[Sliliashdes]

I would return her to the rescue or get her evaluated by a behaviorist. Euthanasia sounds very extreme in this case.

Many rescue dogs are clingy and will 'climb' you and stare (Check out Vanilla Bean in the rescue section or Val in the "She caught a mouse!" thread, they both do this). A lot of the time it's just improper socialization. If you have not experienced it before, it can make you uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable/unsure around a dog is asking for trouble.

Has she ever grolwed or snapped at anyone (not including the fence running which is a very common behaviour seen in dogs that are kenneled and develope barrier frustration)?

[bobibnoxx]

i think she needs to go back to the rescue

She stares too long, too intensely. my pups does this, too. they are are staring at me right now, not only are they staring at me. they are also whining at me and making cute little vocal sounds. it doesn't make me nervous at all. infact it makes me want to squish their faces and kiss them.
they are also very attached/clingy to me.

[moohassinny]

You should definitely return the dog to the Rescue. I can't even believe I read that you're thinking about putting the dog to sleep without adhering to the proper steps.

Dogs communicate with their humans with good eye contact. It in noway should be something feared. I'm a believer that Fear is what triggers a lot of incidents with dogs. They sense it then react it on it. Bull Breeds need Strong Leaders and by what I've read I'm sorry, IMO, you don't fit the bill. If you signed a contract I'm sure you are obligated to return the dog to the rescue before you make any decisions especially one involving the dog for being put to sleep.

What's the name of the Rescue you adopted from?

---------- Post added at 05:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 PM ----------

Also to add, it seems like a lot of people who are adopting whether it's from Shelters or Rescues are wanting a dog that is fully trained, a ready made dog but the simple Fact is... no matter how trained or not trained a dog is when you adopt... It will ALWAYS need consistent and on-going training, period. Adopting a rescued dog isn't an easy out for training or being a Responsible dog owner.

The dog needs to get out of your house. There is too much fear within the walls and that's setting the dog up for failure.

[leangarance]

My foster dog stares at me all the time and constantly tries to climb/sit on me. You simply need to gently correct the behavior and see how things go. Like others have said, you never know what a dog has been through.

My dog Odin will bark and growl insanely when he hears a noise outside. Once I quiet him down, he's fine. He loves people when he greets them, but if you didn't know him, it could be scary.

[loyalgagora]

Please return her,killing her is not the answer. Sounds like its just not a good match.

[Cemeuncex]

Oh my... The dog is territorial while in her yard, looks at you intensely and climbs on people. WHY THE HECK would that make you think its right to put her down? I've known dogs who climb on people, or crawl into their laps, at about a half mile per hour, looks like they're trying not be seen, it's who they are... As for staring, all of my dogs stare at me. I think thats a load of bull when every says it's a dominance thing. Bulldogs must be dense because 90% of the ones I've met will stare at you until you give them something to do or give them attention. They're just watching you. When you look at your dogs, do you look at their tail? NO. You look to their face. Dogs seem to be the same. They look at your face for a variety of reasons.
In fact, climbing slowly is being polite... Would you rather she bounced up on them and tried clawing her way to their face to give attention?

Has she ever shown real aggression towards human who was in her yard/house or out of it when she was out?

My GSD, and my pom will bark and run up and down like they're nuts, but are fine when the person comes in.

She hasn't even had time to settle into your home... It could take months, and MONTHS for her to settle down and really start to shine and show you who she is.

Please, take this girl back...

[Sliliashdes]

The dog needs to get out of your house. There is too much fear within the walls and that's setting the dog up for failure.

This is my concern as well.

[moohassinny]

You know, it really gets under my skin when a dog freaking barks some ppl have the gall to say it's being aggressive. Dog's bark it's their only way of talking, well whining and crying too but mostly barking. Dog's bark. It's part of what they are.

Please return the dog and until you return the dog keep it away from the Fearful people. It's bad energy that dogs don't need.

I've been told so many times how "aggressive" my dogs are and all they were being were being freaking dogs. I looked at the people like they were crazy.

[Cemeuncex]

That too!

Your friends fear the dog, that will make her behave different than normal, YOU fear her, THAT will screw her up BIG time.

[JonDopl]

as everyone has stated, euthanasia is not the answer if the story is as stated. Bring the dog to a vet to be checked out for any health issues that might be making her uncomfortable. It takes times for rescue and shelter dogs to slide into place in new homes. Of course dogs will test the waters on what they can and can't do because it's all new to them. You just have to be the leader and the dog will learn it's place. You should read up on the NILIF training in the meantime for reference and try to return the dog to the rescue. The dog didn't ask for this situation so it shouldn't be punished for being fearful or not having manners yet. These things have to be worked though.

[AlexanderPalamayr]

Agree with everyone saying send her back to the rescue.

It just isn't a good fit. Dogs are individuals despite breed - not every dog will be a good fit for every owner.

I also think that in most cases, once you are afraid of a dog, you've lost the battle.

[Leczyslaw]

Being fearful of a dog does not indicated a good leader, which this dog needs. I've had those ''staring'' dogs and the ones that climb up reaaaaally slow and glue themselves to you. Are you practicing NILIF with her as she sounds insecure. If she's running the fence line, keep a long drag line on her so you can stop the behaviour immediately. She sounds like she just needs some structure, but I agree, if you are scared of this dog, you should return her. Nothing she's done sounds like anything that requires a euth. Rescue dogs can take months to settle in as mentioned. Some dogs are very handler sensitive so even your insecurity with her, can be feeding some of her insecure behaviours.

[NikitahDE]

Just read this thread...wtf??

2 out of 3 of my dogs (my amstaff/pit type dog, and my doberman) are territorial barkers. They will bark at the fence, at people, other animals, yet they aren't human aggressive, especially not my wiggle tail amstaff/pit who ADORES anyone and everyone. But he still territorial barks. So?? I just tell them to 'leave-it' or knock it off if its too nuisancy.

All my dogs would love to crawl in my lap if I let them

And what is wrong with being stared at???lol Don't have to worry about trying to teach focus on you, when teaching new things and interacting, now do you?.

What is the matter? Are you just not cut out for this? If not....return the dog, but putting the dog to sleep sounds idiotic and uncalled for, based on what you have written in this thread

[nvideoe]

I will return the dog.

[Cemeuncex]

What is the name of the rescue? Are they a breed rescue?

[nvideoe]

Everyone on this forum agrees that I am not a good owner for the dog and that the right thing to do is to return her. Thank you. I came to the forum for help and got a unanimous verdict. I will follow the advice.

In my defense, I stated in my first post that I was obviously not the right owner for her. I hope she gets a better owner next time around. I know that we are not a good match. I know she came from a horrible situation. She deserves better than I could give her.

Thanks to all.

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

This was not a breed rescue. It was a local animal control/contract shelter that also takes in owner surrenders. She was the only pitty on property at the time, but I know that they have adopted out others.

[moohassinny]

Everyone on this forum agrees that I am not a good owner for the dog and that the right thing to do is to return her. Thank you. I came to the forum for help and got a unanimous verdict. I will follow the advice.

In my defense, I stated in my first post that I was obviously not the right owner for her. I hope she gets a better owner next time around. I know that we are not a good match. I know she came from a horrible situation. She deserves better than I could give her.

Thanks to all.

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

This was not a breed rescue. It was a local animal control/contract shelter that also takes in owner surrenders. She was the only pitty on property at the time, but I know that they have adopted out others.

I think you're doing the right thing by returning the dog. Thank you!

I may have been a bit harsh but I have good intentions. I seriously hope you stick around on the Forum and read up the stickies throughout the Forum It's a wealth of knowledge. We ALL have room for Improvement. We ALL make our share of mistakes but we learn and move on. Please do the Research and better educate yourself.

[Niobaralegra]

I adopted a 2 year old APBT type dog from a local rescue. She was a staff favorite and they think she's the greatest dog ever. Since coming to my home, she has started running my fence-line barking at people very aggressively. I have had several friends over. Three of these friends own at least 3 dogs each. My new rescue stares at them and has climbed up them slowly on seperate occasions. I now keep her leashed when I have company over. She has not done anything "wrong," but my friends are afraid of her because she feels "creepy." I am mildly afraid of her. My three friends have told me that they do not want to be around her. My friends and I are not afraid of the breed, we are nervous about this dog. She stares too long, too intensely. She crowds me and climbs up when not leashed, so now I keep her leashed or crated.

I have had this dog for 3 weeks.

Obviously, I am the wrong home for this dog. I believe that if I corrected her strongly enough to stop unwanted behavior that I might be bitten. My question is, should I return her to the rescue group that thinks she's the sweetest thing ever? I am afraid, and almost certain, that they will place her in another home that is ill-suited. I have talked to them about my concerns and they say that I am reading her wrong and that I must have done something. I haven't.

Do I return a dog that scares me to a rescue that thinks she's a sweet angel? I worry that she will hurt someone and that it will be my fault for returning her to a group that is ignoring spooky, preditory, or very dominant behavior. I am considering euthanasia instead of a return. What is the right thing to do?

return the dog to the shelter and forget about getting another apbt or similar dog,you obviously have no idea what it takes to own one of these dogs and will be the next idiot in the news.your a moron for wanting to euthanize this dog.

[nAKMzyBN]

I have a lot of respect for the way you have taken on board everything everyone has said, even if some of it may have been a bit harsh. One thing I would say is don't take it as a slight against your ownership skills. Sometimes there are dogs which even the best owners may struggle with. It seems like you are willing to listen to everyone's advice and maybe if you want another dog you can find another one which will be better suited to what you expect from them. Again... I'm impressed with your character to be willing to admit your limitations and take the flack on the nose.

[AlexanderPalamayr]

I have a lot of respect for the way you have taken on board everything everyone has said, even if some of it may have been a bit harsh. One thing I would say is don't take it as a slight against your ownership skills. Sometimes there are dogs which even the best owners may struggle with. It seems like you are willing to listen to everyone's advice and maybe if you want another dog you can find another one which will be better suited to what you expect from them. Again... I'm impressed with your character to be willing to admit your limitations and take the flack on the nose.

x2.

Not every dog is for every person; and vice versa. It is not necessarily a reflection upon either the dog or the person...it is just...life.