QuestionQUESTION: Our 3 year old spayed female Indy has been very submissive in the past with humans and other dogs. A week ago she bit my sisters beagle who just came up to sniff her but not hard enough to draw blood. Today, a friend of ours brought his 11 weeks old puppies over and when the two came up to sniff her, she bit one of them so hard there were 2 bleeding puncturs wounds on his muzzle. Naturally, I'm horrified and don't know what to do.
ANSWER: Hi Jennifer,
Any sudden changes in behavior warrant a visit to the vet. Often physical problems can result in mood swings. Once you get the all clear from the vet (or a diagnosis) come back and we'll sort it out.
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QUESTION: She has no physical problems and her thyroid is normal. During the first instance, my sister was holding her back from sniffing the oven since it was hot and we were getting the turkey out of it. Her beagle went up to sniff Indy and she bit him. My sister let her go and my husband reached down to grab her and put her outside. She bit his hand hard enough to draw blood. She was put outside for a couple of hours and not allowed up on the furniture when she was allowed back inside. In the second case, she was sitting next to me while I was standing and when one of the puppies came up to sniff her, she immediately attacked him. Again she was isolated for several hours and not allowed up on the furniture when allowed back in. The first instance was in my parents house, the second was in our home. When we are in public she is very submissive. On walks when we meet other dogs and people she crouchs and will tuck her tail between her legs or roll over on her back. She does this at the dog park as well and has never growled or snapped at any other dog, even puppies.
AnswerHi Jennifer,
Glad to hear she's physically fine.
One of the most dangerous things to do is to grab a dog that is fighting or has bitten something/someone. They are already in an aggressive 'mood' and grabbing them gives them no chance for flight. I'm sure you've heard of fight or flight? Not having the flight option only leaves fight. It is very common for a nervous, angry, fearful dog to turn on it's owner (or whoever has grabbed it).
Based on your descriptions, it sounds as if in both instances she was guarding what she feels is hers.
Food and people tend to be highly prized 'possessions'.
There is no reason to isolate her for 'several hours'. A 5 minute cooling off period is fine. By not letting her on the furniture, I can only assume you are trying to show her that you are the 'boss'. You can't pick and choose your opportunities. You are either always the boss or you aren't. Dogs are pretty black and white.
2 suggestions.
1. Have her evaluated by a professional behaviorist. Always the best option with a sudden onset of aggression. A behaviorist will be able to watch her in person and tell you exactly what's going on, giving you the correct tools to help her.
2. Enroll her in an obedience class and begin practicing the NILF method of training in conjunction. (Google 'NILF'...more information available on the 'net than I have room to post here).
While you think she's being submissive, it sounds to me as though she is insecure...which is undesirable. It is not normal for a dog to crouch and tuck tail when meeting other dogs. Submissive would be allowing the dog to sniff her at its leisure, having a relaxed posture, etc. Tucking tail, crouching, hunching, these are all signs of a fearful dog. This is also not normal at a dog park or other social situation.
My guess, without having met her, is that she is insecure and nervous around other animals. This could be her general disposition or due to a lack of early socialization. A fearful dog will bite...a confident dog will not (without an excellent reason). An insecure dog will bite. A confident dog knows it's place.
Again...enrolling her in a class and having her properly assessed should work out well for you. If you google for 'dog behaviorist' in your particular area you should come up with some hits.
