[maniaringsq]

As most know Serenity has fear issues. She will bite people sometimes if given the chance, she is fearful of so many things it isn't funny. She is only truly comfortable at home or sometimes on walks, depending were we are.

She gets good with training at times and then seems to go back. She has made contact with a person and I haven't said that here before, my worse fear is I'll slip up again and she'll do it again. I just don't %100 trust myself with her.

I love her so dearly, I am crying while writing this. She is everything I had ever wanted in a dog except for the FA. I had always wanted a dog like her and I HATE that my 'perfect' dog has one major issue. I even like her more then Sunny in a lot of ways. I love so much about her. She is so mellow, sweet, funny, cuddly, smart, my dream come true dog.

But I don't trust myself with her and part of me thinks, is it fair to keep her around then?. She's so scared of life/people and at this point in my life, I don't know if I can handle her.

It's tearing me apart saying this but I've spoken with mum and the consideration would be to put her to sleep... God that hurts so much to say. When I'm with her in person, it's hard to think of taking her away to a place that will kill her.

I have already spoken to two people about this..

I don't know exactly why I'm posting this, to get peoples views maybe.

I feel selfish because my beliefs towards dogs. I believe she deserves to live but I'm worried I'll make another mistake. I also don't want a dog like her at the moment, if it was another time, then yes but I want a dog I can take out and do things with and trust. I don't even trust her around my family in fear she may bite them.

I have so much damn guilt for re-homing Guage, my very first dog, a SBT. I have never forgiven myself. I probably never will. I only feel a bit better about putting her down because I know some one else can't hurt her. I just hate I will have to look back and see two dogs I've failed. I wish she turned out more like Sunny.

I have never agreed with people re-homing dogs (my case putting down) because the dog doesn't suit them. Part of me worries I can't handle her.. Part of me wants a dog I can do so much more with. In a few months (if I put her down) I'd get a SBT from a breeder that I can compete with and do things with I want to.

Am I being selfish at all?. I don't fully think I am but still.

Is it wrong I'm choosing not (if I do) to work with her and keep her like this for the rest of her life?.

I just feel horrible because when I look at her, I hate myself for thinking this way. She's my heart and I'm considering this. I feel worse to know I'd be getting another pup in a few months (If I choose to put her down). I'm scared to fail that dog to.

I don't know. I know some people from PBF may have a go at me but I need to hear from other people, be it negative or not.

I feel like I'm betraying my beliefs but I don't know if I can do this for another 14 years.. I don't trust myself that I won't slip up again. I want a dog I can do heaps of things with. She was meant to be that dog and she was so right for it till I found out she wanted to bite people.

Please help me out. I feel so many mixed emotions and thoughts. It's killing me. I don't want her gone but at the same time, I don't know.



I adore her so much.. Looking at her outside, seeing her so happy to see me and wagging her tail.. And to know I'd never see her again. I know I'd love the new pup and get what I wanted but am I doing the right thing?.

If I do this, when is the right time to do it?.

I'm hurting so badly right now..

[werkeeque]

I feel your pain. I struggled for a LONG time with Scarling. I'm happy with my decision to set her free. I still miss her like crazy but I know I did the right thing.

[mincbiori]

I'm not sure what to say. I've never had to deal with this before...but all I can say is do what you think is right for serenity.

[maniaringsq]

Thank you. I just need to hear anything. It's a hard choice to make.. But I don't know if I'm fit to have her. I want her so badly but there are problems. I want a dog I can do so much more with and that makes me feel quite selfish.

[diundasmink]

I recently went through this and the dog I decided to put down wasn't near as bad as what you're describing. It's the hardest thing I ever had to do and struggled with the decision for a long time. In the end though it was the right thing to do. If you truly care for the breed, your friends, family, and anybody else who is being exposed to the possible danger of being bitten, you will do the right thing also. Dogs like that can't be watched 100% of the time.

[geaveheadeNox]

Great post, Boog.

I am sorry you are being put in such a position, Tahlz.

[mikelangr]

Tah, if you recall, I had Snows's brother, Scooter, put down for the same reasons, including DA which I felt I couldn't properly handle given the situation at the time. Its really your choice what you want to do. I mean, There are ways too live with it IF you are willing to do it. IF I had the space and time to handle a dog that was as unstable as Scooter was, I would still have him today. You know Serenity doesn't do well with people; for what reason are you still taking her around people then? Don't you give her enough attention?

I honestly think that FA isn't worth putting a dog down for unless you don't have the will to live with it. In that case, you are admitting you have failed your dog. (I admit I failed Scooter.) There are far more, worst reason to put a dog down for then simply dealing with FA. If you know she is uncomfortable to the point if actually snapping and biting someone, then remove her from that situation!! D: Snow has some fear issues herself and she has NEVER bitten anyone.

Listen to your dog, and stop being so selfish.

[Snocioncilm]

None of the reasons to make a tough choice are easy when it concerns human feelings and living breathing animals we love, regardless of circumstance.

Only you can decide if Serenity has issues that can't be managed or could be a liability you might ill afford.

It's best to try and set aside emotions and selfishness, to examine harsh reality in open bright light but that is often easier said than done.

I can tell you that if you decide to let her go, it will not be a painful experience for her and she will slip away peacefully.

What ever you decide, I wish you both the best of luck.

[maniaringsq]

I remember Scooter, yes. The thing if, I don't know if I am willing to live with her like this for the next few years. I adore her so damn much but I will be living at home for the next few years, I can only own two dogs. Sunny is never leaving till he passes on. Serenity, while I love her, I want a dog I can take out and hike, take to the beach, put in to dog sports and so forth and not have to worry that some one will get bitten. Sunny is a awesome dog but he isn't exactly what I want but he's still fine to do things with. I love getting out and being active and Sunny can't take doing to much major exercise. I haven't been taking her around people. When we walk/bike, we avoid people. I give her LOADS of attention. I love being around her.

I can admit I am failing Serenity, I am. I know I have if i put her down. I know she is manageable and that's what kills me to want to do this but I also think one day, there will be another incident. I haven't let her snap at anyone since i keep her away from people. Serenity has bitten some one, completely my fault and i fear it will happen again.

--- ---

Thank you Joe. You're words mean a lot to me.

[mincbiori]

My honest advice is to do what's best for her...but just because you want to be able to do fun things isn't a good reason to out her down, ya know? You made a committment to her. But if you feel like her fear aggression is ruining her quality of life, then yes, I think you should do it. Just think about the committment to her. When you got her, you promised always to protect her and do what's best for her. If her fear is making her life that bad, then you can protect her by giving her the gift that euthanasia sometimes is. But, if toy feel that it can be managed and that you can make it to where it DOESN'T effect her quality of life, then I think you should do that. But, I've never been in this situation, so I don't know how valid my advice could be.

[mikelangr]

Whats with all this 'I want I want I want blah blah blah.'

You love serenity? Yes. End of story.

You can still take her on quiet hikes as long as it doesn't involve other pets and people. Now as for sports and normal down the street walks, not so much. You have so much in life to live for. You don't know how long Sunny or Serenity will live for, they both could die in their sleep for all you know. Enjoy them while you have them. The experience. You will have plenty of life to do what you want eventually.

I just don't think she is sever as you make it out to be. I think Serenity is not what YOU WANT so YOU WANT to put her down so YOU can get another dog that, with no garentee will be able to do sports.

[maniaringsq]

You're advice was helpful BC. I do see what you're saying. I think her fear causes some problems for her, how much, I'm not %100 sure. It's also the fact I can't trust her around my family and that's were the big issue comes in. It's also I think I'll fail her again and she all bite some one again.

I am still thinking. I don't know what to do. I'm in no rush to decide and I don't need to decide for awhile.

[maniaringsq]

Part of me is about the wanting but the other half is the safety of family and her fear towards so many things. Part of me thinks I will slip up with her again.

I really can't justify the other thing I want to say but I do see what you're saying and it's a thing I'm thinking about.

[mikelangr]

Keep her away from your family? Possibly?

[maniaringsq]

They generally stay away but there are times they need to go near her.

As I said, I'm not going out and doing this tomorrow. I may not even do it, I don't know at this point what I'm doing. It rips me to pieces to think she won't be around. She is such a awesome dog.

[mikelangr]

What times do they need to get around her? Do they feed her? Do they walk her? Do they water her? You should kennel her if your family has to be around her. I wouldn't do it. You have too much attachment to her.

[Waymninelia]

No. You can't be 100% sure that someone will not slip up and get bitten, and it could be a kid that pays the price for an oops with a dog that fear agressive. Something may not be quite right in her mind, how could it be, being that scared all the time? It's not an easy call to make, but it will be the right call for you and her both. You have not failed in my opinion. Truthfully, you have given her more of a chance than I would have and it just hasen't worked out apparently. You'll grieve and heal like everybody else who has had to make a choice like this and you'll still have your Sunny dog to spend time with.

[maniaringsq]

What times do they need to get around her? Do they feed her? Do they walk her? Do they water her? You should kennel her if your family has to be around her. I wouldn't do it. You have too much attachment to her.

They go around her randomly, depends what they need to do. They sometimes feed her. No, I only walk her. I give her water unless they see it needs to be filled up.

I can buy a kennel.

I don't know.. I'm confused with what I want to do right now

I am highly attached to her so it makes it hard.

[fluoxet]

Ouch. That sucks Tahlz. But if your dog has fear issues, the kindest thing you can do for her is to let her go, IMO. Living in fear is just not living, especially if it's to the point where she's a danger

[mikelangr]

I think she needs to own up to responsibility. Again, i think she is making it sound worse then what it is so that we tell her to just put the dog to sleep so she can get another dog and fail it. Keep what you got. I would advise getting a kennel and keeping her in it and only taking her out when you know only you will be out there. you can still love and play with her. Your job is to make her life as much comfortable as possible.