new dog biting boyfriend ( not dogs fault )

Question
i have a dog that has been outside and not taken care of, i brought it into my home on Thursday... Tonight (Tusday) my boyfriend went on his hands and knees towards the dog(5 years old) and she atacked him (bit him in the face) as bad as that is I told him that he should not have went eye level with her and just called her, if she came then she did if not then that ment to leave her alone, He told me that the dog has to go. I can not keep her. he got really mad at me (ya my fault) and I just keep on saying to him the same thing she felt threathened by you when you did this to her. can you please explain to him what this does when you get on the floor and go to the dog at eye level after not being taken care of that well...

He is not beliving me that much so I need it from another source. Other then this she is great to have, listens well and loves attention, as well she is not feeling to well and is on meds due to her cold....
Any assistance is appreacted
THANK YOU I LOVE THIS WEBSITE

KIMBERLEE

Answer
Kimberlee, you are right; your boyfriend should not have done what he did. His behavior was very dominating and threatening, and the dog reacted no differently than she would have if it had actually been another dog approaching her that way. Not saying that he deserved to be bitten, but he should have known better than to get face level with a dog that is not yet familiar with her new surroundings. It makes no difference how well she was cared for before she came to live with you; his behavior was that of a dominant, assertive dog and she reacted.

You gave him good advice - to allow her to approach him, rather than him approaching her, and perhaps he needs to try squatting down, NOT getting on all fours, so that she is not as intimidated by him. Tell him, too, NOT to look her directly in the eye; that is a challenge to a dog.

She will come around. I hope your boyfriend wasn't injured too badly - it sounds like his pride was hurt more than his face!