Different rescues have had different things happen to them. I remember very clearly a neighbor girl where i used to live. her dog got loose, she caught it in my front yard when she called it and it ran to her,,,then proceeded to whallop it. BAD DOG!! dont you ever run away again!!
I stepped between them grabbed the dog and told her to back off. i said really? he just came to you when you called,.and you beat on him??? use your brain!!!! No she hadnt hit him hard..but she sure did confuse him.
now..this poor one you are talking about..lord only knows how many times it tried to please and got hit for it. or..if it was chained out..how its humans ignored it. You said she has had the dog for 10 months. thats way OVER long for the dog to gain trust of her.
there is something very real called "rage syndrome". some dogs are the sweetest, kindest animals, then something goes off in their brain and they will attack..it will be seconds, and when the episode is over they literally seem to have no recall of the incident. its dangerous, there is no cure, and the dog really needs to be euthanized. it doesnt SOUND like that, as the dog is just nipping, but its something to watch out for.
if I were this lady, i long ago would have called in a professional. the dog needs to be evaluated, to see whats going on. i'm not talking about pet smart dog training, i'm talking about a true dog behavoirist.
I have Newfoundlands. the sweetest, kindest breed there is. sometimes due to abuse, or a screw loose, or bad breeding, you come across one that cant be rehabilitated. and the kindest thing for the animal is euthanasia. they truly dont want to be bad. they just dont know any other way. and a 150 pound dog that can snap is a huge danger.
it would be helpful to know what situation the dog came from. ..you say it was abused, but there are many kinds of abuse. was the dog beaten? used as a brood bitch left in a cage only coming out to be bred every time she came into heat? left outside on a chain, neglected?
I'd say after 10 months with no progress she really needs to get some pro help.
Holly
Northern NY
EDT