I have been advised to surrender my dog. Need emotional support.

[Jack's Dad]

[QUOTE=jennifernikki;2610318]Long story short. We rescued Finley last December, he was almost 5 months old. From the beginning, he had agression issues w/ my kids (ages 2, 5 & 6), expecially my 5 yr old. He actually nipped the younger two. I brought him to our local kennal club for some training & he snapped at the trainer. Thats when she suggested behavioral training. So i went to one session & Finley snapped at him, when the trainer was trying to show him dominace. His aggression is so bad, we can't have anyone over to our house. My niece was babysitting last week. He's met her plenty of times & out of nowhere he was vicisouly growling, showing his teeth & barking at her. The list goes on.

Well this is the original about the behavior. It sounds much worse to me than what I just read tonight.

I still wish the op the best. Now I will be done because I don't really have anything else I could add that hasn't already been said.

[llombardo]

[quote=Jack's Dad;2613550]

Originally Posted by jennifernikki

Long story short. We rescued Finley last December, he was almost 5 months old. From the beginning, he had agression issues w/ my kids (ages 2, 5 & 6), expecially my 5 yr old. He actually nipped the younger two. I brought him to our local kennal club for some training & he snapped at the trainer. Thats when she suggested behavioral training. So i went to one session & Finley snapped at him, when the trainer was trying to show him dominace. His aggression is so bad, we can't have anyone over to our house. My niece was babysitting last week. He's met her plenty of times & out of nowhere he was vicisouly growling, showing his teeth & barking at her. The list goes on.

Well this is the original about the behavior. It sounds much worse to me than what I just read tonight.

I still wish the op the best. Now I will be done because I don't really have anything else I could add that hasn't already been said.

I think that when a person is emotionally drained they tend to leave out things....most of the time important things. After several posts/opinions, it gives them time to think and sometimes when one can look back the stuff they wrote becomes more defined later on. That is the good thing about forums....someone might say something that can trigger something, etc.

[Jag]

[quote=llombardo;2613555]

Originally Posted by Jack's Dad

I think that when a person is emotionally drained they tend to leave out things....most of the time important things. After several posts/opinions, it gives them time to think and sometimes when one can look back the stuff they wrote becomes more defined later on. That is the good thing about forums....someone might say something that can trigger something, etc.

This is true! The original post sounded like this dog had little chance of being 'fixed' or worked with. It sounded like my female (who was insane). However, subsequent posts make it sound like a GSD in need of training... and honestly the kid who won't leave the dog alone needs a serious spanking. Now, you can argue that a well bred shepherd who has been in the home with these children shouldn't be reacting this way. I agree. This isn't a well bred dog. However, that doesn't mean it can't be worked with on the behaviors. It's not just the dog that needs to be worked with, though, it also sounds like the kids need more management. I agree with Selzer in that if the dog had no control, it would've done some serious damage to those kids. There are some troubling things (still) about this dog, but it doesn't sound like a lost cause at this point. However, the original post also said there was no money for training or medical care. If this has changed, then great. If not.... then that's another story. I hope that the OP can recognize that with the confusion of what's really happening is causing the huge difference of opinion, but also a normal differing reaction from people in what they will and will not accept from a dog in the home. I have a completely different picture of this dog now than in the beginning of this thread. Another REALLY good reason to take dogs with behavioral issues to a trainer who can SEE the dog and the behaviors. We can't see the dog, and the only info. we have is what's provided by the poster... which is sometimes incomplete or misleading.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by selzer

Do we give out little notches on e the belt when we get another pup euthanized on this board?

Seriously?

I've had to euthanize my own dogs before, I know it's not fun, or easy, or to be taken lightly. No matter what the circumstances, there will always be sadness and guilt.

I've already explained my position and what *I* would do if I were in the same situation. That doesn't mean I wish it on anyone. It sucks beyond belief, and I hate it when it has to be done. Whatever the OP does is up to her, of course--if she wants to pursue treatment and manage the dog, I'm certainly not going to tell her she's wrong.