Should I adopt this dog?

Question
I am almost thirty, and have never had a pet.  I did, however, live with a chihuahua for a year, and that was three years ago.  I have a thing for dachshunds and have been doing research on the web about their temperament and potential health problems.  I feel strongly about getting a mini-doxie from a rescue (or from a home that is about to put them in a rescue).  

I spoke to the owner of a male, 7 year old, 10.5 pound doxie today. I don't know all the details but this is what I learned:  she rescued him from a couple where the male was kicking the dog (his paw was injured, it's functional but sounds like it has arthritic tendencies due to the damage.)  The doxie sounds like he is now fine: he is healthy (up to date on all his shots), enjoys walks on a leash, and likes the company of the thirteen year old girl in the house.  

Except for the fact that he has bitten twice in the recent past.  Once he bit a stranger (didn't break through skin) who tried to pet him without letting him smell or become acclimated to her, and the other time he bit the owner (blood ensued) that I had the phone call with, when she reached into his crate.  The family likes the dog but they want to see him adopted to a good home before he may bite one of the foster kids (humans) that comes through their house. (They would have to report this to the state and then the dog might be taken away and put down.)

So of course I will go to meet this doxie before I make a decision.  But based on what I have said, since you have experience with both rescues and training,  Is this a dog that is adoptable and just needs some training to prevent biting, or is this biting a symptom of the larger issue of prior abuse and this doxie might need an owner with more experience than I?

Answer
Hi Jeanine;
there are some things to consider here.
7 years old is a senior dog. I am not sure what the normal life expectance of a Dachshund is, but that is a little up in years, so you have the prospect of not that many years before you lose him, as well as the senior dog health problems.
Otherwise, I personally would have no reservations about thaking him.
A couple of bites are not against the dog, necessarily.
Maybe that person he bit was just someone dogs don't like. People put on a front, but they can't fool ogs.
When the owner reached into the crate, she may have startled him, and he bit defensively.
I DON'T use crates !
Mine have a bed of their own, or they can sleep in mine, whichever they prefer.
But I don't crate them up.
I use a crate when I am traveling with an animal, becuse in a car wreck, an animal is safer in a crate, as sreat belts they make for dogs don't hold them safely.
The little brat may just be spoiled rotten.
Mine are, LOL.
But they know better than to bite me. I use time out for punishment.
I put them in the small hallway bathroom for 30 minutes. there are no toys, nothing to do but lie on the bath mat and hear what is going on in the house they are missing out on.
My dogs HATE timeout. I'm sure they would rather have a beating.
They know what it is, and when one of them is misbehaving, I just say "Do you want to go to time out?" and they straighten right up.
I have four, so there are disagreements, but they know mom doesn't allow fighting.
I treat my dogs just like I treat other members of the family. I also teach them just like I taught my children.
I talk to them just like they are people, and after awhile they learn the language just as one does any language they don't speak, but hear all the time. You come to learn it.
Your own personality is what you need to consider, as well as your life schedule.
If you have to time and desire to have this little dog as a companion, then I say you should take it.
Dogs will stay at home alone while you are at work, if they have toys to keep them occupied etc, but they do need company, just as people do.
someone who works all day, and parties at night, or goes on frequent trips, whene they dog would not be taken,. should not have a dog. A cat is a better companion for them.
Cats like being alone, dogs do not fare well with it. They are pack animals, and will react to loneliness just a humans do.
Charlotte