Biting Dane

Question
We have 2 year old male Great Dane.  He was nuetered in December, just before his 2nd birthday.  For the 9 months to a year he has shown aggressive behavior in that he has bitten at visitors to our home.  He has bitten friends that have been to our home numerous times without reason.  Either within the house, or people who are just arriving.  We are concerned because he bites hard enough to bite through heavy clothing and to draw blood with punctures.  He has been growling at my 6 year old son without being provoked.  He has not been provoked in any of these situations.  He is very skinny and has a very unsatisfying hunger.  Always looking for food!!  We have him on a hollistic diet and feed according to directions for his age/weight.  He lives in a happy household and is treated very well.  Has a 3 year old Beagle for a buddy also.  Has been to obedience classes and is well socialized.  We are frustrated and scared for what the future could bring!!  Teetering on having to give him up.  Please advise as to any reasons that Dante could possibly have this mean streak.
Thank you

Answer
Karen,

Unfortunately sometimes these things happen and it may not have been anything that you did but might be genetic in this dog. Have you taken him to a Behavior Specialist? Have you taken him to the vet and had his thyroid tested? Sometimes dogs who have a thyroid problem have more aggressive tendencies. Unfortunately you cannot legally re-home this dog to anyone and he would not be a candidate for a rescue either as he has an extensive bite history. Your only option if you decide not to keep him is to have him humanely euthanized. Because he has already bitten several people that have come to your home and he bites hard enough to draw blood he is not re-homable. If you do re-home his to ANYONE, even if they are aware of his bite history, you are legally and financially responsible if he were to bite someone or worse maul or kill someone. You could potentially loose your home if someone were to get bit in the future and decided to sue. This is a very sticky and unfortunate situation.

Your only option is to hire a Behavior Modification Specialist to evaluate him and see if this is strictly behavioral or if it is possibly genetic.

I do want to ask where you got him from? And also were you are located as I maybe able to get you into contact with someone who could help with behavior modification.

I apologize for not getting an answer back to you sooner, I have a lot of family things going on and my son was sick these last couple of days and I haven't had a chance to sit down to write everyone back.