[wilkendw]

Dear cowgirl,

I don't have an easy answer for you, but perhaps some experience that will help. I've raised and trained dogs for many years, both for sport and companionship. Like you, I presently have a 2-3 year old that bites. At first I brushed it off as rough puppy play - the difference was she never bit me - just strangers, and always from behind and without warning. My dog is an Airedale and doesn't have a herding gene so I soon realized that this was the result of some personality flaw. I should mention I got her as a pup of about 4 months and don't know what early puppy experience she had.

Situation now is that it is do or die - literally. I've lost track of the number of people this dog has bitten. She's been to professional trainers that have stressed obedience and control - the normal stuff. Professional trainers may flame me for saying this - but this isn't something normal training will cure. My dog is VERY well trained - problem is even if I can control my dog, I can't control the world around me. Last bite was a visitor to the house that my son in law opened the door for, not realizing that she was right behind him ready to nip. I should also mention that she's never bitten the same person twice - it is always a "stranger". (Maybe this implies territoriality - but once they learn to bite they soon expand their "reasons".) This isn't a matter of control - it is a matter of changing the dogs desire to bite. Call it territorial, fear, prey, or whatever type of aggression you prefer - once they learn to bite it is like an addiction, it is hard to break and the impulse is always there.

So some practical advice - first get a good muzzle. Face the fact - your dog is a loaded gun laying on the floor of your home. Get a trigger lock. Unmuzzled your dog will bite again - trust me on this. Second, right now it is time for tough love. My mistake was that I kept making excuses, I'd never had a dog with this neurosis and didn't understand. If I had, things may not have gotten to the point they are now. Second, face the fact that this isn't the dog you had planned on bringing home. A good analogy may be raising a child with autism. This is a special needs situation and your life together isn't going to be "normal" (whatever normal is...). A crate needs to be part of your home furnishings and the dog trained to enjoy being there - (use the typical training tools to condition to crate.) As part of your special home - you need to post a warning sign on the premises that your have a biting dog etc. Check with your state and local regulations - many make no allowance for postmen, meter readers etc - they have a right to trespass and biting is your liability. If you commit to keeping the dog (unlike a child, you do have other options) - get professional training help NOW! Again the dog lovers on the board may object - but severe and harsh reconditioning is the only thing that will save your dog. Marines go to boot camp and endure severe hardship - it doesn't kill them, but it can be &#$% unpleasant. Guess what, time for you and your dog to "man-up" and enlist. Find a trainer that can handle aggression and bite training. Bottom line - don't make excuses. It is what it is.