I've been thinking about a thread that has been open now for a while -it's about a person who adopted an aggressive dog so that he was not put to sleep - she knows what he is and is working though it. She came here looking for advice, and guidance.

There was a comment, basically saying that with all the good dogs out there, why was this person doing all this work with a dog that may end up being put to sleep anyway.

I have mixed emotions about that type of thinking - yes, there are some great dogs in shelters that need homes, and they won't be as much work as this dog is.

BUT.

Sometimes a dog just calls to you. I tried to save a dog in a shelter thousands of miles away. There were probably very adoptable dogs between here and there... but I tried to save her. Ultimately, I failed and she was PTS, but it wasn't for lack of effort on my part.

I also brought home Caterina - one of my Malinois. She was a terror - there were people telling me right and left that she was crazy and not worth the effort. Caterina is now a therapy dog, and my soulmate. Had I listened to those nay-sayers, I would not have her in my life, and I don't even want to think about that...

When we question someone's actions, like taking in an aggressive dog, where does it end? Why take that old dog out of the shelter - he's gonna die soon any way? Why save that blind dog - she can't have much of a life. Why bring that sick and mangy dog home, there are plenty in the shelter that aren't that sick. Etc. Etc. Etc. Where does it end? When only perfect dogs are up for adoption?

Please, before you question someone about WHY they are doing something for a dog that you may not think is worth it, think about it. It may not be worth the effort for you, but for that person, it is... or they would not be doing it. Yes, sometimes we bite off more than we can chew when we take on a situation like that - and we come to a place like this for support, advice, and guidance.... not criticism. I was lucky to have Ed, Cindy, and Michael Ellis at my beck and call when I ran into problems with my dogs.. not everybody has that.

The Universe gives you the dog you need, not the dog you want. I believe that whole heartedly.

As I write this, I have Caterina looking at me and wagging her tail - she was a very special needs case, and while she took some great steps forward, she also took some pretty big ones back. I had a LOT of support while working with her, and I owe each person more than I can ever express. Was she worth it? ABSOLUTELY. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY.

Please think before you judge.

Kel

Thanks Kelly for your post....so true...

It reminds me the Starfish story....

Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”

adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

Kelly, excellent post

Absolutely no diss to the OP.

As always my concern with giving advice with aggressive dogs over the net is not really being able to actually see the dogs temperament and/or the handlers abilities.

As with your experience I hope this works well for both the dog and handler.

That was a really nice post, Kelly. Most people on this board have forgotten more than I will ever know about dogs, so I tend not to chip in on matters I am unqualified to comment on, but for what its worth, I applaud and commend anyone prepared to give a dog it's last chance. Way too many misunderstood dogs are put to sleep, when all they may need is time, patience and an opportunity to find happiness, stability and to prove their worth, obviously there are some so damaged, they may never rehabilitate, but thank god for people who try.

I hope the lady who wrote in for advice and guidance sees your comment

I don't think the comment was being judmental, just the poster stating their opinion, and a few initially agreed with them. Not everyone see unpredictable, aggressive dogs as ponies and unicorns. It's a serious matter.

http://dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/19805-advocacy-column-we-cant-save-them-all-and-we-shouldnt

Kelly, that was such an wonderful post!!! A perfect package of your personal experiences and opinions, full of good heart and so much love for dogs who are somehow handicapped for what reason ever and also pointing to the fact that jus knowing things from online measages we can not judge nor really give appropriate advice, but try the best.

I myself in my first message to Laura have expressed that I find it indignant, - not from Laura -, but from the facility to give an aggressive dog to someone. I had at first the impressioen, they were just glad to get rid of that dog. Impression, here we are!

They also might have had the thoughts like most of us, that the dog earns a chance being with persons who really want to help him and don`t do this lightheartedly and in a naive way.

Reading and thinking it over again I had the impression (again impression, we cannot see and judge or help with certainty online). Nevertheless a strong impression that this dog has had great luck to be chosen from such people. I`m happy to read about the decision they`ve made and I hope so much, we will hear from them again.

I also need to say, that I`m so glad to have you here participating on the webboard discussions, you have a lot to give to all of us. Thank you!

Sebastion! Very impressive to read your story. An image about what we`re talking, which tells everything!And an immense pleasure to see the picture of your dog. Lol. Tells a heap of truth too!

Bob, you without doubt right. Online no one can really assess a situation, but at least give good advice hoping the other one will listen to.

 Quote: Tammy Moore

I don't think the comment was being judmental, just the poster stating their opinion, and a few initially agreed with them. Not everyone see unpredictable, aggressive dogs as ponies and unicorns. It's a serious matter.

http://dogtime.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/19805-advocacy-column-we-cant-save-them-all-and-we-shouldnt

Aggression IS a serious matter, and I was not trying to say that it's not. But if someone takes in an aggressive dog, takes all the precautions to keep others safe, and is willing to put in the work knowing that in the end it may end up being PTS, I don't think we are in the position to judge whether this dog should live or die.

I see variations on the same theme all the time... with all the dogs in shelters WHY put so much effort into THAT dog? It bothers me because I don't think anyone should judge WHY a person chooses a specific dog.

We have a rescue here in the area, that goes to shelters and takes in the old, sick, and dying dogs. They call it "hospice" - they give the dog love for as long as it has. They pay for treatment, pain management, etc until the time comes that the dog needs to be euthanized. Some people find that a waste of time and money - but I find it admirable. They give the dog the one thing it really needs - love. Who can put a price on that?

Aggressive dogs, they are different. They have a bite history, and take very special handling practices. They need to be kept confined to keep everyone safe. It's not something that I think just anyone should take on. The handler in question stated that she has 10 years of experience with aggression - that's about what I have, so why shouldn't she be supported in trying to rehab this dog?

I certainly don't see aggressive dogs as unicorns, but sometimes, you can see what a dog really is underneath the "Shelter" behaviors. Some dogs can be changed. SOME. Not all. SOME. Who are we to judge which dogs should get the chance? We are not there. We have not seen the dog. We have not seen the behaviors.

Keep in mind, also, that trainers that specialize in aggression started somewhere...

Just my 2 cents - take it for what it's worth.

Kel

Tammy, I`ve read the artivle you gave us - We can’t Save ghem All – And We Shouldn’t. It actually gives a lot to think about, how careful we should be, always having our own safety
and the one of other people and also dogs in mind.

Nevertheless I think it is justified to give aggressive dogs a chance. Of course it would have to be in a very careful manner and with real professional assistance. This is just the opinion of a dog owner with an experience of only 3 and a half years.

But I believe, that dogs are not born agressive, but made agressive by dog owners. Because of wrong handling or no handling at all, except beating them, when the don`t obey. I`ve seen this in my neighbourhood frequently how dogs are beaten. The result is either a very submissive and frightened dog, (h
wich can switch some day into aggression.

We had a neighbour with two Pits. They were most of the time in an awful dark kennel, just a hole to put their heads through and bark. Completely frustated dogs. That`s one way to make dogs aggressive. So called protection dogs!

During the night and the absence of the owner they were free within a fenced yard. But one of them succeeded one day to jump over the fence and kill the dog of another neighbour. Now should we euthanize this dog? Very, very difficult question.

This might be the very last solution. I think if we have the possibiblity to rehabilate such a dog, then we should do it. But as I said with the necessary precautions and the help of very experienced people. I know, unforunately it is in most cases not possible to give to that dog what he really needs. He will be put in a facility, if lucky in a good one, but even then he will lead a life full of frustrations.

I personnally wouldn`t have the skill to treat such a dog, so I wouldn`t risk it. But if I had the experience + professional help I`d do it. Even dogs who have been hold in miserable situastions just in order to be frustrated enough to be used for those terrible dog fights have been re-habilitated. The situation changed, the dog changed.The problem wss not the dog, but the damned cruel and momey addictet owner.

Here via internet, we can not know, what someone should really do. But i`m convinced that so called aggressive dogs, will change within the right circumstances. A dog who has the chance to gain trust for his owner nd later on with other people too, will also learn not to be aggresive. With lot of patience, lot of training tos how him better ways.

A dog who doesn`t feel necesseity to be aggressive, will not bre.