This morning I was sitting on the floor near the fireplace. Pearl was about a foot away from me, also sitting. I leaning over towards her and she bit me!!!! I mean she snarled and grabbed my lip as fast as lightning. The blood started to flow right away from my lip. I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and layed her on her side in a submissive position. I was not rough or mean but believe me...I was mad as hell on the inside.
When Hubby had seen what happened, he again positioned her on her side. She did not resist. Within a few minutes, all was well again; for her. I was upset all day and still am! I started to rationalize all the things that I do for this dog and in return, she bites me. But I bring mysef back and realize that she is a DOG and has dog feelings, not human.
Some people would not stand for this behavior. Pearl would be at the pound or worse. But I love her and would never be mean or harm her.
So what do you all think? Is a dog "allowed" to have an aggression accident once and a while? If not, what can I do to prevent this from happening again?

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Oh my gosh! I wouldn't know what to think. Thinking back, can you think of reason she may have done it? Maybe her bone was behind her, or she was still chewing some food, or something?
I deffinatly wouldn't take them to the pound, I probably would have had the same thought process you would have. My husband would probably try to make me get rid of her since we have two small children, but I would fight it to the end. I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry she bit you, and it sounds like you did wonderfully!

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IMO, this is not normal behavior. Something triggered this reaction. You need to find out what that is. It may be she doesn't feel well, was caught off guard by you, food or her toys close by, ect. Most dogs just don't lash out for no reason. I don't blame you for being angry, but I'd be more concerned to why she did it & what's wrong. I applaud you for not reacting hastily, as I know you wanted to which is totally normal. Hope you can narrow down the reason why this happened.

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I agree, that something triggered the response. Or maybe she was testing her boundaries.
Was she sleeping, or was she awake?

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Sounds she was either hiding something or unsure of what was going to happen. You did the right thing by putting her in a submissive hold. I put up with Angels biting way too long. I have recently started doing that and things are a lot better!

I once read (or heard) that dogs see in pictures. Don't know if that helps, but it kind of helps me a bit. She just saw you coming at her. And even though you were on the floor, you are still much bigger than her! But she still needs learn who the leader is! And it looks like you showed her!

We had been up for about an hour before this happened. There was no food or toys involved. This was totally out of the blue. She seemed to feel ok, no signs of sickness or pain.
In the past, when she was a pup, she has had times of aggression but it was towards other dogs and strangers. But we have long since gotten past that.
As I had talked about in another thread, Pearl has always been a dog of little affection. She would much rather be sitting off by herself. I have come to terms with that. But this incident today has been a set back for sure.
Hubby and I have been in deep discussion over this today. Pearl is so spoiled that she wants for nothing. Perhaps after today will have to "work" a little bit to get treats, dinner, walks, play, etc. We have to act more like alpha dog in the home.

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Definitely act more alpha with her, not meanly, but be more assertive.

I would consider a check up at the vet. Sometimes dogs act out of character if something is wrong with them. My friend's wolf dog went after her because he had stomach tumors and needed surgery. He was hurting, not mean. The aggression was the only outward sign for a while but eventually other things showed up.

Research Nothing In Life Is Free. It is a way to teach her who is boss without the whole "alpha" bit that has been widely disproven. I think it would really help her.


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