I am so very sorry for your family. It is awful to be afraid of your dog. It's so sad.
As much as I go back and forth with this, I have to truly do what's best. With a truly heavy heart, we have decided we have to bring Lilly back to the shelter. We truly believe there is something mentally unstable with her and we truly think this has to do with the fact that she was on her own for 5 weeks at a crucial time in her young life.
Lilly has shown more and more aggression towards my husband. Yesterday, she really tore him up. All he did was try to put her leash on her, by grabbing her collar first. Now mind you, I watch this same dog yesterday morning, lay under my husband chair quietly. Licking his hands, legs, showing true affection.
It's like she has a split personality. Something sets her off and she just looses it. It's actually so sad to watch to know that someone did something or something happened to this poor creature for her to do this. She just runs non-stop and charges us, grabbing at our hands, our clothes. Even food won't stop her. That's right, this dog is food motivated. But when she gets into this pattern, forget it. You could put a steak out there in front of her, she would just smell it and then start running again. And as she runs, the aggression increases. And her being so strong, she does physical damage to us.
Always say, never give up, but sometimes the damage is just so extreme, there are no other choices. This is truly the sad part of rescuing a dog.
Another thing we will not do in the future. After talking this over all night, we have decided to do it my way. Find a good breeder and bring home a pup. We truly want a dog in our life. We need it. But not one that we need to police constantly. In fear of an aggressive moment. Against us. Or another person or child. Can't have it.
KAZ
I am so very sorry for your family. It is awful to be afraid of your dog. It's so sad.
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ZRabbits (05-31-2014)
Thanks so much for your kind words. Truly means a lot to us. Yes it is sad to be afraid of your dog. And sad to know that this problem is so far out of your realm, that even if a trainer was found, it might not be enough. Rescue dogs, I know come with baggage. I know that you need to put extra TLC into it to help alleviate the baggage, or find some way to work around the baggage. I did it with Jake. But now, think we just got really lucky with Jake. Lilly, if we had gotten her first, would have been an excellent dog. But something happened and this pup gets so lost. I was in absolute tears watching her melt down yesterday. Now I just want to throw up. Yes, truly sad.
Again, thanks so, so much for your kind words.
KAZ
This is so sad, but I'm afraid that your decision is the only reasonable one that could've been made under the circumstances. Some dogs, I believe, have memories that can trigger something totally unexpected and their aggression is just a form of self-defense utterly unjustified and senseless to the world around, but the poor pups are probably fighting a monster no one else can see
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Mel *6/14/2013
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ZRabbits (05-31-2014)
Thanks so much for your kind words. So true. Something happened and we are truly unaware and don't know what "trigger" triggered this. Just thought it was puppyhood at first, but she'll be 7 months old and she should at least be getting out of puppy hood by now. Or understand about being gentle. It like everything I've done since we brought her home, went out the window during these episodes. Nothing will stop her. We never thought this of Lilly. It's so baffling to us as she shows so much love and then these episodes happen and she becomes aggressive.
KAZ
My heartfelt sympathies to you. An awful decision to have to make.
ZRabbits (05-31-2014)
I am really sorry, my heart aches for you and that dog
Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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ZRabbits (05-31-2014)
Thank you Berna, truly appreciate your kindness. My heart aches tremendously as I see that sweetness in Lilly, but when that "trigger" happens, she becomes very unstable and potentially dangerous. A dog isn't to fear, but to love and build a relationship. And all that I've read about Labs, truly want to experience that friendship and bond. And my house is not a home, unless there's a dog there. Just so empty.
KAZ
Aw I'm sorry. I know how it feels, both the sadness and the helplessness.
ZRabbits (05-31-2014)
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