Chewy, I need elp on the most important decision ever

[Sudilar]

Mugsy, you are such an angel and Mike, too.

Originally posted by micki76
he still deserves a chance. He may be a totally differnet dog with them. Dogs can adapt and change their personality with different people.
An extremely confident and strong hand may be what he needs.

This is true. Some dogs need a strong hand. I have seen it. There are some dogs that even I would not be able to control, however, another person (such as my husband) would have no problem.

Give Chewy a chance.

[Corinna]

Ash, I know you want the best for chewy. So I say this as to try to help him. Have you thought about giving him to the miltary or police for and working dog? They need dogs that have an independant streak and can be thinking of there self protection. Its a jobyou could be proud of him doing and you know they take very good care of them.Now is the time they are really training for homeland protection and such. Or how about you local police dept. do they have a k-9 unit ? I have had them help me with an aggeresive dog be fore . They have great techniques and want to help be for they get a call about bites or maulings. Give it a try for Chewys sake.

[aly]

This is no offense to Molly and Mike whatsoever, I love them, but I see where Ash is coming from. I don't think I would send my possibly aggressive dog to someone I only knew from a message board because of several reasons. She knows her dog better and if she feels he would not fit into a home with several other dogs, we should respect that. I know Lolly would absolutely be miserable with any more than 2 other dogs in her home.

What I WOULD do however is what Sue said about an AGGRESSION SPECIALIST. If someone who specializes in aggression told me to put my dog down, I'd feel more at peace with the decision than if a regular trainer told me. I had thought that Ash did seek help from an aggression specialist but I can't remember. I have a migraine and I'm confused.

[lovemyshiba]

I did send Ash the names and numbers of a few trainers and specialists in my area (she lives about an hour from here)--I can't find their cards right now , but I know she is going to call them. I'm going to call my vet tomorrow also, and see if she knows of anyone that I didn't already know of.

Another thing, I know we all will do everything we can for our dogs, and we love them all to death. There may not be an agression specialist in her area, and it may be far for her to travel, and a lot of money. I know that's not an excuse to everyone, but sometimes it is not an option for some people.
Ash, I'm not saying that isn't an option for you, I'm just saying--I don't really know what!!

[mugsy]

Aly, I've already said it didn't matter. If he bites either one of us, I wouldn't tell anyone anyway, so what difference does it make? I just don't want the dog killed. I'm just frustrated that we've made the offer and it doesn't seem to matter.

[micki76]

Originally posted by mugsy
I'm just frustrated that we've made the offer and it doesn't seem to matter.

I know. I don't understand.

[micki76]

Originally posted by lovemyshiba
There may not be an agression specialist in her area, and it may be far for her to travel, and a lot of money. I know that's not an excuse to everyone, but sometimes it is not an option for some people.

Mike and Molly have even offered to go get Chewy.

[Twisterdog]

Give him to a shelter, a rescue organization, a farm, another home, but do NOT kill him.

I'm sorry, but this is an incredibly naive and dangerous thing to say. The absolutely worse thing a person with an aggressive dog can do is to dump the problem on someone else.

An aggressive dog will be the first to be euthanized at a shelter. Even Best Friends will not take dog-aggressive dogs. Shelters have a limited amount of space, time and funding. They must take the most adoptable dogs, and the rest are euthanized. If the dog needs to be euthanized, it should be done by its owners, in a loving, safe environment - not done at a frightening, loud shelter by strangers. People dumping their problem dogs at shelters is one of the reasons the euthansia rate is so high. It's wrong, and it's an incredible cop-out, and I'm so very glad to see Ash is mature and responsible enough not to be considering this very bad option.

It is my understanding that Chewy is not a purebred dog, and therefore a rescue organization if probably not going to take him. Most rescues (not all, but most) specialize in purebred dogs.

Giving an aggressive dog to a farm or another home is simply ridiculous. Chewy already has a good home, with lots of love and attention. The home is not the problem, the dog is. What difference does it make if it's a farm or not? A farmer is not going to want to be bitten by a dog any more than someone in a city is. And the first time the dog goes after livestock it's going to get a bullet in the head, I promise you.

My personal opinion is that Ash is fully aware of all the options that she has. Everyone has given her good advice and listed a lot of choices. However, we all need to keep in mind that Chewy is her dog, and she is the one who knows him best, loves him, and has to live with him and deal with his behavior and the consequences of that behavior. It is not up to us to judge or criticize her for the choice that she makes. We are not the ones walking miles in her shoes.

[Jessica12345]

Originally posted by Aspen and Misty
As I have said before in this thread I don't want to give Chewy to Mike or Molly because if they got bit by your dog how would you feel? I can't even imagine the guilt I would have if Chewy grabed one of there none furry dogs by the neck and threw it around the room like he did to Teddy. They have to many dogs and Chewy would not be happy. He has to be the alfa dog and he can't with 20 other large dogs.
Ash

poor teddy!
im so sorry

im also bringing this back up because everyone is still offering to take him, and im not sure if they saw this. i really ddont want any dogs to get hurt or put down, but i can understand why you are doing this.

But i can also understand why people dont want you too put him down.

is teddy ok?

poor chewy

[mugsy]

I've seen it

[lovemyshiba]

Ash, it is YOUR decision, but I found 2 more specialists in the state, who may be able to help:
Cranberry Townshib:
Lap Wolf Dog Training--owner Heather Houlahan
[email protected]
742-772-7837

and in Port Matilda (10 minutes from here)
Bell Hollow Dog Training Center
[email protected]
814-692-7241

I know these both say they are training centers, but both said they will take aggressive dogs--it could be worth an email.

[lizbud]

Ashley,

This is not the first time you've had to give up a dog is it?
Maybe you are not the trainer you think you are, maybe Chewy
would do better with different people & consistant training
methods. Give Mugsy & Mike a chance with him please.With so
many dogs having health problems that they fight to find a
cure for; to put a dog to death for behaviour problems that
could be corrected, seems pretty drastic.Show how much you
do love Chewy by giving him this chance. Just my opinion.

[mugsy]

here's a quote from a behaviorist that I found online...

"If your dog is aggressive, and has bitten or you think he/she might bite, please see a trainer or behaviorist. A behaviorist is one who specializes in training beyond basic manners. Again, be very frank with this person. Many, many, most, ALMOST all dogs can be helped with proper training. The hardest part is actually training the humans."

[Aspen and Misty]

Originally posted by lizbud
Ashley,
This is not the first time you've had to give up a dog is it?
Maybe you are not the trainer you think you are, maybe Chewy
would do better with different people & consistant training
methods. Give Mugsy & Mike a chance with him please.With so
many dogs having health problems that they fight to find a
cure for; to put a dog to death for behaviour problems that
could be corrected, seems pretty drastic.Show how much you
do love Chewy by giving him this chance. Just my opinion.

Nope I have never in my life givin up a dog thank you very much. And I have trained Chewy well, you don't know him and will everyone please stop attacking me god. Sorry I've been to busy to replay latly but I see I have turned out to be the most horrible person on the earth acording to ya'll. Yup thats right I'm a cold heartless bitch who kills dogs for no reson, thanx guys, really.

I'm going to make this large so you all can read it this time
I am calling a behaviorist tomrrow. I will see what they say!! Now that I hope ya'll have read that.

Thank you Emily I will add them to the list your so helpful. I don't expect you all to agree with me, and I knew you guys would do this which is fine, I know I would if I were in Ya'lls situation. Really, Some of ya'll just showin how much you love Chewy, and I want to thank you for it. I do take EXELLENT care of Chewy so stop saying I don't as if I'm correct some of you said I dont' take good care of him. I train Chewy EVERYDAY. I got rid of his old agressive problems and now he has new ones. No matter what he is going to be agressive. He will fidn somethign new to be agressive about. But as I said, I have not giving up on him and if there is hope I will take it.

Ash

[Aspen and Misty]

ps: I think my trainer is crazy seriously though