dog bite incident

Question
QUESTION: Jill, We recently had a cocker spaniel of 12 years that died of cancer.This dog was adopted from a local ASPCA at just over 1 year and had an unbelivable temperment;calm, friendly and never showed any type of human aggresiveness.

Recently we found another cocker spaniel at a local pound. He is 2 years old and was found wondering the streets with another dog. He did have a collar and appeared reasonably well taken care of;fur was not matted and relatively clean and nails short. So ofcourse we adopted him.

Although he has a different personality from the first cocker, he seemed great. He has a lot of playful energy,as is expected from a 2 yr.old. He shows signs he was somebodys pet, such as rolling on his back wanting his belly rubbed and prefering to sleep and rest mainly on the kitchen floor. When left home alone the people on the first floor say he cries and howls incessantly. Overall a great dog.

The first time I noticed aggresion was as follows. The backyard is fenced in and the driveway has a chain link gate fence. The other dog respected the gate and would never try to force his way out and could be left unattended in the backyard.Although the gate closes there is enough gap/play in it a determined dog wouldnt have much trouble getting out. Ofcourse at first I held the new dog on a leash to see how he would react and it was clear he would get out if not controlled by the leash.He shows a determination to get out through there.

This dog is also very quick.I underestimated that being used to the first dog.One time I let him out and went to close the gate. Not paying attention he snuck pass me as I was closing the gate. With no leash I stopped him with my hands around his side.I then started to turn him to guide him back in and he gave a menacing growl. It was brief and he did comply.It didnt seem too worrisome though it did surprise me.This was on the second day after his adoption.

This is what happened on the 3rd day. I wasnt home and my mother opened the front door to get the mail. The dog snuck right pass her to the frontporch. Again with no leash she grabbed him to redirect him in. This time he became really aggressive and bit her multiply times on the hand and wrist requiring a trip to the ER. No stitches were given but he gave her several gashes which they washed out and taped up. Her hand was so swollen they thought she had a broken bone and took x-rays.Luckily was nothing broke.

We had been planning to take him to the vet on monday, as we just got him on wendesday for a checkup,shots, and to discuss temperment and nuetering with the DR. Now we don't know if he can be trusted and are afraid of him biting someone again. Very regretfully, we are probably going to return him to the shelter.

Can you please give your opinion/input of this dog and what you believe happened.Thank you very much.

ANSWER: The "escape" behavior is normal for any dog and as he was found wandering on the street, one can guess that: a, he was dumped; b, he got out (much in the manner you are seeing now) and was lost.  The fact that the owners didn't attempt to find him (by contacting the local shelter, ASPCA is not the municipal kill shelter, it's a privately funded organization and most likely you got him from the municipal kill shelter) doesn't mean anything.  Some people aren't bright enough or motivated enough to think to call the shelter in their area.

It seems to me the dog is fear aggressive; he's in a new environment with brand new people and he's most likely very insecure.  He already has some separation anxiety (howling when left alone) and the fact that he rolls over does NOT MEAN he wants his belly rubbed: this is primarily a sign of SUBMISSION and should always be respected as such until the dog has come to trust you absolutely and you have come to know the dog.  Because you have touched him (bent over him) during this demonstration of submission, he may be quite confused and uncertain of how to communicate his fear.  The dog should have been neutered at the municipal shelter; NO ASPCA would ever allow an intact male to go into adoption.  If you return this dog to the shelter, they will most likely put him down (especially since he's bitten.)

He already has seriously bitten your mother; he has no bite inhibition (the bite you describe was NOT his first bite, dogs do not progress from growling to mutliple bites so quickly, this dog has most likely bitten someone before).  You need to discuss this with your veterinarian and he must be neutered (although this will not affect his "running" behavior, the dog can't be trusted outdoors alone and he will attempt to get out the front door again.)  It appears your responsibility at this point to either obtain the help of a certified applied animal behaviorist or make the decision to humanely euthanize this dog yourself, rather than subject him to the horror (AND IT IS a horror) of a municipal shelter.

Let me add that many people are not able to choose wisely from a municipal kill shelter.  Because he was not neutered, it's obvious your state does not require this prior to adoption, and this tells me their methods of euthanasia may be barbaric and the facility itself may be barbaric.  The "kill shelter" is a horrible place, no matter how well mantained and how well run it is: I've seen the best, and I've seen the worst. Dogs are fearful, often subjected to uncaring, rough handling upon capture by animal control; adrenaline is running high in those places and these dogs are very anxious.  It is very difficult to ascertain temperament in a dog in such a place, even when you know what you're doing.  I've taken many, many dogs out of kill shelters and there's a trick to temperament testing "through the bars".  You meant well and you have an excellent home; this dog will require extensive behavior modification by an expert (as suggested above).  The next adoption you make, do it from a legitimate humane society (SPCA or bona fide no-kill shelter that is privately held) or from breed rescue (look at the breed's AKC site and contact legitimate breed rescue in your area) so you will know the temperament of the dog is rock solid, the dog will have been carefully vetted, neutered or spayed, etc.  The cocker spaniel, while it can be a lovely breed, is the product of a great many puppy mill breeders and can have serious temperament flaws, one of which is active aggression.

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QUESTION: Thank you so much Jill. Yes,he was from a city shelter. They do not do any neutering there, but do give a voucher that could be brought to any vet to do the procedure and it will be covered.

Please elaborate on the belly rub. You mean when a dog rolls over to show its belly its best NOT to pet him? He often does this when you pet his back or even when standing over him while hes lying down. What is best to do when he does this?      thank you again.

ANSWER: Rolling over is a sign of submission in the dog "vocabulary"; it is offered by a dog to signal to the conspecific (or created conspecific, as are humans) that THEY are "dominant".  Most dogs are socialized to accept being petted when they offer this behavior; some are not.  I've seen MANY dogs who come up biting when a human leans over to rub a belly so exposed (leaning over a dog is very dominant).  This Cocker was most likely dumped (WITH the dog he was found with (unless it was an intact female), as a well groomed dog showing no signs of heavy travel (worn foot pads, ragged coat, thin, etc.) would NEVER close ranks with a "strange" dog in so short a time.  He was dumped for a REASON and my guess is he had bitten (more than once), perhaps for good reason.  His aggression could be the result of fear and he may have what is called "learned helplessness" as his signals of abject submission (rolling over) are being (in his culture) ignored.  When you pet this dog's back, that is a DOMINANT BEHAVIOR.  Touching a dog's back is very dominant: think about it, in a dog pack, such a behavior would only occur if the dog were being mounted by another dog (very dominant behavior.)  His rolling over so easily MUST be a signal of submission.  WALK AWAY from him when he does this; DO NOT pet him on the back; pet him only on the chest, but right now he should not be petted at all.  He is an actively aggressive dog and the next bite WILL BE WORSE.  Forget the free neuter; this dog requires an experienced veterinarian because he will probably bite (or attempt to bite) the veterinarian, and the last thing you need is some vet backing away, muzzling with fear, etc.  

Find a HIGH END veterinary practice with (hopefully) multiple vets in various specialties.  Ask for referral to a certified applied animal behaviorist.  DO NOT SETTLE for a dog trainer; most are ill equipped to manage active dog to human aggression.  You need the hands on evaluation of an expert who has successfully treated active aggression.  This dog requires positive reinforcement training and a strict regimen of behavior modification for at least the next year.  The Nothing in Life Is Free regimen is an absolute MUST.  He may never be able to be trusted: I can't see that from here.  DO NOT back away from him but do NOT provoke his aggression.  Put a long (VERY long) nylon lead on him so you can step on it and control him with that.  Do NOT put your hands on him in an attempt to control him: you will provoke another bite, and each one will be worse than the last.  This young dog may be the product of awful breeding and is definitely the victim of AWFUL mismanagement by his former "owner".  The Cocker Spaniel (especially the buff) is well known for aggression problems, both dominance (most likely some neurological involvement here, color affects temperament) and fear.  Proceed with caution and find an expert.

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QUESTION: Thank you again Jill. As I find this topic interesting, both in general as well as specific to this dog,I hope you can answer a few more questions.

One thing I didn't mention is he is quite compliant while on a leash. I've walked many dogs and he is surprisingly not bad in this regard and can easily be redirected. Its when off it and outside out of his yard and/or home he seems to show the most aggresion.

He loves to greet you by running up to you and standing with his front paws on your belly with his tail wagging. I do not mind this this action as it appears to be excitement and being happy to see you.Do either of these actions reveal anything?

With regards to petting, when rolling on his back I understand to NOT rub his belly,but simply walk away, right? With regard to chest rubbing you're referring to when a non-aggresive dog rolls on his back its O.K. to rub only his chest, but not with a dog like this, right? As far as back petting being a dominant behavior, wouldn't that be desired with a dog like this as you want to establish dominance?

Finally, I had thought lost dogs will often form 'packs' with other lost/stray dogs.But this isn't so?

again thank you so much

Answer
Lost dogs do not naturally form packs, especially if recently lost, as your dog apparently was.  I doubt he was lost; I think he was dumped, WITH the dog he was found with.

Your dog is fear aggressive; establishing dominance isn't an option, especially not physically hands on.  This requires positive reinforcement training and a behavior modification protocol, as well as the hands on evaluation of a certified applied animal behaviorist.  I cannot diagnose your dog in this text box.

Have the dog neutered.  Get referral (from the veterinary college in your geographical area) to a certified applied animal behaviorst (Ph.D. or DVM).  This dog does not require in-home evaluation, he can be taken to the behaviorist's location.

No one can tell you how to interact with a dog that is actively aggressive toward humans IN A TEXT BOX.  This dog is a clear and present danger; you must do as advised above.