Need to re-home a biting GSD - Page 5

Hoo boy, did this go viral [& vitriolic] overnite. What I was going to return and say - in reply to Hired Dog et al - is that it might be that ol' Pond making the difference again, but why I suggested the OP should check out any security company offers carefully was because there are a number of firms in the UK that I would trust to give the dog a decent life. They have qualified and experienced patrol staff who actually like dogs and treat them well. Sure there are some companies I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole, but not all. And I am talking about LE style patrolling of properties etc, not sticking a dog behind a junk yard fence and leaving it there.

I'd add that as was pointed out the dog biting may well be - if not caused medically, Mindhunt, thanks for that reminder - bad schooling / handling by inexperienced owners, as is so often the case. If that is true then being passed on to someone more experienced, perhaps more 'sympatico' with the large working breeds, would be no bad thing and the dog might never again have a problem with biting inapropriately.

BonBon, You should consult with someone who has direct and first hand experience with biting dogs and their triggers. Just from reading a few key remarks in your post, you have a better chance than most in finding a fix. I sent you a PM with information. Good luck.

well, my only advice to the OP, is that if you believe there is a "fix" to a dog randomly attacking non threatening people is to purchase a very large personal liability rider from your insurance company.

especially since you know the dog is dangerious and has a history.

good luck and I certainly feel for you having to make this choice,

Rik

What does Nancy say? I certainly hope she has been informed before this dog is put down.

No issues since 2017? Til a bite on a neighbor? If the dog is not unstable (and we certainly don't have enough info here to form any conclusion on that) and lashing out right and left, or showing other evidence of a problem temperament, I see no reason to jump to euthanizing a dog that you admit has been a wonderful pet all these years. The OP claims there was no discernible warning- that's a human opinion which merely says they didn't see it, not that there wasn't necessarily one. And, he showed no "shame." Not sure why he would, if he felt justified in what he did. Shame isn't really a dog reaction; that's an uneducated human take on a dog showing fear or submissiveness, which a dog won't, if he's confident. He bit an outsider (I really don't care if he was familiar with her or not- she's not family, period); he didn't maul your toddler, your husband/wife, etc. He's a working line GSD, from a breeder known to produce dogs who bite. Certainly, we have a suitability issue if the OP doesn't want a dog who bites, but I guess I'm in the minority when I say I haven't read nearly enough info to justify killing this dog. I commend the OP for admitting they are not able to adequately handle him, as it's a handler's duty to ensure our dogs never paying the price for our handling shortcomings. Frankly, I'm more than a little disappointed in the number of people suggesting putting this dog down with so little information.

I thought we wanted GSDs to bite? Did I miss a memo?

To the OP: where are you located? I can possibly help you.

I did a search for Westwood Kennels, and came up with this post from Nancy on another forum:

https://www.germanshepherds.com/threads/westwood-kennels.620282/

This lady sounds like a breeder who knows her stuff. The dogs she breeds aren't wimps - she breeds for police and military - and they are therefore quite likely to bite a stranger, without being 'bad' dogs.

The OP needs to contact the breeder if he/she hasn't done so already.

This IS a breed that's bred to bite 'for real', and this dog can quite likely be saved by the right person.

Here's one of the males she's bred, just to give you an idea of the bloodlines her kennel has:    

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2679373-raven-z-westwood

Jenni78 and SunSilver-- Thank you

the best advice so far is contact the breeder.

according to the OP, the dog has an extensive history of nipping and biting, with 2 serious bites.

I guess I don't understand how the dog is given so many opportunities, unless it involves trespassers or break ins.

there are lots of dogs that are quick to bite and lots of experienced, knowledgeable owners who do not give them the chance to bite without cause.

Rik, when I saw the pedigrees of what Nancy is breeding, I immediately suspected this might be a training problem. The OP talks more about 'nipping' than actual biting (the neighbour being the exception) and most of us know what landsharks young GSDs can be!

Has anyone suggested contacting the breeder to take him back?

I’m left wondering about the circumstances surrounding the dog biting the neighbor. I have a three yr old male gsd that I had to muzzle train as he can become overly protective in some situations. His lineage includes some Eastern European police dogs including some DDR dogs. He has to be muzzled at the vet when my husband and I are with him as he does not like being in a small space (exam room) with the vet that he doesn’t know well. He wants to protect us so he growls and nips at the vet techs and vet. This is where a muzzle is an important tool. However if we drop him off at the vet for a procedure, they tell us he’s fine and not aggressive. In fact, he’s playful towards them when we aren’t present. We muzzle him in public for his protection as much as for the protection of other people. He is obedience trained and well socialized. But, he is very protective. We take extra precautions with him in order to prevent an unintended tragedy.