Quote: Lauren Jeffery

Do you happen to know what part of his temperament the trainer had zeroed in on when you were warned about the dog (i.e.: nerve, dominance, forgiveness, fight drive)? Knowing why the trainer made the comment would go a long way in figuring out what would be best for him as a long term solution.

Fight drive.

I should also add that he's currently intact. I know at 2 years, it's hit or miss as to whether or not fixing him will make a difference. I am making an appt this week unless someone really has a compelling reason not to.

I don't know if you'll find it compelling, but this sounds like a perfectly fine (albeit strong tempered) dog that would/could be a wonderful animal IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HOME. I wouldn't neuter him; that will make him very undesireable in many eyes who would provide an excellent home for him. There are many people who like dogs like this and do great with them; it's all about time and mutual respect, determination, and the elimination of room for error when working on this. You don't have that; with a little child, you have NO room for error.

Not to mention the fact that neutering is certainly not going to fix this.

It doesn't sound like this dog is going to change who he is, and it really doesn't sound like this is a good situation at all. Sell/give the dog to someone w/out a tiny child, OR to someone who will 100% separate ALL THE TIME.

If the trainer had said he's a nervebag, I might feel differently, but he sounds just fine- but misplaced.

There have been countless threads on the health ramifications of neutering, not to mention the instances where it causes MORE aggression. There was just one on here reccently...I'm bad at saving threads, but I bet someone will chime in. I hope.

Completely out of curiosity....how's he bred? What's his ped? I'm assuming it's Rommel? Or is it another dog? Some good lines back there, if so. My friend who was the TD for a nearbly county LOVED Kuhnhof dogs. I have heard a lot about them...there are some other hard to finds in there as well, although not much was done w/the more recent dogs in his ped.

Neutering at this age will not have any effect on this behavior. Keep the dog intact & find a new home for him.

See if the trainer that told you about his 'fight drive' knows someone that might be interested in him. At least he has first hand info on the dog to pass on to perspective buyers & most likely has a larger network of dog people that may produce a buyer.

John, I pm'd you. Please check.

John is this the same dog that you sent away for training a while back because he was biting at the leash & bit you on the leg a couple of times when he couldn't get his own way? If it is, it sounds like you are in over your head with this dog.

I believe it is, Anne. I reread John's posts from the past year and it seems to be the same dog. Not a good fit, IMHO.

Agreed. I hope that his trainer can help him rehome the dog into a more appropriate home. Sometimes it just doesn't work out, no matter how much you want it to.

I agree with Anne and Jenni. Best intentions.... and all that. I do think there are some non-confrontational (passive corrections) techniques to demonstrate leadership to your dog that will decrease the chances of your dog challenging your authority. You would have to completely change the way you live with your dog, however. Without that level of commiment, it's best to rehome the dog.

 Quote: Anne Jones

John is this the same dog that you sent away for training a while back because he was biting at the leash & bit you on the leg a couple of times when he couldn't get his own way? If it is, it sounds like you are in over your head with this dog.

Same dog. He didn't bite, but he did put his teeth on my leg once. I have not had any issues with that since he came back from training.