For those who didn't here's the deal...
We have an 80lb Lab, a 40lb Jack Russel/Beagle mix, and a 16 week old 25lb Great Pyraneese/Pit/Boxer mix.
The Lab has last attacked the Jack Russel. She had a pretty deep gash to the side of her face. She's fine, the vet cleaned it, no stitches since it was a rigid laceration.
This isn't the first time. She's also attacked the puppy twice.
She has EXTREME food aggression, too.
Her temper has been getting worse and worse these last 2 weeks and after this last attack, we decided to give her the benefit of the doubt one last shot because something may be physically wrong with her or sick.
We took her to the vet. The vet couldn't find anything wrong with her. We dropped a lot of money for extensive testing, blood work, etc.
The vet wasn't even optomistic (sp?) but gave us a number to a really good animal behaviorist.
He came out and evaluated her for hours, attempted to work with her and he even said basically, she's a lost cause. We got the results of the tests today and everything came back normal.
Now we are at a crossroad. The vet is worried bc I have a 4yo DS and just her size alone could overpower him. She said she's worried about the increased progression of her aggression and we have to get her away from my DS.
I HATE this. She bit my mom today, too.
I don't want to give her up, we're not those type to get a dog and first sign of trouble, bam they're gone. I don't want to put her down.
If we rehome her, it'll have to be a kid and animal free home.
Even worse, if we get rid of her, we can pretty much say good-bye to my dad :(
He isn't in good health and she is his life. We're already getting his affairs in order as it is bc his COPD and lungs are deteriorating quickly bc he won't stop smoking. We don't think he'll make it to the end of the year so taking Sadie is going to make it sooner :(
It's a double edged sword and I hate it!
Sadie can change. Do not give up on Sadie. Where are you located?
Did your vet or behaviorist talk to you about behavioral medications? I would also try to get a second opinion from both another vet and behaviorist. It is odd to me that a behaviorist would say the dog is a lost cause. Another consideration is that there mat be something nuerological going on. It may be something you can solve but at least you would have answers to why this behavior is happening. I had a dog who had a brain tumor and those types of things can have a huge impact on behavior. Good luck, I hope you find peace with whatever choice you make. I'm sure this is difficult.
Curious...what kind of trianing have any of your dogs had, and how old is Sadie?
Sadie is four years old.
Quoting marshsmom:Curious...what kind of trianing have any of your dogs had, and how old is Sadie?
Quoting Caitlin10081989:Sadie can change. Do not give up on Sadie. Where are you located?
Am I wrong for not giving a F**** that hes dying?
- BeAmour
on Jul. 12, 2012 at 12:13 PM