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any savvy dogsters here?

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Hopalong:
I adopted an adorable little rescue who is a complete cupcake with me...
but has nipped at (first) a few friends and now BITTEN one. Not a deep
bite but very unprovoked, and she broke the skin. On each leg!

I am distressed because I don't know if I should keep her. On our own
she is just the perfect companion. Super affectionate, funny, dear, and
very peaceful in the house. It's when people come in that she loses it.

I will talk to a trainer, but it's likely fairly hardwired fear biting or territorial
biting. I know it can be managed with crating and leashing-during-company
and permanent vigilance, but the truth is, I got a dog to reduce my stress.
She does in many ways, but I'm just not up for having to worry about this
for 10 or so years.

I wonder if it's more fair to her to return her (it's an excellent, high-end,
and no-kill SPCA) so she'd have a chance to be adopted by someone who
can do long detaled behavior training with her. I just can't. It's already
pushing the envelope to have to leave her for 3 looooooooong days per
week (and two shorter ones) while I work. But the director told me it's
still a home for her, and better, and she'd cope.

She's just adorable. She's recovering from huge surgeries (removed top
--the ball--of the hip and has steel plates in the other hind leg). When they
got her as a stray she'd obviously been hit and never treated (she is
terrified of pickup trucks, so that seems clear)...and she has had litter/s
and was full of parasites. So clearly, not well socialized and nobody taught
her anything.

I just don't know if with all the other worries/stresses in my life, I should
take this on. She is precious and I'm a softie, but drawing blood, and
being anxious over friends' visits, would put a big dent in that joy.

Advice welcome.

thanks,
Hops

Meh:
what if you just put a mini muzzle on her for the duration of "stranger danger"...or is that considered unkosher

lighter:
Hops:

I think you might want to return this dog.

It will be an added stress. 

It will add tension to your life.

It will be a problem, now and in the future, IME.

Get a dog you can take into town, tie outside Starbucks while you get your cup, and enjoys pets from strangers.  Very social and enjoyable, and will still bark when something's askew at the house.  After midnight.  When you just watched a scary movie.

Good luck with your choice,
Lighter

Twoapenny:
Aw, Hopsie, this is a horrible situation for you to be in.  Unfortunately some dogs have been through such a bad time that they develop problems that need really specialist help/training.  As sad as it is, I'd be inclined to take her back.  It might be that you could still walk her or something until she is rehomed again, or even that they can sort out the problem and then she could come back to you?

We've had two situations with rescue pets in the past.  The first was a dog, who was gorgeous but, when out with me, attacked anything that came near us.  She was fine with my boyfriend and behaved perfectly when out with him, or the two of us together, but me on my own and she went for anyone or anything that got too close.  It got to the point that (a) I avoided walking her and (b) when I did take her out I had to keep her on her lead and go to places early in the day (or late evening) so there was less chance of seeing anyone.  As Lighter says, it's all extra stress and if something really bad happens you will find it so hard to forgive yourself.

Our second rescue was a cat who had some real behavioural issues; I worked really hard with him for about three months, following advice from the vet and the rescue centre.  He nipped and bit and generally didn't like people.  One morning he attacked my son, no provocation at all, and I had to take him to hospital the next day because the bites were infected.  He went straight back to the cattery that day.

It's such a shame because I do think it's people that make them like this, and some people I know have had lovely pets from rescue centres.  But I agree with Lighter, you don't want to be constantly worrying about what might happen and dog bites can leave permanent scarring.  Hopefully the rescue centre might be able to retrain her so she calms down a bit? xx

Hopalong:
Thanks much, guys.
Boat, the muzzle idea would work but so would a leash or closing her in a bedroom.
I just don't want to commit to years of vigilance against "stranger danger" if it's deeply rooted.
Really love this critter but don't feel ready to commit to a constant maintenance of safety thing.

Lighter, that's right. I want a dog who can love being out in public, not only me.

But lord, she is the SWEETEST "home companion." If it were the two of us in
a bubble, I'd be happy with her forever. SO sweet in her interactions w/me.

Tupp, I'm waiting for a return contact from the SPCA...hadn't occurred to me I
might return her "for rehab" and then try her again. I wonder if that would work?

Thank you all,
Hops

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