[poohbearsmom]

Having more experience with aggressive dogs than I'd like to at this point in my dog life, owning an aggressive dog is a liability of enormous proportions.

While there are trainers who will deal with aggressive dogs, and have done so quite successfully, one must truly pay attention to what Gretchen has posted. (excellent link, BTW gret, haven't seen that one before!)

Whether or not this is hard wiring, lack of socialization, or a relationship gone completely askew, (likely a combination of all 3) one can pour 1000's of dollars (that's the kind of money it costs to have experienced people deal with YOUR aggressive dog, because it's a dangerous animal) into rehabilitating the dog.

I have seen successful board and trains - however, the dog still must be managed, and managed consistantly, FOREVER. One slip up on the owner's behalf, and at the very least, the owner can lose everything they have - at the very worst, an innocent human is maimed or killed. This is a very serious, and very real issue.

It is a rare trainer that truly understands what's going on with these dogs. It is a common trainer that makes tons of money doing board and trains, works with the dogs to a decent level of obedience, and sends the dogs packing with owners incapable of the upkeep and perserverence an aggressive dog demands.

It is human nature to become complacent when things get comfortable. There is no room for complacency, or errors with an aggressive dog, especially an aggressive dog the size and power of a rottweiler.

I can only think of a handful of people, out of the skads I've met in the dog world that I would trust with an aggressive dog. Myself, I had a fear aggressive mix, and living that hell for 7 years was a life changing experience for me. No thanks.

If you have a dog that is actively aggressive, I concur with Gret, the best thing to do is to put the dog to rest, and learn a lesson from it. How and where you get your next dog from will be researched more carefully, I'm sure.

If you have any doubts about what a working dog can do to human flesh, go my pictures in the gallery, and take a look at what happened to me last year. It's pretty sobering. I was lucky.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, but I suggest you look long and hard at the harsh reality of your situation.

Best of luck.