Huge problem- aggressive, "mean" dog. Not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

My family has a Chow/German Shepard/Yellow Lab mix dog, about five years old. At times she'll be fine, the most lovable dog in the world. Other times, she'll randomly growl and begin to snarl (showing teeth, etc.) and even lunging and "biting". She HAS, in fact, broken the skin on a few occassions, but normally doesn't bite down hard. She normally does this when she's lying down and we're on the couch watching t.v. or something of the sort, but as of late she's done it in other instances. For example- the other day I went to reach for her ball while we were playing and she, without any warning, snapped at my hand and chased me, snarling and growling, until I reached the stairs, out of her reach. Also, this morning, my mom was showing my dad her hand (she burnt it last night while cooking dinner) and our dog started to growl. My dad said "oh, it's ok, girl" and went to pet her to calm her down and she snapped at him, biting his hand (she broke the skin, drawing blood).

Huge problem- aggressive, "mean" dog. Not sure what to do. Any suggestions?
Dogs like this require professional training. It is obvious you don't have enough experience otherwise you would know to never run from a dog or try to coddle it when it is misbehaving. Get her into training. She has simply learned that she can take over the household little by little and you and your entire family need to learn to be alpha to her.
Reply:I think you should contact your vet and ask what they think about her sudden behaviour change. It sounds very unusual, and you really need to address it quickly, before someone gets seriously hurt. A lot of people on here are probably going to tell you to kill it, which is the last thing you should do. Take the time to at least try to find out if it is a problem you can deal with. Good luck.





---- You say you can't afford to take her to the vet, but can you afford for her to bite someone who might not be as understanding as a family member? Can you afford the court costs and medical bills associated with that? I would think twice before saying you "can't afford" to take her to the vet. Call around and find one that will let you make payment arrangements, or one that doesn't charge excessive office visits. Your pet is a responsibility, just like your family - I'm sure you don't deny them medical care when they need it. When an animals behaviour changes, that is usually indicative of a bigger problem. She needs a professional assessment of some sort. Anything less is cruel to her.
Reply:Take the dog to the vet. It may need to be put down, but there could be other options. I have heard of "doggy prozac"...not sure about it, but maybe something like that would work. That sounds really scary, good luck.
Reply:You cannot pet her and tell her it's okay when she is growling. To a dog, that is praise, and you are encouraging it. Please get her enrolled in obedience classes, you need a professional.
Reply:maybe it is something medical? Get a complete health check on her, blood work, everything. Its not like she can talk to you and tell you what is wrong. It may cost a bit, but if you are thinking about putting her down....
Reply:Dogs can "turn" against people. They can also get sick and be crabby. Have your dog evaluated for several days- the humane society can help. It may, sadly, be the end of the line for your dog- or it may be an ilness.
Reply:you need to get this dog to training classes or a trainer to work with you one on one. these behaviors can not be acceptable and will only lead to tragedy. I would not suggest trying to fix this on your own. do some research and find a good trainer.


ADD- as everyone else said, if this behavior is new, there could be a medical reason but if not, a trainer is your best bet
Reply:Have you discussed this with your vet???


Has she had obedience training???
Reply:If she has bitten people (even "just family members") she's a dangerous dog and you're right - something needs to be done before something tragic happens!





Personally, I would have her put down because of this - but that's not the answer you really want to hear.





Take her to the vet for a thorough physical exam. this is to make sure there isn't a physical problem - such as internal pain (say, from joint problems etc.) Explain the biting problem just as you have explained it here. Your vet can recommend a behaviorist to have her evaluated for behavior problems.





Follow the behaviorist's advice faithfully. Even if this means being more "stern" or "forceful" than you have been in the past. It's better to be harsh and stern now than to face legal problems from having a known biter in your house.





Good luck. This is going to take time, patience, and not a little bit of money.
Reply:She could be ill so make sure she has a clean bill of health first


Then contact a behaviourist for a training plan.


Fundamentally it sounds like she is trying to take over the family - make sure you do basic things like walk through doors and eat first. Ignore any growling or give a firm no back. Do not run away from her but stand tall with your arms crossed and DO NOT look her in the eyes
Reply:i'm afraid your right without spending lots of money for a professional trainer. is she spayed? sometimes spaying/neutering will dampen aggression as well as make a dog easier to control. it sounds as though your dog has always been in control of the household and is trying to keep her position. she's a big dog and trying to get control now is going to get someone hurt. chows and shephards tend to be head strong to begin with and don't make the best mixes.


and it's never too late to spay or neuter.
Reply:If your vet can't find anything physically wrong wiht her, I'd probably consider putting her down. I'm sorry, I know that is hard to hear, but this dog seems to have no predictable triggers that you can either avoid, or train her out of. It sounds like she feels like she rules the home, and that is not a safe situation for any of you.





Part of the problem, if I am reading this right, is your Dad unknowingly rewarded her for growling by saying, "Oh, it OK girl" when she growled at him examining your Mother's hand. That is encouraging the aggression. My concern is, that after all this time as "boss" that when you try to re-train her, she is going to decide to try to beat you into submission, and with her teeth and strength, you are going to lose.





You might consult a few trainers to see what their overall opinion is before making a decision, but from reading what you have here, I think she's a ticking time bomb, and the fuse is getting dangerously short.
Reply:First have her checked over by the vet to see if there is a physical problem.





Then consult with a professional trainer who is experienced with aggressive dogs.





Or have the dog put down.
Reply:Firstly she is getting old. When dogs begin to get old they begin to ache, like an older human does. Secondly, Chows are very unpredictable dogs. It could be the Chow showing in her.


Talk to the vet. Perhaps he knows what to do. Maybe muzzle train her, she bites, she gets muzzled for an hour.
Reply:That's a chow mix for ya. And then somebody keeps telling her 'It's OK girl"? The rest of you run, get scared, get bit?


Solution: #1) Your whole family needs educated and #2) Your dog needs trained.


Suggestion: This is no time to putt around ... GET A TRAINER for this dog to come to your home. Please.


What it is NOT: It's not about whether or not she breaks the skin or draws blood. This dog is getting away with her behavior the moment she shows teeth and/or growls. The rest is just confidence and ya'll letting her.
Reply:You do need to get her to the vet and rule out health problems.


But your dad needs to quit praising her for inappropriate behaviour. Likely this has been going on her entire life. You cannot tell her it's okay when she has done something wrong, you are reinforcing the behaviour. You should find the money and get a good behaviourist to take a look at her after the vet has gone over her. She is a dangerous dog, that doesn't know her boundaries and has been praised for biting and growling. You need professional help.





If you cannot afford the vet, and you cannot afford the trainer, the only right and fair thing is to have her put down. Do NOT give her to someone else.
Reply:sorry to tell you that chows are bad for turning on their owners for no reason. You should answer some more questions before I can help you. Is your dog up to date with all shot? Even if your dog is an inside dog, very imperative to know. also when is the first time your dog bit some one to break blood? You need to think of the potential danger this dog can be to your neighbors as well as your own family. German Shepard's too are known for turning against their owners. If your intentions are to keep a biting dog, get a distemper shot. Most vets will say euthanize. Once a dog gets the taste of blood, it will crave that taste there after. Striking more frequently, vigorously and more often!
Reply:Defiantly have her checked out by a vet to make sure she's not hurting anywhere. If that's not the problem then chances are you're not the boss as far as she's concerned. Don't ever praise or console her if she's doing something you don't want her to do again. You're just telling her that biting and growling is right, now let me pet you to thank you for biting me. Also, Don't run away from her. You're just confirming that she's in charge. It all starts with walking her properly. Make sure she stays behind you or by your side. Don't let her lead you on the walk, ever. Hopefully this helps. You'd be amazed at what proper walking will do.
Reply:Well, your not going to like this:


I had a beautiful Australian Shepard that started biting children.


I love this dog!!! After a long consideration,I brought him into the vet's office I worked at and had him euthanized. The children's safety has to come first!


He had done this twice to children. I just felt I could not "trust" him anymore. I'm not one to lock up an animal or muzzle an animal or bring him into a shelter for him to injure someone else...That would be cruel and irresponsible. This dog was 5 years old and just had an attitude.
Reply:After reading everything that you wrote here and some of the responses you have gotten the only thing I have to say to you is put her down. Nothing of any behaviors you describe sounds like a dog that is all together there. Good luck to you!!
Reply:You might check with your vet. Dogs don't just normally start biting for no reason. There may be a health issue involved.
Reply:Wow - you have EVERY excuse in the book now don't you? You have a potentially dangerous dog but can't seem to find the money to take her to the vet to determine if there is a health issue that might be causing this. You talk about putting her down but you don't have any money.





Might I ask how your typed the question on YA? Were you at a friend's house? The library? Or sitting at your home on your own computer using your internet that costs - what - minimum 40.00 a month.





You have the money, you just choose to spend it on other things (waiting for the next excuse you would like to throw out there).





Your dog has issues and problems. Putting a muzzle on the dog is not the way to address the problems, it's what you do to work on the problems safely. Alas, you need - at the very minimum, a trip to the vet, and to get into training with a knowledgeable instructor. Alas, neither of those things are free. So make your choices now. Make a committment to working on your dog and quit making excuses or be the coward and take her to the human society. Drop her off, pay the 40.00 drop off fee and then know that she'll be euthanized. But hey - at least you saved a few bucks.
Reply:You have a dog that is a resource guarder. You should find a trainer to help you learn how to change this behavior. Check out the book MINE!





www.fearfuldogs.com/books.html

sorrel