I’m sorry you had to go through all that expense, time and anguish. The rescue should take the dog back but you won’t get reimbursed for your expenses. He doesn’t sound like a match for your needs. Rescues often do the best they can, but mistakes happen. I’m not familiar with that one so I won’t comment.

 

I was told by the rescue he'd be put down. I don't care about the money at this point, I care about the dog as well as the safety of him and others. Him being Unadoptable is not an option. He's incredible with SAR work as well as agility. This dog can be a great fit I think in K9 work or protection work. I just have no idea on where to go for that.

 

As for the incident with your father, it is often advised to not rough house with dogs trained in protection work. It is also irresponsible based on the known temperament of the dog. I don’t view this as a board and train fix. If you want to keep this dog, you will need some more knowledge on how to manage these issues. Obviously fit the time being, I wouldn’t have him around kids. You need to find a trainer to work with you and the dogs on a regular basis so that you learn to manage his behavior. What area are you located in?

 

My father has been great with him with no prior issues. I advised him to stop and he assumed it was fine. Well, it wasn't.
Murphy was also aggressive today with my friend who he knows and has even watched him on occasion. I am completely at a loss on what changed in this dog.
I'm in Philadelphia, PA

 

Wow, that's quite a story and I'm sorry for your current predicament.

This is a bit nuts and irresponsible though. Did you/your father deem him sufficiently restored now that someone who wasn't even his regular caregiver, thought rough housing with him was advisable?

 

They had done it before. He's taken him on walks. There wasn't any prior issues with my dad, the only difference was the pointing of the finger. I'm guessing that was Murphy's trigger.

 

I feel terrible for you and your father and Murphy, as well. Reading your post, I got the sense that you were making small, incremental progress. The trainer you're working with seems to be a good match for Murphy. Do you feel that your skills as a handler have improved under their tutelage? Do you see tangible, positive outcomes (however small) regarding Murphy's behavior? You've put in so much time, energy and money to this point... Prior to the incident with your dad, what kinds of accommodations were you willing to make re: your lifestyle/pastimes having Murphy in your life? i.e. muzzle in public, not being around other dogs, etc.

If I may ask, what's your dad's take on getting bitten?

 

It's funny you should ask, this whole time I've been saying baby steps. That's how it's been with Murphy. If I take him out and we can pass 6 out of 30 people and he doesn't lunge, I consider it progress. He does incredible in group training, most of the time it's with over 30 people. He's been muzzled outside since I got him. Which, I am 100% an advocate for. The muzzle gives a dog like Murphy a life he wouldn't necessarily have. In regards to my father, well, he grabbed my shoulders after he got out of the hospital and told me to not give up on this dog. Which, I don't want to but can this ever be amended? Will he always be like this? That's where I'm torn. The money, I could have spent over 10K if it meant that another dog deemed aggressive wasn't euthanased because of poor training.

 

I doubt it's training. It's a temperament issue. Don't look for triggers or reasons or excuses X and Y is why he behaves this way. You need a better trainer. Someone to give you the tools to train him to the best he can be, and the management tips to keep everyone safe.

How much exercise does he get each day, training? What is your daily routine?

 

We run 3 to 4 miles everyday, plus mental training which is SAR, we work on his prey drive. On top of his agility training which we do every night at the railroad tracks by my house. Trust me, I work this dog. His diet is exceptional. These trainers have been amazing. I did reach out to a veterinarian who specializes in Psychological issues with dogs, which I'm waiting on a call back for.

 

I have consulted on 3 dogs very similar to this. All male GSD x Mal. All "very good dogs" with the exception of occasionally tearing people up. Very smart, good at everything, easily trained in any venue. All 3 were put down after years of continual training and baby steps in the right direction, management and professional training. One owner will never have proper use of her dominant hand again. Another owner lost a family pet to the dog. The third, luckily, only needed a bunch of stitches.

If this dog was on the street under constant control, it would be one thing, but as a family dog, he's a continual liability.

I may be wrong. I haven't seen the dog.

 

I have consulted on 3 dogs very similar to this. All male GSD x Mal. All "very good dogs" with the exception of occasionally tearing people up. Very smart, good at everything, easily trained in any venue. All 3 were put down after years of continual training and baby steps in the right direction, management and professional training. One owner will never have proper use of her dominant hand again. Another owner lost a family pet to the dog. The third, luckily, only needed a bunch of stitches.

If this dog was on the street under constant control, it would be one thing, but as a family dog, he's a continual liability.

I may be wrong. I haven't seen the dog.

This is probably the most realistic assessment of the situation over the internet. This person commitment to the dog is admirable, but at the end of the day, could be costly with collateral damage. I'm the complete opposite. There are plenty of dogs out there that need homes that don't present with issues...maybe I'm a quitter...but I don't need to get hurt or end up losing my house due to a legitimate law suit if my dog hurts the wrong person.

OP, good luck with the dog. Hope the negative assessments are wrong for your sake.

 

That's really interesting, David. Do you think it's the breed mix- or just the breed type(s) and possibly poor breeding decisions that leads to this? Did they share genetics at all?

If the dog is unpredictable or just goes after a known person at random- I wonder if there's some genetic issue in the mix possibly? Would a police dept even want this- you wouldn't want a dog on a real deployment turning on the handler?

OP- I'm really sorry. This is a tough situation and so hard to make a judgement on without seeing the dog.

 

That's really interesting, David. Do you think it's the breed mix- or just the breed type(s) and possibly poor breeding decisions that leads to this? Did they share genetics at all?

If the dog is unpredictable or just goes after a known person at random- I wonder if there's some genetic issue in the mix possibly? Would a police dept even want this- you wouldn't want a dog on a real deployment turning on the handler?

OP- I'm really sorry. This is a tough situation and so hard to make a judgement on without seeing the dog.

If you know you have a potentially handler aggressive dog, you can work around that with an experienced trainer and handler. The only time this dog would be off leash is during bite work or an actual deployment. No family time. It's an entirely different environment than even the most carefully managed pet.

 

Sadly, I've heard quite a few stories of malX like this who had serious aggression issues to known people. It comes with the territory of breeding dogs for police and bite work, if the breeding isn't done carefully or the placements aren't done properly.

Genetics aren't perfect- breeding isn't either, but that's where I am as a (occasional) breeder. I waited five years to breed because I was researching breedings, importing and raising pups, and looking through pedigrees selecting for the type of working dog I strive to produce. I select breeding pairs that are social with people and dogs and not handler aggressive. They produce and are out of lines that do police, KNPV, IPO (IGP), PSA, mondio, and Belgian ring, but can also live in the house and visit schools for demos with no liability. Working they are on, not working, they don't see threats everywhere...

Perhaps there is a place for dogs with this type of aggression, and certainly they can and do happen even with the best breedings and intentions.... but there aren't a whole lot of people or departments with the skills to safely manage this dog, and tracking, agility, protection, etc can all be done at top-levels by dogs that aren't handler aggressive and are socially safe...from what I've seen.

OP- again, none of the genetics or breeding decisions that went into the dog are your choice or fault. I think you simply need to decide if you are up to the challenge of keeping the dog, or if you are going to go all in to find him an appropriate placement- if that is an option.