Biting our 6 year old
Last Tuesday I was sitting on the couch with Murphy in front of me and my daughter to the left of me. She was petting him on the head when she said "Mommy he's showing me his teeth". About 3 seconds later he bit her on the finger (yes he drew blood). For about the last month whenever Megan or her friends would go near him (walking by, petting etc) he would growl at them and show his teeth. He also was doing this to me and my husband but we basically let him know that we were the boss. He also has been growling at my husbands 80 year old grandmother. We have had him since he was 8 weeks old and up until about a month ago everything was going pretty good. Tonight we went to my in-laws house to see him (she said he had been doing really well all week) and as soon as Megan touched him he was growing at her. We brought him home with us tonight (he sat in the front, Megan in the backseat) and I won't let Megan go near him. Obviously I am afraid of what the outcome might be if he were to bite her or any of her friends. There is a local OES rescue group near me and I spoke to the Director and he basically thought I should think about surrendering Murph to them. He told me that normally they wouldn't even consider adopting him out but that at the same time they recieved my e-mail with questions about surrendering, an application came in from a couple (with no kids, other dogs and they have some land) who are experienced in working with aggressive dogs. I guess I am asking if any of you have any experience in this area. I really love Murphy and would love for him to stay in our home but, my daughter and her safety mean more. We are also thinking of having another baby next year and it would be devestating if the dog were to ever bite the baby. Well, thank you for reading my "book" and I welcome any advice you might be able to give us! Many Blessings, Murphys Mom |
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| This is a really tough question.
He's young enough and doesn't have enough of a history of this behavior that I would probably consider him OK for re-homing, with some serious observation/training. It really bothers me that a dog this age would be exhibiting this kind of behavior and with apparently very little bite inhibition. He's probably just at the age where he's starting to feel a little full of himself anyway. I think they all go through a bit of a stage where they will test you on some level - sort of a juvenile delinquent kind of stage (with mine that's usually when they forget their own name and think the recall is optional...kind of displaying a little bit of independance and getting a feel for their place in the pack - critical stage). And since this behavior is occuring only with your daughter (is that correct?), I'm thinking there may be a bit of social climbing in the picture and he feels he is higher up the pack ladder than her. That can be changed, but it takes work. And since he's already bitten, that makes him higher risk. At least he gives warning. That's encouraging. If you do surrender him to a rescue, they'll need to determine what precisely triggers his behavior. Is he a resource-guarder? Fearful? Anxious? Status seeking. Hard-wired bad general temperament (worse prognosis) What is he like more generally? Have you talked to his breeder? If it's a responsible breeder 1) they've already made you promise to notify them if you have any problems 2) they should be willing to take him back 3) the person should be aware of any temperament issues they may be producing. You really should notify him/her of the problem you're seeing before you do anything else. Is there any history of rough play with kids and him? Sometimes that puts it in their little peabrains that the child is a fellow "litter mate" and they would be jostling for position with them right about now. Sometimes they are actually fearful of children because they have been hurt and you didn't realize it. And some times the temperament just wasn't solid to begin with. I agree with you that I would consider it serious cause for concern no matter what the reason. Kristine |
| Hi! I have not gotten in touch with the breeder as of yet (I will do that today). I really don't think she would take him back. From what I've been told she is not the type of breeder I thought she was. The OES Rescue Org is not very fond of her. For the most part he only does this to Megan (and a few of her friends). He has been growling at me a little since coming home (when I pet him) and I have been telling him no and putting him in the bathroom for about 10 min. I agree with the fact that he is trying to assert himself within our family and thinking he is the Alpha over Megan. He's so Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde... One minute he's growling, and the next he's licking us, snuggling up to us and wants us to take him for rides in the car. Uggh. What to do, what to do. |
| Hi! First of all, I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I hope this will not leave bad memories in your daughter's life but for me it seems that you and your husband need to be a little more firm and consistent with your dog.
Kristine is right about a lot of things, she gave you great advice. There are a couple of things you need to know about dogs/puppies. Just as Kristine said they also go through stages, like us. At 6 months of age they are in the "Brat Stage" turning into the "Young Adult Stage". In the Brat Stage, they demonstrate more independence and willfulness. You see a decline in his urge to please you expect to see more "testing the limits" type of behavior - such as growling, barking, bitting, not listening, etc. If you haven't started already continue his training in obedience and basic commends and make sure to NEVER let him off leash during this time unless you are in a confined area. He is also going through the hormonal changes brought about by his growing sexual maturity and you may see signs of rebelliousness - tee-age boys!  . If you haven't already you should also have him neutered during this time.
From 6-18 months he is going to be in the "Young Adult Stage". He does look like an adult dog but he is still very young, exuberant and he is still learning all the things he needs to become a full-fledged adult - and as I've heard OES usually matures around 3 years of age. You need to increase your activities and training. Puppies are very cute but they are a lot of work! To me it seems he is the alpha in your family/pack and you and your husband are right below him, your daughter and your husbands grandmother are on the bottom - the weaker ones (sorry to say that). You need to practice the "Leadership Exercise", which means he has to work for everything. You can stop feeding him and instead make him work for food. Make him sit, then immediately give him a treat. Do a lot of obedience with him. Teach your daughter how to train Murphy. This way, Murphy will see your daughter as a pack leader. Make him sit when you enter or exit a room - make him wait until you enter/exit and then ask him to follow you. Exercise him mentally and physically! Take him for walks but make sure he is not sniffing or pulling you on the leash - use a Halti or a Gentle Leader -, sniffing can be a reward for him walking nicely on the leash. Don't let him mark his territory on the walks, you tell him when and where he can pee. For mental exercise, give him a Kong filled with treats. Your daughter can do that too. Make Murphy sit and when he sits your daughter can give him the Kong. Also make sure to NEVER leave your daughter and Murphy unattended!!!! She may pet him in a way that it was hurting him, she also need to be taught how to approach him, how to pet him correctly and to watch his body language. If you really don't want to give him up and you think you can work with him, I would highly recommend you to take him to an obedience class (even with your daughter and all of you could attend class with him, working each of you with him a little bit) or get a trainer who can help you in your own house. I hope this helps and if you lived in downtown Chicago, I would love to come help you. 
You can look for a local trainer on these websites: http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/dog_trainer_search.asp http://apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx |
| When behaviors like this start in a male at this age, my first thought is always hormones. Has Murphy been neutered? I think that the obedience training, etc. that has been mentioned already is very important for any dog this age, regardless of whether or not the dog is intact.
But, if Murphy hasn't been neutered yet, I would take care of that first. I had both of my male sheepies neutered at 5 months of age. I hope it all works out for you and your family. Laurie and Oscar |
| Gosh, thank you all for your great advise! We had Murph neutered in July (at 4 months old). We thought maybe this would curtail any future aggressivness. I heard today that it can take up to 6 months for all of the testasterone to be out of his body. We are looking at some behavioral specialists in our area to come to our home and do a consultation then to help us make whatever modifications we need to get us on the right track. I will keep you updated and let you know how we are progressing! |
Great! I'm glad to hear that! I was so worried you were going to give him up...  Of course, your daughter is more important but if you can all work it out would be the best!
Please keep us updated! |
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