Dog Community

My in-laws's mean dog

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:43:10 PM

Hello:

I'm new to this forum and I really need some advice. My in-laws moved in with us last year. I love them dearly, but they have a rather mean-spirited dog. He is a Bijon, approximately 10 years old. He is rather large for the breed, and very much overweight (He has no shut-off valve – one time he got into a bag of dog food and literally ate his way to the bottom) , and spoiled rotten. He steals food at every opportunity, and has a very loud obnoxious bark which drives me up the wall. However, the main problem is that he growls and snaps at you sometimes when you try to move him. Now mind you, none of us have ever been mean or mistreated him.

Last evening was perhaps the last straw for me. He got under the foot rest of our recliner. My nephew who is visiting, lowered the foot rest, not knowing the dog was under it, and hit the dog on the head, and he yelped. This is not the first time this has happened. Once again, the dog refused to budge when I prompted him (At first I was, gentle, then when he still did not move, I was more firm, but I did not yell at him). And once again, as I approached him, he began to growl. I reached under the foot rest to try to physically move him, when he bit me.

I have tried to interest my other family members in some sort of behavior training, I've even given them tips by the famous Dog Whisperer, but they have taken very little interest in actively modifying his behavior.

We have two other dogs. The first is a very mild-mannered American Jindo named Missy, who normally would not hurt a fly. We recently were given an 8 month-old Yorkshire terrier puppy, and Missy has taken to the puppy like it is her baby. On several occasions, the puppy has irritated my in-laws' dog who, in turn, snapped at the puppy. Since then Missy has been snapping at the bijon. This was the first excuse my in-laws used for his behavior. I told them that this behavior has been on-going long before Missy started snapping at him, and that the dynamics between the animals has no bearing on this dog's behavior toward humans.

After I was bitten last evening, I told my in-laws that this was intolerable. At first, they made excuses for the dog, but then asked me what I wanted to do. I was too angry to respond, and my finger was swollen, so I decided to wait until today to deal with it. After much consideration, I've come up with some alternatives: 1) Place a muzzle on the dog when he is in our presence, 2) cage him, 3) Keep him in another location. Does anyone here have any further suggestions?

In advance, thanks so much for your help!

glenmar

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:52:46 PM

First, I'd get him to the vet for a COMPLETE senior blood panal to rule out physical causes. Second I'd get him into some serious training with a positive reinforcement trainer, NOT a Cesar Milan type.

Caprice Christian

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:55:46 PM

I am no expert at all so please take what I say lightly, I could be totally wrong. I have a dog (Yorkie-poo) who is almost exactly the same. He bits at as and even attacks us (jumps up at us to try to bite us and trys to make us back down).

I actually feel bad for the dog. Its not his fault, its your in-laws fault. I think that caging him or putting a muzzle on him is only going to make him worse (again I could be wrong). I think that the resolution is that they need to figure out how to get him help.

From experience, its easier said than done. It kinda hurts to think that your dog is bad, we tend to make excuses for them.

Now, my dog has never bit anyone other than my husband and myself.

Anyways, I know that I probably wasn't much help. I really wish you the best of luck, you are in a sticky situation!

mrv

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:57:27 PM

Management. He wears a drag line all the time. If you need to move him, use the line. If need to stop him from doing something use the line.

He is removed from the room any time he is aggressive.

Training is needed too, but this is an suggestion for the here and now.

Larry Tamblyn

Posted : 6/14/2006 4:57:33 PM

I will pass it along to my in-laws.

Michele Harris

Posted : 6/14/2006 10:02:46 PM

The in laws are very insensitive to your family and your home. They must have known that the dogs behavior is intolerable. I think that they are out of line expecting you and your family to "tip toe" around a dog. Your wouldn't do it with your children. This situation will for sure escalate into something horrible for all of you. Sorry for all the negativity. Just think about what could happen. Best regards and good luck,
Michele

Xerxes

Posted : 6/15/2006 10:51:57 AM

It's clear that this dog was raised thinking that he was the dominant member of the household. I like the idea of the drag line, but that's just a start. The dog needs to understand, in a positive way, that he's NOT the boss.

Biting, snarling, growling and baring of teeth are not tolerated in my household and the lackadaisical attitude of the inlaws shows that they don't understand the behavior.

mudpuppy

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:07:00 PM

I would suggest putting the dog on a strict NILIF program-- it's the safest way to establish rules with a dog who bites readily.

Larry Tamblyn

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:16:49 PM

My wife refused to get involved, so I was forced to approach her parents. I did so in a non-accusatory manner, suggesting the drag leash. They became very defensive, basically accusing me of making a big deal out of nothing. They attributed the dog's behavior to old age. When I pointed out that he has been this way ever since I can remember, they claimed his behavior was perfectly normal, even after showing them my bruised finger. I'm at odds as to how to proceed.

Carissa Thorne

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:40:49 PM

What I would do in this situation, if it were me, would be to assert my own dominance. Hey, if everyone else in the household wants to be submissive to a dog, let them, but you don't have to. If you are able to and they don't mind, you could take on the job of feeding him. Make him sit, and stay, put down his food, and he can only eat when you say ok. If he gets up or goes for the food before you say ok, pick it up again. If this is difficult, practice some obedience with him and feed him that way, just a few pieces of food for every sit or lie down etc. This will hopefully at least increase his respect for you as a leader, even if no one else wants to be up to the job. Don't allow him on the couch or your bed (a leash might be a good idea so you don't get bitten when you try to move him). This dog definitely thinks he's on top and the only way to change this is to become a leader.

mrv

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:44:05 PM

I would do an Ann Landers Dear Abby thing.

possible dialog: There is a problem. The dog shows aggression and will bite. The home belongs to the people. So, the dog needs to be managed. The choices are to use a drag line or keep the dog confined to another room.

The reason the dog bit is not the issue. It does not matter that he is old. He may not lay under the recliner where he may be injured. A person does not need to worry about being bitten if the dog needs to be moved from one area to another.

I would tell them they had a choice, they can put the drag lead on, or I would. I would use a slip lead (like a kennel noose) if I was worried he would bite if I tried to attach the leash to his collar.

Larry Tamblyn

Posted : 6/15/2006 2:16:39 PM

Unfortunately, I would need my wife's support on this, which I am not getting. I have now become the bad guy in our household.

ewin0210

Posted : 6/15/2006 3:07:51 PM

Larbabe,
I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. Its so disrespectful that the in-law (who you allow to stay in your house) do nothing to change this behavior. Just because the dog is small does not mean it can't do damage. In fact some little dog bites can be incredibly painful. Just think about if this dog bit a baby. How would they feel? The dog would be put in quarantine and if it is a repeat offender it could be PTS. I know this is a drastic angle, but perhaps by explaining this to them it will sink into thier thick skulls that it isn't right. Again I'm so sorry. OT: I would probably commit myself if my inlaws lived with me....

mrv

Posted : 6/15/2006 4:06:47 PM

I would still be up front, calm tone of voice etc. What happens if a stranger comes and is bitten, what if a child comes and is bitten. The dog needs to be managed. Training is not likely to happen. Maybe you should print out the thread for people to read just select specific parts.

agilebasenji

Posted : 6/15/2006 5:50:21 PM

Larbabe-

I think your biggest problem is not a dog problem, but a human one. Personally, I think you really need your wife's support when dealing with her parents and without that, I'm not sure there is much you can do. I'd bet that any training you did with the dog would be sabotaged. I do agree, that in the very least, the dog needs to have a leash on him at all times. This does not hurt the dog or restrict him in any way, it just creates a safe way for people to move him if he needs to be moved. So I'm not sure why anyone would object.

Here is something to think about. If the dog were to bite someone in your house, I believe you would be held liable. Now you (and the entire family) know the dog is a biter and this issue (much to your dismay) is not/has not been addressed. If serious damage is done (say a child's face) the parents might have to sue you in order to cover medical costs. While I know nothing about the law where you are, it seems to me that you're at risk of loosing everything (house, retirement, etc) because of this dog. Again, I'm not a lawyer, perhaps this gives you something to present to the in-laws and your wife.

At a minimum, I'd put the dog up when someone comes over, especially if they have kids. Something else to think on, are you and your wife thinking of having kids sometime in the next 5-8 years? If so, you may be bringing home a baby in this dog's lifetime.

Again I'm so sorry. OT: I would probably commit myself if my inlaws lived with me....

Ditto on that.[&:]