ARCHMX Asher RL1X RL2X RL3X RL
we will dance in- the ring without- words | 
 | | Barked: Fri May 1, '09 6:33am PST |  | |  | | Buddy, you do need a behaviorist. Try the IAABC website and, if that fails, try the APDT website.
Then, proceed with caution. Be sure to ask for credentials, educational background, experience, methods used, references and see if you can observe a class or two.
Ash was a biter too. He also came to me with his issues built in. At this time, his last bite was 1-14-07 and counting. There is hope.
In the meantime, see if your DH can take over feeding and walking anything Buddy likes. All good things should come from him.
He should keep himself constantly supplied with a pocketful of something wonderful. If he can not hand feed Buddy, have him toss the treats to Buddy, ideally to the side of him so Buddy must lower his head and turn away to get them. The key is that Buddy only gets those wonderful thing from DH and he becomes a predictor of good things.
Do nothing to push Buddy. Everytime Buddy gets to that point, stress hormones are being released into his system that put him on high alert and make another bite more likely.
As to rehoming, it is practically impossible to rehome a dog with a bite history. There is a huge liability.
That is why Ash is mine. He started as a foster but if I had chosen not to keep him, the rescue director would have had him euthed.
We don't always get the dog we want, but we usually get the dog we need. Buddy has something to teach you. What it may be, I do not know, but I do know that my biter has changed my life considerably.
Some good books on the subject would be
Scaredy Dog and Focus Not Fear by Ali Brown
Click to Calm; Healing the Aggressive Dog by Emma Parsons
Feisty Fido by Patricia McConnell |  |  | |  |
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Don't know your story, but the dog biting a person in your family is not good. Yes, dogs can have a fear of men, children, etc. Without knowing triggers & history, it's hard to say what to do, other than give support. Both your husband & your dog need to feel safe in the home, but the human should be the boss. The dog shouldn't have to wear a muzzle in it's own home, & the humans in your house shouldn't be afraid of the dog. Do you have any access to a behaviorist or trainer?
