RAMYA RAMASAMY

Hi Adrienne! I have an 8 month old sweet chocolate lab who knows basic commands such as sit, stay, down, spin and high-five. My only issue is his biting problem. We were going on a walk a couple of days ago and I tugged on his harness when he pulled to eat something on the ground. I told him to sit and he immediately lunged at me. I turned my back to him with folded arms and he continued to bite my back and elbows. During this I had dropped the leash, and once he realized this he ran away for some time. I was in tears already, and although I should have went back inside and got assistance, I was worried he would follow me and attack the neighbors chickens. So I went near him again, hoping he was calm, took his leash and gently guided him to the path. I stopped for half a second to wipe my tears and he lunged for the second time. The bites were very painful and I was bleeding. He also ripped my clothes. I started calling for my family, and someone finally heard and came to help. He did not bite at anyone interfering, and I was able to go inside and clean my wounds. He had ripped the skin on my finger and I had several bruised punctures. This incident is also not the first time, as he's attacked my mother to this severity, as well as my brother. We have stopped talking him for walks and are giving him exercise in our backyard. He lunges and bites either way, but when he does in the backyard we get help faster or run inside to safety. Other than this, he is a loving dog and we love him too, although frankly we are scared to be left alone with him.