Doctor Bombay Doctor Bombay

[Mama S.]

Emergency come right away... OK - clue us in to your age if you knew what that meant.
The foster that I got that went to Amanda's house is coming back to me. I need guidance.
Saturday night - we get home from the transport - he poops in the bedroom. I caught him mid poop and he stopped and hustled to her office. He starts pooping again. SHe reached down to pick him up to take him outside - he growled at her and showed his teeth. She wasn't excited, she was calm just picking him up. Fast forward to last night. She catches him peeing on the carpet. She goes to pick him up - this time he snapped at her. She cannot and will not handle a biter. She has no experience with biters and I trust her judgement in bringing him to me.
Here's the problem - although I have more patience I have zero experience with biters either. This dog was an owner surrender to a dog pound so have no clues as to his previous life. I think he was neutered early as he is a squatter not a leg hiker. He was UTD on all shots and everything - I just have no clue as to why he was surrendered. SO I'm flying blind.
How/What do I do if he snaps at/bites me? How do you deal with this? I'm wanting to give this little guy every chance because he is soooo cute! I know his foever home is out there somewhere. I just have to nip this in the bud or he will be unadoptable.
HELPPPPP
Mama

[lizzieb38]

Ya, ya ya I watched bewitched. Sorry I can't help, but I haven't ever had any snapper/biters. Hope things work out!

[Wiener Mom]

I suspect you just discovered the reason he was surrendered to a shelter! This boy needs to be "reigned" in so to speak! Put a leash on him, when you are in the house, and connect the leash to yourself. Everywere you go - he goes. Do not let him up on furniture. I used the NILIF method with my rescue (Nothing In Life is Free) - whatever he wants, whether it be food, treats, to be picked up, attention - he has to "earn" it, either by sitting or going in the down position. The down position is a very submissive position, hard to accomplish when you have a dominant dog.
My rescue, after three years, will not do the down. I have to physically put him in the down. (gently of course).
If he happens to challenge me, (if he is on the couch & I want him off) - I toss a blanket over him, pick him up and lay him on his back in my arms - all the while growling & saying "baaahhh". I continue this, sitting down with him, when I feel he relaxes and is submissing to me, I take the blanket off, put him on the floor and continue on my way. He has just learned that I am leader of the pack, not him. I've had to do this 2-3 times in three years. He is not allowed to sleep in our bed (this kills me), but he will growl, snap and snarl if I try to get into the bed, so he sleeps in his bed, next to our bed - on the floor.
Do a google for Nothing in Life is Free - its a simple training technique, it was my last hope with my little guy. Hope this helps!

[Wiener Mom]

Oh, and I know who Dr. Bombay is!! lol! Now I've gone and told my age!

[Linus]

First question: was he mid "elimination" when she tried to get him? That could have something to do with it.

I agree that you need to establish yourself as leader of the pack and make him work for everything. The hardest part is to not give him attention/affection when HE wants it...only give it on YOUR terms. And remember, you can't love the biter out of a dog.

[Chris]

Being dumped in a shelter is enough commotion and uncertainty for any dog. I bet and hope that there is an Owen waiting to come out. I agree with the leash. But could it be posible that with all of the quick changes that the pup just also needs some crate time to recover and get used to the sounds and smells of yet another new place? I don't know. Hopefully he'll be able to feel finally settled somewhere to feel comfortable and then you'll know who you are dealing with.

[JanUet]

Wiener Mom took the words right outta my mouth.
You MUST show him that YOU are boss! Even if you aren't around your own herd.
The blanket thing I did not know about...:thankyou: for that bit of advice :hug99:
I have read about placing a dog into a submissive pose. I finally saw it with my own eyes in Ohio. Tanya put Piper in one. I was impressed!
But, If you don't know what your doing or are unsure of the pupper...I would not suggest trying it.
I have done this with Sophie a few times. I think I am gaining the Alpha Roll from her. :cheer2:

Please keep us posted!!!!!

Oh and the title of your Post is from Bewitched. I LOVED that Show!

[lotsadox]

Has he tried to bite any time except when he's being picked up? If not, he could have had a bad experience, like being dropped or had his back hurt. Sweetums has had back problems and hates to be picked up. I had one foster who did that at first, but I think that it was just fear and confusion. He may just take a few days to get used to things. :confused:

[Frzframe]

My thoughts are that he maybe he was "disciplined" when he peed in the house so now he is trying to protect himself from hurt cause that's what he knew. I wouldn't go to pick him up but I would firmly tell him "NO" then usher him outside. That's what I do with Ruby cause there is no way she would be comfortable with me scooping her up mid poop or pee. One should be able to pick up their dog anytime without the fear of being bit but with rescues there are just certain things one needs to avoid that may trigger unwanted behaviors until you can calmly begin to work with them.

[Jen]

Good advice given. Could be picking up in general, a potty trauma, or pack order. We are always reinforcing pack order-humans thru the door first, she works for toys and food, etc.

We could NOT pick Tasha up at first either. I can't remember if she growled or not, but we'd put her in the sherpa to carry her down 4 flights of stairs, carry the damn thing on the walk with us, then carry her back up in it. After a few months, once she began to trust us fully, we were able to lift her.

[Da Brat]

Ok, I'm gonna try to answer all of the questions posed, if I miss one please forgive me...

It's not a general picking up thing, he is fine with it every other time. I had yelled no to try to stop him and he just kept right on so I stooped to pick him up and that's when he went all stupid and snapped at me... I figured ok, maybe I spooked him. Well at this point he's run under the computer desk and I try to get to him so that I can take him outside to finish and he starts growling and bearing his teeth... Well, I'm not going to take the chance and get bit unless somebody is in danger... So I left him. The I went to try and put him in his box probably 15 minutes or so later and he starts with the teeth again, so I scruff him and in the box he goes. The next morning he is fine and dandy and back to being his sweet ole self again! I really think he was spanked when he misbehaved and this is his reaction..

[Frzframe]

It sounds like to me that he was scared and thought he needed to protect himself. I know Ruby did that with my mom when she was scared and my mom reached for her to pick her up. If pack order is established and with firm leadership I think he'll learn to trust once again. Maybe instead of trying to pick him up a water bottle will get his attention so he'll stop peeing or pooping in order for him to be lead outside. :scratch: I know with Ruby yelling NO at her while she's doing the deed doesn't make her stop what she's doing. She just finishes and then runs and hides because she's scared of the yelling and then I have to work on her not doing her submissive roll on to her back and piddling. Poor girl I don't what was done to her but she can't be yelled at so a water bottle works well with her.

[Tex]

ITA with all the advice given so far. (Sorry the little guy is having trouble adjusting!!) I definitly agree with the kleash idea and I think the water bottle may help. Good luck and keep us posted on the little guy!