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Giving up on a dog

Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
All of our critters are rescues, we got them from the shelter or individuals and thats how I prefer to get them so they get another chance. Our white dog which is some sort of mutt with a pitbull face but isnt a pit has been a problem since we got her over a year ago.

The dog from what I can tell has been abused, very nervous and has panic attacks and when she has a moment she craps and pees on the floor, hides and refuses to move. We cannot find what triggers these attacks and they happen out of the blue. We did find some things that trigger them but still cannot find all of the triggers. Excitement, loud noises or a stern voice will set them off and we learned to avoid this but stil she has attacks for no apperant reason.

Last night Bryann called me to tell me that she had another one at feeding time, she got scared and would not eat. Bryann tried to sweet talk her and get her to check out her food bowl but she freaked out. When she did this she ran for the couch where Bryanns motet was holding the baby. She jumped on the couch in a panic, right on top of her mother and the baby scratching the babys head. Bryann had to pick the dog up and remove her, dog went outside and straight to our kennel.

I wanted to return this dog awhile back but Bryann insisted we keep trying. There is no cure for this and she is only getting worse. When I was home this weekend I noticed she was acting strangely. I babied the dog, gave her tons of attention and even let her become my lapdog and get on the recliner with me even though she is bug and heavy. She is very insecure and when she starts acting like this it is only a matter of time before another panic attack.

Well, I've had enough and even though the scratch on the baby wasnt bad and she is fine I will not risk a more severe injury to the baby. The dog is going back to the shelter and I'll be calling and talking to them about her behaviour, I hope that they decide to put her down because I don't see her getting better and I see her becoming dangerous.

Good thing for the dog I wasn't home when this happened, there would be no shelter involved.
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Comments

  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,697 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sad story, good for you for trying to save this dog.
    It is hard to imagine the horrors that the dog has endured to make it so crazy.

    I don't blame you if it has to be put down, and after all there are lots of sane dogs that need to be rescued.
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  • guns-n-painthorsesguns-n-painthorses Member Posts: 6,462 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I disagree. You took on this dog knowing it had issues. You were tasked to provide the dog a safe place, and some help. The failure is on you,not the dog. You did the right thing taking it back to the shelter. The dog needs professonal help. You did your best, good for you.
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's heartbreaking sad that she can't be trusted, but you can't take chances with your baby and wife. It's only fair to the prospective next owner to tell the people at the shelter everything you know about the dog. When you tell them about the scratch on the baby it will seal her death warrant. That might be best for the dog.

    There might be somebody somewhere who could help her, but the chances of that person coming to that shelter while she is there are pretty slim.

    It would be nice if somebody could come up with a better idea, but it sounds to me like that's about the only thing you can do.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guns-n-painthorses
    I disagree. You took on this dog knowing it had issues. You were tasked to provide the dog a safe place, and some help. The failure is on you,not the dog. You did the right thing taking it back to the shelter. The dog needs professonal help. You did your best, good for you.



    We were not made aware of the problems, I'm sure when she was surrendered to the shelter they were not made aware either. The shelter we got the dog from is an outstanding shelter ran by some outstanding people and if there was a known issue they would have passed that info on. The issues started showing up as time went on and have gradualy gotten worse. Could it be us? Maybe, there have been some changes in the house recently that may have upset her and reversed any progresss we have made. We really tried, she's a good companion for Ford our other dog and is generally friendly but these panic attacks are coming too frequently. I don't want this to rub off on my other dog an I cannot take a chance on the baby being hurt or someone getting bit. If they can find someone to work with her that will be great. From what I can see she needs a home where she is the only dog, the owners have a slow peacefull lifestyle that would give her a stress free home.
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A dog that gets scared like that and is in fear can be dangerous. I love dogs and I applaud your efforts with this dog but a dog that has a panic attack could be dangerous around a baby.

    You are doing the right thing in surrendering it.

    When dogs are scared they can be very dangerous, just go get a dog out of a leg hold trap. He may be your best buddy but when he is that trap he will bite anyone that comes near him.
    RLTW

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  • AzAfshinAzAfshin Member Posts: 2,985 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have you tried medications? They actually have a version of Xanax for dogs that calms them down quite a bit.

    Also, you should never give them positive attention when they're having an episode, it reinforces their behavior. Instead you should let them calm down in your presence (no petting or holding the dog), then give them positive attention so that you reinforce the calm behavior.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,539 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is the dog having seizures?
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  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,697 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Obviously the baby is at risk and the dog should not be in the same house.

    We've had a semi-rescue Yorkie for about 4 years now that has improved dramatically. When we first got her, a cross-eyed look or any moderately loud noise would cause her to cower in a corner and shake like a leaf.

    Even now, if it reach out too fast to pet her, she will cower.

    Don't know what type of animal would raise a hand to such a loving beautiful creature, but someone apparently did.

    It was good of you to try. It is not worth putting anyone at risk to continue the effort.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Smartest man I ever met used to say "We can't be all things to all people."

    That includes dogs, cats, and other critters.

    Good on you for giving it your best, and recognizing limits and priorities.
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,731 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If or when you take this dog back to the shelter don't tell them the story of the baby being scratched, that story will more than likely be a death sentence for this poor dog. The baby thing was just a freak accident and I'm sure that the dog had absolutely no intention of hurting the baby but if you tell the story it's probably over for the dog.
    A dog with issues like that needs an extraordinary amount of attention and patience to bring around but could be rehabilitated if only you would make the investment.

    I understand that you probably don't have the time to invest in "fixing" this dog and I understand your concern for your baby's welfare but the way the dog is, is not it's fault .... so please make up something to tell when you return it to the shelter that won't end up being fatal for the poor dog.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a similar situation with a white Siberian Husky a few years back.
    I wanted to give it a chance but the wife & daughter said no. It is now a sled dog up in Door County, WI.[:(][:(][:(]
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  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lonnie, you did your best to give this dog a home, but the baby comes first. Feel good in knowing that your child will be safe and another dog will be in her future. We have one rule when it comes to dogs in our home. You act aggressively towards anyone, your gone. Thank god we have always had nothing but great dogs. By the way, our new little chilauhau is very skiddish. No one can get near her. She just hides all the time until it is bed time. Then she climbs up on the bed and curls up on my chest and will not move all night. If I try to pet her, she runs and hides. We have had her for four months and she is still afraid of everyone. We got her when she was 8 weeks old. Cannot figure this dog out, but i love her a lot.
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  • mr.tboltmr.tbolt Member Posts: 449 ✭
    edited November -1
    A friends rescue dog almost took the nose off of my face last month. My buddy had him on a leash, and told me that he was a great dog. Well, when he got close to me, he went straight for my face. Felt like I got hit with a 2x4. Spent the rest of the day in the emer. rm. I will never trust another dog.
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  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,027 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You get attached to the damn things no matter how they behave. This makes it very difficult to "get rid of". Emotional involvement makes it even more difficult to do "the right thing". One has to do what they think is best[V]
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,265 ******
    edited November -1
    It sucks,it's sad,but I stand with Lonnie all the way on this.
    This dog had a great home,and easy life there. I know,I've been there and seen it.
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  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do the dog a favor..take it to the vet,and get it the needle...solves all problems....
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  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,071 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like PTSD. Did the dog get worse with the baby? I reckon the dog would do better with single guy out in the woods.
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  • riflemikeriflemike Member Posts: 10,599 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mr.tbolt
    A friends rescue dog almost took the nose off of my face last month. My buddy had him on a leash, and told me that he was a great dog. Well, when he got close to me, he went straight for my face. Felt like I got hit with a 2x4. Spent the rest of the day in the emer. rm. I will never trust another dog.


    you dont put your face in any dogs face ..Yours or anyone elses especially anyone elses , your fault....you must not rememeber the national news person a few years back that did that to a dog on the show , same result,,,stupid stupid stupid,,not that you are stupid , just stupid to do that...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNP7VWvFPCk
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Send it to guns-n-painthorses. [}:)][:D]
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Spent about 45 minutes on the phone with the intake lady at the shelter. Gave her the rundown on the dog and my wishes for her which is not for her to be killed! I asked that they find a single person with no other pets and a slow lifestyle to work with her. She agreed that she needs help and living in a "busy" house is not going to help her. She also assured me that unless they find she is mean during the madatory quarenteen that she will not be killed.

    She still has a chance and even though this is best for her I'm feeling a little sad and feeling like we failed
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  • mr.tboltmr.tbolt Member Posts: 449 ✭
    edited November -1
    originally posted by riflemike
    you dont put your face in any dogs face ..Yours or anyone elses especially anyone elses , your fault....you must not rememeber the national news person a few years back that did that to a dog on the show , same result,,,stupid stupid stupid,,not that you are stupid , just stupid to do that...

    I didn't bend down at all. I lowered my hand, to let him get a little sniff of me, and he jumped right at me. The dog was kind of short, and I'm just over 6'. So I don't think I'm stupid at all
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  • riflemikeriflemike Member Posts: 10,599 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mr.tbolt
    originally posted by riflemike
    you dont put your face in any dogs face ..Yours or anyone elses especially anyone elses , your fault....you must not rememeber the national news person a few years back that did that to a dog on the show , same result,,,stupid stupid stupid,,not that you are stupid , just stupid to do that...

    I didn't bend down at all. I lowered my hand, to let him get a little sniff of me, and he jumped right at me. The dog was kind of short, and I'm just over 6'. So I don't think I'm stupid at all


    no sir i wasnt saying that.. if the dog did that and you werent in its face thas another story
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  • AzAfshinAzAfshin Member Posts: 2,985 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mr.tbolt
    originally posted by riflemike
    you dont put your face in any dogs face ..Yours or anyone elses especially anyone elses , your fault....you must not rememeber the national news person a few years back that did that to a dog on the show , same result,,,stupid stupid stupid,,not that you are stupid , just stupid to do that...

    I didn't bend down at all. I lowered my hand, to let him get a little sniff of me, and he jumped right at me. The dog was kind of short, and I'm just over 6'. So I don't think I'm stupid at all


    It's not stupidity, just a lack of knowledge about dog behavior. As to who is at fault, it lies square with your friend the owner. A dog only attacks if it feels threatened and in charge. Obviously your friend was not in control (I don't mean a leash, I mean as an alpha) otherwise the dog would not have dared to jump at you. A dog will be perfectly calm and well behaved if the owner is an alpha.

    Also, remember, a dog is a dog is a dog. Can't predict the behavior 100% of the time.
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  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,697 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have 2 dogs now, so I can't take this dog. If I had no dogs, I would move heaven and earth to take this doggie off your hands and try to make a go of it.

    But, there you go, I am single, live in the country, and willing, but not able.

    Most people could not take this dog. I hope it works out OK for this doggie because I love dogs. But I think it will soon be killed.
    The person at the shelter who said they would try to hold on to the dog is probably BS ing you.
    I took a dog down to the shelter, giant stray hound dog, the gal told me they would keep it for at least one month.
    Went back down there 4 days later, and the dog had been given the needle the day before. One month had turned into 3 days.
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