You haven't mentioned the dog's age but whatever the age, any dog can be trained and I think this is what your dog needs the most. All the advices are all right (maybe except the last one...). I strongly agree with Angela R - you need train your dog for obedience either in the places she mentions or you can buy a training course and train the dog yourself; it's usually cheaper. In the meantime I would keep the dog on the run and give him many different things to chew when he's inside (my dogs love old socks or tights with several knots on them, sticks, bones etc.) it may get messy but it's better to clean up than buy new shoes.

The most important thing that you need to be concerned with is about the dog "biting people in your neighborhood". You need to get some sort of enclosure such as a fence so that the dog can not get out. From there, you can work on the training issues.

[bheck]

What we did for our dogs was we walked them around the yard on a leash all the time. Just around the perimeter where they're allowed to be. Eventually they wouldn't step onto the street/off the curb/past the neighbors driveway because they knew that they're not supposed to go there. A few times our dogs would run down the sidewalk or something if one of our neighbors would be walking up to our house and call the dog, but we would just call them right back and they'd come. Believe it or not, our oldest dog, Roxy, somehow taught our other dog, Junior, to stay in the yard when he was a puppy. We never actually walked him around the yard but somehow he learned not to leave it.

Oh and a lot of people think that we have an electric fence because the dogs will stop as soon as they reach the curb, it never fails. When people find out we don't have one they're shocked completely.

[sandyh]

Originally Posted by SEA HAG

Shoot the dog before you get sued.

If you really believe that you should just shoot a dog then you should not be a dog owner and should not be on this site. The owners need training which in return will help train the dog. And I believe that is why this poster has come to this site is to get help and not have someone telling them to kill there dog. just disgusting!!!!!

[sandyh]

I hear electric fences do work. I bought one and had it installed for my pit and rott, however my daughter and fiancee did not train them properly as per the instructions so the rott would not go away from the back door, not even to go to the bathroom and the pit would get into the shock zone and just sit there and continually get shocked. Had to shut it off. at the same time my brother in law installed his and within a week had no problem keeping his dog in his yard. worked great for him he followed the directions.
I do agree though if your dog is not staying in the yard you need to keep him on a leash of some sort, or you will get sued and your dog taken away from you and put down if he bites someone, even if it is in your own yard. A dog cannot bite another human being no matter what.
As far as the shoes go keep giving him toys and taking away the shoes and tell him no but dont ever hit him. You always want to use positive reinforcement not negative.

[Lara's mom]

On the other hand, this thread has been coming up over and over again. The dog chases people and bites. Therefore, attempting to teach it to remain in an unfenced yard is just asking for trouble.

If you truly want to keep your dog, invest in a good high fence that is sure to keep it confined. It really isn't rocket science. If you're not willing to invest the money it takes to protect both the public and your dog, have the good sense to surrender the dog before someone really gets hurt and you end up in court being sued for damages.

You may also want to ask yourself why your dog is vicious and attacks people. No dog is born bad.

[Lunareclipse]

My dogs stay in the yard without a fence and without the use of shock collars. You just have to put in the time to train them. Go to your local humane society and see the burn marks that dogs get from shock collars. I don't think i could ever use one. I do believe though that some dogs do require fences as opposed to perimeter training, ie some sighthounds and some dogs not properly socialized that looks at most strangers and other dogs as the enemy. And this might be just a personal preference, but i never leave my dogs unattended with or witout a fence. I watch them like I watch my kids. They are a part of my family. Not just a accesary or something that seeemed like a good idea at the time. The time I spend with them while they are out in the yard is just as important to them as the time I spend with them indoors. I think it forms a srtonger bond with them to spend as much time as possible with them. Use the time they go out to play and comb your pet. They will look at staying in the yard as a good thing.

[Lara's mom]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why, in a civilized society, shock collars are even allowed to be sold. They are cruel, pure and simple.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

For the life of me, I cannot understand why, in a civilized society, shock collars are even allowed to be sold. They are cruel, pure and simple.

I totally agree. Have you people ever tried one? They really hurt. Would you use one for your kids? Probably not. It would be against the law. Why use one on your dog?

[Lara's mom]

Personally, I have never used one, nor would I. I never even used the choke chain that was recommended at puppy school!