Inlaws mean dog

[Giselle]

It is called a Bichon Frise :


What kind of training has this dog received, if any at all?

Can you give us an idea of his kennel situation? When he receives his dinner, is he asked to perform any tasks first?

What kind of exercise does he receive, if any at all?

You know, negligence is a form of abuse and while your in-laws mean well, it sounds like they're indirectly abusing the poor Bichon. All dogs are born with the potential to be well-mannered family dogs, but it is up to the humans to shape them into such canines. If your in-laws can't manage this simple task of training their dog efficiently, report the bite and get the animal control involved. My heart goes out to you AND the bichon because it sounds like neither sides are happy right now, and I would HATE to see the bichon living a life where he is not wanted or loved by all of the family. Bichons are incredibly happy, gregarious dogs who *adore* their family.

Happy, trained dogs do not bite, and it sounds like your in-law's bichon is in desperate need of NILIF, obedience training, and some *positive* attention.

Muzzling him, caging him, and confining him will only make matters worse as he gains not only space aggression, but resource aggression as well.

Lastly, never physically force a dog to move him/herself. This is the best way to get yourself bitten. I know you had no choice, but a dog has two choices: fight or flight. When you take away one option (flight), he will fight. A trapped dog is an agitated dog who's ready and willing to bite. Instead of physical force, let him calm down and entice him out with a yummy treat and lots of praise. If you call him out to punish him, he will not come out again.

Tell your in-laws that these are their two options:
1) Get the dog obedience and NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free: http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm) trained (offer to help them) OR
2) You report the bite and get the animal control involved and make it clear that you do not want a dog capable of dangerous biting living with your family and young children.

[Karen]

Tell them he needs to be on a leash at all times if they are not willing to retrain him. This will not only help in moving him when you need to, but that way, if your grandchildren are visting, or other visitors are there, one of them can keep the dog near them and controlled via the leash the whole time so these incidents do not a=occur.

[larbabe]

[QUOTE=Giselle]It is called a Bichon Frise :

What kind of training has this dog received, if any at all?

None that I'm aware of.

Can you give us an idea of his kennel situation? When he receives his dinner, is he asked to perform any tasks first?

No tasks are given, he just eats...and wants more.

What kind of exercise does he receive, if any at all?

He does go on long walks quite often, so I know he gets plenty of excercise.

If you call him out to punish him, he will not come out again.

I have never punished him or spoken harshly to him, even after he bit me.

Thanks so much for your information. It has given me several directions in which to go.

[finn's mom]

At his age, he may be losing his sight or hearing or something or could just be getting uncomfortable physically. Many dogs will snap or growl when they're unsure of their surroundings or what's happening. A visit to the vet may be in order to make sure there's nothing physically or internally wrong with him. Older dogs can show signs of irritation more quickly and with more venom than younger dogs. I think you just need to be firm with your in-laws about the seriousness of the situation. Regardless of why the dog is ill-tempered or easily agitated, he's bitten people, and, needs to be treated slightly differently than in the past. What does your spouse (their child) think of the situation? Is he/she on your side, because I think that's important. Anyway, I don't know very much about Bichons, so, I can't really be of much help with specifics of the breed.

[larbabe]

He IS losing his sight. He has cataracts on both eyes, and I believe he may be hard of hearing (the reason for his loud barking). But I've noticed this bad behavior for quite some time, even before they came to live with us. My wife feels like she is caught in the middle. She feels it's between her folks and I (it puts me in an uncomfortable situation) The dog has also snapped and growled at her (but hasn't bitten her yet)

[finn's mom]

She feels it's between her folks and I (it puts me in an uncomfortable situation)

It's putting everyone in an uncomfortable situation. Her parents should be willing to make adjustments, considering they're living in your home. There are plenty of grown children who wouldn't allow their parent's pets to be there at all. It shouldn't be between you and your in-laws OR your wife and her parents OR you and your wife. It's a situation involving everyone, no one needs to be pitted against eachother. I wish you the best of luck finding a viable solution.

[BOBS DAD]

Do You Have A Downstairs Apartment Of Some Living Arrangements Setup For Your Inlaws. If So, Ask Them To Keep Their Dog There And Not In Common Living Areas. I Don't Agree That Caging Dogs Or Tethering Them Really Makes Them Any More Aggressive Than They Are Already. I Would Ask Them To Keep Their Dog Under Their Watch And Supervision When You Others Who May Be In Peril Are Present.

[larbabe]

First I'm going to try a permenent drag leash when he is around just the immediate family. When the grand kids visit, I will insist he be kept in the in-laws' quarters. Thanks for the suggestion.