I LOVE my dog but.... a bit O/T

[mama_t]

Let me start by saying that i do not want any answers on how cruel i am, i need a good cry and reassurance that im doing the right thing and not criticism!

We have a big dog, rescued her when she was just a puppy but have noticed that she has more then one behavioral issue that extensive obedience training could not take care off either.

She is very, very protective of her food and things she decides to chew on, when someone tries to touch her when she is laying in her chair, she will start nipping at people sometimes aggressively. She jumps on everyone that comes in the house except me. She is prejudice, everyone that has darker skin then what we have seems to be a threat to her.
But what happened yesterday was the tip of the iceberg. we were about to leave when she jumped into the driver seat of the car, when we tried to get her out, she bit my husband and wouldn't let anyone touch her or she would bite. It took us a good 20 min. to get her out of the car and now i am more then worried how she will be with a baby that eventually starts crawling and walking and getting into the dogs food and toys!
So, in tears we as a family have decided to take her to a no kill shelter since we cant seem to re-home her because the people we know all work 12 hr days and just cant take her!
The shelter has a place for her, but im just so angry with myself that it had to come to this but I cant trust her with a new baby in the house.
I have been crying since yesterday but i have to do whats best for everyone, she would be great with a single guy/girl im sure but she is just not OK with little kids im afraid

 

[Vmazzotta]

I'm so sorry, but I totally understand why you had to do this. She fill def find a good home and they will be able to help her with her problems. You are not a horrible person, you're a good mommy! I hope you start feeling better soon

 

[Cuffy]

I had to rehome my Labrador as he had aggression issues directed mainly at women and children, we spent hundreds with specialists trying to fix the situation and of course when I got pregnant I couldn't take him out as much as he is a lunger-some dogs will just growl mine will lunge. But we think he was highly protective of me and hubby wouldn't help out with my boy so I had to make a decision that was fairest on the dog and expected children. He has gone to a diabetic chap who adore him and walks him for 2 hours a day! I know that I did the right thing trying to juggle a possessive dog, 3 small children and then there us exercising him it just would have been too much & unfair on all involved. I broke my heart when he went it wasthe hardestthibg I've ever done but it was done out of kindness. You are right to think of these things now than when thereof a small child in the mix. Big hugs sweetie x

 

[purechaos109]

You are doing the right thing hun! With DS I woke up one night to my cat laying ontop of DS's legs (thank god he was sleeping in a carseat because he liked to sleep sitting upright for the first few weeks) and the next morning she was taken to a shelter! Funny thing was I found a couple at the shelter that wanted her and ended up just giving her to them because they fell in love with her and could give her a good home with no babies! We have to look after our children first!

 

[BrokenfoREVer]

You've done the right thing. She can go to a family that have the time to spend helping her & you know what your family are safe.

I know its upsetting but I promise you have done the right thing. Massive

 

[MrsHedgehog]

You are doing the right thing for your family and for your dog. Don't feel bad about your decision. Your child's safety is your priority and your dog will eventually be happier in a family with no children.

 

[Darling]

I think you're very brave and responsible. Good luck.

 

[Sini]

That must have been really tough xx

 

[mumanddad]

You have done the right thing x

 

[Lozzy_Loo]

aww hun
really respect that youve been able to make this decision

i couldnt do it x

 

[OctBebe]

Any human aggressive dog should be PTS, I'm sorry it sounds harsh but unless the dog has intense training ect to not bite its just an incident waiting to happen.

Im sorry you have to go through this, I am a crazy dog lover. But its the best thing for her.

xx

 

[Sini]

My OH trains difficult dogs on a daily basis and Ive seen the problems people have with their dogs. Your putting your child's safety first which you definately shouldnt feel bad for x

 

[MummyMEE]

I am an animal lover too and I think you have made a most excellent decision! The dog is clearly not suitable to be around little ones and well done for trying to help with its issues, sometimes, like people, these animals are beyond what we normal pet owners can do for them and need specialist help. I am sure your dog will find a new family very soon xx

 

[Cherryhrf]

We had to make this decision, our dog was our baby before the boys came along. She was very possessive of my DH. When my son was born she was fine and was fascinated by this little thing that came into our house. She had to have a hip replacement operation when my son was 9 months old and had to be kept in a small room while she recovered, during this time my DS started to crawl and I think she associated the crawling with her being shut in the dining room. She became very growly towards him and in the end could not trust her so she had to live in the Utility room (it was a big room and had a gate to the kitchen not the door shut). She came out of an evening and was walked and properly looked after. Anyway this went on until my oldest DS turned 4 and we moved to a nice close with lots of other children. They were scared to knock on the door because our dog barked so much and I could not have people for coffee because she would bark constantly, in the end at the age of 9 1/2, we had to give in and rehome her. It was a really tough decision but the boys had to come first. We have now after 4 years of not having a dog, got a puppy who is growing up with the boys and loves them to pieces. I'm sure she is going to love the new baby as well.

Don't beat yourself up about it, you made the right decision for your family, some dogs are just not meant to be around children, but it doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy a dog in the future.

 

[Beccy23]

i agree i had a rescue dog and ended up having to have her live with my uncle who inturn rehomed her as she was really agressive its sad but as my mum would say needs must!

u r doing the right thing

 

[mama_t]

Thank you all for the support, this is not an easy thing to do, my son (11 y) is very close to the dog and never had an issue with her so it breaks my heart seeing him cry over her too now, we will be taking her to the shelter this weekend...

 

[BeckyBoo]

You are doing the right thing hun! With DS I woke up one night to my cat laying ontop of DS's legs (thank god he was sleeping in a carseat because he liked to sleep sitting upright for the first few weeks) and the next morning she was taken to a shelter! Funny thing was I found a couple at the shelter that wanted her and ended up just giving her to them because they fell in love with her and could give her a good home with no babies! We have to look after our children first!

That's just cats for you. I have two cats and I have always had them with each of my children and they have never posed a threat to my child, but that's because I'm aware that cats like small enclosed cosy places like cots etc. So my cats don't have access to those area's of the house. They will also be shut out of the room where baby sleeps.

 

[missmayhem]

oh hunny don't beat yourself up, you done the best thing for you, your dog and your baby, infact i respect you for making the right decision.

i worked with a dog rescue (can no longer due to bump) and all dogs can be re-trained it takes time and hard work but it is doable. its better you let your dog go now that for something to happen and it needing put to sleep

 

[lesleyann]

Dont beat your self up hun, If my dog bit someone and was showing signs of bad aggression she would be gone its not worth the risk when you have children.. We are lucky because Roxy came into our home as a pup after Kyle was born.

 

[hypnorm]

Any human aggressive dog should be PTS, I'm sorry it sounds harsh but unless the dog has intense training ect to not bite its just an incident waiting to happen.

Im sorry you have to go through this, I am a crazy dog lover. But its the best thing for her.

xx

Don't agree sorry. Any dog can become human aggressive with no prior signs or warning, dogs can be rehabilitated in the right circumstances.

It takes a lot of heart felt thought to rehome your dog but i think it would be for the best.x