I don't usually post with advice because I feel too much like i ma the one learning here. But way way before I found leerburg.com I had a big dog who lived happily with other dogs until one day she didn't. We had no idea what to do, what had gone wrong, or how to fix it. We decided in order to keep all the dogs safe, she would be kept separated. LIfe was a bit more difficult, but we learned to manage it and it became the norm. All three dogs had a good life, spent time with us, had walks, and play time, but the one gorl was not allowed to play with other dogs anymore. I think she spent the rest of her life a very happy dog, even without that canine interaction.

The big point here being we were willing to put forth the effort to keep all our dogs safe and happy, even if it meant a bit more work. We also ran a fence to separate yards, and voila, all dogs could be out at once, but not in danger. I don't have the answer for you, only that it can be done without too much life disruption, and unless your children are very very young, which would mean they should not be in control of what dog gets left where, I would think that they could be made to understand the seriousness of the situation. But that is defintely an area I have no expertise in.

I do wish you the very best. This is definitely not a place that sugar coats, but the places that do tend to not give too much real help. I get irritated sometimes when I post here but then I go on and try what is reccomended and it usually helps.

I would certainly suggest leerburg's dvd on pack structure and dominant dogs also. They are excellent and well worth the little bit of expense. Please let us know how it turns out.

I'll revise and say REHOME or put down.

At this home, this WILL happen again.

Everybody is thinking about the dog at hand, as well as I am. But you have to look past Grif at everybody he is going to come into contact with should she decide to keep him. I'm more worried about those animals, and like I correctly assumed earlier, kids and other people.

Rehome with someone that knows ALL the issues or put him down.

Foresight

Jennifer I really hope that you contact a rescue organization as many here have suggested. Griffey deserves a chance to have a good life with someone who knows all about his issues.

I am confident that there are a few experienced, willing people that would be willing to find Griffey a good home.

I am not judging you in any way, but I would just ask that instead of putting Griffey to sleep, you consider that his issues just don't work in your family any more.
It sounds like you have your hands really full and just don't have the time to handle it.
There is nothing wrong with admitting this, but to put the dog down just seems so wrong to me.

I would also say that I echo Tracy's post in that you should consider the message that you are sending your children, if you decide to PTS Griffey.

This dog deserves more from you than that. I am sorry, but he does. Especially if you love him at all, consider allowing the good people at the Saint B. rescue to find a suitable owner.
Wouldn't that just make your whole family happier to know he's in a good home, vs. knowing you put him down?

Not sure I could live with myself if I put a good dog down just because I couldn't manage a situation better.
Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I consider putting this dog down to be a harsh punishment for mismanagement on your part.

I can only hope you contact the rescue orgs mentioned.
Please, consider this.

I'm going to be the bad guy here and say, put the dog down. Practice makes perfect, and Jennifer has done nothing but allow this dog to practice aggressive behavior.

Jennifer, a "reasonable pet owner" would have addressed this issue at the start. Only an irresponsible pet owner would let this drag out for years on end. I'm sorry that Griffey will be the one to suffer for it.

Rescue? Is it really fair to let Griffey take the spot of a perfectly happy, sweet, easily adoptable St. Bernard?
Jennifer won't be honest about this dog's issues, as already demonstrated. I think rehoming this dog is about the same as pulling the pin on a grenade and handing it to some well-meaning bystander and saying "It needs work, good luck."

 Quote: lisa brazeau

Rescue? Is it really fair to let Griffey take the spot of a perfectly happy, sweet, easily adoptable St. Bernard?

Yes. What is a "happy, sweet and easily adoptable" dog for one person is a "boring, low drive, lazy, no challenge" pet for another.

It would be fair to live it up to the rescue to decide if they would take him on.

No animals should be adopted to "well-meaning bystanders" and all potential adopters should be carefully screened and matched with the most appropriate animal, be it sweet and boring or challenging and interesting.

Good points.

Also, just in case this is a thought: surrendering this dog to a shelter (as opposed to a rescue) to live in anxiety and loneliness before a lonely death with no loved one there is the absolute crap way out.

Truly, somehow I didn't look further than page one on this. My mistake. I think you should look at the rescue option too. Your dog deserves the effort. They are living things, and they deserve the effort.

The rescue or a trained professional would be in a better position to give a recommendation after seeing the dog than somebody who only read owner's description of the problem on the internet.

It is considered inappropriate to give medical advice over the internet yet it seems fine to recommend PTS without actually seeing the dog.

In this recent thread about a dog that actually killed a cat the dog was rehomed successfully:

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

This is awesome to hear. I hope the new owners know what a great dog they have! Great news all the way around!

On the outside the situation does not seem that much different from the OP's.