Dog's sudden aggression

Chico, I know this was a hard decision for you but it was the right one. It's amazing that the perfect couple came along right when you needed them. It was meant to be! ;)

Happy to hear you have found a happy solution for both your family and your dog in question! Sounds like you have a very caring and understanding vet.
Welcome and hope you enjoy it here.

Chico - Bravo for you - I know this must have been very difficult, but this decision is bound to ease your mind and I think is certainly best for the dog. Sounds like you've found a marvelous home and both parties will surely benefit from this unselfish decision you've made. Congratulations :) :)

Chico, I think you have made the right decision for all of you. It is so hard to let go, but knowing the dog will have a nice home with people who do not have children should give you peace of mind. I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but what about if you think of getting another dog bringing the one you have with you to see how they get along for starters. We have a Schnauzer who is somewhat aggressive towards children and since we don't have small kids it is no problem for us and we are careful with him.
Jackie

Chico, I'm sorry it had to come to this, but I too think you made the right decision. I'm glad my experience with Opus helped you. :)

Hopefully, you'll get to keep tabs on how he's doing. :)

Chico I am so sorry that you had to make this difficult decision, but I think very highly of a person who can make a hard decision to help someone out, even if it will hurt themselves.

Hello, Everyone at Pet Talk. Just to bring this to a conclusion, my "aggressive dog" has met with his new owners a time or two and seems to be o.k. with them for now. He will be making a few weekend trips to their home before moving there permanently next month. I hope that this is the right decision -- it feels like it's the right one, but I also can't help feeling that I have given up on this dog too soon and too quickly. As I stated before, I've had him since he was a pup that could fit into my coat pocket. Any ideas on how to overcome the guilt and the emptiness I am feeling inside? Thank you all for your advice. I don't know what I would have done without this site to assist me through a very difficult time.

I can certainly understand how you feel Chico, but please don't feel guilty - you're doing the right thing by making this casual adjustment with your dog and you seem to feel confident in the new owners in making a wonderful home for your baby. I know it will take time for the emptiness to subside, but you are making the right decision. The child really has to come first - you just cannot take a chance on him being bitten and then in turn would probably make him afraid of dogs for the rest of his life. You're a good person, believe that!!!!

It sounds to me like you have provided this dog with an excellent life so far and you are now seeing to his future. It's a shame it won't be with you, but it is better for both of you. He will get plenty of attention and you will have peace of mind. You may feel guilty now, but how guilty would you feel if after 5 peaceful years he snapped again and injured your child?

There are plenty of submissive type dogs in shelters who need homes too, like your other dog. My mother always chose females of passive breeds, and that's the type I have now.

I think more people who own dogs should be like you, then maybe there wouldn't be such a homeless dog problem. Don't feel guilty for a second, you've done a good thing!

[ November 19, 2001: Message edited by: sabies ]

Firstly let me say that you have done a truly superb job both as a parent and as a dog owner. Few have the understanding that such a problem is potentially life threatening - those that do often react on an emotional level that they regret later on. You have thought carefully and lovingly and secured a safe future for your dog in an environment that will care and love him.

To help with any guilt issues you have....imagine if you decided to give the dog some more time. Imagine that you are with your son and dogs in the kitchen (or any other room) and something happens. A car accident outside, a small fire in the kitchen, a water pipe bursts - anything that takes your attention suddenly and needs you to react instantly. You rush to deal with the incident and the next thing you know is your son screaming. This time there is no other choice than to put the dog to sleep and you have to look at your child every day knowing that you could of prevented his injuries. Now imagine trying to live with guilt.

Again you have shown heart, courage and compassion and should really be feeling very proud of yourself. I am so impressed at the way you have handled a very difficult situation and you need to sit down and think of the alternatives. You have done the best for your son and your dog and could do no more. Well done.

Hello Everyone at Pet Talk. I just wanted to update you on "my" aggressive dog. He is adjusting very well to his new place. So well, in fact, that his new owners believe he is ready to stay with them permanently. My plan was to take him a few times, first. My other dog, the female, has started to come out of her shell, so to speak. She has begun to play and tease and "frolic" and wag her tail out of joy (rather than fear) more and more now that she is the only four-legger in the back yard (besides my 13-year-old cat). Apparently the other dog had completely domianted her -- a dynamic I was unaware of, until now. My son is missing the male dog, I think, but I am now certain that I have made the right decision for everyone involved, including the animals. When I hear how happy the other dog seems to be and when I look at my sweet "puppy-girl" playing and chasing squirrels in the yard and especially when I look at my son, I know that my feelings of guilt are quite misplaced and maybe even selfish. Again, thank you everyone for your help and support. To those of you who are new to this site, it's absolutely the best ;) Happy holidays to everyone and keep your tails wagging!