Major, the First Dog who made news in early March for biting a secret service agent, reportedly bit a national park service worker while being walked on the South Lawn two weeks ago. Both persons returned to work without injury.
A secret service official reported last month that Major “nipped” an agent’s hand but didn’t break the skin. Afterward, Both Major and his 13-year-old brother, Champ, were taken to the President’s home in Delaware where, President Biden said, Major was being trained. The dogs returned to the White House in late March.
Prior to the initial incident, the three-year-old German Shepherd had reportedly displayed aggressive behavior including jumping, barking and charging at White House Staff. After the latest incident White House Officials said, “Major is still adjusting to his new surroundings.”
President and Dr. Jill Biden adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. He made headlines in January by being the first-ever adopted shelter pet to occupy the White House. The first-ever presidential animal rescue occurred under the Johnson Administration.
According to White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, “Major was surprised by an unfamiliar person and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual.” Circumstances surrounding the second incident are unclear.
Leigh Dempsey, Delaware Humane Society Certified Professional Dog Trainer, put the incidents into perspective: “Major didn’t do this because he’s a shelter dog. He did this because he was a dog under an elevated level of stress.”
In an interview with Kelly Clarkson last February, Jill Biden noted the many contrasts between their sedate home back in Delaware and the frenetic activity on White House grounds: “They have to take the elevator. They’re not used to that. They have to go out on the South Lawn with lots of people watching them.”
Dr. Eric Cryan of Nova Mobile Vet suggested that familiarity could breed better behavior. “Trying to develop a routine [could] make them feel calm and secure in their environment,” he told a local Fox affiliate in Washington D.C.
President-elect Biden made news last November when he fractured his right foot after Major “slid on a throw rug and I tripped on the rug he slid on,” Biden told CNN.
A few pure-bred “First Dogs” have acted out in the past. Barney, George W. and Laura Bush’s Scottish terrier, once snapped at a reporter. However, it appears from video that the reporter approached the dog suddenly with a hand movement that the dog could have perceived as threatening.
It may be easy for some to attribute Major’s behavior to his being a “rescue” dog. But, as we know, aggressive behavior can occur in any dog given adverse circumstances and/or careless pet parents. The relevant factors here appear to be Major’s transition from a sedate setting to a frenetic one given an unknown level of preparation. His early exposure to a toxic substance as a litter mate may also be a factor.
What matters most now is getting Major competent behavioral intervention (including pharmacological applications if necessary). Everyone associated with Major needs to be on board with his treatment plan and follow it faithfully for the best chance of success.
Major, his handlers and anyone who might come in contact with him deserve to feel safe. That begins with The President and Dr. Biden.