Dog Health Questions: My dog bites me. What should I do?

He's a 6 years old 8 lbs minpin and I've had him since he was about 5 weeks. At 2 years old he stayed with my mom for 2 years while I was away at college and when I would come home for visits he started biting me. She took him to a very expensive dog training facility and they taught us many techniques for leash training/corrections, but over the years the biting has become worse. He's bit my face and scarred my nose, he bites my hands and leaves open gashes in my fingers, palms and wrists. It mainly occurs when I'm trying to pick him up or trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to do by handling him in any way (including just leash corrections). He has also bit strangers who just put their hand out for him to smell and some friends for trying to get back something he took from them (like chap stick), but it is usually me.

In addition to biting, he has several other behavioral problems that I've just learned to live with. He barks constantly at everything. In the car, if he sees a dog/jogger/motorcycle/etc. he will attack the seat belt. At home if he hears those things outside he will attack the window blinds, pillows, couch, basically anything he can get to. He hates vaccums, curtains, shower curtains, brooms, pool sticks and anything on a long pole. He cries hysterically when I leave the house and sometimes even when I take a shower. On walks he will try to chase cars, dogs, bicyclists, etc. (thankfully he is always on a leash!).

I had two noise complaints at my previous residence. I also have scars and scabs and some ruined appliance from his aggressive behavior. I have spent way too much money on dog training and different gadgets: choke collars, prong collars, shock collars, buzzing remote control collars, spray collars, etc.

On the flip side, when he is not riled up and being defiant he really is the sweetest, cuddliest little dog. He is very playful and energetic and has also brought me so much joy. I adore him and he is like a child to me. He sleeps with me every night, I come home on lunch breaks to walk him, I basically devote all my love and energy into him. I realize I am not demonstrating dominance or pack leadership. I don't want him to eventually be put down for his behavior. I don't want to have to give him away. But I am exhausted of my situation and I am so hurt, physically and emotionally from all of the biting. I really cannot afford any more dog training. I don't know what to do.

I am really asking for advice on who to contact (in the San Diego area) that won't charge me money for training, not necessarily more training tips. This is a very serious and sensitive subject, so only serious answers please.

Dog Training School

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Sounds like that training facility gave you all the tools you need but you failed to use them correctly.

I would muzzle the dog, do something that makes him mad and correct the living Jesus out of him with a mini-prong collar. I would do this over and over again until it became clear that trying to bite me = getting his butt kicked. You're not going to keep challenging and fighting somebody if they win EVERY fight. When you start something FINISH IT. Don't correct once for growling and let it be...you keep doing what he doesn't like and keep correcting until he gives up completely and allows you to do whatever it is he doesn't like.

You have to break him down all the way to the ground to the point he's got no fight left for him to learn to respect you...because he has a complete and total lack of any respect for you as it is now.

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• slap him every time he bites, no seriously, if you don't teach him biting is wrong hell keep doing it like its normal. Don't slap him in his face lol, just on his body somewhere on 1 spot!


• Well when my dog barks or growls and occasionally nips we put him in a different room or in a crate. My grandmother, when i go and visit, likes to shake paper or make a sound, like a high pitched beeping, to get the dog to stop. If none of that works then maybe you should take him to the vet. His mood swings might be a sign of illness. If not then maybe he had a traumatic experience as a puppy with people's hand's being close to him. Or maybe you just need to strengthen the bond of you and your dog. Take him out to play when he's in a good mood. Pet him when he's in a good mood. Don't hit or throw things at him when he is being bad just use a stern voice and if he bites you yelp like another dog would.


• Every time he tries to bite you smack his snout before he can. If he gets more angry because of this and gets out of hand then you should get behind him, put your knee on his back to push him into a sitting or laying position, and put your hand around his snout so he can't bite. This shows that you are stronger than he is and that you are the "pack leader". People say it's how you stand or act but the truth is that if a dog tried that crap on the alpha dog it would get hurt because of it. Don't hurt your dog, just show him that you have power over him. Restrain him, not hurt.


• If he bites you, or try it, you hold up his chin, and scold. But not too loud though, jus raise a little voice and say No ! Always work for me, my dog and family. (:


• Have you had the dog checked by the vet to make sure nothing is wrong and in he neutered? If not, I would suggest you start with that. You might want to take him to a different trainer because it's obvious that the expensive one didn't work.