My (22,F) very aggressive dog (1.5 y.o. Labrador mix, M) has bitten me several times and it breaks my heart

[prayer_warriorinprogress]

My (22,F) dog (1.5 years old Lab mix, M) has always been an aggressive dog, and has bitten me and my (his) family members several times. Our vet suggested us to get him sterilized, to lower his aggressiveness, and we did as asked. My dog is especially aggressive towards me, and I've read that dogs assert their dominance over the youngest member of the family. He has bitten me more than 3 times in his sleep, even if I move my leg just one bit. It has broken my heart and I am helpless, because I love him very much. My family members love him too but they cannot bear to see me in pain, that's why they suggest that we put him in a rehabilitation home. I don't know what to do...

 

[shetel]

@prayer_warriorinprogress Get a trainer that specialises in biting and aggression that uses positive reinforcement. If you use punishment or other devices that inflict pain (e.g. shock collars) that can make the aggression worse. Dogs don’t try to assert dominance, it’s an outdated theory about training.

Try to curb it now before it gets worse. Good luck!

 

[prayer_warriorinprogress]

@shetel No no, we've never used any type of punishment on him. Yes, we have scolded him but that only lasts momentarily.

But yes, thank you!

 

[shetel]

@prayer_warriorinprogress I didn’t mean to suggest you did, but I have seen people in my life who have used this stuff on their own dogs with awful results. Good luck!

 

[mykell]

@prayer_warriorinprogress This has nothing to do with dominance. He is most likely responding to what you’re doing in that moment such as petting him while sleeping (and if the response is a bite, that’s the ultimate way for a dog to say, “Back off”).

Professional help will be your best route— positive reinforcement/force free dog trainer or vet behaviorist. DIY training for dog aggression can be dangerous.

 

[sorrelhorse]

@prayer_warriorinprogress You mentioned he's doing this from being asleep, that doesn't sound like aggression to me. Look up sleep startle, I think that might be what's going on here.

 

[prayer_warriorinprogress]

@sorrelhorse He is an aggressive dog in general, he has bitten me and other family members while being fully awake too. I just mentioned the sleep thing because that is the time when he has bitten us at maximum number of times.

 

[minnie965]

@prayer_warriorinprogress If youre aware that he bites when startled awake its time for him to sleep in a kennel. If thats his most common bite its a very simple way to immediately reduce the issue.

 

[imagebeastmarkbeast]

@prayer_warriorinprogress When did you get him? What sort of training has he had in the past? Do you have other dogs? Has he had any traumatizing incidents? Dogs don't become aggressive out of nowhere and it's important to understand how they got that way so you can determine the best fixes. Sometimes people are unknowingly behaving in a way that triggers the dog to be scared and fearful. Not the person's fault at all, just something to keep in mind.

 

[prayer_warriorinprogress]

@imagebeastmarkbeast We got him when he was less than a month old, and no, he has never had any traumatizing experiences at our home. We've always been loving towards him, but he has always been an aggressive puppy. We have tried to train him, and he's playful otherwise, but he is very moody and gets angry out of nowhere. Maybe it's in his genes, because believe me, we pamper him A LOT, but we also scold him when needed.

 

[asavedwretch]

@prayer_warriorinprogress Might have taken too early from the mother and litter then