What to do with Boots?

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by paddyd

"i have a 4-yo gsmix named boots. My family recently moved from colorado, where we had adopted boots, to michigan."

eh?!
What is this? The anguish languish?

roflmao!

[katieliz]

double huh???

often i just don't get "jokes", although i am capable of a laugh now and then, but something has to be clearly funny and laughing appropriate...

[RebelGSD]

I would also have to say that the nonchalant "time to say good bye" got me, as well as putting it as a poll. It shows total disrespect and lack of compassion for the animal IMO. Clearly this is the situation where the dog came in pretty much trained on another person's time and the op admits choosing him and the breed to be as little effort as possible. The op's contribution to the training was the taking of the treats and it sounds like the dog was left to hos own devices. Now the dog will require time and effort so a poll of strangers is to say whether it is "time to say good bye".

The best for this poor boy would be a loving home with people willing to make time for him and work on his training. The attitude of the op clearly indicates that this is not going to happen. If he was adopted from a rescue, maybe they would be willing to take him back. Unfortunately people won't be fighting over a 4yo with resource guarding issues. The op is not the only one who wants the perfect pet with as little effort as possible. Overall, this is a very sad situation for Boots.

I just hope that the op won't take on another animal "to be independent and have a long memory" in the future.

[Anja1Blue]

Originally Posted by RebelGSD

I would also have to say that the nonchalant "time to say good bye" got me, as well as putting it as a poll. It shows total disrespect and lack of compassion for the animal IMO. Clearly this is the situation where the dog came in pretty much trained on another person's time and the op admits choosing him and the breed to be as little effort as possible. The op's contribution to the training was the taking of the treats and it sounds like the dog was left to hos own devices. Now the dog will require time and effort so a poll of strangers is to say whether it is "time to say good bye".

The best for this poor boy would be a loving home with people willing to make time for him and work on his training. The attitude of the op clearly indicates that this is not going to happen. If he was adopted from a rescue, maybe they would be willing to take him back. Unfortunately people won't be fighting over a 4yo with resource guarding issues. The op is not the only one who wants the perfect pet with as little effort as possible. Overall, this is a very sad situation for Boots.

I just hope that the op won't take on another animal "to be independent and have a long memory" in the future.

Rebel I couldn't agree with you more (and I refuse to vote in his "poll.") In addition to what you have said, it occurred to me that Boots has already been rehomed at least once - now he faces the prospect of having to adjust once again (and who knows where he will end up.) GSD's are resilient, but we don't know what else went into the "mix." It would be an easy fix to deal with his resource guarding - but if this person (or his wife) won't even put the time into a few minutes a day training, what is the chance of them spending perhaps a few months finding the right home for him? I am very, very sad for this boy
____________________________________________
Susan

Anja SchH3 GSD
Conor GSD
Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

[katieliz]

it appears that since the op didn't hear what they wanted to hear, they've left the building.

rebel and susan, i think the conclusions you came to are better than the one i came to. i wish i hadn't voted and reading your thoughts will change the way i approach a situation here in the future.

thanks.

[qbchottu]

Like others said, a GSD is NOT an independent dog. If you want a more independent animal in the future, maybe you should consider a cat.

I am in a little bit of a similar situation to you. I have a rescue that is dog, resource, people and fear aggressive. She has bitten my other dogs (drawn blood and left scars) and me countless times. I have permanent scars on my arms and legs from her. My family and friends can't understand why I haven't gotten rid of her yet. In all honesty, I would NEVER give her up. She is my responsibility, and I will be her caretaker for the rest of her life. I can't imagine giving up on her. She has been through so much and is such a sweet dog that she deserves a good life with the only happy home she has known. She takes more work than my other dogs combined and is a legitimate danger when she is in one of her moods. But I have learned to work around it. I have to be very vigilant to make sure that I catch her before a situation escalates. I never leave her unsupervised with other dogs or people. We don't go to public places where she can have an accident. She is not allowed around children or strangers. We have a potentially bad situation come up every single day and I have to stick with it to make sure she learns the right thing to do. For example, today she started harassing my male when he had a toy she wanted. I stopped her with a loud command as soon I saw her coming at him with one of her "looks" and had her walk away to another room. Never let a potentially dangerous situation progress. Slowly over time, she has gotten a lot better. It does change for the better, but you have to dedicate a lot of time and effort to your cause. But I am basing this on your description of the dog. From what you said, this dog does not sound like he is beyond repair. There are true problem dogs that can't be fixed...but yours doesn't sound like one of those...

The reality of it is that very few people will take an older dog with known aggression issues. When space runs low, dogs like this get euthanized to make room for more adoptable dogs. Please consider hiring a behaviorist or trainer to help you make positive changes. I wish you the best of luck and completely sympathize with your frustrations...

[msvette2u]

If the OP is here...

even snarling when anyone comes near something that has been given to him. With his dog bones he'll even turn away from you to put himself in between you and the treat.

So don't give him bones. Do not give him treats at all.
Feed him by hand for the next...however long it takes for your son to get old enough to stay away from him when he's eating.
If necessary, remove toys from the area so he doesn't guard those.

If this behavior is new, 1) see a vet; 2) at the same time, get a behaviorist/trainer on board.

Put up gates, and use them. Give your dog a "time out" spot that isn't for punishment but rather, quiet time away from the child.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Poor Boots, I didnt vote. Boots I hope you find a safe place w/ someone who can work w/ you where you are and help you get to where you can be.