I saw Cesar Millan in Bradenton, FL, just a few weeks ago, and have been reading his book and watching his shows. I'm trying to be a good pack leader, but am afraid I failed miserably! Now my dog's fate hangs in the balance...PLEASE HELP! WILL YOU PLEASE RESPOND ASAP?! I need some advice about an incident that happened today with Nina - she's the little black Chihuahua mix that I've had for about a year. She's always been very sweet and licks to death, but just recently, she's had a personality change. Last week, I went to put the dogs to bed in the laundry room - now the "doggie den" since that's where their door is - and I couldn't find her anywhere. I finally found her in the crate in the puppy parlor with the door open, curled up on a cushion. She wasn't asleep, but I leaned down to talk to her and tell her it was time for bed, and reached in to pull her out. She turned and bit my thumb! I was shocked, and tried again to reach in and get her. This time she attacked my finger, shredding the fingertip and leaving me with a black-and-blue nail. That's still healing. Then last night, she was curled up on a chair in the bedroom when I again told her it was time for bed. I reached down to scoop her up like I always do, and she growled and turned to snap at me. I yanked my hand back, and tried talking to her that it was okay while still trying to be Alpha, and she went for me again when I reached down again. I tried to get her with the neck pokes that Cesar Millan recommends as a human mimicking an Alpha biting, but couldn't even do that because she was trying to bite so much. I couldn't even get her by the scruff of the neck, so I had to go get the leash and loop it around her neck like a wild dog and drag her off to the laundry room. I was so angry about her behavior and challenging my authority both times that I could have just snapped her neck, but I just put her in the room and didn't give her the reward treat. When she was in the crate I had to just leave her there and lock her in it overnight without food or water. I told my husband about it last night, and he was saying we should just get the heavy leather gloves so she wouldn't actually be able to bite me, and then keep her in a muzzle until she gets over it. I totally don't believe in having a dog that is like that. I thought last night about sending her off to a behavioral center, but didn't get the chance. Today, I took her and Smitty out on the double dog leash as always, but since their harnesses were in the wash, I just attached it to their collars. As I was walking her down at the end of the street, she saw a Sheltie that was out front with it's owner off leash and went crazy, as always. She's been leash aggressive, and I've tried to break her of it, but haven't made any progress. This time, I gave her a yank like usual but the damn collar broke and the tags and huge hook came flying back and hit me in the eye. I thought I had lost my eye, and turned to see the Sheltie on it's back with Nina on top of it and hackles raised. I couldn't tell if she was fighting or not - usually she's really friendly with other dogs, although a bit jumpy if they're too sniffy. I knew this Sheltie was really timid, and was afraid Nina was either hurting it or terrifying it. I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and pulled her off, and Nina bit my arm! I threw her down - of course it had to be on bricks in the street - and she broke her thigh bone about 2" above the knee joint. She was screaming in pain and trying wildly to bite me; I had to keep her in a headlock the entire time I raced home with her to keep her from biting me. I raced her off to the vet and he did the x-rays and told me he can fix the leg by inserting a pin that would stay for about four months then have to be removed. He was concerned that the dog was having this biting problem and wonders if she may be mentally ill or just very unhappy. He has the same opinion that I have - you don't save a biting dog. But I just don't know what to do, because her behavior has been so weird and unexpected lately. I wondered if she was sick with something and that's why she was biting, but the vet said there's not really any way to tell. He thought if we ran a MRI that it might show something was off, but of course we're not going to do that. I just don't know what to do - I don't understand how she can go from being so seemingly happy and licking people to death most of the day, and then actually seriously bite me later! She has never just mouth-bit or given warning; it was full-on attack biting drawing blood that I felt was unprovoked. I didn't think I was being threatening to her or anything. I try to maintain an alpha position as the pack leader to avoid problems, but she either didn't accept it or wanted to challenge it - both of which make me mad. I have no idea what the history is on this dog; I think she's about five years old. I noticed when I first picked her up that she was really sensitive about that - maybe behind her front legs - and she turned and acted as if she might snap. She seemed to get over that the longer I've had her. She does have a history of acting leash-aggressive but just overly anxious to go socialize with the other dogs - not really to play, but just to check them out. Money isn't the issue about having her undergo the surgery. I just don't know what the right thing to do is! After suffering such a traumatic injury (especially at my hands), will she ever get back to a normal mental state, or will she always be afraid or untrusting or aggressive? Why was she acting like this in the first place? I just don't understand why she changed - and especially toward her pack leader! What do you think could be the reason for this behavior change, and do you think she's worth saving? I hate to put a dog down just because I was responsible for it's injury, but I also don't want to save one that isn't worth saving. I didn't take her in with the idea of giving up on her, but I also have never believed in owning a snappy, bitchy dog. As nutty as Smitty is, he's never tried to bite me - except the clipper when cutting his nails! I also have the dilemma in that she and Smitty are very bonded and play all the time. They don't sleep together or anything, but they are best buds. I'm wondering how Smitty will be without her, and if that might have a negative impact on his development. He seems to be getting a little better with time. Will you please give me your honest opinion and advice? I really need it! I can't make this decision with a clear conscience until I've tried to at least ask the experts! I just don't trust myself to do the right thing, especially since I was the one who hurt her. I'm questioning whether I should even own animals! Thanks so much for your time and feedback - it means the world to me and I really respect your opinion and knowledge of dogs!