Need to re-home my dog

[googlybeat]

Hi
Please no judgers. I do realise how nieve I've been in retrospect.
We've been looking to get a dog for a few years but wanted to wait till the children were older.
Looking on pets for homes we found a dog which needed rehoming from a private ad.
We met the dog and she appeared perfect.
Previous owner had trained her and said she was really well behaved.
When we got her home she seemed to have the usual adjustment issues. Accidents on the floor and chewing which quickly stopped.
However, she is very aggressive with other dogs. This is our first dog and I didn't want a puppy because I was concerned about my inexperience. Instead we now have an older and much bigger dog with serious behavioural issues. To be honest I'm now scared of her and am very edgy with the kids near her.
She may be a wonderful pet to someone with more experience to take her in hand but I don't have that to offer.
Tried to contact the previous owner who isn't interested and became aggressive himself. Said we knew what we were taking on.
Feel completey trapped by this situation and don't know where to go from here.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[Wolfiefan]

Behaviourist is making a sweeping statement. All dogs are different and I thought this was a cross and not a breed.
Dog aggression is not the same as aggression in the home.
Has the dog been alone all day? That won't help.

[Wolfiefan]

You haven't mentioned a behaviourist before. When did you consult one?

[mustbemad17]

What aggression is she showing at home? You've only mentioned dog aggression in your OP & subsequent posts. Or is is you are worried she might start to show aggression at home?

[tabulahrasa]

“Behaviouralist said that this breed don't really give warning signs like growling and will just bite.”

Then you want to find a behaviourist with qualifications...

You haven’t said what aggressive behaviour she’s displaying, it’s a bit hard to give any helpful advice when it’s unclear what the problem is.

[googlybeat]

Its dog aggression. I don't know what kind as we are booked in to see behaviouralist but she had a long waiting list. When she see's another dog she stares ignores any attempt to lead away or distract. Then she lunges towards it barking and snarling.

[mustbemad17]

So why are you worried about aggression at home?? If it's directed purely at other dogs she isn't likely to suddenly develop aggression towards people.

And yeah i agree with pp...anyone who tells you a certain breed doesn't warn needs to give their head a wobble

[missbattenburg]

Behaviouralist said that this breed don't really give warning signs like growling and will just bite.

Then this is not a behaviourist, OP. Talk to your vet and get a proper referral to a qualified behaviourist. You will struggle to find one to take you on without the vet referral. Instead, you will just get people who have decided to call themselves behaviourists because they fancy the title...

[ICantCopeAnymore]

That's not a good behaviourist.

[boatass]

The idiots on this forum want to flog you for not wanting an aggressive dog.

Which of you are going to take it then? Go on. As you’re all so committed m

[ivenoideawhatimdoing]

@boatass Well bloody said. The OP has made a grave error in judgement, there's no need to tar and feather her for it. She's trying to put her kids first, no one can blame her for that. If you are doing, have a good look at yourself, she came for some support.

I am a dog person through and through, but I am also a mother and if I was frightened for my kids, there's one solution, the dog sadly has to go.

OP, you made a very naïve thing but it's the mature thing to hold your hands up and say this isn't working, she deserves a home where someone can manage her appropriately and safely.

I think the main thing you can do, is try and be as confident as you can. See the behaviourist and listen to what they advise, you've had some good advice on here, especially with the muzzle.

Try it for a couple more weeks and see if there is an improvement, get signed up for training if you can.

If the situation has not improved, or deteriorates any further during that time I think you have to make the hard decision to contact the RSPCA or another rescue centre.

You need to cool off getting another dog for a few years and do not buy from an online site again.

[ivenoideawhatimdoing]

@wolfiefan

Don't call her an idiot; she's not an idiot.

She made a mistake and she's trying to do what's best for all parties involved.

It is idiotic to assume that this can all be resolved with a few weeks of training or a firm hand, she's frightened for herself and her kids ffs.

She could drive her out to the middle of nowhere and abandon her, god knows many would but she's trying to find a solution for what is best for the dog.

She's consulting a behaviourist and she's trying the muzzle, she's not giving up on her yet.

So back off her; she's trying!

[boatass]

@wolfiefan is enjoying frothing over this dog and how unfair it is for OP not to want it. Better use some gum for the gurning Wolfie 😂 pathetic

[ivenoideawhatimdoing]

@boatass agreed.

I do wonder if they would be so aggressive and vitriolic if they were saying this to the OP and others in real life as opposed to doing it from behind a keyboard.

I think it's very easy for a lot of commenters here to forget they are speaking to real people who are struggling.

Having a bit of empathy and compassion for all those involved, not just the dog, wouldn't necessarily be too difficult.

[ICantCopeAnymore]

Wolfie - genuine question. Not meant to be goady, but do you actually do much else other than post on Mumsnet? Even single thread I read, you are on, and usually being derogatory. I kind of feel sorry for you - are you lonely?

Also, you're a first time dog owner aren't you? Some of your dog advice I fully agree with. Some is terrible - I'm not sure if people realise that you're really inexperienced and I'm concerned one day someone will take you seriously.

I hope that you're OK. There are lots of red flags.

[TropicPlunder]

Ok ok....all flogging is detracting from the good advice OP has been given. I think Wolfie hasn't shown herself in the best light, but trading insults is ridiculous. OP is trying to make important decisions here....I guess she might not bother looking for advice here next time. So sorry OP, hope you can pick out the constructive bits

[ICantCopeAnymore]

I'm not being insulting. I'm genuinely concerned.

[tabulahrasa]

“When she see's another dog she stares ignores any attempt to lead away or distract. Then she lunges towards it barking and snarling.”

Ok, so... if you do manage to move her, does she just calm down again? Or are you not managing to move her? And what are you walking her on? Just a collar and lead?...

I know it’s a lot of questions, I’m not going to give you behavioural advice as yes, you need to get a referral to a qualified behaviourist from a vet.

But I’m hoping I can give you some short term stuff that will mean you can manage her and then feel more confident.

[Wolfiefan]

I shall continue to froth when idiots make bad decisions and animals suffer.
I'm not lonely thanks.
None of my advice is terrible. Not sure what exactly you're referring to.
Really don't think OP is actually looking for advice. Hasn't engaged with any posts asking for details about the behaviour of the dog or suggesting ways forward.

[Tansytaylor]

I agree with icantcope but then there is always one poster who is on every single thread as an 'expert' or just an angry berating poster. You do seem to just be in here all the time Wolfie and you're the first with the FFS exclamations that go on and on and on

OP - you've taken on quite the mix of breeds here! My advice - and yes, I'm allowed to offer an opinion - is to ignore posters advising you to keep an aggressive bull mastiff cross when you have children. You say you're frightened of the dog too.

I'd start calling rescues, breed rescues where you can and look to re home ASAP.

[Wolfiefan]

This isn't a breed so breed rescues?
Rescues may well PTS a dog handed over as aggressive. Lots of people are glossing over that.
I am here a lot. I wasn't aware there was a limit.

[ivenoideawhatimdoing]

In the great scheme of things, isn't this about what is best for the dog?

(Please take no offence, OP) But at the moment, her needs are not being met and she may become a liability and a danger to herself and others around her.

She needs boundaries, training and an appropriate environment which she doesn't seem to be getting. Keeping her without the appropriate handling skills and experience is completely irresponsible, particularly when those in the household, namely the young children are scared of her.

This is about what is best for the dog, not whether the OP did the wrong thing or whether she was stupid or whether Wolfie is frothing at the bloody mouth.

OP is getting vilified when she was in fact sold the dog under false pretences, again I say naively and irresponsibly, but it was a mistake she is trying to rectify.

Let's hope that it will be lucky number three should OP decide to rehome her and that she will be given the life she deserves.

[Tansytaylor]

Yes breed rescues who specialise in bull mastiffs or Staffies. They exist and they'll help where they can - I'm well aware this is a mongrel - unless you're trying to make me feel stupid now? You won't, by the way.

And no, no limit of course. I only dip in now and again and when I do, you're generally here, berating and frothing and setting yourself up as some sort of expert

[tabulahrasa]

“I'd start calling rescues, breed rescues where you can and look to re home ASAP.”

The issue is that rescues are always full, she’ll have to go on a waiting list, but the OP will still have the dog in that time.

Also realistically, that’s not an easy mix of breeds to rehome at the best of times, add in a behavioural issue and you’re potentially looking at a dog in kennels for a very very long time, or a dog being PTS.

[Wolfiefan]

An expert? No.
Frothing about a dog that could end up dead through no fault of its own? Yep.
Few rescues have the time and resources to take in a truly dog aggressive dog. Kennels are about the worst place for a dog like that.