Dog Nearly Bites Friend - Urgent Advice Needed

[Ckimba99]

Originally Posted by moondog

I don't disagree with you at all, although I can't think of a bigger sacrifice than to realize you actually have to kill the dog you've come to love in order to keep people safe. That's huge. All the other gazillion sacrifices are tiny compared to that. He DID realize it, however late it may have been, and he followed through. And nobody got bit.

Moondog. I thank you immensely for your sympathy and support. You have no idea. And everyone else. Don't think for a minute I did this selfishly. It would have been selfish to keep my Rosco and put other peoples lives in hand.

Trust me, when I made the decision, I spent at least 20 minutes in my room with Rosco. I spoke to him, he played with his bone a bit, we lied on my bed, and I thought deep and hard about everything. Everything Bob said, all my choices, options, avenues I could take... Everything. This was not a rash decision whatsoever, so no matter what anyone says, I know my decision was right. I'm sorry to all those who disagree, but you know what, none of you have ever met this dog, or me. It is very difficult to make assumptions and assessments over the phone, or online. That is why I finally took action and took my dog to Bob. I will not even entertain the idea of re-homing my Rosco. There is no way he would let anyone take him away from me with out destroying them. So that idea is just ludacris. I respect the courage, and I respect all those who wanted a try at helping and fixing my animal, but you know what, the fact is, you couldn't have. Only I could have, and again, like I said before, I could have, sure, but he wouldn't ever be trusted, and that's the fact of the matter here. End of topic.

For all those who have given sympathy, I thank you so much. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I had him heavily sedated, and kissed him before he left. It was horrible.

But, again, for all those who have given sympathy, and condolences - I can promise you, I have learned a deep, valuable lesson. I thank those who are able to understand how hard it was to make that decision, to man up, and make do what was had to be done.

[lgslgs]

Corey - this is not meant to be cruel, really it isn't. So please read it in the spirit in which it is intended.

This comment stood out to me in your last post.

Originally Posted by Ckimba99

Trust me, when I made the decision, I spent at least 20 minutes in my room with Rosco. I spoke to him, he played with his bone a bit, we lied on my bed, and I thought deep and hard about everything. Everything Bob said, all my choices, options, avenues I could take... Everything. This was not a rash decision whatsoever, so no matter what anyone says, I know my decision was right.

Before you ever consider getting another dog, wait. Give yourself five years or more before you take another dog into your home. If you need dog companionship in the meantime, volunteer to help local rescue people or a local veterinarian or dog trainer. But whatever you do, no matter how much another dog may seem like the right one, don't bring any dogs into your home for the next five years.

In the meantime, print out every one of your posts on this forum and the responses. Put them in an envelope and every couple of years pull them out and think about how you might have done things differently.

To be successful and have the kind of relationship that you obviously desire to have with a dog, you need to be ready for all of the ups and downs of puppyhood, puberty, adulthood, illness, disability, and euthanasia. You should have spend months thinking through all of those things, and done so years before you even get the dog.

You comment above tells me that you are trying to do your best and make the right decisions as things come along. That's very different than being prepared ahead of time for whatever you may encounter in your dog's life. You need to be at a very different place in your life before you are truly able to act in that second way. You'll know that you are there when you can reread all of the responses to you and agree with them - not with your own. :) And that includes with being able to honestly agree with my comment about needing to wait at least five years before getting another dog to the point where that's the kind of comment you yourself would offer to Corey in 2008.

You don't need to be isolated from dogs during that time, but offer your time and your memory of your love for Roscoe in volunteer service for dogs that you do not own. Use that time to learn from rescuers and trainers. Seek out people on this forum who've offered you help and advice and see if they can get you some experience as a runner or helper at dog shows, fun matches, and obedience trials. And do this all to be of service to dogs - not as a way to shop for a next dog.

Something went very wrong to end with young Roscoe being euthanized. No matter what part breeding or health may have played, you played a bigger part. Owners always play the biggest part. If you are even considering the idea of having another dog in your future, you need to spend years preparing yourself and getting yourself a variety of volunteer experience so you can ensure that no dog under your care will ever go off track and be anything less than the healthy, balance, happy and trustworthy dog of your dreams.

So fire up your printer and get yourself a big envelope. Be sure to include all of your previous thread as well. And five years from now I'd really like to see you post a follow up to this - before you begin to select a next dog.


Lynda

[Ckimba99]

Originally Posted by lgslgs

Corey - this is not meant to be cruel, really it isn't. So please read it in the spirit in which it is intended.

This comment stood out to me in your last post.




Before you ever consider getting another dog, wait. Give yourself five years or more before you take another dog into your home. If you need dog companionship in the meantime, volunteer to help local rescue people or a local veterinarian or dog trainer. But whatever you do, no matter how much another dog may seem like the right one, don't bring any dogs into your home for the next five years.

In the meantime, print out every one of your posts on this forum and the responses. Put them in an envelope and every couple of years pull them out and think about how you might have done things differently.

To be successful and have the kind of relationship that you obviously desire to have with a dog, you need to be ready for all of the ups and downs of puppyhood, puberty, adulthood, illness, disability, and euthanasia. You should have spend months thinking through all of those things, and done so years before you even get the dog.

You comment above tells me that you are trying to do your best and make the right decisions as things come along. That's very different than being prepared ahead of time for whatever you may encounter in your dog's life. You need to be at a very different place in your life before you are truly able to act in that second way. You'll know that you are there when you can reread all of the responses to you and agree with them - not with your own. :) And that includes with being able to honestly agree with my comment about needing to wait at least five years before getting another dog to the point where that's the kind of comment you yourself would offer to Corey in 2008.

You don't need to be isolated from dogs during that time, but offer your time and your memory of your love for Roscoe in volunteer service for dogs that you do not own. Use that time to learn from rescuers and trainers. Seek out people on this forum who've offered you help and advice and see if they can get you some experience as a runner or helper at dog shows, fun matches, and obedience trials. And do this all to be of service to dogs - not as a way to shop for a next dog.

Something went very wrong to end with young Roscoe being euthanized. No matter what part breeding or health may have played, you played a bigger part. Owners always play the biggest part. If you are even considering the idea of having another dog in your future, you need to spend years preparing yourself and getting yourself a variety of volunteer experience so you can ensure that no dog under your care will ever go off track and be anything less than the healthy, balance, happy and trustworthy dog of your dreams.

So fire up your printer and get yourself a big envelope. Be sure to include all of your previous thread as well. And five years from now I'd really like to see you post a follow up to this - before you begin to select a next dog.


Lynda

I have yet to read a better post on this forum. I agree 110% with everything you just typed. Thank you for your support, advice, wisdom and sympathy.

[AngelBunny]

Let this be a text book case of what can happen when stubborn owners do not take the advice of long time Rottie owners who suggest training yesterday.

I hope, OP, you learned a lesson you never forget.

[Weily4Life]

Ckimba99,

I am sorry for your loss. You made a very difficult decision and all will be safe because of it.

I have not walked a mile in your moccasins, so no judgement will be passed.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[jlhnokc]

Ckimba99-I too am sorry for your loss. Hindsight is always 20/20 and it is very easy to sit and "internet quarterback" what you should or shouldn't have done. I have no doubts you loved your dog very much. I also know that you are young and with growing up comes wisdom and experience. I noticed in your posts you said you lost a friend, loosing someone effects people very differently and I can completely understand you having a shutdown. Use this heartbreaking experience to learn for yourself and to teach others. It's very easy to not take a situation serious enough and I think that's what you did. Everyone makes mistakes, and I am saddened for you the price you are paying. Take time to grieve, then take time to access and go from there. And I agree 100% with lgslgs...

[Ckimba99]

Originally Posted by Weily4Life

Ckimba99,

I am sorry for your loss. You made a very difficult decision and all will be safe because of it.

I have not walked a mile in your moccasins, so no judgement will be passed.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your sympathy.

[winnie22]

May Roscoe rest in peace. I couldn't have been any more disenchanted with the example of the selfishness that you have provided. The 20 minutes you spent with him making your decision - 20MINUTES!!! Lots of dogs don't come from perfect breeding lines and many puppies are skittish. You created your situation and I don't believe taking responsibility for it with a pink shot is selfless, it was just the least expensive and least time consuming way out. Please don't get another dog and please don't have any children either. :( So sad.

[moz205]

Originally Posted by moondog

I don't disagree with you at all, although I can't think of a bigger sacrifice than to realize you actually have to kill the dog you've come to love in order to keep people safe. That's huge. All the other gazillion sacrifices are tiny compared to that. He DID realize it, however late it may have been, and he followed through. And nobody got bit.

I know how you feel about this breed and your own dog moondog. The same as me, can't seem to get enough. But I feel to put them down when sick etc it is a huge sacrifice. I was never selfish when it came to this. I also feel it was an even bigger sacrifice to keep Rommel around to live a great life. I had to work around his temperment in order to keep him, work and sacrifices are the key. I did accomplish this without putting him down before his time at 13 yo.

[makjamz]

I skimmed - this is sick and so sad.

[zorro13]

Originally Posted by Ckimba99

Moondog. I thank you immensely for your sympathy and support. You have no idea. And everyone else. Don't think for a minute I did this selfishly. It would have been selfish to keep my Rosco and put other peoples lives in hand.

Trust me, when I made the decision, I spent at least 20 minutes in my room with Rosco. I spoke to him, he played with his bone a bit, we lied on my bed, and I thought deep and hard about everything. Everything Bob said, all my choices, options, avenues I could take... Everything. This was not a rash decision whatsoever, so no matter what anyone says, I know my decision was right. I'm sorry to all those who disagree, but you know what, none of you have ever met this dog, or me. It is very difficult to make assumptions and assessments over the phone, or online. That is why I finally took action and took my dog to Bob. I will not even entertain the idea of re-homing my Rosco. There is no way he would let anyone take him away from me with out destroying them. So that idea is just ludacris. I respect the courage, and I respect all those who wanted a try at helping and fixing my animal, but you know what, the fact is, you couldn't have. Only I could have, and again, like I said before, I could have, sure, but he wouldn't ever be trusted, and that's the fact of the matter here. End of topic.

For all those who have given sympathy, I thank you so much. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I had him heavily sedated, and kissed him before he left. It was horrible.

But, again, for all those who have given sympathy, and condolences - I can promise you, I have learned a deep, valuable lesson. I thank those who are able to understand how hard it was to make that decision, to man up, and make do what was had to be done.

Wow, you spent a whole 20 minutes leading you to the decision to kill your dog? Unbelievable. You are a complete jack@ss!! You have done nothing but annoy the members of this forum and done nothing to help yourself. Yet, you get some assessment and I hilighted a portion of your post in bold---I find that part titillating at best---you were offered options. Hmmm, appears killing your dog must've been the easist, cheapest way for ya!! Sheesh, another member even offered to help, you get no sympathies from me at all, I just offer them to your dog. I'm tired of hearing 'not wired right' (unless of course we are referring to the dog owner) each and everytime someone decides to kill a dog. You are not to be commended for anything, there are too many people on this forum that like to pat everyone on the back when they come to a decision to kill their dogs. Great, just great. I also hope you can become a good liar, if you tell any breeder this story, you will not get any pet in the future, good luck with that. One final thing, don't sit there and tell everyone you put your dog to sleep, you didn't, your dog wasn't dying/wasn't terminal, YOU KILLED YOUR DOG, it is what it is.

Dipper: If you're still here and reading this crap, get used to this. This is what makes me crazy.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Let this be a text book case of what can happen when stubborn owners do not take the advice of long time Rottie owners who suggest training yesterday.

I hope, OP, you learned a lesson you never forget.

I absolutely agree with AngelBunny. My sympathy is with the dog not the owner who failed his dog in the worst way.
Ckimba please do not ever consider getting another dog.

Godspeed Roscoe dog.

[debbiej]

many times on this forum we hear of people getting rotties and not being able to handle them. they waffle and struggle over the fate of the dog. my dogs can be a real handful. but have to admit, it has never been a concern that they would bite a guest or friend in my home. may I respectfully suggest that such a dog, even without proper training, does not have a proper temperament. I'm sorry that you had to make such a hard decision, learn such hard lessons. and this decision was probably for the good of the breed. we are hardly able to evaluate, as a group, and sight unseen, the whole picture.

[zorro13]

Pretty darn easy to evaluate this one. Let's see, put down food bowl and water bowl and watch rottie grow up. Do nothing....watch problems compound unto themselves, ask others for help/suggestions/treatment plan, make phone calls, DO NOTHING, then decide dog is not wired right, then kill dog.

[TrinaJ]

Poor Roscoe, he never had a chance with you did he? Why should we sympathise with a person who does't listen and who doesn't take the advice given? You were given wonderful advice numerous times and chose to disregard it and look who suffered - ROSCOE! Not You, you gave him what 20 minutes of your precious time and decided that was it, this is just all too hard i'll just kill him instead.

You said that next time you would reseach more - I have a better suggestion, why dont you spend the money and take the dog to obedience school or better still, save your money and buy a stuffed animal, you dont have to do anything with them.

Roscoe, may you fly high with the angels sweet boy.