[zoo]

We rescued a dog off craigslist almost a year ago. He has always been a little stranger shy but no aggression at all. We got him at 7wks old, he was around kids, other dogs, cats, people, etc. He is almost 1 now. We just moved a couple months ago and he was so happy because we have a nice size back yard. So I think it was a good move for him. In the last 2 weeks he has shown aggression towards 'strangers', 'visitors', etc. He has now started trying to attack them. We have been trying to rehome him and in the meantime have been keeping him put up when anyone is around. In the last few days he has started attacking my children, my cat......we have got to get rid of him quick because his aggression seems to be getting worse by the second. He never had issues with our family but out of nowhere he tried to attack my daughter last night. When I say attack I mean growl and literally leap towards to try and bite. Luckily we were close enough to keep him from biting. I dont even know if he is rehomeable....at this point I do not trust him.

He is just at a year and has NOT been fixed. We had planned on doing it but financial things continue to come up. He should be current on shots until June. When we rescued him we were told he was lab/husky mix but he looks like a pit.

Im not even sure what to do. Im scared to rehome him because at this point im not sure how he will do. I cant keep him as he is literally trying to attack the kids and any company that comes by. He doesnt jump our fence but Im worried if anyone comes near our fence and leans in he would bite them.

any advice/suggestions?

[lowrider]

Well, you're probably gonna have a bunch of folks come on here and tell you how to train him, take him to classes, re-hab him, etc. etc.

I would get rid of him ASAP. I refuse to have anything agressive, especially a dog that could harm my children.

Take him to the pound. And I'm gonna get hounded for that remark as well.

[zoo]

lol I know I will hear it about not being fixed, training, etc but had we known when we saved his life that my husband was going to lose his second job we wouldnt have taken him. As far as the training I literally cant let him near anyone so I cant keep him long enough to train him....im with you he has got to go asap. To be honest im nervous with him here right now but have no clue what to do. The shelter is closed. I dont know anyone who is willing to take on an aggressive dog....Im just praying between now and solution time he doesnt bite anyone

[Georgiahorse]

If he is being that aggressive I would not rehome him ,and make him someone elses problem. He is going to need someone that knows the breed ,and can work out his problems. Is he being crated at times?

This post has been edited by Georgiahorse: 02 May 2012 - 09:01 AM

[Shananigans]

I'm with Lowrider; take him to AC tomorrow morning and make sure they know he's aggressive and is trying to attack your kids.

[zoo]

I dont know that rehoming is an option. My husband thinks he would do fine with an adult, no kids' but I dont necessarily agree. To be honest Im not sure how he would react to another adult coming near him. He never had an issue before but in the last few weeks he has been stranger shy. I would never make him someone elses problem without them 100% aware of his situation. No crate...last night we put him in our bathroom to keep him isolated. Typically he just ran around our house/yard with the other dog and kids but obviously that isnt an option.

[SusieQ404]

I have a lab/husky mix. He's 6 years old and I adopted him from the shelter when he was only a couple of months old. He is not aggressive with people. We did have a period of time when he was snapping at us and would growl when we came near him. Because it was not normal behavior for him, I took him to the vet and sure enough, something was physically wrong with him. After treatment, his pain went away and he was back to his normal self and we haven't had any more problems. If your dog is not acting like he usually does and the change was sudden instead of gradual, it may be worth taking it to the vet for a check-up. Animals can be very good at hiding their pain and not let you know when something is wrong with them.

This post has been edited by SusieQ404: 02 May 2012 - 09:16 AM

[KRM]

Zoo- I know I am gonna get yelled at, too. IMHO- he needs to be put down. If he is attacking other animals and , most importantly, humans.... he really needs to be put down. I know this makes you sad and it does me to even say this, but danger is danger.

[zoo]

He has been playing/eating/running/using the bathroom normal but I guess thats a possibility. Although his aggression itself wasnt sudden, he started acting different a few weeks ago. He just suddenly has changed who he is taking his aggression out on. At first it started with trying to attack/bite a neighbor who stopped by, barking/growling at strangers, then my daughters boyfriend and now my daughter.

I know KRM and thats what im leaning towards My husband seems to think if he had just the right placement he would be ok but im not sure what the right placement would be. He was fine with the kids now he isnt. He was fine with neighbors/strangers, now he isnt. He adores me and would do ok with me if I got rid of my family and neighbors but thats not an option...

[zoo]

if he were just barking or growling I would be the first to try and train, work with him, rehome him but the fact he is trying to bite makes me so nervous. I know he needs to be fixed and if I thought that was a solution id work on that but at this point I just think its his personality.

[raclay]

I have to agree with KRM, have him put down. Personally, I am a huge animal lover and will always seek out other solutions even so far as taking him to the vet to see if he has some medical issue going on. However, since finances are an issue for your family right now, euthanasia seems the most humane method. Back in 96 we had a Chow Chow that became aggressive out of nowhere and after trips to the vet for this condition and that condition, the vet finally explained to me over the phone what needed to be done. Finances were also an issue for us at the time. So it was done, but it was most definitely the right thing to do. He would have attacked my DS eventually, who was only 5 years old at the time. There simply aren't THAT many people out there who are willing AND capable of truly rehabbing an aggressive dog. Best of luck to you.

[GeorgiaTornado]

I don't care if people yell at me or get mad at me.... Put him down. I agree with KRM and Raclay

[pETIQUETTE]

Can I come see him? "Turning" aggressive is unusual. I'm betting there's something triggering this. There are twenty five causes of aggression. If I can evaluate him and categorize his aggression, then I can help you. The pound is full of dogs who start acting aggressive because of a simple environmental change that could be eliminated in five minutes. Call me at (678)398-9656.

[Blondiega1]

pETIQUETTE, on 02 May 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Can I come see him? "Turning" aggressive is unusual. I'm betting there's something triggering this. There are twenty five causes of aggression. If I can evaluate him and categorize his aggression, then I can help you. The pound is full of dogs who start acting aggressive because of a simple environmental change that could be eliminated in five minutes. Call me at (678)398-9656.

Every post you make reassures me that I'm leaving my girls with the right person come this July when we go on vacation.

Thank you for offering to help!

[zoo]

you are more than welcome to come meet him BUT even if in time his aggression can be corrected, I cant afford to give him that time at my home. I have young children....I cant risk them to see if training will help.

[Sbra96]

Georgiahorse, on 02 May 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

If he is being that aggressive I would not rehome him ,and make him someone elses problem. He is going to need someone that knows the breed ,and can work out his problems. Is he being crated at times?

I have lab/husky mixed and they aren`t aggressive at all.so dont think that is your problem.I would get him checked out at a vets. he might be hurting an sore. especially if this happened all of a sudden.

[zoo]

we were told lab/husky mix but when he got a little older it was more than apparent he is pit mix....I think thats what she meant by the breed

[LPPT]

zoo, on 02 May 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

we were told lab/husky mix but when he got a little older it was more than apparent he is pit mix....I think thats what she meant by the breed

My husband had a husky mix growing up, the dog was so territorial they had to put him down, he even tore the screen door down one day when a kid came up on the porch.
My guess is the yard has become his territory. He is not neutered and he may be smelling heat from other dogs and even coyotes up to a mile away, this drives male dogs almost insane.
I think you are being honest with yourself about your ability to keep others safe.
I would not be responsible for re homing an unpredictable dog to anyone.
Neutering at this late time might not fix the behavior.
Dogs do have different personalities, some are always edgy, some are mellow.

[dana]

Zoo, I would not have an aggressive dog around my family at all, especially my kids. That dog would be gone the first time he showed that kind of agression. You just can not take a chance with this dogs unpredictable behavior. If someone wants to come and get him to try to rehabilate it, that's great. If not, I'm sorry, but he needs to go to the pound. I know you have small ones and I would be very afraid for them. I'm coming from a place of good intentions, not judging at all.

[zoo]

That is my fear LPPT but he is acting more territorial inside I think. I just dont know. When the signs first started I thought I was recognizing the triggers and that was fear/strangers. Now those triggers have changed and it just seems anything at any given moment is the trigger. I agree with you Dana. I can not risk my children or anyone. I am talking to someone professional tomorrow but my biggest fear is I dont have time to 'correct' the problem. Ugh I just hate this. I appreciate everyones advice/opinions, thank you

[Just thinkin' hard]

Having grown up with a territorial dog - it would be my recommendation to have the vet evaluate him. If nothing is wrong with him (illness, injury, etc), then I would have him put down. I lived with a dog for 10 years that systematically got more and more aggressive and protective of my mother. I carry the scar of where he "aggressively said no" as put by the vet. At the end of his life, he attacked my dad by leaping almost 15ft and knocking my dad's glasses off his face. My mom had the dog quarintined and put down 10 days later. This is a dog that we raised from 6 weeks old. The only man that he willingly let into their house (including my dad) was my husband. Never figured that one out. If my mom wasn't around, he was a great dog - loved my dad - they went to work and canoeing together all the time. But, if my mom was around - he was down right vicious towards the end.

[gog8tors]

Zoo this is going to come across as very snarky.
But, why did you post this? Are you wanting someone to tell you, you have made the right decision? I feel really sad for the dog. Truthfully if I had the room I would rescue him, and try to work with him. Alas I already have 5 dogs, and all but 1 has/had behavioral or health issues. At this point in the poor dogs short life it will probably be more humane to put him to sleep.

[LPPT]

Just thinkin, on 02 May 2012 - 03:04 PM, said:

Having grown up with a territorial dog - it would be my recommendation to have the vet evaluate him. If nothing is wrong with him (illness, injury, etc), then I would have him put down. I lived with a dog for 10 years that systematically got more and more aggressive and protective of my mother. I carry the scar of where he "aggressively said no" as put by the vet. At the end of his life, he attacked my dad by leaping almost 15ft and knocking my dad's glasses off his face. My mom had the dog quarintined and put down 10 days later. This is a dog that we raised from 6 weeks old. The only man that he willingly let into their house (including my dad) was my husband. Never figured that one out. If my mom wasn't around, he was a great dog - loved my dad - they went to work and canoeing together all the time. But, if my mom was around - he was down right vicious towards the end.

I had a dog that got like this as he aged and it was totally my fault for not neutering him. I had a neighbor that had to do the same, even when I told him numerous times that he needed to get him neutered or he would end up putting him down for aggressiveness, he attacked his elderly father and then one night when he had to make the dog get off the bed, he had to cover his head to protect himself, the dog was out of it in a rage.

[zoo]

gog8tors....I dont need anyones approval or to tell me anything, was just looking for advice/opinions. Sometimes others who arent so close to the situation can see something that those personally involved cant. There has been some suggestions made that I didnt even consider so my post accomplished everything it was meant to

Thank you everyone for your posts

[LPPT]

gog8tors, on 02 May 2012 - 03:55 PM, said:

Zoo this is going to come across as very snarky.
But, why did you post this? Are you wanting someone to tell you, you have made the right decision? I feel really sad for the dog. Truthfully if I had the room I would rescue him, and try to work with him. Alas I already have 5 dogs, and all but 1 has/had behavioral or health issues. At this point in the poor dogs short life it will probably be more humane to put him to sleep.

I think she just wants validation for her situation, having kids changes the picture about what she can do.
I have full sympathy for her, it was not long ago I rehomed a pit mix that I thought was a bulldog, my ignorance of what breeds look like played a part, but there was no way I was going to risk my little chi's being maimed because this dog had such a hard bite at six weeks I had to slap it hard 3 times to get it to let go of the skin on my neck. I rehomed it with a wonderful p.commer with pit mixes.
I doubt she will find someone to rehome an adult pit bull mix with aggressive tendencies, 6 months ago yes but not now.

If you required that people that adopt have perfect training skills, then a lot more would be put down.

You know that I am a rescuer of small breeds that people want to throw away, so I know how you feel but you can't save them all, Zoo is being honest about her situation. Maybe someone will step in and save it at the last minute, who knows.

[gog8tors]

LPPT, on 02 May 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

I think she just wants validation for her situation, having kids changes the picture about what she can do.
I have full sympathy for her, it was not long ago I rehomed a pit mix that I thought was a bulldog, my ignorance of what breeds look like played a part, but there was no way I was going to risk my little chi's being maimed because this dog had such a hard bite at six weeks I had to slap it hard 3 times to get it to let go of the skin on my neck. I rehomed it with a wonderful p.commer with pit mixes.
I doubt she will find someone to rehome an adult pit bull mix with aggressive tendencies, 6 months ago yes but not now.

If you required that people that adopt have perfect training skills, then a lot more would be put down.

You know that I am a rescuer of small breeds that people want to throw away, so I know how you feel but you can't save them all, Zoo is being honest about her situation. Maybe someone will step in and save it at the last minute, who knows.

That's what I said. Hence the "this is going to come across snarky" beginning to my post. I also have rescued many dogs as well as cats. Most of the time just so they have dignity to their end of life time.

She was given some very good suggestions, all of which she dismissed. I feel she has already made up her mind, and therefore was just looking for validation.

[Gone]

I had a couple dogs growing up that wanted to show their dominance over me,one of the dogs was a rottweiler.At the very first sign of aggression,these dogs hit the ground hard....I mean,picked up and body slammed.
BUT....if one of my dogs ever acted out against a kid,it gets a bullet fast.

[Johnny Jacobs]

zoo, my brother had a pit mix puppy when he lived at home with our mother. As he grew, you could not ask for a sweeter, more obedient dog. But one day the dog went after my mother. Needless to say, the dog then turned on everyone and was put down.

[Just thinkin' hard]

LPPT said:

1335994074[/url]' post='3631762']
I had a dog that got like this as he aged and it was totally my fault for not neutering him. I had a neighbor that had to do the same, even when I told him numerous times that he needed to get him neutered or he would end up putting him down for aggressiveness, he attacked his elderly father and then one night when he had to make the dog get off the bed, he had to cover his head to protect himself, the dog was out of it in a rage.

Our dog was neutered as soon as he was old enough. He just didn't like men and was very protective of my mom. We didnt know when we got him that chessie bay retrievers could have an aggressive streak.

[zoo]

Just curious how you figure I dismissed all things? So easy to judge for some... I will say without a doubt my childrens well being and safety will be first. Second, if putting our dog down is whats best I assure you he will have dignity. He has been well taken care of, well loved and been treated like one of the family.

I am exhausting every suggestion given but not at the expense of my children. If that causes some to judge, so be it. For now there are some suggestions that were given on this thread that I didnt even consider and will be checking into.


Thank you so very much for the advice, comments, personal stories, etc it is appreciated.

[jmd]

Maybe invest in a muzzle so that you don't have to worry about him biting anyone. At least he can't bite anyone then while you make a decision or work on things.

[zoo]

I thought about that JMD...I dont know anything about muzzles but its worth checking in to

[lowrider]

I can understand your needing ideas and opinions. And I think you have taken them all into consideration, so don't feel guilty about anything you have to do.

I can assure you for myself, that dog would not be on my property longer than necessary. I would not live in fear of an animal or put my children in harms way.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[zoo]

thank you lowrider Ive never been afraid of bear until now. It has been a very difficult 24 hours. Ive been giving him outside time while the kids are in and then doing a swap and putting the kids out while he is in

[rockysmom]

I'm sorry Zoo, I'm sure when you got him you didn't have this sort of thing in mind.

If it was me there is no way I would have a dog like that around my house or my family.

It just too bad some dogs are hard wired like that and I'm sorry it has worked out like it has. Can't be any fun at all.

[raclay]

I had another thought, Husky's and mixes of Husky can develop an eye disorder called Entropion. Does this dog have long(ish) fur, constant tearing of one or both eyes? This in itself can cause aggression issues as the eyelids roll inward and the lashes will constantly rub on the eyeball creating the feeling of always having sand in the eye. Just wondering.

[zoo]

He has a pit bull looking face/short hair on his head. His body has husky/shepard like fur. I didnt even consider the in pain factor. Im going to spend some time with him tonight once all the kids are sleeping, other pets situated and see if I can figure out if anything seems to hurt to the touch or seem off.

[Just thinkin' hard]

Zoo - invest the money in a vet visit. They are a wealth of information. I'm still not sure that he's a long term keeper. But, I would hate to put him down if there's something physically wrong with him. Please don't let him possibly being a pit change your opinion of him. While that label has been earned by the breed, each individual dog is different. To me, the clue is the sudden change in behavior. I'm not sure this is the right dog for your family. But, I also think he needs a decent chance. Usually - sudden changes are something biological.

[zoo]

I agree completely! I didnt even consider the 'pain' factor. My husband gets paid friday so we are going to try and get him to the vet. I wont lie, when I started realizing he had pit in him it did make me nervous but that was the first few months....obviously at this point the pit hasnt completely steered my thinking because we have known that for a while. It did make me wonder if some of this behavior was attributed to the breed but I will admit im not real familiar with the breed other than the horror stories I hear. My husband always says when you get a 'mut' you kind of lose those traits so although my mind sometimes thinks 'pit' I try not to worry about that.

Although gog8tors feels ive dismissed every suggestion, we have actually checked into everything you have all suggested. I will try to keep you posted about any solutions. Im with you and not sure he will be the right fit for a family with so many kids but we are going to exhaust everything before we come to that conclusion.

[zoo]

pETIQUETTE, on 02 May 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Can I come see him? "Turning" aggressive is unusual. I'm betting there's something triggering this. There are twenty five causes of aggression. If I can evaluate him and categorize his aggression, then I can help you. The pound is full of dogs who start acting aggressive because of a simple environmental change that could be eliminated in five minutes. Call me at (678)398-9656.

It was so nice meeting with you today and I already feel so much better about this. You are so knowledgeable and have already taught us so much. We have no doubt that you are the right person for this situation and bear! We look forward to working with you.