Hard decisions-advice please.

[Kyleigh]

What a super tough decision to make.

You could certainly TRY having him as an outside dog, taking into consideration ALL of the things that people have posted - kennel, security, housing, etc.

And if the outdoor idea doesn't work, then you probably have your answer right there.

A very tough decision, and I'm really sorry you're in this position. Life certainly sucks big time every now and then.

[huntergreen]

Originally Posted by Jack's Dad

Not about this dog but I'm not sure you are right.
Dogs are adaptable IMO and many do fine outside.

Large breeders dogs are almost all kenneled.
Small breeders dogs may be rotated in or out of the house but are mostly
kenneled.

If you were to raise a dog outside and then make it stay in the house you may have some of the problems suggested but in reverse.
It has more to do with what they are used to.

Regardless, if need be they can adapt.


Addressing msevette lies.

pretty sure posting what one has observed and posts constitutes "lies". op asked for advice and this is hers. its up to the op to sort through all this and decide what will be listened to. not sure how your post helped anyone.

[Jack's Dad]

Originally Posted by huntergreen

pretty sure posting what one has observed and posts constitutes "lies". op asked for advice and this is hers. its up to the op to sort through all this and decide what will be listened to. not sure how your post helped anyone.

I didn't mean msevette lies.

I meant I was addressing msevette and not the post by Liesje.

Lies as in short for Liesje.

Then again msevette. Would you?????

[huntergreen]

oops! didn't catch that, please ignore my post.

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Jack's Dad

I didn't mean msevette lies.

I meant I was addressing msevette and not the post by Liesje.

Lies as in short for Liesje.

Then again msevette. Would you?????

Of course not!

(thanks hunter, for defending my honor even though it didn't need defending! )

[sparra]

Originally Posted by Jack's Dad

I didn't mean msevette lies.

I meant I was addressing msevette and not the post by Liesje.

Lies as in short for Liesje.

Then again msevette. Would you?????

Haha.....that was funny to read.....

I see no problem with trying the outside option. A nice secure kennel/run area for when you are not home and free access to the yard when you are at home. If you are worried about digging or jumping then an Invisible fence attached to your current fence will fix that.....costly but secure.
I agree that if rehousing becomes only option then putting him down would be kinder. If he has already been passed around because of his issues it would seem unfair to do it again to him now that he is happy and secure with your family.
I think you will find this will work fine for you.....especially as you said he loves being outside anyway.
Agree with Andy about the new bub......just be cautious which I am sure you are already thinking about.....good luck with it all.....especially your new addition.....how exciting.....I LOVE babies.....

[Liesje]

LOL

I did get what he meant

[Gooddog23]

Thank you everyone for your input.

My daughter does have meds for her asthma, we just dont want her on more meds.

No, I'm not concerned about our boy and the new baby and I wouldnt know anything until the new baby gets here anyway and his aggression is towards other dogs.

I do think ill try keeping him outside and see how that works. Maybe I can bring him in once a week to start to see how my daughter handles that. If he cant handle being outside, I dont know what Ill do. I cant stand the thought of him being put to sleep.

[VanBuren shepherds]

A lot of GSD's spend their lives outside, but what occurs if the children are outside. If she is allergic you will need to make sure the dog is in a secure kennel at all times, and I've known people who would have to handle their dogs outside and basically decontaminate themselves before coming in the house because of a child allergic to dog hair.
Thankfully my son is allergic to cats and not dogs. I know it's a tough decision, but children have to come first.


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[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Gooddog23

Thank you everyone for your input.

My daughter does have meds for her asthma, we just dont want her on more meds.

I'll tell you what happened with my son.
Who was allergic to dogs as an infant, yes our dogs went out the door, had a dog house, etc. but it wasn't the same (for them).

Not to mention, my son went on to have allergies to everything, literally, dust mites, molds, pollens (a biggie, every spring), penicillin, sulfa, salmon, peanut butter, some of these developed before he saw the dogs.
He is allergic to other stuff, too, including, milk and horses, and we had to tear the carpet out.
In fact if you haven't, you really must tear whatever carpet out your house may have, get an air cleaner, your child should be on albuterol, quite possibly zyrtec (a lifesaver for my son) and singulair.
Because I doubt, if your child has issues now, that dogs will be the only allergen.

Also - was your child formally tested? If so, was dogs the only thing that showed up? If not, and you're just observing that the child has problems breathing or gets hives (in our case my son broke out in hives when the dogs licked him) it also could be things the dog is bringing in on it's fur. That's a very likely scenario as opposed to the dog itself.

I've dealt with extreme allergies for the past 20 years; oddly, my son grew out of dog allergies but is still allergic to horses, can drink milk occasionally, still allergic to the drugs and peanut butter.
Some allergies get worse, some get better as they age.