Challenging Male need help Adopting him out - Page 1

Hey all... As you know I manage a shelter, I have to keep my rescue dogs seperate from shelter rescue dogs. If I did not my boss would probably kick me. Anyway I had a male shepherd come into the Shelter... This dog poor thing he is such a mess !!!!! The guy that "cared" for him (???) was horribe to this dog. He would go outside when the dog would bark and beat him until the dog would growl and bite at him and then wondered why the dog got to where he could not approach him. So here he is. He is a little funky to say the least and I am wondering if I should just simply PTS as he WILL BITE if you do something wrong, No he has not bitten anyone here, However I feel 100% posative that if you did anything wrong or perceived wrong by this dog he would NAIL YOU !! He is not Fearful !!! I think a very strong Handler/Trainer could handle this dog, I don't know if they could ever "fix" him ? I would say he would be classified as EXTREME HARD DOG, and would lump him in with any Mal and put my money on this dog's score. Options, and Opinions please, My gut says PTS because I feel he is borderline "Dangerous" and in the wrong hands he would HURT someone I know without a doubt ! What do should I do ? What are my options ? Can anyone out there with the experience take this dog on ? and who would that be ?

Sounds like this dog has lost all respect for humans,very difficult if not impossible to rehabilitate,IMO.A sad situation.Wish I could offer you more.Hopefully someone here will have more knowledge on this type of issue.

Oh ya, I forgot to mention, He is 14 months old beautiful Black and Red strong type "male" head on him, have no knowledge of his bloodlines though. Probably in the range of 80# now.

If you feel that strong that this dog could hurt someone than the humane thing to do is put the dog down. I know people think its aweful but could you live with yourself if the dog hurt someone or a child?? I personally have been in this situation. I sent a dog to Germany you was attacked by another dog that climb into his kennel and then we was not trained or treated very well!!! He came home Not the same dog I sent to Germany He was fine with me but he loved me!! But I was scared to death he would hurt my family!! I tired and though about placing him!!! BUT In the end I had him put down. He's FREE!!! and a happier dog

this is not an issue that can be advised via the internet; a professional needs to evaluate the dog in person. try getting an appointment with an animal behavioralist. please also consider if your statements are valid, bringing up charges with your local animal control or humane society against the previous owner. animal cruelty is often bypassed because concerned people feel that no recourse will be taken- this is not true, but determination is needed to see it through.

lioness, Am having our club training director evaluate him tomorrow, will obviously know alot more after that, But from what I have described to her so far we are on the same page with this dog. We will see what tomorrow brings. Just trying to explore the options...

I don't think extreme hardness describes him. For all we know, he could be fearful. I think it as someone said, a matter of his learning well the lessons he was taught -- humans are cruel. But he is only a very young dog, and I think he may well turn around in gentle but firm hands. I do not think the answer is a tough trainer. Instead, I think the answer is someone with deep knowledge of dogs and compassion for him. And someone without kids or traffic in his or her home!

I wish you all the best with him. Two of my three GS rescues were abused, but probably nothing like what you describe. They both became wonderful dogs, although the female was never good with children, and would feel threatened if a stranger moved into her space too quickly. She did nip a couple of kids, but never broke the skin. Ranger, despite having been beaten with a shovel when he misbehaved, and being kept on a chain 24/7 by his former owner, is just a big marshmallow. The only time I've ever heard him growl at a human was when a friend's dog was about to attack him, and the friend grabbed him abruptly to pull him away. I've heard if you've got a really dominant dog with lots of drive, you shouldn't get into a confrontation with it at first. Don't try any serious training beyond a few basics until the dog starts to get comfortable with you. In other words, don't force him into a situation where he's going to feel threatened and want to attack. But you probably know that already...

I just wanted to extend a Thank You to all of you who have responded so far before I go to bed, and Say I'll be looking forward to hering what anyone else has to say regarding the situation, The input so far has been reassuring to hear both the good and the bad, as this is going to be difficult eigther way, and not a decision I will be making in any kind of haste.

hey echo please dont put him to sleep i thank i can win his trust & love i have nothing but time to do this i will just let him be a dog for a long time with nothing but love & under standing till he desides he wants to be part of the family i think i can bring the good back out in him it sounds like he puts pain & hurt with everything & any body if you have not fixed him yet please dont i will have him fixed when the time is right that would just put more paim with humans i would love to try i had a female that was like him it took me 5 days be for she would let me touch her but after that it was all down hill she came a long very well to pp training & very good at it i let her go to a very nice family & shes doing very well if you would like me to give it a shot id love to try you can email me sr727486@bellsouth.net the sooner the better thanks charles