Just need a shoulder to cry on.

ZoeandTucker · Post-a-Holic - Give this person a rabies shot!

Just need a shoulder to cry on.

puttin510 · ~Grand Champion~ Gold Medal Poster!

Wow, That is dangerous to have around your kids. I had the same situation with Sasha, but she has gotten way better, not worse. How old is Zoe? Probably older right, since she has missing teeth. Could it possibly be anything health related. Just grasping straws here. All in all she sounds like a very dominate gal. Has she always been like that?

Paige · ~Grand Champion~ Gold Medal Poster!

I'm so sorry youare going through this. But I don't think I could keep a dog around if I thought it would bite my daughter. You have given her so many chances...more than I would....and she seems to blow everyone. Maybe you shoudl look into placing her with someone where she would be the only dog.

KatzPomDogz · You have been awarded the Posting Star of Honor!

I know exactly where you are at, as that was really where my decision was made with Kaia. we had decided to have her put down at the end of the month but then she started getting very aggressive with Koda(who was twice as big as her) but when I realized I couldn't trust her around my girls, I knew that it was time. For her, it was a when not a if. But I completely know the feeling of not being able to trust my dog around my kids and that is a horrible feeling. Kaia had alot of problems too, including mental issues.

Don't feel bad for venting and also don't feel bad for doing what you have to to protect your kids. If you don't look out for your kids, you wouldn't be being a good mom. Take some time and think about it before you make any set in stone decisions. Maybe talk to your vet about whether or not there is anything that can be done?

ZoeandTucker · Post-a-Holic - Give this person a rabies shot!

She's only a year and a half. She just started licking about 6 months ago. Everyday she gets worse and worse with it. You can tell how much she does it by some of her bottom teeth being almost completely worn away. Its a mental issue I think. I've always had problems with her from day 1. I adopted her from the shelter at 6 wks. old and even than I could tell she was going to be difficult. I have spent so much money having test after test done and we can't find anything wrong with her. The only thing definite is separation anxiety. We'll go for a couple of weeks and she'll be a perfect angel. Than one morning I'll wake up and sense a change in her. I can even see it in her eyes. Each time this change happens she gets worse and worse. She just snapped on me this morning and as much as I love her I'm really afraid for my kids. Like I said she's never done anything to them and she's as good as gold with them. She's so gentle with them and I'll have to say that out of all of my dogs I think she's the best with the kids but I can't chance it. I'm so upset. I'm really heartbroken. I've never re-homed a dog before and I honestly don't know if re-homing is the answer.

KatzPomDogz · You have been awarded the Posting Star of Honor!

Rehoming is hard because you will have to make sure that the new owner would understand how she has been. I would almost, if you did decide to rehome her, have them sign a paper saying that they know she is a bite risk. The reason I say that is for your own liability. The shelters won't adopt out a dog that has bitten before because they cannot knowingly let someone adopt a dog that could potentially bite again or they are the ones who will get in trouble if the dog bites and/or kills someone. It is a big risk rehoming a biter or potential biter but there are people out there who are willing to try and retrain them. It is a hard decision and I wish we really could help you make but only you will know what is right for her and your family. I wish you the best of luck, I really do.

Denise · You have been awarded the Posting Star of Honor!

I am so sorry for the problems you are having with Zoe. I went thru a similar situation many, many years ago and know how difficult it is. I was lucky that rehoming was the solution but that is not always the best.

Is there a qualified animal behaviorist in your area who is available for a consultation - many times they can be a great help in overcoming problems.

Your vet has done tests to rule out a medical problem. The one thing I have heard that can cause aggression and that is sometimes overlooked is a thyroid problem. Has he done the tests to check those levels?

You are in my thoughts and I know you will make the decision that is best for you & your family and Zoe.

protodog · Forum Moderator

I'm sorry Zoe is getting worse instead of better. I know you've tried so hard to work with her. No child should have to be afraid of her own dog, and if Zoe has gotten so bad that Gillian is afraid of her, then rehoming Zoe with someone who doesn't have children is probably the best option for everyone. There are people willing to take in dogs with problems; you just need to find the right person.

Jon Katz did a story about homing one of his dogs. It's pretty good.

http://www.slate.com/id/2107279/

-- Edited by protodog at 13:31, 2005-09-16

puttin510 · ~Grand Champion~ Gold Medal Poster!

I wonder if she just has such bad allergies, she just doesn't know how to handle herself. Plus she is in the trying teenage time of her life. When she is vying for top dog position. Have you givevn her any sort of cortisone shots or anything like that. Itchies could be drivin her nuts.

ZoeandTucker · Post-a-Holic - Give this person a rabies shot!

We've tested her for allergies and we haven't found anything. I just spoke with my vet, which I love, I don't normally trust them but I do trust her judgement. She thinks it may be because of Zoe's anxiety. She also thinks that could be the cause of the licking. I'm going over today to pick her up some anti-anxiety meds. I've put it off for a year and a half. The vet has never pushed me toward it but she's always given it to me as an option. I'm going to try it. She thinks she was on an adrenaline high and with the adrenaline pumping it caused her to lash out. She has a dog on this medication because of fear aggression. She said it changes nothing in her dogs personality and she isn't fear aggressive anymore. She put her dog on the medicine because her dog was a fear biter and she no longer does this. She could see Zoe getting worse and knew that it would probably come to this but she didn't want to push it, she wanted to wait for me to do it on my own. So anyway I'm going to start the medicine today. Wish us luck. I hope I'm doing the right thing. I really hate to put her on meds. If this doesn't work she is going to help me find Zoe a new home. We have both decided that with Zoe's anxieties the medication is better than re-homing at the moment. I hope I'm doing the right thing but I'm out of ideas and she's out of ideas and suggestions. Oh yeah, she also specializes in behaviors which is how I found her in the first place. I knew right from the beginning I was going to need help with Zoe.

dusty082155 · ~Best In Show~ Senior Board Member!

i would try the meds. you might have a totally different dog. one that you can tolerate and dont have to worry about around you're kids.if the meds dont work out and you do have to rehome, at least you know you tried your best .thats all you can do. i think you will see a difference in her attitude though after she is on the meds.i hope thimgs work out for all of you.