we have discussed it and we have come to the conclusion to not keep him.. Do you suggest we have him put down, give him to a dog rescue, give him to a shelter?Do you know if these places take agressive dogs? please give me any suggestions that you have. Thanks

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What were the circumstances around it? Do you know someone on a farm where he could be away from kids and maybe work? I think that is the kind of dog that used to be at the barn where I borded my horse. He snapped at people all the time. But he was great with the horses and those of us that were around all the time.

I don't think putting him down is the answer. Is there a breed rescue you could contact? I think that would be the best option, they could rehome him somewhere or at the least, work on his behavorial issues.

I would try to find a australian shepard rescue or even a working dog rescue. Alot of times they know behaviourists and/or trainers that can help. I wouldn't put him down without trying alot of rescues first. Don't give up on him. If you want, I can help you find one.

Australian Shepherds are known for being nippy at times because, like others have said, they are working dogs. Hunter is part cattle dog, and while he has never attacked anyone, he does nip at heels because that is what his breed is used to doing. Nipping the heels of livestock to get them to do what they want to do.

I like the comment about giving the dog to a farmer. Farmers are always looking for dogs like that. If you do a rescue, I would find one that specialized in Australian Shepherds. If you just took him to your local shelter, there could be a chance that if he nipped, that they would put him down or he would unadoptable.

I don't know the circumstances- but when a dog attacks a human for no reason- especially when they bite the face/throat areas- they generally are NOT going to be accepted into a rescue program. Turning him into the humane society would be the WRONG thing to do- he'll either languish there forever- or worse... go home to a family where he'll hurt a small child.

It's a grim fact- but dogs who attack, do it again. And it just gets worse and worse.

Now, if this was a special circumstance- he was extremely frightened, or in pain, and bit out of confusion- you really shouldn't think about giving him away just yet. Almost ANY dog WILL attack if provoked. But out right aggression? No farmer will want a dog like that around his animals... and if he is rehomed and bites another person, that blood will be on YOUR hands. Often violent dogs simpley get cycled from shelter to shelter to shelter where their biting history gets lost. There are so many GOOD dogs-SAFE dogs- in the shelters already... :(

Sometimes euthanasia is just the right thing to do.

But again- I don't know the circumstances of the "attack".

Where did you get him? A responsilbe breeder would want to be part of this decision- and would want to know the circumstances of the attack... so if he had one, please contact them.

Before you think about euthansia, I would EXTREMELY suggest a behaviourist. Not all dogs attack twice. But you need to either give him to someone who can help him or do it yourself. Killing them is not always the right thing to do.

I'de put an ad in the paper if you're willing to keep him a little while longer. Was the attack provoked? I don't think shelters will take an agressive dog. The pound will label him agressive, owner surender. I don't think anyone will take him if they know of the circumstances... :( :(

We got him from a breeder and we called the breeder, The breeder heard my moms story and all the breeder seemed to care about was seeing if he has anything internally wrong with him. She wants us to get him checked up by a vet and fax her the results. we dont know what casued his agression. we fell that he might be over protected of things like the puppy Roxy. My mom was bending down to pick up a paper towel roxy was chewing on and dallas started growling and than just pinned my mom to the ground attacking her face. It resulted in her both her nostrills being ripped. anyway dallas has an history of being agressive..from being over protected og his toys. i dont think he attacks people for just no reason. when i feed him an get ready to put his food down he doesnt growl at me,,,but if my parents put his food down then he will growl at them. He has a slit personallity. He is a lovable dog....just has some bad in him. I would never in my wildest dreams want him to attack another person because of the reason of him being over protected of his stuff. last year dallas was real sick and we took him to the vet and there was a possiility were he could of had lime discease. he would just lay on the ground and he wouldnt get up and walk and he wouldnt eat and he just lied there. the vet did tests and said that it wasnt lime discease at all, just that his bones were still growing and it was hurting him. But yea, dallas is really overprotected of stuff. he'll nip at ya if he doesnt like what your doing at a particular time. My father suspects him of trying to be the apha male. and he should not be doing that. Aussies are a very intelligent breed and they may be too smart for your own good. We dont know what is wrong with him. and our last choice of what to do with him would be euthanizia. but we just dont know. any other suggestions? thanks alot.

Here is his breeders website if u want to check it out:

http://www.australianshepherd.org/

(check out his dad (hunter) and his mom (Maggie))

he is a beutiful boy and i would not want to have to end his life.


http://www.dogster.com/?62999

Aww he is a very pretty dog... :( Hopefully you'll find him help or another good home.

I am sorry to hear about your mother and I hope that she is doing ok. After reading the reason why he attacked, it was because of his possessiveness of the puppy. That happened to a friend of mine. Her dog was outside and they had just gotten a puppy a few weeks before, and a neighbor came over to pet the dog who was always friendly, and the dog bit her arm. The dog knew this person. The puppy was standing right next to the dog when this happened. This was six years ago and the dog has never bit anyone again. Maybe by explaining this to a rescue organization of your dog's breed, they might be willing to take him since most likely he bit your mother because of the puppy if you should decide to actually give him up. It wouldn't hurt to call one and find out. It's a tough decision. The people I mention here kept their dog and nothing ever happened again. Good luck in your decision.

This is coming from an old Sammy newsletter.

A Lab cross which was rescued tested positive for Lyme disease and was treated. The dog was subsequently placed successfully and enjoyed a wonderful relationship with his new owners for almost a year.

At that point the dog suddenly became unexplainably aggressive and was returned to the rescue. When the dog came in he was so nasty he was unreccognizable. The board of directors of the rescue had decided to euthanize when one of the members recalled that they had heard Lyme disease could reoccur. The dog was retested and found positive again.

He was treated and was able to be returned to the family.

Just might be worth checking out.

i would seriously speak with you rbreeder on this one. i dont know what type of agreement you had with her when you bought dallas, but i know i am not allowed to give scout away or euthanize her w/out giving my breeder the chance to accept or decline taking her back. i would have him tested again for lymes. just cause he didnt have it last year does not mean he could not have it now. if your breeder is not helpful with you try aussie rescue. be honest and if experienced people of the breed say euthanasia is an option then do what you feel is right for all concerned.

The breeder is a lawyer. She is legally covering her butt, asking you to get vet certs for her. If she would take the dog back, she will likely rehome it well and proper, to avoid lawsuits.
It is a beautiful dog. Such a shame. I don't blame your mom if she doesn't want to keep it. I'm afraid a dog that did that to me, would barely survive my reaction...