Agressive Biting Dogs

This letter was written in response to a long correspondence on MOreRescue about a dog taken into rescue and placed. Some time later the dog was relinquished by the adopter as it had apparently bitten as many as 10 people. The adopter had also allowed the dog to run loose in the neighborhood. It showed no inclination to bite when back at the rescue but the biting 'history' alone ensured its fate. After much debate the dog was euthanized. The letter below was very thought provoking and so I asked the author to give permission to share it. Please read it in the context of what is above. If you have questions please contact her direct. Thanks. vk~~

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Brenda Rushman and you can see some of my credentials at www.CynologyCollege.com under Board of Directors. I specialize in working with aggressive dogs and I love what I do.

First, rescue is not the place for a truly aggressive dog. If an owner is unable to commit to working through the dog's issues (and, it is one of the greatest commitments that a human can make), I believe whole-heartedly that TRULY aggressive dogs should be euthanized, rather than placed by rescue groups. I believe this because aggression is a *habituated* response to stress, when the dog doesn't know another way to respond... and there is no more stressful situation than rescue, for a dog. Under stress, the behaviors that the dog knows WILL WORK (aggression, for example), will most likely resurface.

BUT.

I saw NO indication of breed anywhere in these posts. Herding breeds are very prone to butt-biting (so are St. Bernards) when people are leaving. With herding breeds, they're simply herding. With Saints, they're trying to keep the person from leaving. These are just 2 *examples* of breeds with a tendency toward this sort of behavior. It's not *appropriate* behavior, but it IS modifiable, if you have the knowledge.

I saw NO indication of bite severity, anywhere in these posts. We have no idea whether the dog broke the skin, or not. A dog that bites 100 times and never breaks the skin is very highly adoptable, with some behavior modification work. This dog (the one that bites 100 times and never breaks the skin) is very highly desirable over the one that bites once, and breaks the skin, in fact. When a dog INTENDS injury, injury OCCURS. They know exactly what their teeth are for, and the degree of pressure necessary to inflict injury, where humans are concerned.

I saw NO indication of nutritional or medical history, anywhere in these posts. I would have recommended a super-premium food, perhaps with 5-HTP supplementation, in addition to behavior modification. I have seen some pretty dramatic changes in behavior, just by making nutritional changes. In addition, I would have suggested a thyroid panel be run... Dr. Dodds of Tufts University estimates that **70%** of the dogs presented for behavior problems are suffering a thyroid insufficiency, and this is reflected in my own practice (I specialize in working with aggressive dogs) as well. Additionally, a dog that "refuses to sit" likely has a reason... in most instances, it's medical (such as bad hips).

It's highly likely that these owners were *average* owners... the average owner has little skill, empathy, common sense, where dogs are concerned. That doesn't make them idiots... just "average".

Again, I offer my services via telephone or email for **FREE** to rescue groups. If you EVER have questions regarding a dog's behavior, please don't hesitate to email or call me. My own health issues aside, I'll make myself available to you, if at all possible.

Brenda Rushman, Dip.C.B., C.C.B.T., C.C.B.C.
www.PAWSitiveSolutions.net
740-676-6115
http://www.CynologyCollege.com
StRescue@stratuswave.net