Tracey, I understand what you are going through. you know whats best for your baby. don't give up on rescues. not all of them have been abused as bad as Briscoe. sometimes we have to do what no one wants to do. I know with gracie she was not all upstairs if you know what I mean. she had so many problems that when she and mattie had the last fight and both were pretty mangled up I had to make a choice. and the choice was to save mattie. gracie was to far gone. that does not mean that I loved mattie more. cause I miss gracie everyday but I know she is at peace and no more demons for her. now she is at the bridge waitng for me one day.
BAD Behavior - PLEASE HELP!!
- Thread starter RoxieDog
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I am one who tends to the cautious side. I think I agree with your decision based on what you have told us. Unpredictability in a dog can be a scary thing.
I have to assume he is neutered. If not, I am guessing this would have a change on his personality.
When a dog is threatened or threatens children, then this can be of concern. Children are unpredictable themselves...many think all dogs love them. You will never know when he may encounter one.
As for other dogs, that is easy. He doesn't need to intermingle with other dogs. As for strangers, they can be avoided, but socialization can help.
Your story scared me a bit. I got a nine month female from another house. As she gets more accustomed to us, I hope she gets better not worse. SO far she has, but your story had me worried.
I have to assume he is neutered. If not, I am guessing this would have a change on his personality.
When a dog is threatened or threatens children, then this can be of concern. Children are unpredictable themselves...many think all dogs love them. You will never know when he may encounter one.
As for other dogs, that is easy. He doesn't need to intermingle with other dogs. As for strangers, they can be avoided, but socialization can help.
Your story scared me a bit. I got a nine month female from another house. As she gets more accustomed to us, I hope she gets better not worse. SO far she has, but your story had me worried.
RoxieDog
Boxer Pal
worried
I don't want to worry you, when I received him he was out of control and had never had love. He is so much better now, but the last 3 weeks have been like day and night. One minute he is fine and the next he is freaked. He was immediately introduced to my other boxer and I have friends and their dogs that were over frequently until the last few weeks. There is something different and I am not sure why.
He is cut. He was neutered when he was One. I really think the dog has been abused so bad that it has made something snap.
Enjoy your rescue, my Roxie is a doll. I can't say she has always been perfect by any means - after all she is a stubborn Boxer
Enjoy.
I don't want to worry you, when I received him he was out of control and had never had love. He is so much better now, but the last 3 weeks have been like day and night. One minute he is fine and the next he is freaked. He was immediately introduced to my other boxer and I have friends and their dogs that were over frequently until the last few weeks. There is something different and I am not sure why.
He is cut. He was neutered when he was One. I really think the dog has been abused so bad that it has made something snap.
Enjoy your rescue, my Roxie is a doll. I can't say she has always been perfect by any means - after all she is a stubborn Boxer
Enjoy.Our Mya was a rescue that had been previously neglected and abused (the owners ultimately abandoned her in an industrial park) and I must admit we had our doubts at first about whether we would be able to work through her behavioral/agression issues, but at least in her case, I am so glad we did - she proved to be one of the most obedient and loyal animal companions that we have had to date. Of course in our situation we knew what triggered it, and avoided exposing her to provacative situations (ie we never took her to the park, and always waited outside of the vet's office until her scheduled appt). I can truly empathize with your predicament, and only wish I had more helpful advice.
Here are two links that may be of some help. One lists telephone numbers where you can speak one on one with a behaviorist. http://www.ddfl.org/beh-help.htm
www.geocites.com/black_dog_farm?linkfree.html
Good luck ~ Cathy
Here are two links that may be of some help. One lists telephone numbers where you can speak one on one with a behaviorist. http://www.ddfl.org/beh-help.htm
www.geocites.com/black_dog_farm?linkfree.html
Good luck ~ Cathy
Sorry, edit button is not working. That should be www.geocites.com/black_dog_farm/linkfree.html
RoxieDog said:
I think we all understand your frustration and please understand that we are concerned for both you and the dog and are only trying to help. I assume you came to this site to discuss your situation in the hopes of finding options.
One thing that you mention is that his behavior has changed in the last three weeks - this causes me to think that possibly something medical is going on that is causing this defensive behavior. Maybe a source of pain somewhere. Have you considered getting a second opinion from another vet on a possible medical problem as being the underlying cause of his agressive behavior?? Has something in his environment changed? Thyroid conditions ( very common in boxers) can cause a change in behavior (more agressive) and are easily managed with medication. A simple blood test could answer the question. Did the first vet run any diagnostic tests on the dog - i.e. a full blood screen. Maybe hold off a bit and see if some tests may shed some light on his new behavior. Waiting another week or two isn't going make a difference or maybe it will.
If you do a search on this site (upper middle right) for "sudden aggression" there are a few threads that discuss the issue from both a medical problem to behavioral.
Here's one to start with:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33504&highlight=sudden+aggression
Here's one to start with:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33504&highlight=sudden+aggression
dy74
Boxer Booster
RoxieDog,
Just wanted to offer you emotional support! (Hugs). I don't have any direct experience with this, so won't be much help, but I did want to say that you seem to be doing everything you can for Briscoe. You are the only one in this situation and you are the only one who can decide what is best. Although it is easy enough to say that the dog should be saved at all costs, it is not that easy when the 'costs' could be your children, your other dog(s), your livelihood (if you were sued).
Some people think that they have their dogs completely under their control and therefore can circumvent any possibility, but I don't believe this is ever possible. We can't control any dog completely and accidents happen all the time... with a dog who is completely unpredictable, this is a loaded gun.
I think Trish's post about Gracie is very helpful. Dogs who have so many 'demons' due to ill treatment and abuse and neglect sometimes cannot safely be integrated and sadly, may have to be released from this horrible existence. You have seen professionals and have been given advice by people who have actually seen the dog. Go with your instinct here, and don't give up on rescue in the future. You did good by him.
Just wanted to offer you emotional support! (Hugs). I don't have any direct experience with this, so won't be much help, but I did want to say that you seem to be doing everything you can for Briscoe. You are the only one in this situation and you are the only one who can decide what is best. Although it is easy enough to say that the dog should be saved at all costs, it is not that easy when the 'costs' could be your children, your other dog(s), your livelihood (if you were sued).
Some people think that they have their dogs completely under their control and therefore can circumvent any possibility, but I don't believe this is ever possible. We can't control any dog completely and accidents happen all the time... with a dog who is completely unpredictable, this is a loaded gun.
I think Trish's post about Gracie is very helpful. Dogs who have so many 'demons' due to ill treatment and abuse and neglect sometimes cannot safely be integrated and sadly, may have to be released from this horrible existence. You have seen professionals and have been given advice by people who have actually seen the dog. Go with your instinct here, and don't give up on rescue in the future. You did good by him.
furrykidmom
Completely Boxer Crazy
Roxie Dog
I feel for you and your situation. I was in the same situation a little over a year ago. Our dog was also a rescue with an unknown past. Except our problem was not out in public, it was at home. He bit both myself and my husband and then one night, out of the clear blue he cornered me unprovoked. We were five weeks into training with a behaviorist. We consulted yet another behaviourist who recommended that we put him down.
It killed a part of me inside to have to do this. I felt like I was giving up on him but I was incredibly terrified of him. My husband was home to save me both times. My thoughts were "What if next time he was not?" What if the next time it is my elderly mother? What if it is a neighbor?
I could never live with myself if he put my mother or neighbor in the hospital. We have a boy two doors down that was mauled when he was five. He has had serious reconstructive surgery and lots and lots of therapy. What if he bit him. I would lose everything because I am certain that they would sue me.
The vet suspected that this boy had a brain tumor. I just could not bear it any longer. As I mentioned I feel bad but I know I did the right thing. Others may feel differently but I did what I felt was safest. The rescue was also in agreeance. I was told that you cannot save them all. This was the first one that we could not save.
We are now the happy owners of a well adjusted and healthy boy who will be one year old soon. We look forward to celebrating with his littermates. He comes from an incredible line. And is the best behaved dog we have ever had.
We are also the owners of a rescue girl who despite her health problems has a magnetic personality and is the apple of everyone's eye.
Not everyone here is going to agree with your decision or mine but that is life.
You sound like a very doting owner who has the best intentions. I wish you luck in whatever decision you make.
I feel for you and your situation. I was in the same situation a little over a year ago. Our dog was also a rescue with an unknown past. Except our problem was not out in public, it was at home. He bit both myself and my husband and then one night, out of the clear blue he cornered me unprovoked. We were five weeks into training with a behaviorist. We consulted yet another behaviourist who recommended that we put him down.
It killed a part of me inside to have to do this. I felt like I was giving up on him but I was incredibly terrified of him. My husband was home to save me both times. My thoughts were "What if next time he was not?" What if the next time it is my elderly mother? What if it is a neighbor?
I could never live with myself if he put my mother or neighbor in the hospital. We have a boy two doors down that was mauled when he was five. He has had serious reconstructive surgery and lots and lots of therapy. What if he bit him. I would lose everything because I am certain that they would sue me.
The vet suspected that this boy had a brain tumor. I just could not bear it any longer. As I mentioned I feel bad but I know I did the right thing. Others may feel differently but I did what I felt was safest. The rescue was also in agreeance. I was told that you cannot save them all. This was the first one that we could not save.
We are now the happy owners of a well adjusted and healthy boy who will be one year old soon. We look forward to celebrating with his littermates. He comes from an incredible line. And is the best behaved dog we have ever had.
We are also the owners of a rescue girl who despite her health problems has a magnetic personality and is the apple of everyone's eye.
Not everyone here is going to agree with your decision or mine but that is life.
You sound like a very doting owner who has the best intentions. I wish you luck in whatever decision you make.
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