biting

Question
My standard poodle is scared of my husband and today bit him on the hand when my husband was trying to put him in the laundry room.  We got her last July.  She is 2 1/2 years old and never has bit before but barks constantly at my husband.  My husband has never done any thing to her except chase her once on Halloween with a costume on.  It was around the house and he thought they were playing.  I love this poodle so much.  I am so afraid that this will continue.  Any suggestions?

Answer
This will be difficult to fix.  You may even need a professional behaviorist.  Better leadership may help  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

You husband needs to drill her in obedience commands.  He also needs to take over feeding her and brushing her.