Older Dog biting

Hi everyone, I am a first time poster here at these forums. We adopted an elderly Cockapoo from the humane society in September. From what we know she came from a very abusive situation, but is of the sweetest nature. We had one little nip problem when we first got her because she didn't see my husband coming up from behind her in the yard and she nipped out of fear and self defense. At a vet visit soon after we discovered that she is partically deaf and blind, so we have made big efforts to make sure she knows we are there and to pretty much say any commands to her really loud.

We also have three big dogs that are 95% of the time outdoor dogs, but are very gentle and accepting of her. She fit right into our pack actually!

Well here is today's issue, she bit my husband savagely, twice. First time was over food, we have never had any food agression with her, second time was when he tried to get her out from under a desk to put her outside after the food biting incident, that time she really bite him with lots of bleeding on his hands and she wouldn't let go of him. Because she wouldn't let go he had to hit the side of her head to get her to release her jaws.

So now I have a husband who suffered multiple bites that all broke the skin and a dog with a swollen eye that is red.

I am just heart broken at the whole situation, and honestly I don't know what to do. She is mostly bonded with me, but loves the whole family. We also have a 6 year old son who has been around dogs his whole life and knows how to act with them, but I am afraid that he will get bit if he catches her unawares.

Our vet is going to see her tomorrow and my husband is now all bandaged up. But i am wondering if there is anyway to "break" a dog of fear biting, especially in one who is older, we think she is 10-12 years old.

Help, please tell me this isn't helpless. i am just heartbroken over the entire situation.

First of all, I definitely would not grab or try to coax a dog like that from a corner or under a table. The dog is a fear biter. God only knows what that poor little thing has been through. You have to be ever so gentle with him, especially since he is partially deaf and blind. You have to think about how you would feel if you were him. He doesn't know where a hand or feet are coming from and on top of that, he was probably beaten. I was bitten by a fear biter - I tried to get the dog out of a crate. Big mistake. The dog will come out eventually. If he keeps running to get under something, block that something so there is no problem. Second, have you taken the dog since you got him to the vet? There may be a medical problem. If he has a clean bill of health, then it's all behavior. He was terribly abused and the only thing you can do is reassure him that no one is ever going to hurt him again. Be gentle, but firm to let him know that you are the master. You can tell him "no" to things, just don't scream it or look like you are going to hit him. Does he ever cuddle with either of you or lay in your lap or does he just keep his distance?

Have you talked to the Shelter where she came from? They surely
wouldn't have adopted out an elderly dog with people problems would they?

Depending on the length of time she's had this problem, the work to correct
it could be a long time, or a much longer time with the aid of a behaviorist.
I do hope she can be helped & have a comfortable life.

It's been mentioned, but I'd seek the help of a behaviorist. He or she can teach you guys how to deal with this poor pup. You can learn new ways of dealing with a dog with these issues, and yet keep you young son safe. Ask your vet for recommendations, and do have the vet look at the dog's eye.

My heart does do out to in this issue.
When we got our little jakey he had been abused,beaten and battered to no end,he had serious aggression issues...so bad when he bit a family member our vet gave us the choice of putting him to sleep! :eek:
I said no...i firmly believed he desrved a chance and we had experiences of where he had issues with food,and coming at him from from behind,and him running under tables,beds ect when he had tried/bit us....
Now i will agree with the other P.T's here your little one sounds like she has serious issues and you have to decide to work with her or not...she needs ots of love,lots of time and lots of paitence...and never but never try to pull a frightened 'dig dog' out of his/her hidy hole ,they are there cause they are frightened and are seeking to feel safe.
Your little one is doubley hindered cause she is partialy deaf and blind,so she will take even more time....
I will be honest with you,i sometimes despaired about my Elvis(i call jakey that cause he now is my hunk a hunk of burning love :D ),feeding time we gave him his food and never but never messed with it while he was eating,we concentrated on building the bond and trust with jakey himself...and if he did have a episode then rather than do as someone told us-hit him with a rolled up newspaper-i just firmly told him i was disspointed and if he went under somthing fine,we left him-he eventually came out when he felt he wanted be included.
There is light at the end of the tunnel...i am so proud of my boy today,he his free from his hangups..even the vets are delighted with him.
I do hope you can resolve your problems,if i can offer any thoughts to you let me know.x.

Thanks everyone for the advance. The vet said her eye was fine. My husband's hand is another case, it looks to be infected and he is on a course of antibiotics.

Today, she is much better, still nervous and sticks close to me, but her and my husband had both made up to each other. She actually went to him and completley rolled on her back and licked his feet over and over. She will let us touch her and pick her up and check out her eye, but she is also reserved (completely understandable). Out vet has referred us to an abused animal therapist, who actually worked with our dog at the shelter. She is going to come over on Mondy and work with all of us in our home with our other dogs too.

Overall, we are all feeling so much better about the situation. I have also laid out rules about Betty's safe spots, under my desk and her bed. We have reviewed with our son how to approach a dog and he is so very aware where she is at all times now and makes a huge effort to not startle her by mistake. At this point we are all going to work on the situation and try very very hard to make Betty's last years on this earth happy safe and rewarding for HER. She deserves it.

Thanks again everyone, it really did my heart well to see so many people respond.

Her name is Betty? That's was my childhood nickname. :D I do hope
this all works out. Sounds like just the thing for all of you.If you have time,
maybe you could give a report of her progress from time to time.Best of luck.

Aw, poor little doggie, so frightened and can't hear or see well.. I didn't really understand if she is partly deaf and totally blind, or partly deaf and partly blind? If she is partly blind, learn which side is her "blind side" and try not to approach from that side. Or she could have just peripheral vision on both eyes.

Sugar is having cataract surgery on Jan 29th for her left eye. The cataract is so dense she can't see at all from that side. We've learned not to approach her on that side, and she doesn't have the nervousness of your little one. Even the cats have learned. Cuddles is too funny, she startled Sugar on the left side and got a soft growl, about 3 weeks ago. Now each time she approaches the dog, she gives out a little "errreow!" to let the dog know it is her! So interesting to see them interact.

I am thrilled to hear that you are all willing to give it a go and make this work! Best wishes to all. We would LOVE to hear updates and see some photos.

I'm so glad to hear you're going to work it out - or die trying! :D It's so nice to see people that are caring about the pet's needs and understand that they need to be loved and nurtured. You're all that dog has now and it's wonderful to see that you're committed to making him happy. That's what it's all about. There are not many like you around (except maybe us guys on PT!) :p Pat yourselves on the back. You're great people. :D