My Dog

Like I previously mentioned in the Father’s Day Post, my dog bit the neighbour. Really bit him with puncture wounds and oozing blood.
Vegas is a high maintenance dog that Steve and I have managed over the years. Its been a lot of work and a lot of recognizing that we don’t have “that” dog. Our dog can’t come with us most places, and when visitors come over, there is either a serious introduction routine (and Steve HAS to be here) or he’s put in the garage where he feels safe and secure. Although I am making him out to be a scary dog, he’s not, he has fear aggression. The best thing is to be introduced to the dog properly and then the next time you come over, he’ll accept you just fine.
This was not Vegas’ fault. In fact, it was an honest mistake. My neighbour was in the yard working on the pump that broke down last week. Vegas was itching to get outside to pee, so when the neighbour had vacated the pump house, I let Vegas out for pee.
Unfortunately, the neighbour was still in the yard, just out of my peripheral view from my living room window so I didn’t see him when I checked.
Vegas charged, full throttle and began snapping and barking at the neighbour. Snapped at his hand, and bit him. Vegas was pulling at his jeans, the whole nine yards.
I was relatively calm because I didn’t realize the extent in which Vegas was reacting. I thought he was just circling and barking and when I got there, he came to me on demand, sat, went into a down-stay and was obedient. Then I realized that the neighbour was sporting one hell of a bite wound.
My neighbour is an exceptionally nice guy. He took it in stride, and doesn’t blame the dog. In fact, he’s glad that we have a guard dog because he feels that Vegas is guarding both homes.
Thing is, I never signed on for a guard dog. And if I am being completely honest, biting someone crosses my line. I am not that person. My dog does not sit on a pedastal, he is not my “baby”, he is a dog. A wonderful, loyal, protective beast that I don’t mind sharing my home and life with but still a dog.
I am not sure I want a dog I can’t trust. I have two children and I am not sure I could live with myself if Vegas bit my kids. Sure, we can go on and on about how Vegas would NEVER bite our kids. Not our kids, oh no, he’d protect them. Personally I think that’s not being realistic because he’s a dog, and an unpredictable dog at that.
Even if he would never bite my kids, what if he bit my friend’s kids? I am super anal about the dog when my friends’ kids are here. He is either in the yard, or locked in the garage. When you have a dog with fear aggression, you just don’t take the risk. But you know what? An honest mistake can happen again. Callum could open the garage door…
We started researching what the training options are, even though the intensity and time committment required is not likely a feasible option. And it is serious training with no promising results. The statistics are that most of the time the dog is put down.
This has to be dealt with, but death? Is death the answer? Vegas’ history and genetics have made him the high maintenance dog that he is, not one ounce of this is his fault.
I just don’t know what to do. I plan to call a trainer this week, and will likely call the SPCA and my vet. At this point, I’m even scared to take him to the vet for fear he’ll now bite.
The good thing is that by not removing Vegas from the situation, and the fact that my neighbour and I stood and spoke to each other for several minutes afterward, I did something right. When attempting to control fear aggression you don’t want the dog to think that if he bites someone they go away because that is what they want to happen.

5 Responses to “My Dog”

1. cindy says:

   June 17, 2008 at 2:48 pm

   I’m sorry to hear about Vegas. I’m always on edge with my dogs when people are around. They are good dogs and very friendly but I can never be 100% sure especially with kids around and they want to pet and pull and hug the dogs.
   You should check to see if Sarah-Jane has any suggestions. She started her own dog training business recently.
2. tarrah says:

   June 18, 2008 at 5:16 am

   oh gosh, that’s a tough tough situation. Poor you! And poor Vegas! I hope you find a trainer that can help.
3. SJ says:

   June 18, 2008 at 11:24 am

   I tried to send you an e-mail but it bounced Amber. Send me an e-mail if you have any questions that I might be able to answer from a distance.
4. pogonip says:

   June 18, 2008 at 12:30 pm

   He was really protecting his turf, wasn’t he?! Sounds like he needs a really good trainer and I’m sure you must have one fairly close. Aggression is so unacceptable and so common–I guess it’s one reason we keep getting puppies, so we can make sure they’re socialized. Maybe do some research on the web to find out your options? He’s a good dog, he just made a mistake.
5. Mom says:

   June 18, 2008 at 3:29 pm

   Well, we know all about poor puppies that make a mistake!! Try and get the Dog Whisperer tapes. I will look him up and send the link.