Amax-1 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Yes the ownership details could make things complicated. I think euthanasia is a responsible course of action in this case. But as you say you might have to confirm whether there is a chip or not. I would be just as worried as you at the thought of her being rehomed onto someone else Sadly this poor Dane has a major nerve issue which is genetic and the kindest thing would be to send her to the bridge. I would if possible chase the breeders up for an explanation on why they are breeding dogs like that too. In a pure breed situation we collectively need to pressure breeders running off nervy dogs......it's a shame to have acquired a nervy breeding prospect, but if it's not up to standard, don't breed it and produce more dogs of substandard temperament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurensingh Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Her parents are apparently registered dogs (i have a copy of their papers) however she didnt come with papers, so could just be lies. Sadly i think we will be heading into the vets on monday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 No one here will blame you or hold it against you at all. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this, I'd be having her euthanised too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemmy Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I have no guidance to add, but wanted to thank you for being so responsible! I really feel for the situation you're in, best of luck with your decisions on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) Gosh Laurensingh...be extremely careful with her until then around her if you have to wait till monday. Don't let your guard down around her. Be extemely cautious. Im worried for your safety. Please dont try & socialize her. Thoughts are with you in this aweful situation through no fault of your own. Edited August 30, 2014 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurensingh Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Thanks everyone, If only people were honest, i am now down hundreds (which in the long run does not really matter) but have to go through the heart ache of euthinising a dog. She will be kept in a pen outside (with shelter) until Monday, unfortunately no where is open tomorrow so i don't have any other choice. If the vets wont do anything, i think i will have to surrender her to the pound, i really do not like the thought of this. Owner has requested i dont euth, they want me to keep her while they find another home, they just dont seem to understand how unstable this dog is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Thoughts winging your way .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Well you are the owner now, so I don't see why the vet won't euth her....I'd tell the old owner that it's nothing to do with her/him now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amax-1 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Thanks everyone, If only people were honest, i am now down hundreds (which in the long run does not really matter) but have to go through the heart ache of euthinising a dog. She will be kept in a pen outside (with shelter) until Monday, unfortunately no where is open tomorrow so i don't have any other choice. If the vets wont do anything, i think i will have to surrender her to the pound, i really do not like the thought of this. Owner has requested i dont euth, they want me to keep her while they find another home, they just dont seem to understand how unstable this dog is. Nobody wants to euthanize a dog especially a young one in good bodily health but a dog must possess mental health also to sustain a happy life.......an aggressive dog in defence is severely stressed not much different than an old dog in pain. To let her sleep peacefully where her stress is finally relieved is an act of kindness to the dog in the same way relieving pain from an old dog giving their wings. It's a mongrel thing to contend with and have to do but for the dog it's the right thing to provide her with tranquillity. Aside from protecting potential victims of her bite, to live a life reacting aggressively from fear is not a pleasant way for the poor dog to live it's life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankdog Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) I think that's very responsible and I applaud you for not simply returning her. I too would euth rather than rehome my dog. It's sad but ultimately may be the best thing to do. An anxious dog and in her second home already, I'm sure the rescue folk will tell you it's a story they hear a lot. I'm sorry you've landed in this situation. If you say where you are people may be able to give you guidance to a good behaviourist who can assess what your chances of rehabilitation are if you feel you need an expert opinion. Edited August 30, 2014 by hankdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I wouldn't rush out and euth her. While I don't think aggression towards a child is acceptable she is a nervy dog and was tethered. I think this was a mistake. Also a mistake dropping in anywhere on your way home. A nervous dog needs to feel secure and confident in their pack leader. She wouldn't have known what the heck was going on and was more than likely scared witless. Sounds like she's had a lot thrown at her in such a short time. While I am not recommending keeping a dog that size with any level of aggression I still think she needs a chance. Just finding that chance might be difficult!! First thing I would do is contact Sas who is a member on this forum and very knowledgeable with the breed. She might have some suggestions of people who can help. You will be able to find Sas through the messaging function. I would also contact the breed club to see if they can trace her breeder or any breeder who is willing to take her on and assess her properly. There is no way I would ever run her and a Whippet together. She's been let down by her owner and, no offence, but put in the hands of someone inexperienced with the breed who has gone too hard, too fast. She deserves a proper assessment by someone experienced before losing her life. Good luck and I'm sorry what should have been such a happy time has come with so much stress. I would probably re think the size of your Whippets new companion next time around. Please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Clyde, not everyone is cut out to rehab a dog like that and nor should they be expected to. Sounds like OP just wanted an easy, companionable dog. I'd do exactly the same and have her PTS peacefully. Frankly I think Lauren should be absolutely commended on making the hard call. Many would have sent her back to be moved on. I also don't know.if its about size either, Gus's best mate at the park at the.moment is a tiny elderly Chi. Its.more.about.matching the two temperaments and styles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I don't think it's terribly fair to blame the OP for the dog trying to attack the pup and the child. I wasn't blaming her as such, just saying that mistakes were made (hope this makes sense?!). I don't mean it in an accusing way (we all make mistakes), just pointing out that the dog hasn't been given any stability yet. I also don't know.if its about size either, Gus's best mate at the park at the.moment is a tiny elderly Chi. Its.more.about.matching the two temperaments and styles. I agree. But my point was that the OP has said her Whippet is elderly and also unwell. So in this instance, to bring a giant breed puppy in to the home was a bad match. I'm not saying 'any rescue' should take on the dog, and I have conceded that it could potentially be very difficult to find someone breed experienced to help, all I am saying is that the OP needs to try to seek further breed experienced assistance before she makes that call as it doesn't seem as if she is overly experienced herself. I am genuinely not pointing fingers of blame (difficult to make that clear online) but I still feel the dog deserves a proper and experienced assessment. Who knows, maybe the OP would only meet closed doors in her quest for help with the dog but at least all efforts would have been made before calling such a final shot. I'm not suggesting she keep the dog herself and attempt to rehab her - I understand this is costly and potentially dangerous. It would just be nice to think the dog was given a fair chance with someone experienced first. I realise that there might not be anybody with this breed background in a position to take her on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurensingh Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Hi, thought i should explain my side a bit more. I didnt head on over for a meet and great, i had prior commitments and wasnt meant to pick zeba up until the next day, her owners circumstance changed so i got her friday instead, I have had dogs my whole life, and never had one show aggression towards a puppy, so didnt think she would react in such an extreme way, the was no growling prior to her lunging and grabbing him. I explain my whippet as old and unwell so i dont need to discuss the small details, however she is in fact only 4 yo, but has polyarthritis, so her immune system is attacking her soft tissues, she really does not do much, other then sleep inside in her crate, i had no intention of running the dogs together unsupervised, the addition of a new dog, did not disrupt her in anyway. With regards to the child, there was no prior signs of her being nervous/uncomfortable (yes i do and can notice a dogs body language, and she appeared perfectly calm) She did not know she was tethered, it was the same as her being on the couch with a lead left on, The child was sitting on the floor a couple of meters away playing with some paper, dog went from curled up relaxed to lunging in the blink of an eye, the fact there was no signs is what scares me the most. I have contacted a great dane rescue, but i dont know expect them to want to take her on. I live on a farm, if it was just dogs she was aggressive with, i would take steps to work with her and a behaviorist, if that didnt work, she would never have to be around unknown dogs, however i cannot risk a child aggressive dog. Hope this all makes sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 It makes perfect sense to me - you do what feels safe and responsible . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 There are certainly NO winners in this horrible situation. The pup in question must be so stressed to lash out like that at a child. I totally understand & agree. DA is one thing & certainly a problem but human aggression, especially when children are involved just takes this sad story to a whole other level. As Snook said I too am so pleased you had the foresight to have her tethered. Would hate to think what would of of happened if you didn't I commend you on your handling of this whole very unfortunate set of circumstances Laurensingh. I shudder to think just how upsetting & extremely difficult this situation is for you Please keep us updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) Hi, You need to return the dog and if the breeder will not return your money then you need to contact the equiv. of Fair Trading in your State. You did not know the dog was of this temperament and therefore this dog is not fulfilling the purpose it was intended for i.e. a companion pet. Without seeing the dog myself but having seen many a dog like this it sounds as if the dog is unsocialised, perhaps never leaving the breeders property and therefore the outside world is a scary place and the dog is a fear biter. In regards to euthing the dog, No, I don't see how you could feel comfortable euthing a dog when from what I understand it's not in your name i.e. microchip and secondly a Behaviourist should see a dog before its given a death sentence and that should happen this week...if you have the time and skills to work the dog through this. I wouldn't be euthing the dog if it were me, I would be returning the dog and contacting Fair Trading to get my money back but either way it wouldn't be my place nor responsibility to euth this dog, it would be the owners who rehomed an unsocialised, unsuitable giant breed to a member of the public. It's unlikely a Dane Rescue will take the dog because it has already displayed behaviours that could deem it dangerous. Pls, drive the 3 hours and take the dog back to the owners. Edited August 31, 2014 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 It doesn't sound like the dog came from a breeder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amax-1 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Without seeing the dog myself but having seen many a dog like this it sounds as if the dog is unsocialised, perhaps never leaving the breeders property and therefore the outside world is a scary place and the dog is a fear biter. I say this sincerely to everyone.....don't ever fall for the lack of socialisation routine and blame yourselves for the incorrect raising of a pup who ends up defence aggressive..........it's a genetic nerve weakness in the dog, not the way you have raised it. Dogs of strong nerve and genetic temperament stability don't need socialisation at all as the world isn't a scary place in their mindset. Socialisation and environmental exposure in pups helps to mask nerve deficiency and better prepare weak dogs for urban living in a pet environment. Unfortunately not all breeders run off strong nerved dogs so socialisation of a pup is an important phase in raising but only because you can't guarantee the pup you have received is bred off stable character ancestry. One of my favourite tests is gunfire testing Labradors and Golden Retrievers and the one's who bolt, ask the breeders why they are breeding gun dogs on parentage who are scared of gunfire....you will be surprised Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I have to agree that in days gone by a dog of poor nerve or unstable temperament for WHATEVER the reason, was deemed by society to be unsuitable for anything, and sent to meet it's maker. No Ifs no buts. I'm not a fan of today's thinking where it seems everything with a pulse gets to live, being managed, rehabilitated, caged, muzzled, leashed etc etc. Having a pet dog is meant to be a mutually pleasurable experience. Micro managing a stressed out, nervy and aggressive dog should not be what it is about, ever. When the he'll did it become so socially unacceptable to euth rotten dogs? Flame suit on. to the OP. What a diabolical situation you have found yourself in. Do what needs to be done to protect your family and society, and give the dog it's peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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