bitiing dog

Question
I have a 3 1/2 yr old lab/chow mix named tyler. Tyler was adopted from the North Shore Animal League at 12 wks old and has been a relatively good dog since day one. He is smart(lab), not overly warm and fuzzy(chow),a bit nervous(?), very aggressive toward other dogs(chow) and male dominant(chow). As you can see he possesses more chow qualities than lab qualities although he's a very handsome(lab) dog. Tyler also has bitten each member(4) of my family with no provocation. Most of the time it was when a hand was nearing his face(unintentionally). Tyler is a big dog(90 lbs) and the bites have been substantial(no stitching or hospitalization). Since the last bite, everyone is afraid to try to put his leash on as he now doesn't like you near his neck. We have had trainers(unsuccessful), animal behaviorists(?) and even tried Prozac(a little less nervous) but he is still the same...a good dog but a ticking bomb. He is a very good watchdog(chow)who stays at your side(lab) wherever you go and the kids are still crazy about him but I can't see having a dog who is not a pet. I'm not sure if I have any options here as no one will adopt a biter and if kept could possibly bite someone who tries to rub his head..It's breaking my heart to make the decision to put him down but am I being a good father by keeping my family in this situation...what do you think? I could really use some advise...thxs

Answer
Hi Joe;
DON'T PUT HIM DOWN!!!!!!!
It isn't hard to tell from yout letter what this dog's problem is.
You put too much emphasis on the breeds in him, and their characteristics.
I don't pay diddly squat to that.
I do keep in mind that Irish setters cannot be scolded as harshly as most breeds, and some breeds are more hard headed, or have tendencies to lean that way, but from the get go, I AM THE ALPHA!!!!!
I don't care if they are Pit Bull or what.
Dogs do what they can get away with, just like children do.
Chows are no more aggressive toward other dogs, nor are they male dominant, unless,,,,, the person who owns and trains them LETS them act that way.
Don't get another trainer.
YOU do the training.
You need to be in a group class where you handle the dog and a trainer teaches you how to do it.
First though, this young man has gotten away with his bossiness long enough that he might nt do well in an obedience class.
My son had a Black Lab/Black Chow mix, and he was the biggest lovebug, because he was trained, andf he knew who was the daddy and mom and who were the little kids.
I would suggest tyou get a Tellington-Touch video, and use the massages for aggression.
I have used this method af animal massage for years, with great results.
I have done and seen it done, that a dog that attacked every doh it passed, be given a 15 minute massage, and then be led past the same dog, without a hint of trying to attack.
You are not in control of him, and I question the ability of the trainers you have had.
He darned sutre wouldn't bite me!!!
He wouldn't try to, because he would know I was not afraid of him, and would neither hurt him, or let him get away with biting me.
I am a big push over to animals, and children, except where allowing them to control and be brats is concerned.
I don't hit, but I can and do give a butt chewing they won't forget, and I put them in time out.
I also use the massages to curb bad habits and as a training tool, and for curing fears, and pain relief.
Think of it this way, if it were your child and it was out of control, you would be looking to getting control and making him/her recognize you as the parent, and respect your word. You would not have to option of putting them down. You would have to take charge and fix the problm.
The only reason I ever agree to putting an animal down is if they are in so much pain, and there is nothing to be done to ease it.
I have raised German Shepherds, English and Irish Setters, handled my son's Chow/Lad and my other son't rotties, trined, Great Danes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and just about everything in between, and had lots of mixed breeds that I have adopted.
I foster for several rescue groups, and I get all kinds, all temperments and all sizes.
We have a niuce harmonious home, and I don't let any little 4 legged brats upset it.
I set the rules, and they follow them or they can sit in time-out till they learn.
Time-out is a good chewing out first, and telling them that are a bad dog and they have to go to time out. Then they are put in the small bathroom for a half hour.
If the problem behavior continues, the third time, the time is lengthened to one hour.
My dogs hate time out.
My little Lhasa Max, has spent a good deal of time there, and the others, a sheltie, and an Australian Shepherd/????, and an Australian Cattledog/Huskie mix, have sen Max go to time out, so when I ask in a very stern voice"Do you want to go to time out??" They straighten up and behave.
You have let this little dude get away with this too long.
Maybe the trainers have established themselves as splhas over him, but you have not demanded that status for yourself.
In other words, maybe he bahaves for the trainers, but goes back to his old ways at home, because he knows he can get away with it.
I would keep the children and everybody else away from him, until I got this problem under control.
I wish you lived in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, so I could show you how to do it.
This dog has lived with you long enough that he most likely has learned the language just from hearinf everybody talk, so talk to him like you would to a errant child. Chew him out, and have authority in your voice.
It sounds like you are afraid to try defying him, for fear he will react more strongly.
He senses that.
He knows more about you than you know about yourself, so you have to become an authority figure.
Either you get control of him, or it will just get worse.
Charlotte