Biting Sheltie

Why is this man letting small children around the dog. You cannot always blame the dog. If the dog is fearful - and it sounds like it - then he must be even more stupid to let the children around the dog. I know how rough small children can be, esp with small dogs. In Australia they recommend children under 8 not be left around dogs because they do not have an awareness of how to handle a dog. This sort of situation makes me mad because it is always the dog that gets blamed - although he isn't planning to put it down, which is positive.

This dog needs some behavioural rehab - but probably in another home. Shy and fear aggressive dogs and children just do not mix so I think this man is doing the right thing looking for another home without children. Shy dogs can be helped but it probably needs a more experienced person. Talking to the APSCA or a rescue group and perhaps giving the dog up to them for rehab would be the best action.

There are also quite a few books on dealing with shy and fear aggressive dogs - and shelties often feature as case studies in them. They are a very sensitive little breed.
 
I feel for your neighbor, but I have to agree on this with Pitter Patter (love the name) and Caro. Since my sister's Lhasa is also a fear biter its hard to break, and its a constant training. I have posted this before where she spent $800 with an excellent trainer. The dog goes after the ones who fear him or the ones who the dog figures is on the lower branch. Even after all the training, he still can't be trusted, and you don't know when he will bite for no good reason.

I don't know how old this sheltie is, but I would call the breeder, and ask for suggestions, and possibly she/he would take the sheltie back.

If he states what the sheltie did to his vet, and if he is like my vet, the dog would be put down. I have told my sister not to take her dog to my vet because he will be put to sleep. Her husband just got bit again, he just put his hand down to pet the little stinker.
 
I have the name and number for a lady that is the head of our sheltie rescue here. She even writes a article each week on dog training here each week. She has raised and trained Shelties all her life. Please call her about this poor sheltie. Maybe if she can help we all can pitch in and help relay him over here safely! Her name is Jo Beth Please email me if you want the number,[email protected]. Its also listed on pet finder under the Michigan sheltie rescue!
 
Why is this man letting small children around the dog.
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I thought that too Caro.

Sadly there have been a couple of cases of babies/toddlers being killed by small dogs in the UK recently. In both cases the child was left alone with the dogs. The dogs were not used to the child (or children in general) and in one case the dog was a bull breed, known to be aggressive, was regularly beaten and probably used in dog-fighting.

It is never the dog's fault, they act on instinct and if they are fearful or sensitive than a noisy playful child can be their worst nightmare. But unfortunately they are the ones that suffer and are pts.

I do hope this sheltie finds the help he needs real soon.
 
I have contacted a couple of the rescues around here, but no one is wanting to take an aggressive dog, not that I blame them. It doesn't look like fear aggression to me though. He doesn't seem scared at all. He comes out with an alert stance, tail raised, ears up, and ready to fight.

Sable, I think we may have the same vet, mine would just put the dog down, too. Which, if the doctors had to alert the authorities about the attack, then it may happen anyway. I am going to talk to my neighbor some more today.

I will let you guys know how things go...
 
Well, good news so far. A super nice lady from Sheltie Zen came out and evaluated Lassie. She is going to take him and see what they can do with him. I really hope everything works out well for Lassie. Thanks again for all of your advise! You guys are the best!!:biggrin2:
 
I'm glad that you found someone that may be able to help Lassie! I hope things work out well for the poor guy. Please do keep us posted on how his story goes.
 
That sounds wonderful. Give that lady a hug! I bet your neighbour is relieved.

btw - The erect rigid stance occurs in fear aggression - they are trying to make themselves look bigger to scare away the thing that scares them. My female does exactly this (and barks too) when she meets strange dogs - but that is the result of being attacked 3 times.
 
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