My Doberman attacked me

[ArnoldIsMyIdol]

I have a 3 year old Doberman. He has always been the sweetest, most loving dog. He has never bitten anyone.

Last night he was lying next to me on the bed, I reached over and put my arm around him and gave him a hug like I often do. He started a low growl. I thought at first that maybe he had heard a noise outside. Then I realized something was wrong and started to move, but then he leaped on me and bit my ear, he damn near tore off my lower earlobe. I rolled off the bed and he jumped off the bed and started growling and snapping at me. I was literally cowering in the corner, I mean this is a 90lb dog. Then he just stopped. ****in blood was everywhere. I ordered him into his crate and he went right in.

Today he is acting normal, licking on me and begging for attention and being sweet like always.

I really feel hurt that he would do something like this to hurt me. I just don't understand it.

 

[yeahright]

I have a 3 year old Doberman. He has always been the sweetest, most loving dog. He has never bitten anyone.

Last night he was lying next to me on the bed, I reached over and put my arm around him and gave him a hug like I often do. He started a low growl. I thought at first that maybe he had heard a noise outside. Then I realized something was wrong and started to move, but then he leaped on me and bit my ear, he damn near tore off my lower earlobe. I rolled off the bed and he jumped off the bed and started growling and snapping at me. I was literally cowering in the corner, I mean this is a 90lb dog. Then he just stopped. ****in blood was everywhere. I ordered him into his crate and he went right in.

Today he is acting normal, licking on me and begging for attention and being sweet like always.

I really feel hurt that he would do something like this to hurt me. I just don't understand it.

Weird. It doesn't sound like the dog got over-excited when you were roughhousing - or mistook your hand for a ball - or any of the other scenarios where a dog could hurt an owner but not really be at fault.

It sounds like he (for whatever reason) perceived you as a threat and attacked. I hate to say it but I'd put him down. Once an animal has tried to assert dominance over you using violence, I'd never be able to trust it again. It could have easily been your jugular.

 

[DmitryWI]

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know what to tell you, but I think I agree with yeahright.

 

[lifted]

I would of put him down right then with my rifle and buried him somewhere. Like said above, you can't trust him now. I'm sorry that this happened to ya, but think if you have other friends/family over your house and they get attacked... god forbid it doing this to a child, toddler... I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

A girlfriend of mine had a toddler that got mualed by an akita. The kid lived, but now has to live with some bad scarring on his face. The owners put it down the next day thankfully.

 

[ArnoldIsMyIdol]

I won't have him put down. I am probably going to have him neutered and maybe some obedience training. He is a family member to me, I would not put him down unless it was the absolute last resort.

 

[DmitryWI]

Well, good luck, man. I hope everything gonna be alright. Neutering might help for sure.

 

[bombBoogie]

Sorry to hear that you were attacked by your dog. And I know how hard it must be to have to thinking of putting down your own dog. Neutering should help.

 

[Irish Cannon]

I had my little 6 lb Maltese snap at me once. I just backhanded him super hard right after he did it. Hasn't done it since. However, I wouldn't just recommend walking up to your door and backhanding it now after the fact.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

I had a two year old Amstaff-AP Cross named Nikita. Calmest, sweetest, Pitty you've ever met. One day we were walking by an unfenced yard with a small Charpei (?), or w/e those ridiculously floppy dogs are, unchained in the yard. Reasonably unprovoked she flung from my grasp and mauled and killed the dog, and when I attempted to pull her off she disobeyed my commands and attacked me as well. I took her to the Provincial Park near my old town and put her down and buried her the next day. Hardest thing I've ever had to do for sure, but necessary.

Dogs are pack animals by instinct. They obey your commands because you have asserted your dominance over them. You are the alpha. Like YR said originally, once that line has been crossed it is quite likely they'll do it again. Good luck at any rate man. I hope it works out well for you in any circumstance.

 

[Polynomial]

It sounds like an honest mistake on his part. I have a feeling that with some training and the neutering you won't have any trouble keeping him calm. Dogs tend to adhere to hierarchy very well from what I understand.

 

[tattoopierced1]

neutering will help.. my dobies calmed down after that.

 

[datBtrue]

...
Last night he was lying next to me on the bed, I reached over and put my arm around him and gave him a hug like I often do. He started a low growl. ...Then I realized something was wrong and started to move, but then he leaped on me and bit my ear, he damn near tore off my lower earlobe. I rolled off the bed and he jumped off the bed and started growling and snapping at me. I was literally cowering in the corner, I mean this is a 90lb dog. Then he just stopped.

Sounds like he might have been having a dream and was in a mental fog...when he snapped out of it his agression stopped. It likely wasn't you he thought he was attacking.

 

[Otter_Wife]

Have you ever read you are not suppossed to wake a dog while it's sleeping? If your dog was dreaming about something and you woke him up he might have thought he was still dreaming. Putting the dog down is not the right thing to do in this case. I agree your dog isnt your dog, its your family memeber, if your brother beat the f**k out of you would you kill him? That's how I look at it, get the dog fixed, i have heard that makes wonders too. Good luck with everything and hope your ear gets better and just keep loving that dog!

 

[Alexander]

I definitely wouldn't put him down. I also wouldn't allow him around children or other dogs unless you are close by. It sounds like he just quickly snapped on you as opposed to a full blown attack. Give him another shot, if he does it again, you should probably put him down. Not worth the risk of somebody innocent being injured. Good luck.

 

[pistonpump]

if he tries anything like that again he needs to get the sh1t beat out of him. If he actually bites violently again then put him down for the rest of your family's sake.

 

[motive]

that is crazy! ive had 3 warlock dobies and never had anthing like that happen. man, that sucks!

 

[pistonpump]

that is crazy! ive had 3 warlock dobies and never had anthing like that happen. man, that sucks!

what is a warlock dobie? Id like a chocolate brown male doberman myself. Very alert, agile, smart dogs.

 

[neoborn]

You have to show you are the dominant one. When it bit you you should have f*ckin jumped the bed and choked it out, and then maybe shoved your arm down it's throat.

It sucks but if you can't show the dog you are the boss, this may happen again and worse. Take a shovel to it and then try some more obedience training.

Much love,

Neoborn

 

[neoborn]

if he tries anything like that again he needs to get the sh1t beat out of him. If he actually bites violently again then put him down for the rest of your family's sake.

x10

 

[strategicmove]

I have a 3 year old Doberman. He has always been the sweetest, most loving dog. He has never bitten anyone...

Today he is acting normal, licking on me and begging for attention and being sweet like always.

I really feel hurt that he would do something like this to hurt me. I just don't understand it.

I understand it is a very emotional experience. For you and for the dog, too. One usually considers one's dog as a member of one's family. From this perspective, "put him down" may not be the first thing you would be motivated to do. Yet, when the dust settles, you may want to consider that there is always a first time. Once this has happened, there can be no guarantee that it would not happen again. Perhaps not to you. Maybe to someone younger or smaller that may not be able to defend himself or herself in any meaningful way. The outcome may be tragic. I am not trying to paint a negative picture. That's the way it is. Think about the whole thing carefully. If "putting him down" is not an option for you, and you think neutering may not work long-term, consider giving him away to an institution that can handle such things more objectively. Owing a dog is not just a personal responsibility, but a societal one too.
Wish you a speedy emotional and physical recovery. And good your in your decision.

 

[Bionic]

Sorry about this series of events, man. I know that you may not want to hear it but you should put him down. He has already drawn and tasted your blood plus there was no "punishment" or "consequences." You are no longer the alpha to him. The fact is, dogs play by a different set of rules than humans. Had he attacked the alpha dog, his ass would've been chewed up and spit out to make an example to the rest of the pack. I know you love it and look at it like a member of the family but it's not. It's a dog. At any rate, I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[In Hulk]

Cowering in the corner? Dude what the ****? No wonder the dog thinks he can establish dominance over you, because he CAN.

My family has two dogs, one is 110lbs(german shepherd & rottweiler), the other is 140lbs(great pyrenese). I roughhouse with them occasionally but if they ever get too serious with it I get serious back and they back down REAL quick. That's dominance and they know there place.

 

[Polynomial]

Sorry about this series of events, man. I know that you may not want to hear it but you should put him down. He has already drawn and tasted your blood plus there was no "punishment" or "consequences." You are no longer the alpha to him. The fact is, dogs play by a different set of rules than humans. Had he attacked the alpha dog, his ass would've been chewed up and spit out to make an example to the rest of the pack. I know you love it and look at it like a member of the family but it's not. It's a dog. At any rate, I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.

Just out of curiosity, where the hell did this "draw and tasted your blood" thing come from? It's a f-ing dog and not a f-ing vampire.

 

[motive]

what is a warlock dobie? Id like a chocolate brown male doberman myself. Very alert, agile, smart dogs.

warlock dobie is an actualy family breed. they were breeded in england for royalty and they are still one of the top breeds of dobies.
now im looking for a blue dobie

 

[Bionic]

Just out of curiosity, where the hell did this "draw and tasted your blood" thing come from? It's a f-ing dog and not a f-ing vampire.

I have a 3 year old Doberman. He has always been the sweetest, most loving dog. He has never bitten anyone.

Last night he was lying next to me on the bed, I reached over and put my arm around him and gave him a hug like I often do. He started a low growl. I thought at first that maybe he had heard a noise outside. Then I realized something was wrong and started to move, but then he leaped on me and bit my ear, he damn near tore off my lower earlobe. I rolled off the bed and he jumped off the bed and started growling and snapping at me. I was literally cowering in the corner, I mean this is a 90lb dog. Then he just stopped. ****in blood was everywhere. I ordered him into his crate and he went right in..

Any other questions?

 

[Polynomial]

Any other questions?

Yes: what are you smoking and can I have some?

I was asking about why you think that dogs become vicious killers once they taste blood. It's a myth, after all.

http://www.happypitbull.com/basics/myths.html#9.

 

[bioman]

Agreed with Neo et al on the dominance thing. You MUST be the pack leader. As for putting him down...I don't think it's necessary as dominance can be established by you after the fact. Proper training technique can stop just about any bad behavior unless the dog is mentally ill. Read up on or watch the training techniques of Ceasar Milan...but do it now because he's thinking he's the alpha at the moment and you have to reverse that ASAP.

 

[Polynomial]

I ordered him into his crate and he went right in.

Today he is acting normal, licking on me and begging for attention and being sweet like always.

This dog absolutely, without doubt thinks that it's the alpha male. Oh my god, it's humping his wife!

:frustrate: :frustrate: :frustrate: :jaw:

 

[Bionic]

You're pretty douchey for a newb. That's no myth. Oh and BTW, I never once stated that the dog had become a "vicious killer." Only that now it had successfully attacked and became the alpha w/o fear of reprisals.
And to ArnoldIsMyIdol, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said, "You should put him down." I should've said, "I would put him down, if it were me."

 

[xjsynx]

I have a 3 year old Doberman. He has always been the sweetest, most loving dog. He has never bitten anyone.

Last night he was lying next to me on the bed, I reached over and put my arm around him and gave him a hug like I often do. He started a low growl. I thought at first that maybe he had heard a noise outside. Then I realized something was wrong and started to move, but then he leaped on me and bit my ear, he damn near tore off my lower earlobe. I rolled off the bed and he jumped off the bed and started growling and snapping at me. I was literally cowering in the corner, I mean this is a 90lb dog. Then he just stopped. ****in blood was everywhere. I ordered him into his crate and he went right in.

Today he is acting normal, licking on me and begging for attention and being sweet like always.

I really feel hurt that he would do something like this to hurt me. I just don't understand it.

Dood. No means no.

The dog got tired of being taken advantage of :nono:

 

[xjsynx]

Anywho, everybody is so quick to say put the dog down. That sounds like something George Bush would say.

Something set the dog off. What, is the question. If you have any serious concerns they I would seek assistance from an animal behavioral specialist.

 

[Bionic]

Something obviously set it off. But what if it doesn't back off so easily the next time something sets it off? Are you willing to take that chance?

 

[Dr Packenwood]

One thing I have always done is establish at a very young age in my dogs is dominance. I took a page from G. Gordon Liddys book on how to do it, and the dog I have now has no food aggression, and is a little bit of a baby, but I'd rather have that, than a dog I can't trust.

When she was a pup I'd play with her, and as soon as she's start to bite I'd quickly pin her down, put my mouth on her neck and do my best psycho dog growl. I scared the piss out of her the first time, and after 4-5 times she got the point that I was the dad, and she was the pup.

G Gordon Liddy actually bit his dogs, as they do in the wild to establish Alpha male position, but I never had to take it that far.

You have to start young, and you have to be consistent. My dad had a dog, and he took the training lightly. His dog was a wolf hybrid. It went nuts one day at his cabin out in the middle of no where, ripped the back on his hand open (3 layers of stitches) and as he went to kick her away so he could pull his .357mag snubby, she bit through his work boots. He didn't end up shooting her right there, but they did end up putting her down because after that, she knew she was the one in charge.

Take this situation seriously, and get your dog TRAINED! Once a little kid gets bit, you can kiss you dog, and anything you own good bye.

 

[Polynomial]

That's no myth.

My apologizes. I forgot about your degree in animal sciences from Transylvania University. After all, contrary to any expert opinions, Dr. Dracula proved once and for all that once a dog tastes human blood (regardless of the fact that dogs eat meat their whole life), they will feel that they are the alpha male.

Clearly the solution is for ArnoldIsMyIdol to bite his dog and taste his blood to reassert dominance.

Only that now it had successfully attacked and became the alpha w/o fear of reprisals.

Which is exactly why the dog followed orders to go into the cage and is acting normally the second day. :frustrate:

Let us not forget what happened: ArnoldIsMyIdol's dog conspired a plan in which he would pretend to sleep while ArnoldIsMyIdol hugged him as usual. Then, knowing that his owner will be in the most defenseless position, he attacked. Right.

I know I can be a douche, but really, you're giving advice to euthanize based on myths and lack of experience:
1) It doesn't take much time to google and realize that the whole blood thing is a myth
2) It doesn't take much thinking to realize that the whole blood myth is retarded

Just think of the look on the vet's face when ArnoldIsMyIdol walks in and says: "My dog was sleeping and I put my hand around him and he bit me please put him down because he tasted my blood."

 

[Polynomial]

Anywho, everybody is so quick to say put the dog down. That sounds like something George Bush would say.

"Sir, we have located the canines of flesh destruction."

 

[Bionic]

My apologizes. I forgot about your degree in animal sciences from Transylvania University. After all, contrary to any expert opinions, Dr. Dracula proved once and for all that once a dog tastes human blood (regardless of the fact that dogs eat meat their whole life), they will feel that they are the alpha male.

Clearly the solution is for ArnoldIsMyIdol to bite his dog and taste his blood to reassert dominance.




Which is exactly why the dog followed orders to go into the cage and is acting normally the second day. :frustrate:

Let us not forget what happened: ArnoldIsMyIdol's dog conspired a plan in which he would pretend to sleep while ArnoldIsMyIdol hugged him as usual. Then, knowing that his owner will be in the most defenseless position, he attacked. Right.

I know I can be a douche, but really, you're giving advice to euthanize based on myths and lack of experience:
1) It doesn't take much time to google and realize that the whole blood thing is a myth
2) It doesn't take much thinking to realize that the whole blood myth is retarded

Just think of the look on the vet's face when ArnoldIsMyIdol walks in and says: "My dog was sleeping and I put my hand around him and he bit me please put him down because he tasted my blood."

Seriously?! I think your synapses must be mis-firing or something. You're clearly not able to comprehend (understand) what I'm saying. Please refer (look below my post) to my signature. I never said that the dog had a blood-lust now. You following me so far? The dog attacked him and DREW BLOOD! I've been around dogs all of my life and have NEVER witnessed this type of behavior. Ya still with me? Whether or not the blood-lust situation is a fallacy (that means it's false), that's neither here nor there (meaning that it's of no import.) Your failure (inability) to grasp this is astounding (that means it's a big surprise.) If your dog has you cornered (in a corner), fearing for your safety (having the b'jesus scared out of you) that's a huge problem. You do get this don't you? I hope I made this easy enough for you to understand, however judging by your recent posts, I'm not too hopeful.

 

[Dr Packenwood]

................. If your dog has you cornered (in a corner), ...........

:toofunny: :toofunny:

 

[sp33dkillz]

Have you ever woke up from a dream, and still kinda thought you were in the dream? Thats probably what your dog did. One good way to know if your dog thinks he's the dominant one is to stare him directly in the eye. If he looks away when he realizes you're staring at him then he knows your top dog.

 

[Polynomial]

Random douchebaggery

I was replying to your "it's no myth" statement (don't you feel silly now).

As to some of your other comments, the whole "alpha male" talk is a model (not the boob kind) of analyzing animal behavior. It probably doesn't explain much for a single domesticated dog. I mean, what's gonna happen? The dog won't let ArnoldIsMyIdol mate (****) with his wife or eat his food first?

What the "alpha male" model really shows you is that negative reinforcement (think punishment) works on dogs. Here's an example: the way that you train dogs to stop pissing on your carpet is to use both punishment and reward. The dog reacts (some would say "cares") about your displeasure with him pissing on the carpet, so he tries to avoid the behavior.

If you were to do the same thing with a cat, the stupid thing would just think that whenever it's on the carpet, it's gonna get punished. That's because cats aren't pack animals and they don't care much about how you feel about their actions.

You have a valid point: is he willing to take the chance that the dog might attack again?

My response is that this attack was probably caused by the dog's groggy state of mind and being touched at the wrong moment. So yeah, I think that the dog should get a break on this one.

 

[Bionic]

You're pretty douchey for a newb. That's no myth.

Make sense now?

 

[Polynomial]

Make sense now?

Haha, yes. OK, that was dumb of me.

 

[Alexander]

For the people that would put the dog down after just this one event, you guys are cold hearted.

 

[crader]

For the people that would put the dog down after just this one event, you guys are cold hearted.

You may think so but then again have you ever witnessed a dog attack a child you know and put 120 stitches in the back of her head?? I have, my Akita did, he was put down with in hours of it. A dog I loved, but can you trust them ever again, is someones life worth the gamble?? NO!

 

[zpnq]

I had my little 6 lb Maltese snap at me once. I just backhanded him super hard right after he did it. Hasn't done it since. However, I wouldn't just recommend walking up to your door and backhanding it now after the fact.

He has a large dog, not an excuse for a dog like yours. If you back hand a large dog and it decides to teach you a lesson.......you will get badly hurt.

 

[ITHURTZ]

I wouldnt put it down, I would show it whos boss.

These dogs never attacked me, but when we got this pitbull/lab mix it had problems with the 15yo shepard we used to have comming near it for food. When the pit snapped at the shepard I punched that thing real hard in the face. I OWN that thing now. SIT she sits, when I raise my fist she cowers. Shes pretty much my bi*ch.

I dont know if I would do it to a male bullmastiff though, or a male doberman I dont wanna have to fight with it and show it whos boss!:whip:

 

[MashedPotato]

It sounds to me as if the dog was simply startled during his sleep. Im not sure about what dogs dream about, but i know my dog used to growl alot in his sleep.

My thought is that you simply woke him from an aggressive dream, and he simply perceived you as a threat.

However if he had outright attacked you, that would be a different matter. I think putting him down is jumping the gun here.

My cat actually full on attacked me and im sitting here typing with one hand after surgery to repair the infection:

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/general-chat/77550-evil-cat-kills.html

Your pooch has nothing on my killer tom cat, he actually leaped at me. I had to punch him to get him off my hand, then he went for my arm....

Later i took him into the shower for a "cooling off" period...and yeah...he hated every second (i loved every second of it...).

Anyways, your dog looks like it was startled. Watch it closely the next few days and if so re-enforce your dominance.

I think it was simply an accident.

 

[Mulletsoldier]

I was replying to your "it's no myth" statement (don't you feel silly now).

As to some of your other comments, the whole "alpha male" talk is a model (not the boob kind) of analyzing animal behavior. It probably doesn't explain much for a single domesticated dog. I mean, what's gonna happen? The dog won't let ArnoldIsMyIdol mate (****) with his wife or eat his food first?

What the "alpha male" model really shows you is that negative reinforcement (think punishment) works on dogs. Here's an example: the way that you train dogs to stop pissing on your carpet is to use both punishment and reward. The dog reacts (some would say "cares") about your displeasure with him pissing on the carpet, so he tries to avoid the behavior.

If you were to do the same thing with a cat, the stupid thing would just think that whenever it's on the carpet, it's gonna get punished. That's because cats aren't pack animals and they don't care much about how you feel about their actions.

You have a valid point: is he willing to take the chance that the dog might attack again?

My response is that this attack was probably caused by the dog's groggy state of mind and being touched at the wrong moment. So yeah, I think that the dog should get a break on this one.

A question Poly, have you ever owned an aggressive breed? I ask because it would seem your responses arise out of moral umbrage as opposed to real experience with dogs, especially a more 'aggressive' breed.

Dogs have a 'pack' mentality, that is not myth, it's biology; instinct is to follow the animal or individual deemed to be the leader. As much as selective breeding has been able to eliminate aggressive/unfavourable tendencies within certain dogs, biology still prevails. As such, once the dog has reacted in this manner, they most likely will again. This isn't a Golden Retriever protecting a child and it was pulled off. As much as I LOVE Dobies, as well as AmStaffs, Pittys, etc., I am a big fan of 'fighting', 'aggressive breeds', this poses a definite problem.

For those who say the 'putting down' scenario is cold, I wouldn't disagree, but would still wholeheartedly contend it is the right thing to do. If your dog repeats this on another individual, it will be squarely your responsibility. In my eyes, putting another human at risk is colder than putting a dog down, as attached as one may be to it.

If you cannot bring yourself to put it down, you should consider adoption. I know this is a difficult choice. Good luck.

 

[datBtrue]

Well, we are all bodybuilders here, I don't think a dog could take me.

Now thats the proper attitude! I was actually thinking the same thing. Now if my pet was a Grizzly Bear and he did that to me...yep I would put him down but a freakin dog...come the f# ck on!

If the b@ itch bites my arm I'm gonna do curls w/ him first and then smack him. Dog bites man...man laughs it off...and bites back. Why? Cus I'm a big man, bold man, bulky man!

 

[Alexander]

You may think so but then again have you ever witnessed a dog attack a child you know and put 120 stitches in the back of her head?? I have, my Akita did, he was put down with in hours of it. A dog I loved, but can you trust them ever again, is someones life worth the gamble?? NO!

I would've put the Akita down too, but the Doberman just snapped on him and then stopped. It wasn't a full blown attack. Animals deserve second chances just like people. Akita's are some scary sumab*tches!

 

[zpnq]

Well, we are all bodybuilders here, I don't think a dog could take me.

Dreams are free .

People forget dogs have denser bones, denser muscles and are much much fast, not to mention the mouth filled with teeth that acts like a saw on you flesh.

A dog like a Doberman has double the leg speed, double the pain threshold, double reflex speed, its bones are pretty much impossible to break...let alone when its rushing you at twice your speed just before its about to rip and shred all the tendons and muscles down to the bone in a matter of seconds.

They are also relentless, long after you are gassed and can hardly move the dog will be still going crazy like it was when it started.

A dog around 2/5ths your weight will be as strong as you , but with a whole lot more power because it combines it with its speed.

Hope you are kidding