Seriously.
Posted on 01/08/2005 5:49:18 PM PST by WHATNEXT?
My beautiful German Shepherd has become more agressive lately and the time to decide his future is upon us before something happens to us or someone else.
We got him from a breeder of Schuntzhund shepherds. We took him to some training until we decided he was to inclined to be aggressive and that Schuntzhund training was not what he needed. His breeder even told us she knew he would bite (saw it in him as a puppy -- but big money made her not mention it to us apparently--that was the last time we took him to Schuntzhund -- at least 8-9 months ago). We struggled with discipline and attempting to make sure he knew who the boss was.
We decided to neuter him in the slight hope that his aggression would modify. This took away any value of him in field trials or obviously breeding. We had not purchased him to train as a champion, only for a sense of security in a rural setting and after mourning our previous Shepherd for over 2 years, to seek another wonderful Shepherd.
Over the holidays we had company staying in our home that he growled at (he knew them), he growled at both my husband and myself, and he did slightly break my husband's skin on his arm. This morning I leaned over to pet his head and he growled, I strongly reprimanded him, he continued to growl, I demanded that he get out the front door, which he did but growling all the way. He has spent the day outside. He has always growled over his food (we swore we would never tolerate that behavior). We don't think we could ever trust himk with our little grandchildren
So, we have hit the end of our road with him. He is only 19 months old, beautiful, very intelligent and has does have many pleasing personality traits. Our choices: Shepherd rescue group (we will try but most needing rescue are under different circumstances), dog pound, training (we have tried and I'm no soft touch) or euthansia.
This is so depressing.
some dogs, unfortunately, are just wired that way.
A buddy of mine has a Sheperd and hasnt had any of the issues like that yet.
I have had a Husky, a Collie, a mutt, a Newfie and now another Huskie and the only one I have been bitten in anger by was the mutt....
Seriously.
Honestly take the dog to the vet and make sure he does not have some type of illiness like "panosteitis" or something else bothering him.
Read down ths page under Illnesses, Injuries, Genetic Abnormalities (not all dogs will whimper in pain if they are not feeling well.)
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1737&S=1&SourceID=47
When he was a pup he chewed through a lamp electrical cord. We took him to the only 24 hour vet hospital. After a few hours they said he was fine, he had had none of the problems that can come from electrical shock.
Who knows, maybe?
A responsible breeder would have included a contract in the sale, which requires you to return the dog to her if you have to give up the dog for any reason. A responsible breeder would not want any of her dogs to end up in a shelter or a rescue group. This is a standard clause in such contracts. Take the dog back to the breeder.
well I Dont know....
Duke, the Newfie, has chewed through a lot of things electrical in nature but doesnt do that either...
I think its just the dog's personality....and that sucks too...Shepards can be great dogs
I read your link - thanks. Because his behavior has always been a problem - I'm inclined to not think it is a new physical problem. The vet checked his hips and he is fine. But, it could be an evaluation step.
I'm printing the link off for reference.
Check his paw for thorns.
..
I'll check the contract. If there is a way out she will probably take it.
ping
Maybe there's a farmer you can give him to. He clearly should not be around children.
It's a real pity that you have to make this decision. But, for your own peace of mind, I'd get rid of the dog.
Would you ever trust the dog around children?
I'm guessing you wouldn't. And if he hurt one of your grandchildren, you'd never forgive yourself.
Yes, our previous shepherd was wonderful. Didn't meet many of the standards (was registered) but what a charmer. People that were afraid of shepherds would eventually approach him because of his floppy ears, in spite of his 110 lbs.
Sadly, I think you may be right. This has spoiled it for us and shepherds. It also shows spending big bucks for a dog doesn't mean a thing. Lesson learned.
I know, I know. What grief.
Do the dog, yourself and anyone who might come in contact with him a favor and have him put down.
I had a beautiful German Shepherd, male but neutered who thought the sun rose and set with me. He was 120lbs and one day had a seizure. I saw him leaning against the house with his eyes looking sort of glazed and slapped my leg while saying, Bear, heel. He knocked me down and went for my throat and face and only didn't seriously injure me because I put my hand down his throat. All the time, calling his name. Suddenly it was over and he was frantic because I was hurt.
It took only seconds but in those seconds he could have killed someone, would have killed a child. After the attack, he was gentle as a lamb again, but I had no choice but to have him put down. Rescue or a pound would have put other people at risk, and I couldn't bear the thought of him being abused.
OMG..that sounds like an utterly horrible and frightening experience.
And I'm sure putting down and old friend, couldn't have been a cake walk. But I completely understandable.
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