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.