Please don't judge, I am not an experienced dog owner and have probably made several mistakes but want to do the best for my dog and my family.
I have a 2yr old JRT/German Sheppherd X. He is very smart, loyal but a real live wire. A year ago, he got out and when he came back my mother held his color to bring him inside but he bit her hand. It was a deep bite but we put it down to him being young and wanting to be out. I did take him to the vets and had him checked over. There were no physical reasons for his aggression and the vet said he was just young and asserting himself. We have been quite wary ever since and he is strong willed, posessive and gives warning growls. He also doesn't like a lot of fussing which my children know.
Last night my DS had a friend stop over. I shut the dog in the kitchen (where he always sleeps) and took my younger children up to bed. Shortly after I heard a snarl and a scream. The boys had gone to get a drink and the friend had put his face to the open crate door to fuss the dog (my dog does know the boy). Sorry if I'm rambling but my dog bit the boy's cheek. He then lay back down as if nothing had happened. I have reported all this and no further action has been taken, however I'm left with a dog that I cannot trust or keep.
I don't know what to do next. Is it possible to rehome a dog like this? Where would I even start? I honestly feel he would make a loyal pet to someone more experienced and confident and without children. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
My dog has bitten again. Advice please.
mumnosbest · 28/10/2015 08:44
Brilliant advice, Chief 
And what is this based on? Apart from some philosophical stance on animal rights?
there are rehoming specialists with JRT's who say exactly this, that they are not designed for living with children or other pets. Some manage it, but many end up being rehomed trying to fit the ddog into an environment ill-suited to its natural tendencies, and DC and other dpets get damaged and killed in the x-fire.
I think OP you are trying to do the best you can, but that devoted ddog at your feet, personally, I would want to be sure of his future. Kennels are an extremely sstressfull environment for them 
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If you cn find someone and see them yourself, vet them for yourself and remain in contact woudl be the only way of knowing your ddogs future.
Its no surprise that GSD's are so good at protection work, and are commonly used for it, along with dobermans, etc. They have a particular profile, as do the JRT's and it was such a lot to expect of yourself to be able to manage this and DC without incident.
I don't envy your position/plight. I really do, its the worst of situations to find yourself in. I feel for you.
You work with/know rehoming specialists but you are advising OP to rehome her dog privately?
Who do you work with, The Micky Mouse Association of Re-Homers? That's the most irresponsible advice I've read on this thread. Have you any idea at all what happens to dogs who are rehomed privately?
OP trust the people you are talking with from the shelter. There are second chances for dogs like this, in fact, I wouldn't deem this dog as a problem dog necessarily and would happily re home to an older, experienced couple with no children left at home.
GSD's work with the police because they are loyal, intelligent and obedient, not because they have a natural instinct to chase down untowards and sink their teeth into them and again JRTs are bred to hunt vermin, not children. They are perfectly safe family dogs in the right hands, just like all breeds. They require more exercise than a few other small breeds but no more than your average terrier.
I find it absolutely abhorrent that you are advising OP when you've clearly learned all you know about dogs from dubious websites and TV programmes.
I do understand what other posters are saying about long term life in kennels but it's rare, a decent organisation would look to moving the dog to a foster home/different rescue if he spent too long with them. They wouldn't allow a dog to languish in kennels if he was suffering for it, but I do agree in those cases PTS should be an option, but your dog isn't a dog I'd worry about rehoming. There's been bite incidents, yes, but these are clearly under stressful situations that would be easily avoidable for people who know and understand dogs. He has youth and a good personality on his side. Dogs who spend a long time in kennels tend to be older dogs and over bred dogs like staffies and lurchers.
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