Rescuing a dog from a shelter can be a tough responsibility. Whether it’s helping them adjust to new settings or getting them help for any potential behavioral issues, rescue dogs usually require an extra helping hand from the people around them. 

President Joe Biden’s rescue dog was no different. The transition from Biden’s family home in Delaware to the White House in Washington, D.C. has been a difficult adjustment to make. President Biden’s dog, Major, has already bitten two different individuals on two separate occasions. Being the first animal shelter rescue in the White House, the media’s spotlight shined bright on Major. 

Being one of Biden’s two dogs, Major (2 years old) and Champ (12 years old), they have each had very different upbringings. Champ was bought from a breeder in Pennsylvania while Major, 10 years later, was adopted from the Delaware Humane Association after being fostered. 

All within less than a month, Major has managed to take a bite at two separate individuals. In the first incident, CNN reported that Major allegedly bit a member of White House security.  

According to Biden’s press secretary Michael LaRosa, Major ‘nipped someone on a walk’. LaRosa continued to describe that ‘Out of an abundance of caution, the individual was seen by WHMU (White House Medical Unit) and then returned to work without injury.’ 

Previously, Major had been showing signs of aggressive behavior such as barking, jumping, and ‘charging’ towards White House staff. It is clear that Major, unlike Champ, is not accustomed to Washington life and will take time to adjust and get comfortable with his surroundings. 

After the first incident, both dogs were sent back to Delaware because the first lady had travel plans in which they claimed Major was going to be trained. However, Major and Champ soon returned on March 21st. 

In the second incident, less than three weeks after, Major bit a member of the National Park Service. It is claimed that Major will undergo professional help in adjusting to the White House. Private training will take place ‘off-site’, in the Washington area, and is expected to last a few weeks. 

The most important detail of all,  Major did not penetrate the skin of the individuals that were attacked. This shows all the difference between an aggravated and an aggressive dog. Any dog could be as aggressive as they wanted, especially German Shepherds which are known as ‘police dogs’ for their aggressive tendencies if not trained properly. Major exhibited agitation over aggression in both incidents. 

Having been a ‘ruff’ first couple of months in the White House, Major’s agitation will hopefully be treated. In Major’s defense, President Biden said, “he moves to protect. But he’s a sweet dog,”  Training is very important, especially for a dog who has the eyes of the entire nation. Being a shelter dog, Major is not used to the chaos and stress of living in the White House as the “First” dog.