LB has better crates available. Great ventilation and not real heavy.

However, what does your dog do in a plastic airline crate? I would definitely not recommend the wire crates since he is a chain link chewer, he may destroy a wire crate as well.

 Quote: connie sutherland

The answer to salvaging the relationship is pretty obvious, I'm afraid: Time spent training and exercising the dog.

I imagine that most of the people on this board work full-time.

They do things like get up early to exercise the dog and leave a tired dog in his crate or kennel...

Yep. Exactly. I have 6 dogs...and only one I would call a "pet" as far as energy level/drive goes. I also work 6 days a week. I also live totally alone (well, no other humans). I also have a very skilled Houdini, so while I can sympathize with your plight, I cannot understand why rehoming him would come up.

I am lucky enough to not have to be at work until 10 am, so I get up around 6-7am every morning. I let them all out, feed them all, and take a couple of them for fairly long walks while the others play in the yard. My oldest GSD gets to swim almost every morning before I go to work. If it's too cold for that (in MY opinion, lol) we play ball w/a Chuckit before I go to work. I walk whoever didn't get a morning walk when I get home. I do not have T.V., and I do absolutely nothing at night until they are taken care of. My free time is spent with them, and only them. I work my bf in when I can. Sounds funny, but I'm serious. Dogs come first-always.

I have the bonus of bringing a dog or two to work, also, but this is a bonus that not many people have, I understand. If I couldn't, I'd just get up earlier.

I'm not trying to sound judgmental, but I think I'm in a pretty good place to say it's doable, having 6, compared to one. My Houdini just likes to be loose. He uses garage door openers, opens crates, unweaves chainlink, jumps 6' wood fences...trust me, I can sympathize. However, it sounds like your dog is doing this damage out of boredom or frustration. Mine tries to follow me everywhere, and I don't think it's because he's stir crazy. He just prefers to be loose.

Anyway, sorry to be so long, but I am honestly a bit shocked that getting rid of the dog was a considered solution. Get in gear. Get up earlier. Get a better crate. Get some exercise w/the dog. If you have a dog, you need to adjust your schedule to fulfill his NEEDS. He doesn't have the option of changing his needs to fit your schedule.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I do have equipment I could use to help walk him. I have a back injury and cannot walk long distances but the smaller tractor would help. I started crating him again after he tore up the kennel. He spent the first 18 months crated frequently due to house sell living in rental and establishing a new house. He loves his crate. I have contactd a local trainer that I know well and he is going to do some work with him with the animal agression. Hopefully I may be able to use those cows to our advantage. Again thanks

Gosh, I feel your frustration. I watched the dvd today on obedience training & one of the dogs used in the dvd relating to teaching dogs to sit looked & acted just like my Sheba. Mr. Frawley referred to the dog as being a "wild dog". I, too live a very busy life & working with Sheba isn't normally something I look forward to. I will tell you this, the people in this forum have been very helpful to me & from what I've read so far they have some good ideas for you, too. I wish you well & hope things work out for you & your dog very soon. Blessings.

 Quote: Wanda Bradsher

I, too live a very busy life & working with Sheba isn't normally something I look forward to.

Please tell me this is a mistake in your typing???? Do you really not look forward to working with your dog?

No, I don't look forward to the mouthing & being jumped on. I'm 5' 0" tall so when she jumps up she is in my face. When I put the leash on her or take it off, she is mouthing me. The actual playing/working is fun. Its the beginning & end I don't look forward to.

I here you girl. My "problem child" is my five year old boxer. The GSD puppy has been a cake walk compaired to Ava. I think your boy needs a job!

I am down to 105 pounds thanks to my boxer. We go for a five mile run every morning, then she does training with the puppy, she is allowed to help me take the little donkey out to the pasture. This means she is not allowed to bother any other horses.

She runs with my brother also on the weekend and is out saying hi all day and still does not want to come in at the end of the day. She has all sorts of obedience tittles and is a service plus therapy dog.
I wasn't as interested in these venues as I was desperate to keep a very high energy high intelligent dog happy.
Trust me I know how hard it is but it didn't cross my mind to give up. I do think rehomeing is kinder than your present status.