Shakti

Thanks for that suggestion Bilbo Baggins but we did a complete physical on him when this all started. Plus he can clearly see people walking past and he will lunge and snap at them as well. It is great to have so many suggestions though because at least we are exploring all possible options and causes.

the dog has NOT been teased by any of the kids. We have observed him and had him lying quietly on his bed out of the way of the kids and teenagers and he has leapt up as they passed him by and attempted to snap at them. I do NOT want to have him PTS but as he is so unpredictable with people (these teens are basically adults) I want to ensure he goes to a really experienced and knowledgeable home. I had tried several times to PM his breeders and did not realise they were no longer members of this forum. I have now emailed them explaining the situation and asking for their advice as well!

Thanks again to everybody (apart from LongCoat) who has understood my sadness at having to face this decision. Hopefully some of teh wonderful people on DOL who have PM'ed me will be able to come up with a solution by the weekend. These foster kids may not be *mine* but.....no, no point in debating the issue of whether a dog I have bought and paid for and loved for five years is *more* my responsibility than the children my husband and I have taken into our home and our family with the implicit promise that they will be safe and loved. I really really appreciate the wisdom and compassion of thos ewho have replied especially those who have been in a similar position.

Dear Melo - what a wonderful offer - thank you. Ben can be fine with other male dogs if he is properly introduced etc but if a dog rushes at him or shows aggression he responds very quickly. Thanks Nekhbet. I have outlined his troublesome behaviours in my first post. I don't know if having a third party rehome him is a responsible choice as I would be concerned that perhaps they would not be able to handle him around teenagers etc either. Also I dont want to just pass on a problem dog - it is just that I am at my wit's end as to what on earth I can do. The sad truth is, as several other posters have pointed out, that this busy household is just not the right environment for him no matter what precautions I take. Maybe I am just feeling too despondent at the moment

Thanks for the support and the kind words everyone! As we are running out of options, it seems more and more likely that my lovely boy may have to be PTS. I still have my fingers crossed that a GSD trainer will take him but the replies so far have not been encouraging. I feel like my heart is breaking as I watch him galloping about the backyard so full of life and so beautiful.

I found what I think is the perfect solution - I had a house sitter in to look after them. The house sitter lived in our house while we were away at absolutely no cost and the animals were spoilt rotten! Plus of course the fear of people thinking our house was empty was alleviated as it was obvious that there was still someone at home. I recommend Happy House Sitters!

Thank you all very much for your support. Jed there is absolutely no way I would send my lovely boy to a pound etc - any more than I would advertise him as FTGH on Petlink or some such! Our other dogs all cope beautifully as they have areas where they can be away from people when they want to be but as they are SWF's they are far happier being in our bedroom for large portions of the day than Ben would ever be! He is very intelligent, highly trainable and VERY active. I am going to contact the trainers at my GSD Obedience Club and see if any of them can assist in suggesting a knowledgeable home for him. I hate this but to stop helping these young people who need so much to feel loved and secure is even more heart-breaking! I wish there was an answer that would work for everyone concerned. :D He really is a great dog - I would miss him so much! ETA Thank you to those who have suggested other behaviorists and veterinary behaviorists. I will follow up on those but money is now becoming an issue sadly.

My husband and i have seven children between us (blended family) and four of them live with us permanently. They range in age from 21 down to 12. We also foster babies and at-risk teenagers so we have a pretty busy household. Ben (my neutered GSd aged 5 years) has become increasingly unhappy over the past two years or so with having so many diffrent people living in the house. I have to add too that most of these kids can display some bizarre and very unpredictable behaviours. However, the situation has worsened despite my attending training classes, consulting behaviourists etc ( at a cost of a couple of thousand dollars all told) and I am now at a loss. Ben is very well-trained and is a joy to be alone with ie if I take him out for the day or if he and I are at home alone. He is quick to obey, affectionate, undemanding etc. The issue we have is that he will snap with zero warning (that I can perceive) and this is getting worse. He will be lying down calmly on his bed and then when one if the foster children goes past him, he will suddenly leap up snarling and showing his teeth and if I am not on the spot to order him to lie down he will actually snap at them. Twice now he has managed to rip a t-shirt in one instance and scrape his teeth along the jaw of one of the teen boys - not a bite but he punctured the skin. I am now keeping him outside when we are at home but I cannot guarantee that these kids will obey the house rules and not go outside without supervision. I am loathe to crate Ben all the time as this is no life fgor him plus he is used to being an inside dog. It has gotten to the point where I either keep Ben and we stop fostercare or I try to rehome Ben (but it would have to be to a very experienced owner) or I have him put down which would break my heart. But I really do not want to stop caring for these kids either!

Gosh - he sounds great!! Good luck and don't forget - we will want pics!!

No it is not a bad idea by any means BUT Why is he available? Has he had any training? How old is he? I have adopted both baby puppies an dolder dogs (including a Newfie of 6 years once) and both puppies and older dogs have their own challenges. On the plus side, an older dog that has been well cared for and socialised etc can be taken for walks immediately (which I believe helps the bonding process tremendously) they MAY be house trained etc. Tell us more about the dog you have been offered! Also if your kids are young a puppy can be VERY time-consuming!

I am married to a wonderful wonderful man who sounds similar to your bf in one important way - he would far rather be loved/liked than respected. He refuses to discipline our kids whatsoever (we have seven between us) let alone the dogs! It is actually a kind of sad manifestation of the fact that he is insecure about people liking him when he is *strong* rather than just meekly going along with everything. If this is how your bf feels (and it has the ring of truth in it to me) you may find this attitude is present in many of his interactions not just with Scooby. Good luck!

Oh I loved these - really needed a laugh today too!

Hi - we contacted a company called Happy House Sitters and had a wonderful woman who came and stayed in our home and cared for our entire menagerie (snake, fish, dogs and cats!) She charges absolutely nothing and was absolutely marvelous. If you want to PM me I can forward you her details

I am so sorry that has happened Jeff - I would have loved to have had the opportunity to do this test but I am in Melbourne. Like you, I absolutely understand family emergencies can happen - I am a foster carer of small children and we know what it is like to be suddenly caught on the hop - but I do think that five appointments strains credibility.

I agree KismetKat - I think that any research that can help dogs and people live together more harmoniously is a good thing! This study may well be only a first step but at the very least it is actually a First Step!

Well I took my two along today and it was really interesting. Tammie was extremely professional and I think the study will prove worthwhile. My GSD behaved exactly as I expected once I left the room ie whining constantly, frantically pacing and totally ignored the *stranger*. My little Cocker however was less laid-back about my absence than I had expected. Once I left the room, she did go and sit in front of the stranger (with her back towards him) and then resumed whining and howling and trying to open the door. Interestingly, Tammie said that some dogs were far more likely to go and sit with the *stranger* than others and that I thought was very curious. Anyway, she still needs more dogs (and their humans!) and if anyone is interested then it is well worth contacting her. It only took about ten minutes and the drive out and back was really pleasant too!

Thanks everyone - will check with Jetpets. The puppy is I think 9 weeks old.

Should I try and find someone who can take her up there as excess luggage (not sure if that is correct terminology) or should I go with one of the professionals? Cost is a factor and the dates are very flexible.

As a mother of teenage boys I can tell you now what *drive* Stevette's suitor will be in and he WON'T be able to satisfy it with a tug toy!! LOLOLOL As for Steve - I am 100% convinced his bite will be way worse than his bark!

Congratulations to Steve's beautiful wife - she is doing all the hard yards and Steve is getting all the glory!!!

please tell us......pleeeeeeeeeeease!

Started looking for the key to the door????

Lay down by the door and waited for you quietly paying no attention to the other person OR approached the other person and *made friends*???

PM me too please!

Oh I am so glad this test was finally done - I am fascinated as to the results! Lately I have realised that my dog is not as predictable as I had thought previously so please do tell us all. How many people and dogs took part? What breeds and ages etc?