To Euthanize or Not to Euthanize
 

I could really use some help & advice from more experienced owners and foster parents.
On August 1, I "saved" a dog from being euthanized at a local shelter because he had kennel cough and was just really sick. He had been picked up by the SPCA because he was found tied to a tree, with a note saying his owners couldn't care for him any more, and to please find him a good home. Due to being so sick & skinny, and the shelter being over-populated, he was to be euthanized. So I took him in as a foster dog.

After 20 days of antibiotics, "Roscoe" was FINALLY better from his upper respiratory infection(s) and kennel cough. Two weeks ago, I took him to visit a potentional family so that he could meet their dog. Long story short, he went after their dog. This was his first sign of dog aggression -- he gets along with my two other pitties, greyhound, and two cats in the house...so this aggression was new to me. Well the aggression has gotten worse. Walks are a chore because he goes ballastic when he sees another dog. He got evaluated by the shelter's animal behaviorist on Monday, and he gave me some training tips.

The problem is...I run a dog sitting business out of my home and invite some of the dogs to stay in my house. Well, obviously I cannot have any clients at my house right now, or else Roscoe will rip them to shreds. He went after a dog on Saturday that was supposed to stay with me, and bit his ear.....this was after I took Roscoe for a run (running next to my bicycle), until he tired himself out....so even after being exhausted, he still was irritated and aggressive towards this other (super calm) pup.

I asked the shelter if they could take him in for two weeks, and have the trainer really work with him and his dog aggression. The short answer is No...they do not have the time or space to take him back. Due to his behavioral issues, there is a very HIGH chance he will be euthanized if returned to the shelter. They suggested that if I cannot handle him, then basically I need to get take another dog that would be better behaved and a better representative to the community. They want to see good, deserving dogs in foster homes.

SO............if I keep him, I have to find the time & energy to devote to rehabilitating his dog aggression and give up business/clients because I can't have any other dogs in my home...........OR, do I return the dog I saved and have him euthanized so that I can help a "more deserving" dog?

Besides his dog aggression, Roscoe is a SUPER sweet dog that is really playful, loving, and energetic. He loves to chase tennis balls and play with my resident dogs.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO???? Please help. My heart is breaking!

What I would do is crate and rotate. He might not be aggressing your dogs now, but wait... Not worth it. Do you have the resources to build a secure kennel (outdoors) with a chain as well?

Look for some bulldog rescues in your area, see if any will help you with rehoming... Villa Lobos might be able to point you in the right direction, last I checked they will help people place bulldogs. Many people can take on a dog with severe DA, some can't take on a bit of it, I'd say you are one who can't simply because of the number of dogs you OWN, and your petsitting business. I would be PISSED if I took my dog to be taken care of while I'm away, and one of their dogs mauled him. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen...

If you cannot house him, devote a lot of time, patience, and cash into making him manageable, try to place him... If worse absolutely came to worse, putting him down rather than dumping him on the shelter would be kinder.

I am taking this as if he's bulldog? As I'm sure you know, DA is very common for these dogs... And it should be expected even if the dog has never shown DA.

he seems like a good dog with a standard dog aggression issue. dog aggression is part of this breed and is a genetic trait that pit bulls carry and in no way does this make him a bad dog or an "undeserving dog". there is not much you can do to train him not to be aggressive, but you can manage this trait. when other dogs come over you can crate him or keep him separated so they do not get into fights.

[I am taking this as if he's bulldog? As I'm sure you know, DA is very common for these dogs... And it should be expected even if the dog has never shown DA.[/quote]

He is a pit bull.

The incident with my dog sitting client occured outside while both dogs were leashed. I immediately said this won't work, and the client took his dog back home (and I just watched him at his own house). I would never put my clients' pets in harm's way. I am careful not to leave Roscoe alone with my dogs either.

To-date, he has not tried to "test" any of my dogs, including my Alpha.

DA is a perfectly normal trait with this breed. I would crate and rotatehttp://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

I think I saw a link somewhere (in this massive Chat!) about "crate and rotate". Can someone explain or point me to that discussion? http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/redface.png

basically you have a schedule where the dogs are always separated, one being out and about in the house and one being crated. rotating the dogs in and out of the crates keeps everyone happy and keeps fights at bay.

Even though he is getting along okay with my resident dogs? He would probably go ballastic if I crated him and was in the house playing with the other dogs. He seems to have a tad bit of separation anxiety. If I go outside to do something (without him), he runs from door to window barking and scratching at the door/window. I guess he would eventually calm down. He was like that at first in his crate when I would go to work. Now he doesn't do that at all because he knows the routine...

Crate and Rotate - Training Behavior

Crate and Rotate sticky http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Thanks Turner.

Also:

Dog body language:
http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=34969

Different dog tolerance levels:
http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php?t=21366

Thank you!!!!!!!! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

There's been some good info posted in this thread.

But I do want to add that you need to do what's best for you. If you really are not prepared or do not want to deal with this dog and his DA, then the best thing would be to put him down. Is it sad? Yes. Is it tragic? Yes. But it is what it is and if you aren't able to deal with him, then you cannot possibly pass him off onto someone less prepared or less willing. It's not fair to him. And it's not fair to live in a home where he's not truly wanted.

I wish you the best with this situation and keep us updated on what is going on. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Oh I do love him very much, and I am willing to work with him to the best of my ability....and will use extreme caution when finding him a forever home. Definitely needs to go in the right "hands" of someone who can give him the proper discipline, leadership, and exercise.

Thanks so much!!

Gotcha! Good luck!

Well he can't be that dog aggressive if he's fine with the dogs in your home. It sounds like a bad meeting and leash reactive to me over true dog aggression. My female hates strange dogs in her face but slowly and properly intro'd she is fine with most other dogs, just not other bitchy girl terriers. Most pit bulls aren't great with other dogs, to expect more is not fair.

You can't "train" a dog to be dog friendly but you can teach him not to spazz out like a fool at the sight of other dogs and to focus on you instead. Expect some dog aggression and try to prevent fights, keep him on leash, separate from other dogs if no one is supervising, keep toys/food/treats up and watch body language. Know how to break up a fight or crate/rotate so one never happens.

Since rehoming is being considered, is he neutered? It won't fix DA, I don't know if it will affect it at all or not.


Do you have a local pit bull rescue?

Get yourself a breaking stick and learn how to use it!

Some severely DA dogs have learned to live peacefully with their housemates. There was a member who was on often when I first joined who had DA dogs who he worked hard on and they were able to live together. For the life of me I can't remember who...I just remember someone talking about it.

Tank is SEVERELY dog aggressive with strange dogs out and about but a total dork with the dogs he lives with.