Dea, I believe most if not of the people here join you in your frustration with a terrible misdeed. We hurt WITH you. It was a dream that had a bad ending.

Some of us, including me, are aggressive individuals when we've been wronged. It's hard for us to imagine accepting what took place without putting up a fight.

But that's our method of coping. I've also know that people handle tough situations in different manners. I once witnessed someone who thought another person beat them out of a half a million dollars. The injured party forgave and sent the person they believed was guilty a bible.

Hopefully you are at peace with your decision. That's what is truly important.

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

Dea, I dont think it was meant to say that YOUR story is doubtful (maybe I am wrong?), but a third party that doesn't understand the backstory would possibly be very skeptical, perhaps suspecting some kind of scam or a serious problem with the dog.

Thanks, Mike.

I do believe you are who you say you are, Dea. And I know that the breeder has a reputation for being deaf on complaints-- I said that in my first post. But anything that someone pays that much for and then shortly thereafter wants to turn around and get rid of is going to raise some questions, IMO, so you shouldn't be surprised or offended if that happens.

If you saw this in the paper or online:

Imported young GSD, great lines, Schutzhund Level III; high scores in all 3, paid $20,000. Owned 4 months. Free to good home.

Wouldn't you wonder why the owner wanted to get rid of them so quickly? I wasn't trying to be rude but since you asked for advice I thought it was something you should consider.

If you find a really experienced handler and a great place for the dog and you want to give her away for free then great. But I stand by my opinion that offering a dog like that to the general public for free could attract the wrong kind of people to your door. Just my honest opinion.

Amber I agree. If I saw that ad I would wonder what's going on. It definitely could attract opportunists.

I would suggest that you contact any local schutzhund clubs and see if there is a handler looking for an expierenced dog at a reasonable cost. And yes, I would charge something for her. People value what they pay for.

She could be ideal for someone with a litte experience that is looking for a dog to get into the sport with.

You might also want to consider giving her a few more months. She has not been with you that long and it is probably the first time she has lived in a house and been part of a family. Your injuries, severe as there are, sound more like a targeting problem, rather then aggression.

You may want to consider taking an ob class with her and just giving her a little bit of time. Crating her when kids are over of course.

You are the only one on the board that actually has "eyes on" experience with the situation so of course you are the only one that will really know what is the best solution. But if she was your dream dog, and she was ok with the kids at first, I think there is a real possibility that with the proper training she will be again.

Edited to add: Always crating her or keeping her on lead until you are 100 percent sure about the kids. Personally, I crate even my "pet" dogs when kids are over. Kids are not a part of my daily life (thank God!!) and I would just rather be safe then sorry.

How about a kennel Dea? Have you got a few square feet in the yard?

Here's my input on giving dogs away.
Many years ago my husband had Fox Hounds, good ones, and there was a young man who wanted to get into coyote hunting. My husband gave him two very nice dogs.
A few months later someone called and said they had found two of our dogs shot and thrown in a ditch (they still had our collars/name on them). The jerk had decided he didn't want the dogs and instead of giving them back, or selling them, had shot them.
He paid nothing for them so they were worth nothing to him.
DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG AWAY!!!!
I would not think less of you if you sold your dog for a substantial sum and I'm sure other people on the board feel the same way.
If you are determined to find a new home you can find someone who will give her a great home and pay for her (you did). It is a bit arrogant to assume that you are the only one who can properly take care of this dog.

Thank you, Debbie. I have been trying to think of how to say how bad it is to offer a free dog.

So I will just say it. Worse things than shooting happen to "free to a good home" dogs.

That's why newspapers refuse to run "free to good home" ads.

I have been following this thread with interest and trying to figure out what I wanted to say, or add. Thank you to Betty for saying it for me.

I would give this dog a few more months, find a good, reliable trainer that can help you and see where the road takes you.
I also would not give this dog away for free. Too many people that can convince you they are what the dog needs, only to find out that they are not. (see Debbie's post)

There are some GREAT trainers and handlers on this board who will help you as well.

Dea

Why are you giving up on scout without trying to fix the problem first. You have only had her 4 months. Also, Have you tryed any of the pack leadership videos from leerburg. Is it that she scared the hell out of you when she bit. I know what its like I have been bit before you have to confront your crapy little disobedent child right then just like the rideing the horse rideing thing. It sounds like she has scared the hell out of you and your husband. I trully dont think the fear is as justified as you think. You first have to accept what type of dog you have and get over it. Start obedence all over just like you where starting from scarch. It is for your benefit not the dogs it will help to empower you around the dog. Once you are confortable you can then start training her that agression is not allowed.
I figured out who you bought your dog from and I had viewed there site once before. I thought all those babys laying on top of Sch dogs was the stupidest thing I had ever seen, and a sorry attemp to sell dogs to people that wanted something that I would conscider danagous and irresponsible for any dog owner to do.
If that is what you want from a dog I have a Golden/Cocker that would be great for you. With that said I still myself would not trust him not that he would hurt a child with intent just that he is hyper, but he is beatiful, one of the best looking crosses I have ever seen.

 Quote: rich pallechio

Dea, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the dog was bred in Europe and sold to a broker/breeder/trainer in the US who sold the dog to Dea.

I saw that this dog was put through her SchH1 on 21.4.2007 with A94 B83 C89 scores, total 266 in a German SV Club. Who put her through the 2 and 3, doesn't show up but doesn't mean to say it didn't take place in Germany. The breeder is a famous German Working Dog breeder. One thing made me wonder was the number of satisfied customers that the importer was proud to call his own. Geez, any good breeder would lick his lips at such homage but he normally doesn't get such feedback. Makes me wonder!

It doesn't really surprise me that she was more docile when you first got her. Most dogs want to know how the land lies in a new home and keep low impact, only increasing this when they feel confident.

Dea, I'm so sorry you're having problems but would also press upon you not to let her go for "nothing" as this will most likely invite the wrong people to take her. What about taking it to a reliable sport club to see if anyone there would be interested? Not a guarantee, but if sold locally, you can check up on her.

One of my dogs bit me in grabbing for the bite roll and I, too, ended up in hospital. Since then I teach his successors to wait for my command before they grab - I even hold the kong/ball before their noses and only when I say ok, can they grab it.

I haven't got any grandchildren but am lucky enough to have a house where I can safely place them in the lower part when we have visitors, family or not. Some could stay with us, others were too territorial and let's face it, one wants to enjoy one's family, visitors, etc. without having to be "on guard". I make sure, when possible, to exercise the monsters before I ban them to the dungeons!

It might just be a territorial issue, in which case "putting the offender in it's place" or crating or removing it is the only answer.

If the dog is otherwise ok with you, have another think but don't be pressurised. If you can't do it - don't.

I would then suggest a puppy, can be a working GSD, this is not a breed problem usually, but with a puppy you can get it used to your family and make it accept your rules, i.e. puppy/dog comes last in the hierarchy but, with your experience of other dogs, you know this.

I wish you all the best,

Gill Schuler