Biter in a Group Obedience Class - Page 1

I didn't want to derail nansgsd's thread (http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=495924) but I wanted to ask a related question.

It was suggested that perhaps an owner should seek out a professional trainer's help for a biting dog. My question is - is it acceptable to take a known biting dog to a group obedience class? A dog in my obedience class repeatedly attacked the trainer in class this weekend. We were previously told to be careful and maintain space between ourselves/Senta and this dog because he hates people and dogs. After witnessing the attack (sheer determination of the dog to keep biting and lack of provocation on the trainer's part), I feel very uncomfortable going back to class. Do I politely complain to the trainer (does this make me a whiner?), suck it up (and hope we never accidently get within range of the dog), ask that the dog wear a muzzle during class (is it reasonable for me to do this?), or just quietly leave the class (but we really like the trainer)? I will freely admit my bias- if I was the owner, I would have euthanized the dog immediately after class (or frankly, years ago).

Laura

There is a time and place to deal with a biter and group class is NOT IT. Shame on the trainer
for putting every one else at risk.

I have worked with "biters" of many shapes and sizes and would not put that type dog in a group
class until (if ever) the behavior was well under control. Some biters are due to their owners, some
due to genetics and not all can be helped but this is a big no no in my book. This is a one on one
problem to be dealt with in private. When the time comes to introduce dogs and people, it needs to
be done in a controlled environment, not a group class.

Melissa

how much insurance does this trainer carry ? Kidding aside biters should never be permitted in a group class.  To much risk for everyone involved.  IF the owner is going to insist that fluffy remain in the class a basket muzzle should be on the dog. I have seen to many of those nylon ones get shredded.   It hurts like heck to get clonked with a basket but at least it's not a full on bite.  What is happening with all these biting dogs????  Back in the day they got shot not "rehabbed" .  Too many nice dogs out there to bother with a liability.  Guess I still see them as animals not children.....

If the trainer does not excuse the dog, then I would excuse myself!  Personally I don't condone muzzling the dog either.  The problem with that is that it's a band aid, doesn't actually address WHY the dog is biting.  Obviously if the dog is repeatedly biting the trainer than there's a pretty severe underlying issue and being in that setting is way beyond that dog's threshold for making any progress with obedience.  Don't get me wrong, I do Schutzhund and other personal protection work so I am not against "biting" per se, but I personally have zero tolerance for unprovoked attacks toward humands in ANY context.

Yep I was put in the same position as above;  Took my 2 year old bitch to group class, time to socialize, etc,etc, until we got there and they had a cane corso on the side lines; 6 months old, going off every time someone walked by.  Was really not good;  had a large class and the cane corso owner was an idiot.  So took my hubs next time to watch my back for me.  The next time he went and I asked the trainer if the cane corso was going to be at every class;  she said Why yes, we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.  The next week the hubs couldn't go, so I dropped out.  Was so pissed off at those people to put a rather large class of 10-12 dogs and people in that kind of unnecessary jeopardy,  absolutely NO excuse.  Will find another class soon, have no room in my life for that shit.  Nan

I agree that the 'Problem' should be removed from the class. Why would a Trainer think it is reasonable to jeopardize loosing many clientele, or risk a Lawsuit valued at many times the class fee? Not to mention potential ruin of  Professional Reputation.... word does get around.  It would make more sense to refund the owner of the Biter, or offer to apply the class registration towards private 'counciling' allowing Biter to re-enter classes once the issue is resolved (or barr the animal if problem persists). 

If the class is conducted by a Business rather than an individual, contact management/Owner inform of the situation and politely request a refund. You could also file a complaint with the BBB, for failure to provide 'reasonable safety' in a group situation.

Bottom line, IF I were the Trainer, I might excuse the first bite to me if not severe, but the second bite would earn the Biter and it's owner a one way trip out the door.

Well that's all fine and good when the problem is solved, but if you are in the situation at the time;  it is not so easy.  The only thing to safely do is to excuse yourself from the class and get the hell out.

It was apparent in my situation that the owner was an idiot, laughing at all the puppy antics that the trainer said and shaking their head yes to all those antics and then to have that sob in a group class and expecting the rest of us to ignore that idiot was totally irresponsible and I won't go back.  I asked them to remove the dog from the group class for my own safety (and my dogs safety) as well as the rest of the g.d. class.  They would not do it.  Good Bye, end of story.  F------ idiots.  Really not smart on their part and I bet their insurance holder does not know they took in an out of control cane corso.  Piece of shit.  Nan

I agree with pretty much everyone. My thoughts; What kind of a trainer is this? Professional? He/she missed something in my eyes. This is a one on one scenario and maybe not even worth that. If this owner of this aggressive dog thinks that they are ??? cool? a bad ass? better than the next? What ever? Then someone needs to enlighten them second. Someone needs to enlighten the trainer first! This is an injury/liability waiting to happen. At everyone's cost! And if this owner of the dog is an ass or whatever now, how do you think that person is going to handle the medical or vet bills? And don't just worry for yourselves..... worry for your dogs, you put them in that situation.

In my eyes situations like these are just plain unacceptable and inexcusable. Too much at Risk. Did I say too much at risk? Medical or vet bills, time lost at work and in wages. An injury that might change your life. And so on and so on...........