What would you do?

[pissedrightoff]

I have a GSD bitch, almost 6 years old.
I've had her since she was 9 weeks old and I adore her,always had a great nature.

When I was pregnant with my DD, Her personality changed a little, nothing major just a bit more protective of me whilst pregnant and was the same whilst DD was tiny (DD now 17 months)She seemed to calm down again after the first few months.

Am now pregnant again, Tia's entire personality seems to have changed. She has went for two of my friend's and actually bit another of my friend's who had to get a tetanus as skin was broken and he was badly bruised(she has known all these people since she was a puppy)

DH, All my family and my friends who know about the biting incident now want me to re-home her or have her put to sleep.

She already lives in the kitchen, to keep her away from DD (who adores her and tia is good with her but best to err on the side of caution here)

I now muzzle her when out walking, until we get to the fields and can see anyone coming for miles.

I am thinking I could make a run and a kennel in the garden and bring her in at night.What do you think? And what would you do in my situation?

What I'd do is get a really experienced trainer/dog behaviour expert in, quickly. Your vet should be able to recommend.

Also bumping for you as there are lots of experienced dog handlers on here.

If you really want to keep your bitch, it might be sensible to seek advice from someone at www.ukrcb.org/ which is a reputable organisation. They would be able to assess what steps to take and make a full history. It is a good investment to seek professional help.

I really want to keep her, she's my pal/baby.

Feel safer with her in the house (DH works until 2am)

But am being guilt tripped by everyone I know.

I will check out that link now silentcatastrophe

I'd also get a behaviourist in and work really, really hard at fixing whatever has changed my dog before I contemplated putting her to sleep. Putting one of my girls to sleep would be my absolute worst nightmare - and my very last resort.

There are very few, if any re-homing organisations which will take on a dog which is known to be agressive. I feel that re-homing her is not a realistic option.

It sounds as though her life has changed a lot - if she is kept in the kitchen to keep her away from your DD, I'd bet she is also lonely, under-stimulated and confused. A run and kennel in the garden will make her life no better.

What do you actually do with her during the day? How long is she left alone? How long is she walked? She is no doubt a very intelligent dog who needs company and stimulation - perhaps it's the lack of this which has caused the change in her behaviour?

She gets one or two 4/5 mile walks a day.Also lots of garden playtime usually.
We are in and out of the kitchen all day.
I bring her through to living room with me after DD in bed.

But yes her life is very different from pre-child days where she had the run of the house.

I feel very strongly that her behaviour is somehow linked to my being pregnant and she'll settle down again once DS is born.

you cannot rehome a dog that has bitten someone. Doing so is just passing the problem on to someone else and that is unfair on both them and the dog.

Equally you cannot keep a dog shut in the kitchen/a run/kennel when she has previously been used to having the run of the house.

I think once a dog has bitten unprovoked, you have no option but to have her put to sleep. And I speak as a doglover. But you cannot trust her with your children or with anyone else and you cannot pass her on.

What a load of bullshit wannabe... and I speak as a rescuer, who has handled more dogs of all types, sizes, breeds, from all backgrounds, than you've had hot dinners. Murdering a healthy dog is NOT acceptable, ever.

Let me introduce you to a few of those I know - the Greyhound who was due to be PTS for aggression yet who was saved by rescue and not only plays with my teenaged kids but who is now fostered by a family with a 3yo and a 6 yo. Let me introduce you to one of my own, formerly beaten dogs, who would once have got you before you got him. He's laying beside me right now as I type, snoring. Has been here for 6 years, yet when I first met him nearly ripped his rescue kennel apart in his fear-aggressive state. Let me introduce you to the HUGE number like that who I have seen successfully rehabilitated.

Pissedrightoff, you have another Shep owner here. :) The best breed ever, in my (totally unbiased of course!) opinion, along with my Lab cross.

I second the recommendation that you seek out a qualified, registered behaviouralist. I'd also have her into the vet if I were you, just to check that there is no physical reason for her behaviour - ie that she isn't in pain or ill. Your vet should be able to recommend a behaviouralist or two, or failing that try a local, independent rescue (don't bother with the goddamned RSPCA, they're a waste of oxygen).

Personally I wouldn't have my dogs seperated by keeping them in the kitchen as sometimes this can breed resentment and the fear on the part of the dog that she is being cast aside in favour of the child she can see is with you and being in her canine mind favoured by you. However, I don't know your set up, your child, your level of confidence or the layout of your home, so that's one to be left to the behaviouralist, but I do feel it's worth running by them to get their opinion.

PLEASE don't give up on your girl, and certainly please don't ever kill her. Should it really get so bad that this is an option please contact a NO KILL rescue and/or give me a shout - I won't let ANY healthy animal die if I can prevent it and have contacts in rescue across the country.

Val (independent rescuer and also hands on volunteer for a no kill rescue).

Hi Val and thanks.
I am very familiar with your posts and was hoping you'd be along.

I have her booked into the vet for Monday as it is and will speak to her regarding my concerns.

I won't be giving up on her, hopefully the vet can recommend a good behaviouralist and we'll take it from there.

1. Definately take her to the vet
2. Increase her exercise and stimulation
3. Contact a qualified behavourist link here
4. Stop talking to people who talk rubbish eg putting down a healthy dog.

I have a "dangerous" dog with me right now who was due to be put to sleep - he is curled up next to me with a collie pup lying across his back.

Do not give up without advice but do ask the advice of a professional dog behaviourist