Big Paws Only Dog Forums

So after the issues we had with Boudreaux two weeks ago (all which seem to be working out ok), there is going to be a new addition to our family.  I have wanted something small for awhile now, a lapish kind of dog...pug to be precise.  WELL...hubby went home to visit family in AL last week and the ex-wife has a husky puppy that her new hubby got her in November.  See where this is going?  Yea, she isn't a dog person and is needing to get rid of her registered Husky already.  So Big Daddy will be returning to Cornfield h*ll with a Husky pup.  Lap dog?  nope.  But  I guess that is ok, we are keeping a pup from going to the shelter and that is where he was headed.    I've been reading up on them but anyone with experience, feel free to send any tips/hints/knowledge my way!  I appreciate anything you can tell me about the breed. Oh his name will be Comrade and he will be here tomorrow!  Wish me luck!   

However, I have been bitten by my own dogs.  Keiko and Nigel have both drawn blood but they were both extenuating circumstances.  Keiko is fear aggressive and i have learned not to grab at her collar when she thinks she is in trouble and is also "cornered".  Well one time both her and Gunther were in trouble and I put keiko in her corner and yelled at Gunther to go in his kennel (which used to be Keiko's which is why she didn't have a kennel to use).  Well, they both then ran in his kennel at the same time.  It was actually kind of funny to see them both squeezed in there, as Gunther was already outgrowing it.  Add Keiko in there and it was a tight fit.   

How do you get people to understand that fear aggression is not the same as aggression? 

I read this and am very upset..I am a Mastiff lover, owner and Breeder of the REAL Mastiff..Not the mixed Breed who is hated in the Mastiff Community.

First the child should  never should have been left  alone with the dog and a teenager is not an adult, so the child was left alone.

The mix that bit the child has Anatolian in it...Has anyone here read the Standard? From the Anatolian Clubs website and AKC Standard..TEMPERAMENT - Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive. Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged.That means the dog reactive..

The people that breed these dogs are in it for money. Not either the Anatolian Breed or the Mastiff Breed. They are basically Back Yard Breeders.

I wonder how you got stitches and did not have the dog picked up. Dog bites must be reported to Animal Control. HHUUMMM....

The dog needs to either be rehomed or put to sleep. No training and lolly gaggling around. You have a time bomb and are too inexperienced to handle to situation. I did rescue this so called American Mastiff dog once, it bit me for no reason, it is no longer breathing air.

By keeping the dog, you are putting large breed dogs in danger, no one else. This  dog is apt to bite again unless you get it into an experienced home or it is PTS.

It is a good thing it was not a neighbors child or you would have a lawsuit on your hands.

If one of my Mastiffs did this, they would not be breathing.

From your childs sake get rid of the dog.

Perhaps you got bit because you were as volatile with the dog as you are on this board.  There are ways of stating your opinion compassion and class, neither of those ways did you project in your response. But I have found this common by SOME people that own EM's.  Fortunately for you, I am tolerant of it.   

My 17 year old will be graduating this December (half a year early) for nursing school.  She IS an adult and in 8 months will be able to give her life for her country.  She is INCREDIBLY responsible and I have EVERY faith in her to protect her little brother.  I would go as far to say that she would protect him with her life.  She was not 5 feet away from the dog and my son .  It wouldn't have mattered if it would have been me, my husband or Caesar Milan himself, the outcome would have been no different. 

The breeders that breed AM's are in it to help get rid of the ailments that plague the Mastiff.  I respect that.  And please tell me, can I have one of YOUR mastiffs at no charge?  Since the AM breeders (and I quote) "are in it for the money", I assume you breed soley for the love of the breed and take no monetary compensation for your puppies.  If you do, then YOU are in it for the money as well.   

While I was at the ER getting his stitches, I filled out a bite form that was registered with the county. So in fact, the bite WAS recorded with our county. I am a responsible dog owner and you are assanine to think otherwise.  A dog that bites the first time isn't taken from the home and euthenized...a re you kidding me?  Why don't you consult the animal control or the local authorities in your area to find how it's done.  My husband is a police officer and that isn't how it's done here. 

You say I am too inexperienced (where does THIS opinion come from?  You don't know me at all.)to handle a dog such as this, however we did a years worth of research on the breed prior to getting him and before this, I had a chow (another 'aggressive' breed) for 13 years and she never bit anyone.  My obedience trainer has had (the following is taken from his obedience web site)..."16 years of experience handling and training police service dogs.
2,000 hours of basic K9 training.
6,000 hours of In-service training
6 years civilian dog training (Obedience and Personal Protection)
Craig's numerous training includes:

Patrol
Narcotics
Explosives
Cadaver
Tracking
Trailing
Search and Rescue"

He is NOT a breeder however so I imagine by your standards he knows very little.  We contacted him as we are personal friends of his and asked him his honest opinion.  He also doesn't feel that Boudreaux is an aggressive dog.  If he did, he would tell us.  He knows our family and has small children himself. 

If you care so much about the welfare of my son and this post is with the best interest of everyone, then why the snarky, hateful little "HUMMMMMMMM" in your post?  This board is for people that want to help and the ones that DO disagree, do it in a kind and caring way.  If you continue to post with such guff and hauty attitude, you won't be here long.  I can promise you that. 

Have a day. 

I understand how you feel, but don't give up on him. Both he and Zak need training. When my 6 year old grandson came to live with us, I took him to obedience training with me and Tink so he could learn the commands and Tink could learn to respect his authority. Tink never snapped at him but did play too rough for little kids (she was 6 months old and pushing 100 lbs). He learned "off" and "back" when Tink would get to rowdy and he did not want to play anymore. He even learned to heal her on a leash (which was funny looking because she really dwarfs him now). Xavier knows now that he sets the level of play with Tink, if he is rough, she is rough. If he is low key, she will be low key, etc. It is up to you, but I think training is absolutely imperative with people with big dogs and little kids even if the dog is mild mannered, the kids need to learn how to treat dogs (their own and strangers). We get complacant when all goes well but freak when there is a close call. Training, training, training! for people and dogs. Follow your heart and do what you need to do but consider this as an option. Good luck.

This message really touched me and made me realize that we DID have options other than rehoming.  It was after reading this and the following post that made me realize that perhaps (to the chagrin of my inlaws) rehoming isn't the only answer.  You're right, we DO get complacant!  I just appreciate your thoughts and experience.  

I'm sorry to hear this too..I am glad that Zac is OK and holds no grudges..but don't forget him in all this either..Even in all your heartbreak he will propablly miss the Big B as well and maybe even blame himself..don't understimate a 4 yr old..

I know just another worry but keep it in mind..
So sorry..at least he is young enough and should find another home that doesn't have small ones..

TATFK

Thank you for your kindness and thoughts.  I too think Zachary would miss Boudreaux.  It's funny, my 17 year old daughter HATED Boudreaux.  He slobbers!  Now, she has grown attached and didn't want to see him go either.  I think she will be going to obedience class as well.  It will be a family affair!

Softhug ,

I remember how excited you were to bring Bourdreaux home as a little puppy . I'm so sorry this happened  But I can TOTALLY relate . We just went thru the same thing the day after Christmas with our 1 &1/2 year old Newfie . No warning . Just attacked me twice within one week . Thank GOD my children were not in the room (well , after the first time we didn't let her anywhere near the kids anymore) . There was absolutely no way I could ever trust her again , especially with my children  I feel your pain and hope you can find him a wonderful home .

Oh how I hate that you were faced with that!  The one positive thing with this situation is that it wasn't aggression based.  That is the ONLY reason we are going to try and work thru this.  I'm sorry you had to go thru what you did with your Newfie.  They are beautiful dogs. 

I wanted to bump this with an update. 

EDITED TO ADD UPDATE DOWN HERE...

We made the decision to work with Boudreaux and Zachary together.  Since none of us believe the snap was done out of aggression we are opting (I am sure to the displeasure of our parents) not to rehome him.  I spoke with the obedience instructor that worked with us and he gave me some ideas and we will be using a muzzle in the evenings while Zachary is awake (5-8pm)for awhile.  I think revisiting puppy school a few times would do us good too.  Neither of us really want to rehome him.  However, if the behavior would ever happen again, even though it would only be strike two...he will still be out.       Thank you for all your support on this.  I appreciate my BP family more than you know.   

(It took me awhile to find the update--duh--so I moved it down here  -Holly)