Dog Community

Would you ever keep a dog you were afraid of???

Posted : 6/29/2010 10:15:50 PM

Hey all!

I had quite an interesting weekend. My cousin who I have not seen in YEARS, but we used to be very close just visited the area...and I met her Golden Retriever "Buddy" for the first time. The dog is seriously not very nice. He growls at people when they arrive...and in general everyone except my cousin's husband is afraid of him. He's bitten her once, to the point where she had to go and get stitches...and I brought over my "furminator" for her to use b/c his undercoat was really thick...she was afraid to even do that to him...she did it very gingerly, and even then didn't go near his hind quarters, and acted with kid gloves around him. She often needs her husband to take charge of the more "difficult" tasks.

I think he's mainly an unsocialized dog...he displays a lot of "bossy" and "dominant" behaviors, like pushing against her, and in general making her anxious. He most likely senses her anxiety as well and plays off of that. She's definitely not in control. He gets scared of other dogs/people/new situations...his hackles raise...and he barks quite a bit.

She loves him, takes good care of him, and he's got a wonderful life...but it made me and my husband think quite a bit.

Would you ever keep a dog you were anxious around? Scared of? Had bitten you?

I honestly don't think I would. I'd definitely seek professional help...but if it were to no avail I wouldn't want to live like that. Can you imagine trying to trim toenails or give baths?? eek!

I have pitbulls, and I snuggle with them, give them kisses, we rough-house sometimes, and in general are very very cuddly-close. It was very akward for me to see what it's like having a bit of a troublesome dog. She sheilds her parents (my aunt and uncle) from the dog, and is always holding his collar when guests arrive at their cabin...and is even afraid to take his ball from his mouth.

I don't lecture people on what training their dogs "should" have...but it's obvious he needs a VERY in-control trainer to teach her confidence and to be the leader...so I'm not into getting into an argument over that...but just wondering if you guys would ever put up with that???

PrincessPenny

Posted : 6/29/2010 10:42:25 PM

If I were in that situation, I don't know what I would do. I think I'd definately pursue professional help, from all angles. I'd try to get as much knowledge and help as possible to gain control and respect from the dog. If that didn't work... idk. I'd be afraid to give up the dog, because most people would not give the dog the time of day and would most likely be euthanized or passed by at a shelter or tossed around home to home. However, it seems unfair for both the dog and the owner to keep an animal that you are clearly afraid of. What kind of life is that? It's a tough call.

griffinej5

Posted : 6/29/2010 10:54:48 PM

I have to say, one of my dogs would bite me at times. There were some things he didn't like, and he would bite over those. When I found a trigger, I worked on that a lot. I kept him, my parents thought I shouldn't have. That was my favorite dog ever, in spite of being bitten by him on several occasions. I'd give it serious thought though if the dog posed a risk to other people. In general, my dog only really posed a risk to me. I could manage him with regards to other people. This meant that when people came over, he stayed in his crate, we never had pizza delivery during this time. If I did it again, I'd have a lot more contact with a trainer. He went to classes a lot, and had no problems in classes. I'd have someone out to the house, or to wherever the problem was occurring if I were going to do this.

willowchow

Posted : 6/30/2010 12:15:36 AM

RubyandStewiesmom
Would you ever keep a dog you were anxious around? Scared of? Had bitten you?

Yes, I did. I won't go into the long version of the story. But, there were many times when we first got Willow that I would go into the bedroom and close the door to get away from the stress of being around her.

punkchica321

Posted : 6/30/2010 1:13:16 AM

I'll admit sometimes I get anxious when taking Simba on walks, just because he jumps and bites when he gets worked up. However we're working on it and I know I just need to teach him to redirect him when he starts getting wound up. If I ever felt truly afraid of my dog and couldn't work out the issues he had, as hard as it would be I would try to find him a home better suited for him.

4HAND

Posted : 6/30/2010 3:02:45 AM

Turbo growls when he is uncomfortable or afraid but I have never been afraid of him.I just see that as his way of communicating.I had a toy fox terrier who became short tempered after years of steroid use for allergies.Pain and fear can sometimes manifest as aggression.That being said my answer would be No,I wouldn't live with anyone canine or human that I was truly afraid of.I don't scare easily though Wink

Tena

Veronica's Mom

Posted : 6/30/2010 5:14:53 AM

I don't think I would keep a dog that I was actually afraid of; but then again...it would take an awful lot for me to have any fear of a dog that I own and am raising. If it were genetically unsound...as in trying to seriously and unpredictably rip my throat out - then I would have to put it down.

Other than that; I would work with a behaviorist if need be and do whatever it took to get the behaviors under control and safely manage the dog around others.

My previous dog, a Basset Hound; was a resource guarder. In retrospect...it was our fault because we didn't train her properly because we didn't at the time know any better. Still; we were never afraid of of her. We just knew that if you did certain things in certain circumstances Fran would try to bite you...so proceed with caution.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 6/30/2010 5:51:29 AM

I have a toddler in the house, so no I couldn't keep a dog that I was afraid would bite me or my family. Its one thing to take on the responsibility when there are only adults, but a small child...nope, no way. This is one of the key reasons we got Charlie before we even got pregnant with Riley. I wanted to make sure if there were any issues we could work with him before.

JackieG

Posted : 6/30/2010 6:48:31 AM

Depends on the dog and why it was showing aggression. Sounds like your cousin could use some information about dog behavior. If it were my cousin or friend, I would recommend some reading material to help her get a better understanding of dogs and the different types of aggression and how to deal with it. Many people don't have a clue and welcome information if it's presented in a non lecturing manner.

Jewlieee

Posted : 6/30/2010 7:29:07 AM

My very first dog when I was young and living at home was like that. The reason he was like that was clear to me: no socialization and no formal training. However. It was the family dog and I had no say. He lived most of his life outside chained to a tree until I moved away and took him with me. I was not afraid of him, but everyone else was and with good reason. He growled, snapped, etc. He fiercly protected me and any perceived threat to me was dealt with in a doggy fashion. He resource guarded too.

I kept him for as long as i could. He backed people in to corners snarling and showing teeth and even bit a few of my roommates. When I went to college and left him behind, he bit my sister. That was the end for him.

If I woud do it all over, knowing what I know now, I would still keep him but socialize and work on rehab with positive training methods. I look back at that dog and all of the mistakes we made and feel so guilty. All of the reasons and answers are right there and easy to see.

If I were you, I would ask something like "would you like a few suggestions?". Give them some tools to start to work on and think about.

Liesje

Posted : 6/30/2010 7:34:45 AM

No, I would not own a dog I was afraid of. Having a dog that is reactive or fearful or dog aggressive and worrying about it hurting itself or another dog or person is different to me than *me* as the owner fearing my own dog for my own safety. It's ironic that I am around dozens of German Shepherds doing bitework, high drive working dogs, and yet there are some dogs friends and family own that I steer clear of (and none are the GSDs that do bitework).

BlackLabbie

Posted : 6/30/2010 8:06:53 AM

I probably would keep a dog I was afraid of and exhaust all options (training, etc) and if we couldn't come up with a solution and the dog was that dangerous I would have the dog PTS.

Liesje
; It's ironic that I am around dozens of German Shepherds doing bitework, high drive working dogs, and yet there are some dogs friends and family own that I steer clear of (and none are the GSDs that do bitework).

Ha, that's kind of like how I'm around so many dogs (45+/week), all different breeds (boxers, pits, mastiffs, rot/mixes, etc) and the 2 dogs I steer clear of are my MIL's chi/jack mix and my friends bc! Both dogs have extremely unsound temps and are major resource guarders. I *SAW* my friends bc rip into her; another dog was walking by their fenced yard, the bc charged the fence and when my friend walked over- didn't even touch the bc- the bc started biting her all over her arm/leg/abdomen resulting in many punctures and gashes, my friend ended up in the hospital and her dog has a bite record now. Yes, she still has the dog.... that was scary!

mehpenn

Posted : 6/30/2010 12:23:53 PM

I couldn't live like that... either I'd have to get professional help or the dog would have to go to a new home, with someone who was better equipped to handle the situation,

mehpenn

Posted : 6/30/2010 12:23:53 PM

I couldn't live like that... either I'd have to get professional help or the dog would have to go to a new home, with someone who was better equipped to handle the situation,

and

rwbeagles

Posted : 6/30/2010 12:29:57 PM

just addressing the question in the title...No. Because I have children and they come first and a dog that scares ME is probably a pretty scary dog. If the REASONS the dog scared me were my own fault then I would have to bear that guilt and reponsibility for all my days...and I would. But my kids and heck, our other animals, would live, in a safe home.