Advice Needed : Agression

[GypsysMom]

You say she is just a puppy, I have never witnessed a puppy of that age with such aggression, if it cant be controled now when she is still young it will only get worse and I know you dont want that for you or your children or other people for that matter..

I adopted a rottweiler once from a high kill shelter, she was kind obedient and I thought the perfect dog, well for 5 months she was until she went to bite my son in the face for petting her and I to was right there, I did find a rescue that would take her based on her kid aggression and place her in an ault only home but her problems were due to hip problems and her age was 7yrs older then I was told.

I know whats its like to be attached to something, but you have to make that decision to protect your kids, yes 6 months is young but she can provide a serious bite possibly one that will cause permanent damage, If it were me I would have her put down especially if I had reccomadations from trainers, rescue workers and vets


Good luck

[harleychik66]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

Lola, I could've sworn someone just tried this route recently and was told by Best Friends they only accept dogs from rescue.

I had called them(about a dog I saw in a shelter) and they said they would not take a shelter dogs. They said it must be in a rescue. Not sure if they would accept a dog from the owner.

Julie if you check into this option e-mail them. The lady got back to me with in half an hour.

[Julie-at-home]

Although we havent had a formal evaluation yet, the certified trainer I just spent an hour talking with thinks that she just has possessive/dominance issues with my kids. He is convinced- based on conversation and not yet an evaluation- that she can be trained to respect the kids, and hence, end the snapping. I'm not sure I agree that the two are exactly connected. Anyway, I have a lot to think about. But I am beginning to think that perhaps we are not a match made in heaven. Does that mean we can't live with her anymore? Probably. I dont think I am willing to take the risk of her snapping again during the training process. I am not a dog dumper, but I have to face the fact that my daughter is frightened for her safety and this dog is the culprit. Does that mean she has to die? Probably not. I just have to find the right situation for her, hopefully there is one.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Julie-at-home

...I have to face the fact that my daughter is frightened for her safety and this dog is the culprit. Does that mean she has to die? Probably not. I just have to find the right situation for her, hopefully there is one.

You will look long and hard, and your search will likely prove fruitless.

My rescue group was contacted about 1,700 times last year.

About 400 of those contacts, via email and phone calls, were from owners looking to surrender their dogs. An equal number were from ACOs, alerting us about Rotties in their shelters.

My group has roughly 120 volunteers of which about 20 are foster homes.

My rescue group isn't unique in these numbers.

With such a tide of dogs, it is unrealistic to think rescue will help you.

You are correct in saying she doesn't have to die.

What needs to happen to ensure this is that you keep her and take measures to prevent a repeat of what is making you think there's a place for her outside of your home.

[moz205]

I feel for you so much. It's such a terrible decision. I went through the same thing with Rommel, many times. It was an ongoing decision that I was struggling with, all the time. Seems like daily I was asking myself should he be put down. In the end, even after he attacked my husband and bit him badly and I mean he latched onto his side I still couldn't find the courage to pts. Rommel put a huge wedge between us for a long time as I refused to pts. Many nights I cried over it. We also had our infant son who was born when Rommel was 4 yo. Should I have put him down, 99.9% of people told me yes but I still wouldn't do it. Was I foolish, definitely, lucky- most definitely as we didn't have any other incidents like that. There are plenty of words I can use to describe my not putting him to sleep then and there. I went so far as telling hubby I would leave with the dog and our son if he insisted on getting rid of him. It seems incredible that I was able to avoid tragedy but it took an unbelieveable amount of work, every minute that someone other than myself was in the house.
I am telling you this so that you know that it sounds like your dog will never be a "family pet" that your children can run around the yard with unless major intervention turns her around. Like me, I think that doubt will always be there though, no matter what. Since Rommel's personality was instilled in me, I do have issues trusting Buddy as well but am learning to trust him as he is as friendly as they come. Now my son CAN and does play with his dog. He remembers that he couldn't do that with Rommel and tells me how he is so glad he can do that now. It is definitely one of the hardest things to deal with. Although Rommel was with me for 13 years and I miss him dearly, I took huge chances out of ignorance and love and placed my priorities in the wrong order.

[pazzo]

Julie,

Let me be the first to tell you I was in this exact situation. If you do a search on the boards you will read my complete story the thread I believe was "1 bad temperment, and several hearts broken" read it. You will understand, you are not alone. After you read it if there is any questions for me you may have feel free to ask them.

I have only this advice to you for now....when you own a rottweiler or any breed of this sort, you have a RESPONSIBILITY to the breed, to the innocent people around, and to yourself to DO THE RIGHT THING, sometimes the right thing is not the easiest. Trust me I know!!! I urge you to read my post.

Dana

[Kandi]

Julie,
Where is Butler in relationship to Harrisburg. I know some people, but not sure how close they would be to you, but perhaps, they know some people that may be able to help.
But, your children must come above all. So, it might be a very hard decision, but you may have to put her down. My one girl had the potential to be just like your girl, but with lots of work and determination, she has come around, learned to share, and learned to respect me as alpha. I wish I could tell you what to do, but the truth is you must do what is best for your children.
Good luck, if I can help in anyway...

[Julie-at-home]

Ok, well call me an ASS. I had made up my mind to take Sophie to the trainer this Saturday at 3:00. I believe I could be making mistakes. I believe a puppy with a crap shot can have a bright future with the right handling. I believed I could do this. ASS.

This evening, the kids are in bed, the house is quiet. My husband is in the basement on the eliptical, I am saying goodnight to my 10 year old son, as I sit beside Sophie and pet her. She is calm. Not sleeping, but lying still. Enjoying the attention that I usually make her work for. My son is beside me, talking softly to Sophie about taking her for a walk tomorrow after school. He is petting her with me, along her side. Wham, she lifts her head and snaps at him. She gets him, but not bad enough to draw blood. He pleads with me, "What did I do wrong, Mom? What did I do wrong?"

Clearly, I can not be in denial any longer. This was unprovoked, unpredictable, unexcusable. There could not have been a kinder, softer moment. And I was right there, inches away from it. A part of it, but not the target. Why? What happened? 4 times in ONE WEEK? There is no explanation. Only shock, guilt, regret. I will call the humane society tomorrow. There simply is no choice. Thank you so much for trying to lead me in the right direction. This is worse than I could have ever imagined. I brought this MESS on to my family, and now I have to clean it up. I only hope I am as brave in the morning.

[moz205]

You will be brave, it is a kindness for all involved including Sophie. Whatever threats she sees in her eyes and thinks in her head will be put to rest. Difficult as it may be, Sophie would only be leading a sad life if unable to be part of the family as she should be. Don't regret and don't feel you're not making the right decision. You haven't let anyone down, you haven't let Sophie down either. You've done your best but sometimes things are truly not in our hands. My thoughts will be with you and your family.

[dipper]

Julie,
You are not an ASS---and you did not bring a MESS on to your family.
You and your family will have learned important lessons through all of this.
I know this is very difficult for you and an agonizing decision, but I think you must realize that you are left with little options.
Again, you may not realize it now, but you will have learned much about dogs in general when you sit down and think about it in the future.
Yes, your family will have some sadness and has had some discomfort over this but what kind of MESS do you think you may have prevented another family??
What if your dog ended up with someone who is not like you??
I really believe you will be doing everyone involved a good service.

This is not normal for the breed as had been said many times.
When you are ready, you can put the same thought and effort into finding another pet---do your homework and find a excellent breeder---you and your family will be much much happier and healthier and owning a dog will be a joy and not a fearful and intense situation.

Good Luck,

Rich

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Julie-at-home

...I will call the humane society tomorrow. There simply is no choice.

No, there is no choice.

I hope you are not calling the HS to surrender her and leave her there?

If so, please rethink this.

Part of my involvement with rescue is going into shelters to evaluate dogs for inclusion in the rescue group for which I volunteer.

Over the years, I've been in many shelters, in several states. Some are in wealthy communities. Others are not.

For a fact, no shelter--regardless of how nice--is the place for a dog who has lived with a family. They are filled with bewildered, frightened--often terrifield--dogs and are often staffed by underpaid and undertrained personnel who yet to their best.

Please take your girl to your vet and have her euthanized quietly and calmly. Please do not take your dog to the shelter and have her last days on earth be spent in the bedlam of a shelter.

[Julie-at-home]

No, I meant to the shelter to be PTS. I was not happy with the vet over a few things with her spay last week. I will not go and give her any more of my "business". I was adivsed to take her to the humane society and tell them what happened so that they will euthanise. If this is not the case, let me know.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Julie-at-home

No, I meant to the shelter to be PTS...

Four of the dogs who were our fosters--or were sent to our home for assessment because the program had concerns about their temperament--were euthanized for aggression issues. I took each dog to my vet and was there with each of these dogs. I didn't want any of the dogs to leave the earth w/o having a person there from my rescue program. These dogs were program dogs and it was to be expected that a person from the program would be there at their end.

I don't know what the policy is of your HS.

[zorro13]

Julie: I imagine you are taking her to the Butler humane society. When you tell them of your problems, they will either offer help, or take the dog and evaluate her and whether to pts will be their sole discretion. Although, I pretty much see you have passed your point of return, if you change your mind, I am east of Pittsburgh and would visit your pup and offer you what I can in terms of basics/manners. It's extremely hard to tell how aggressive this pup is thru the internet.

[suebisaga]

Not only can you be sued if you rehome this pup on your own if she is to bite someone even with full disclosure to new owner. If the bite requires a 10 day rabies quarentine which is for any bite above the waist that has broken skin, you have to pay for it not the new owners. Also so do you know CPS which is child protective services can now come to your home and inspect it since a child was bitten. They also can take the children from your home untill the dog is removed from your home. Anyone can report the childs bite. Teacher,grandparent,next store neighbor, anyone who see it and is told oh that bruise our puppy nipped her. I know it seems harsh but true. There is terriable breed decrimination and as soon as someone says rottie or bully breed it becomes a huge issues. Your puppy who you love is not stable. All the love in the world will not fix this. She was born wired wrong, she needs to have you as her responsible owner hold her in your arms as you wisper your love for her and be put to sleep. You need to do right by her. I know it sounds terrible she's your love bunny but she is unsafe with others and will only continue to give rotties a bad name. People won't remember the rottie who saved his family from a fire or saved his kids from a rattle snake bite, they will remember the rottie who bite a child.