Our 7 year old Rottie bites my 23 year old son.

[Debbie Haman]

I accept responsibilty for the bite as Zeus has never learned the "drop" command. Instead he trades the item he shouldn't have for a treat. It has always been a game for him. When he wants a treat he picks up something like a leaf or stick to bring in the house and is traded for a treat. Last night my son (23) decided he would just take the leaves from him without "trading". I wasn't in the room but immediately returned to see the deep puncture wound on my son's hand and banished Zeus behind a closed bedroom door for about 15 minutes. Zeus came to us at 5 weeks as he was abandoned by the mother's owners. He had one on one training with a local trainer and behaviourlist for about 6 months. I desperately need to teach him the "drop" command. Any suggestions?

[ElsasFamily]

We practice the "Leave It" command here at our home.

With training leash and collar on and dog in sit, hold a treat in one hand in drop the treat to the floor and quickly cover it up with your foot.

Allow dog to sniff your foot covering the prized treat. At same time repeat command to leave it.

Once the dog has sniffed and then left the treat/your foot, give him a treat from your hand.

Pick up the "leave it treat" and repeat.

It takes some time and daily practice, but he will pick it up. He will then learn that treats come from you when you decide, not on his own timing

Get everyone in on the training. My 7 year old will use this command on occasion, and it works well. And has saved us vet trips and many toys.

I also hope that your son is doing okay. IMHO it was unacceptable for both dog and son.

[Debbie Haman]

Kim,
Thanks so much for you quick response. We will start training tonight!

[winniecnm]

Please be cautious! If I were you I would bar access to high value items now and find a trainer once again to help you through this. If you do this yourself after the dog has had a bite already I would be concerned he would go for you too. Also do a search on these forums for NILIF. You have a lot of work ahead of you..

Is your son's hand OK? Puncture bites can be very nasty and tend to get infected. Only asking cause you did not mention if he got it checked out. (I would not recommend treating at home)

[ElsasFamily]

I should have added to seek out a trainer to help you. This more than likely isn’t the only problem.

Winniecnm is giving you good advice on researching and implementing NILIF and contacting a trainer.

Also if he is experiencing an attitude change you should take him to the vet just to make sure everything is sound, health wise.

[Lorrie]

Regardless of whether your dog has learned the "drop" command his decision to bite a family member is a very serious one. It speaks volumes about the relationship.

Teaching him the drop command will not "fix" the underlying issue(s) ... I have seen many dogs that know basic OB including the drop command that still bite. Obedience will not fix behavioural problems.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

Obedience will not fix behavioural problems.
Lorrie, Lorrie, I've been saying this for ages. Finally, someone else understands.

[Lorrie]

Originally Posted by Diane Heller-Vaccaro

Obedience will not fix behavioural problems.
Lorrie, Lorrie, I've been saying this for ages. Finally, someone else understands.

Sadly ... all to well Diane.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

I think it comes from the rescue work. I did rescue for about 7 years. It's the rescue people who end up trying to fix all the problems and salvage the dog in hopes of "safely" re-homing. Or we are left with the alternative which is the dog stays with us because we can manage him or he is euthanized. Nothing is worse then making that trip to the vets when you realize that you can't put this dog safely in home.

I'm not trying to say that is what should be done with this dog. I'm simply stating what my experience has been over the years.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Lorrie

Regardless of whether your dog has learned the "drop" command his decision to bite a family member is a very serious one. It speaks volumes about the relationship.

Teaching him the drop command will not "fix" the underlying issue(s) ... I have seen many dogs that know basic OB including the drop command that still bite. Obedience will not fix behavioural problems.

I guess this is a ”good” but also sad example of what way to often happens, when we try to save them all, even the sweet cute pups.
I have been flamed more than once when I suggest putting down dogs and especially the word culling upsets people.
There are natural thing that not even the best owner can’t change, namely poor temperament and lack of early socializations. Training only covers these issues.

Back to the question:
However I would not recommend you start the drop command without help from an experienced trainer with an 7 years old dog, that already has shown, he dares to use his teeth on an family member.

[brunie's mom]

I agree...there is more then "lack of obedience" going on with this dog. What is a 7 year old dog doing picking up leaves?? Very unusual for a dog that age to still be picking up weird things...IMO. Very common for puppies and younger dogs..but not for an older dog.

Have him walk with a muzzle on if you are afraid of him picking up something and putting him in his mouth.


I suggest you do a search on NILIF and start working with your dog right now...this is more then just not knowing a "drop it" command...this dog does not respect you or your family member. Leadership must be shown.

Gina

[BrightEyez]

I thought my dog "let go" through play..id throw him his fave toys and when he brings them back id grab them and say "let go" and when he did id give him a treat. Eventually the treats turned into pats and smiles and he learnt.
He also knows what No means..if he goes for something and i catch him before he gets it, i say no and he backs away.

[Luvs]

I agree that you need to get this boy into training ASAP!! You can't do it alone, you will need the help of an experienced instructor to get thru this. A 7 year old dog should already know he needs to drop something when told to. The trading is a puppy thing or something you do with a new dog, not one you have owned since puppyhood. He should NEVER bite any member of his family for any reason!!!

[winniecnm]

I think the most obvious point here is that the dog had other options rather than inflict what seems to be a nice sized wound on one of its family members. He could have ran and hid, dropped the item, held it in his mouth and growled etc. Instead, he took it to quite another level with the bite. Very poor response IMO and it speaks volumes about his basic temperment. In "fight or flight mode" he chose the "fight" option.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Debbie Haman

I accept responsibilty for the bite as Zeus has never learned the "drop" command. Instead he trades the item he shouldn't have for a treat. It has always been a game for him. When he wants a treat he picks up something like a leaf or stick to bring in the house and is traded for a treat. Last night my son (23) decided he would just take the leaves from him without "trading". I wasn't in the room but immediately returned to see the deep puncture wound on my son's hand and banished Zeus behind a closed bedroom door for about 15 minutes. Zeus came to us at 5 weeks as he was abandoned by the mother's owners. He had one on one training with a local trainer and behaviourlist for about 6 months. I desperately need to teach him the "drop" command. Any suggestions?

Yes, this was your responsibility. Sadly, this dog has been allowed to 'play a game' for 7 years; a game that ended up with your son injured. As far as your dog was concerned, he had every right to argue with your son.

Winnie's right, the dog did have other options than to use his teeth. It sounds as though the relationship has been lop sided for a while.

Please contact a QUALIFIED trainer to assist you with this issue. This dog has been allowed to call the shots on this behavior for 7years, and will likely not understand why the rules have changed. You'll need professional help for this, to alleviate the possibility of another injury.

Training does not change a TEMPERAMENTAL issue, but it certainly can help a BEHAVIORAL issue - there is a difference.