Hellobee Boards

That's terrible of your sister, friends and neighbors.. Wtf. -.-
I said I'd never leave my dog either, and I ended up leaving him in CA with my family when I moved to GA.
I know it's a tough decision and I'm sure it wasn't an easy one to make. Babies>Animals in my book.
If your sister's so upset about it, why doesn't she take your dog?

@BabyBoecksMom: Ah in that case it's best that he finds another home...

Your sister just needs to understand that the safety of your child is more important.

I would try to find him a good home. My aunt had to do the same thing when my cousin was born. Her dog bit my cousin in the face (a previously tame & well mannered dog!) and she ended up finding someone without kids to take her.

I'm so sorry you have to make this choice. I would make the same decision you are if I had to and I'm sorry that so many people are giving you such a hard time. That really isn't fair of them.

I'm so sorry! I would try to find a rescue group for him. Good luck!

I'm sorry. I hope you can find a good home for him.

How could those people be giving you a hard time about this? With everything you have tried to do-- it's not like you said, Eh, too much work, I'm out. I'm so sorry you have to go through this-- what a horrible situation. Maybe you can talk to some rescue groups and see what they think they could do for him? It could be if he goes to a calmer home with no kids he might calm down again? Or, unfortunately, the disruption could make him worse-- you just don't know. Either way, as much as I LOVE my dog, children are more important than dogs, and you cannot compromise the safety of your family or of people who might come over.

Big hugs and tell your friends and sister to back the F off

It took us 5 months to find a new home for one of my dogs (craigslist posts, flyers etc) but we finally did. It wasn't as extreme of a case - but still out of fear of my kids being harmed when both our dogs would have a fight.

Maybe you could find someone to foster him while you continue the search. So you were still involved in finding a new owner and could put the 'final' decision off until after you feel you've exhausted other options.

I also feel that if he really is at risk of hurting someone then putting him down may be the best option.

I'm sorry you are facing this very tough decision and I'm REALLY sorry you don't have the support of your family and friends. <<hugs>>

I'm sorry people are being such jerks to you. It's a really tough situation. I hope you can be very straight forward with them and let them know just how hard this is for you.

You ARE making the right and responsible decision to find him a new home. Fear aggression is never erased, just managed. Kids make this really hard as they do all sorts of things that freak dogs out. I know it has to be heart breaking to think about moving your buddy to a new place, so I really admire your decision to do so.

I've been volunteering with a rescue group that rehomes a specific breed, German Shepherds. I can tell you that many people are looking for older dogs. I have hope you can find a new home for him that is the right environment for him. Please keep us updated!

I'm so sorry.

You are doing everything right and everything I would do in your situation. Big hugs.

Horrible situation to be in. My SIL's dog was a biter and even bit my nephew and left a scar on his face but she kept him and worked with him and he never attacked anyone again. They did put him upstairs when they had company, though.

If you must find a new home, I would go the rescue route. They will give him a temporary home with a family and hopefully find him a forever home. If not, hopefully the temporary home becomes his forever home.

I'm so sorry that you and your puppy are going through this. We have really similar issues with our dog and as we ttc I am very worried about having to have this same discussion (again.). He is on medication and behavioral management and we also have to cage muzzle him when we go out, because I can't trust other people/dogs to respect boundaries. Have you talked to your vet? It took us several attempts before they decided to medicate him, and it definitely has pros and cons but it's better right now for us than any alternatives. It's also possible that he's in pain, and that's why the change that he is now growling/reacting to you too. My suggestion is to try getting professional assistance, keep him separated from your kids, muzzled when around strangers, and ask a shelter to help search/list him for adoption, while you "foster" him in the meantime. It's definitely possible that he has a savior out there that might fall in love with him just like you did. I suspect behavioral training won't make a long term difference as he ages. This is a lifelong battle. Good for you for sticking by your pet for so long. You've obviously worked really hard and I know he appreciates the loyalty. It's not selfish to try to find the best situation for him. You want him to be happy. Don't let people make you feel guilty about that.

wow that is terrible that your friends and neighbor said that.

I choose other for the poll.

Have you talked to a trainer? I agree with JH524 your dog needs a safe space and needs to be separated when company is around. Do you have a crate for your dog? Maybe when he feels scared or threatened he can go to the crate and no one is allow near it.

The crate worked for our past dog buddy. We would put a blanket over the crate and when he was scared or if he did something wrong he would run into it. We never forced him into the crate and he associated it with his safe space. When we were angry at him for doing something wrong we said "Buddy go to your room" and he would go in lay down and we would lock the crate and he was in time out.

Our dog buddy nipped my niece and broke skin. We found out he had a neurological issue, a couple of months later he started to have seizures. Our vet gave us Xanex to help calm him and he became a more mellow dog.

If the rescue group knows your dog is aggressive,nipped or bit someone they will not take your dog because its hard for them to adopt the dog out.

If you have the means I would contact a rescue and see if they can recommend a trainer.

I work in Rescue. I say find a Rescue group. A RESCUE not a shelter. They will work with him and do some behavior screening and also behavior work with him and ensure he goes to a home that fits him best. Sometimes it may take a dog a long time to find a home and be adopted. Especially one with bahavior issues. However, try to find a Rescue that fosters out of homes. The Rescue I work with all our dogs are in homes with people. Not at a facility or in a shelter. They will make sure he gets what he needs and you can have the comfort of knowing he is in a home and being loved and taken care of and not just in a cage somewhere.
This is a terrible situation and my heart breaks for you. I seriously cannot imagine being in your situation. At this point your dog is a liabilty and the last thing you need is your city or another family getting involved if something were to happen. I have a friend who just went through this and because something did happen, which was in the most innocent of situations, were forced to put the dog down because the city got involved as it was a "reported dog bite". At that point heaven forbid it would be completley out of your hands. Get him to someone who can work with him and let him live in a less stressful of an environment. My heart goes out to you. I can only imagine how hard this is as my 4 dogs are my children and I cant imagine being in this situation. But in the long run a different home will protect both your LO and you furbaby.
HUGS

I don't have any advice for you, it's a tough decision to make. But just know that you're doing what you *have* to do to keep your DD safe, and that you're a great mom for that! Ignore the morons rubbing it in your face. I hope it works out for you all and you get to keep your dog! I'm sorry!

Ugh, this is heartbreaking. I would hate to be in your position but I would also make the same choice.

First, I would see if a specialized trainer could help. I know they can be really expensive but that would be my first option. Then, I would try to rehome him myself, with the help of rescue groups if possible, but I would keep him at home with me as long as possible while doing that... perhaps medicating him / separating him as needed. Putting him down would be an absolute last resort, and I honestly think that your dog doesn't seem SO aggressive that he can't find a good home!

I hate to be a debbie downer but I foster for a rescue and you may have a hard time finding one willing to take on a dog with aggression issues. Even if you do find one, there is no guarantee that they won't decide to put the dog down at some point. Personally, I would start with a trainer and see if they can help. If that didn't work I'm not sure what I would do.

@BabyBoecksMom: If you need more people to respond then they need to feed and walk your dog more. They need to see that they are the boss too. Consistency and practice is key

Do you have a crate by any chance?

You have to do what is best for your family and safety is number one. please keep us posted.

@BabyBoecksMom: Let me get this straight, your sister wants you to get rid of your baby in favor of your dog?

Yeah, I think that's really harsh and unkind of your friends and family as well. I really don't support getting rid of your pets when you have children - you undertook to care for them, and you nee to do it. My dogs for sure don't go to the dog park as much as they used to, but they still have a happy doggy life.

But none of that matters when your child's safety is at risk. If you work with someone and you still can't be sure that the dog has changed, you're making the right choice. Anyone who doesn't understand that doesn't know what it means to have children to care for.