat just bit me this week when I was just trying to hold him back using his dog harness. I keep a harness on him all the time ... I think behaviorist recommended this but not positive about that. The bite barely broke the skin (but did) and was more like a very minor scratch. I can only assume he was holding back, some anyway (you could not tell by his menacing barks and growls). I was holding him by the harness while he was sitting on me in the couch when SiL was walking out the house passing about 15 feet from us but in same living room area. He was barking and growling at SiL. When he turned to bite me I think I let go and SiL ran out of house.

Having trouble remembering details of other bites, but I do think some were from taking something from him. But I also think some were for just barely moving him when he was comfortable (sitting on them or in bed). Also there is one person (other SiL's sister) he seems to really dislike and has bitten. I don't think she was taking anything from him and I know he has never been close to her (could never sit with her). But not sure about bite details... I'll ask daughter if she remembers (probably does).

I kennel'ed Borat Friday for a long weekend to think about things and he was due for annual shots, teeth cleaning, etc. .

Thanks for help.

 

Just really frustrated right now... just does not seem possible that a dog that cost us about $800 as a puppy is now going to be put down.

If the OP had typed "Just really frustrated right now... just does not seem possible that a dog that we have loved since he was puppy is now going to be put down." Then there would be hope.

Also

I have a hard time with committing the time and energy that is required to follow everything she said to do.

If you cannot re-home him, euthanize him, as his only hope for redemption is training, investment of time and energy, patience and love.

 

Did not expect this much feedback... sorry for delay in posting back.

I want to thank everyone for posting excellent comments. I really do not know what I will do at this point.

Borat was purchased by me for my daughter and her husband.

When Borat was around 5, they started having kids and moved back home close to where I live (in Louisiana). Borat has been with me since then which is about 2 years now.

The biting started around age 1 living in apt and maintenance guy entered apt without knocking. Borat bit the heck out of him. At the time when I heard about this I thought the dog was doing a good thing .. protecting daughter.

He then bit my daughter. She use to let him sleep in bed under covers and while she was sleeping she kicked the dog and he bit her. And he has bitten her at least 2 or 3 times under different circumstances.

Then I think it was me and both my adult daughters under different circumstances for each. He bit me while I was trying to do what the Vet said to do (show him who is "top dog"). I pretty much gave up then on helping eliminate the aggression, which was around 2008.

Then I think next was the son-in-law, female friend of theirs, and then son-in-law's mother and sister.

Then he bit both my daughters again in the last 2 years.

Currently, my other daughter and future son-in-law live with me and this issue has just gotten worse. Borat apparently hates the future son-in-law. When I take Borat for a walk which I do on most days, he barks and growls at pretty much everyone we see. He seems to be scared (puts head down and walks quickly in the other direction) when the people are in a group of 3 or 4 adults or kids which always surprises me because he usually barks and growls at everyone... mostly barks.

We do a LOT currently to avoid him biting anyone, especially when someone is visiting the home. I keep him in the room sitting on a dog bed right next to me most of the day and sometimes I tie his lease to the desk while I work. I sometimes do have to put him in a cage but it is never longer than 4 or 5 hours. But I think my daughter has said she use to leave him in a cage longer, but 5 seems too long. Also we put the cage in a bedroom closet with the lights on which I think he prefers.

Also I've put him in the garage when the temperature is right (not too hot or cold).

Anyway getting late here so thanks again for all the comments.

 

He sounds like he has a few issues going on.

He may have been resource guarding the bed, or he may have just been startled when your daughter kicked him in the bed. Either way the easiest solution for that is to provide him with an extra comfy bed of his own and make him use that.

Showing him whose Alpha is one of the worst thing you can do, it just convinces him that you are scary, that he is right to be afraid of whatever he was reacting to, after all it caused you to act scary. It gets to be a vicious cycle. See these links for more info on that
http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/suppression-modification-shutdown-fallout-4776/
http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/4-quadrants-operant-conditioning-23702/
http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/dominance-dogs-4076/
What you need to be doing is showing him that what he's afraid of, like the scary things that he sees when you walk him (scary being anything he's afraid of) is the source of good things happening, like really yummy food, or a fun play time, whatever he loves.

What were y'all doing to him, or around him, when he bit? Was it trying to make him move, trying to take something from him, etc? Just for the two I mentioned, if he's resource guarding food then this thread will help http://www.dogforum.com/training-be...aining-behavior-stickies/resource-guarding-causes-prevention-modification-7511/ if he's objecting to being moved then teaching him a move and/or off command will help. This video shows how to teach a dog to get on and off he couch on cue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DAzZVRYYXY The trainer uses clicker training and if you aren't familiar with it we can give you some tips on how to get started using a clicker to train a dog.

For your son in law I'd have Borat stay by you, or whomever he trust and when your son in law comes in the room feed Borat little pieces (the size of your little fingernail) of treats that he only gets when your son in law is around. When your son in law is sitting down and Borat is calm stop the treats till your son in law gets up to leave, then have him toss Borat some treats as he leaves and you feed Borat some until SiL is out of the room. Rinse and repeat till Borat is comfortable with SiL coming and going, once that happens you stop feeding him the treats and have SiL start dropping treats for him as he moves about. Next step is to have him drop treats by his feet, then hand feed Borat, finally see if Borat will let him pet him, BUT don't pet Borat on the head or reach over his head, many dogs find that scary, pet him on the chest or side of shoulder.

I don't know what your behaviorist recommended, but if you want to try a new one as a last ditch effort check this link http://www.dogforum.com/training-be...ining-behavior-stickies/finding-trainer-behavior-consultant-behaviorist-113946/ it will help you find one that uses positive reinforcement methods that won't make Borat worse.

 

i think this dog has generally a very short fuse for "being annoyed", which is not untypical for the breed, actually.
since the dog mostly reacts on people getting too close to him or doing things that he doesn't like or hurt him, strangers intruding the "his" appartment etc.
he also seems not very well socialised with things outside the house, which can explain the

First things I'd do is:
- find a good trainer to work with weekly
- muzzle training for the vet and walks
- have one room in your house dog, where your future-son-in-law is not allowed, so the dog can avoid him.
- find someting really awesome reward (treats, praise) that he likes working for
-don't play "top dog" with him just because the vet says so. just because they're good vets, doesn't make them good dog trainers. A good pediatric nurse, also doesn't have to be a good parent after all.

 

the advice and methods you have used so far have they all centered around 'being top dog' or punishing him for the behaviour?

 

I have not done the Vet recommended "top dog" stuff since 2008.

Just doing things the behaviorist recommended like reward with yummy treats for many different things, but never reward for "doing nothing".

Take him with me every where I go in the house on a lease was recommended and I am sort of doing this now. If he growls while sitting with me, then I put him down on floor.

Getting late and have to get sleep.

Later,

 

That changes everything.... If it were me, I would train him as intensively as possible to be 99% sure his aggression problems are behind him, then re home him once he is socialized properly.

Would not risk that 1%

 

Yes, I agree should continue to look for another home that could take him one day hopefully. Of course, I will make sure they are aware of all issues, so might not ever find another home, but will keep trying.