[rachelr]

I am writing because I need help making a decision about what to do with my basset hound.

Turbo is my sweet 4 year old basset hound. He is a wonderful pet, always loving and just a big goofy clumsy thing. He has never shown an agressive tendency toward us ever.

However, he severely dislikes passersby. We live in the country and when he sees a person biking or walking down our road he really dislikes it. He barks and barks. We always try to calm him but he won't stop.

On two occassions he has gotten loose and bitten people. We are currently quarantining him for the second time in 6 months. I am very scared about this and I feel that my only logical option is to give him up.

I don't know how to do this and I am torn up inside. I don't know how I can put him down. It tears me up. Please help. Please, anyone. I am begging for any help you can give me.

 

[rachelr]

here is a picture of my Turbo

 

[murraysmom]

If you are going to keep him, you will have to make sure he doesn't have the opportunity to bite anyone again.Ever. Period.
My husband 's dachshund Hansel was a biter. The dog belonged to his late wife and he loved the dog. I spent 12 years, up until Hansel's death at age 16 two years ago, managing him. We fenced the yard, had a system of gates in the house so that visitors would not be at risk, and we never let him off our property without a leash. He had to be muzzled at the vets, and we rarely took him into situations with other people or dogs. It took a lot of energy and commitment. He was a member of our family and we loved him to the end, and gave him the best quality of life we could. It wasn't easy, but we did it.

I don't know if I can give you any advice other than the story I just told you-I know everyone's situation is different, and what worked for us might not be possible for you. You will have to be honest with yourself regarding your situation with this dog- it sounds like you are really struggling right now. I wish you the best, and hope you can work this out to the dog's benefit as well as your own.

 

[Louise]

Some people on this board know much more than I do but..

Maybe you could have a dog trainer come over and help your dog become more socialized? Only other option I see is to fix it so he can't possibly get loose, maybe building him a kennel?

Sorry it's the best I can do.

Lou

 

[twobassets]

There are a number of folks on this board that can probably give you some good sound advice. The most important thing I've learned is that you have to be in complete control of your dog at all times. Mine have never bitten but I know that if they were frightened they certainly could.

You may need to see someone who specializes in this to get the best results but in the meantime you have a lot of options that you can control. Correct the behavior that you can and use preventation all of the time. Containment is going to be very important. Plan for every circumstance you can think of, running out of the front door, geeting under or around a fence etc. We have baby gates everywhere and a large pen within our fenced yard. Two levels of safety (to keep me from worrying that they can get out) works great for us.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

 

[Milly and Lily]

help

Not sure how much property you have, but a combination of things might be in order. Training, would be my first advice. Train him or have him trained to respond off lead. Were you home when he broke free and bit someone? If so, having him well trained would be of a great help you could recall him before he got too far away. This will take time of course and you have to deal with the problem immediately. You mentioned he got loose, was he tied up or broke out of a kennel or house? I would look into how he is getting out. I wouldn't let him out without close supervision and a leash.
Prevention is the best medicine here.
If for any reason you are unable to keep him, certainly don't put him down, give him to a rescue group and explain the situation. Someone with a fenced in yard might be able to give him a good home.
Best of luck.

 

[Betsy Iole]

Re: help

Originally posted by Milly and Lily

If for any reason you are unable to keep him, certainly don't put him down, give him to a rescue group and explain the situation.

It's unlikely that a rescue or shelter would be willing to incur the liability of adopting out a known biter. And it would be unconscionable not to disclose the dog's biting history if he were surrendered to a shelter. It sounds like the only realistic options are to contain the dog or euthanize him.

 

[Louise]

I sadly agree with Besty on this...

As sad as it is you can't have someone else go in blind and risk an innocent person or another animal getting hurt. Your only other option is to have him put to sleep.

I'm sorry,

Lou

 

[Dozer-Digger]

We've had a few problems with dangerous dogs in our state lately, so they just passed a new law that goes into effect in July. The new law is because a lady kept saying it was someone elses dog each time he bit someone. And another dog tore up a 2 year old's face, and that dog was put to sleep because the dog bit a power company employee several months before. Also the vet part of the new law covers kennels & boarding places, because a kennel operator was attacked by an unknown dagerous dog.

Here's the new law:

After a dog is declared dangerous -- for instance, after it bites someone -- an owner has to provide written disclosure of dangerous dog ownership before receiving veterinary services, or before transferring ownership. The state will have to be notified if ownership is transferred. Ownership could no longer be transferred within a family -- for instance, from mother to child.

If an already-declared dangerous dog bites a vet, the owner can be held liable; previously, vets and handlers were exempt from prosecuting owners.

Dangerous dogs would be confiscated immediately after an incident and put in a public shelter, boarding facility or clinic, which will be chosen by the impounding agency. Under current law, a judge has discretion in a dog's fate and owners can decide where to quarantine the dog.

 

[Dozer-Digger]

I just looked at his picture. He looks like such a sweet guy. I can't beleive he would hurt anyone.

 

[Guest]

I am so sorry you are going through this. My neighbor had a similar problem with his Basset. He was a great dog "except" he liked to steal things around the house, remote, magazines, etc. and he would "guard" them. If they did try to get it away from him he would bite. He bite the owner 3 times, hard! He was only 2 years old so young and playful. Other than this problem he was happy and "seemed" like a great dog. Him and his wife couldn't stop the behavior and eventually he would tire of the object. Well, after having a baby that was just starting to walk, they knew this couldn't continue. He said he was thinking the only solution was to adopt him out or surrender him to rescue! You CAN"T responsibly do that! That is like giving someone a loaded gun and not warning them. It is a heartbreaking decision but the only right thing to do for all of you, even him, is to put him to sleep. I wish you the best. I know this will be one of the hardest decisions you've ever had to make.

 

[Kimberly]

Dogs can be very territorial. The fact that he hasn't shown agression to the family is good. I couln't possibly consider putting a dog down unless I feared for myself or members o the family. It all comes down to being responsible. If you know your dog has problems with strangers you have to ensure he never gets loose. Keep him on a leash when you're outside and if you have a fenced area in your yard ensure he can't escape.

 

[mad max]

Hi , i'm new here but I thought I'd share my past situation. I had a wonderful dog. Everyone in the family loved her dearly. One day I let her out to go potty in our fenced yard. Normally she goes and then sits by the door and waits to be let in. Well, after about 10-15min. I went outside to see what was going on. I was shocked to see three boys throwing rocks at her over the fence and stabbing her with large sticks!!!! They were on the otherside of a 6ft. chain link fence but had her stuck in a corner!! I ran to her and yelled at the boys, They ran off laughing.....My poor girl was a mess! I took her to the vet. He said that she had bruises and a few wounds but would be fine. I called the police, they could care less. I called the humane society, they didn't do anything either. I almost was in a physical fight with the boys parents. They felt I was making a big deal out of nothing!!! I was discusted!!! My dog changed from a happy go lucky girl into a dog who wanted to bite anyone who she didn't know....I spent 3yrs. on constant watch to keep her safe and others safe. I took her to a behaviorist. Nothing helped. I had her on her leash and in our yard and was trying to get her to her crate when a friend came over for a surprise visit and her young son came running up to us. She almost bit him and knocked me over in the process!My friend apalogized for not callig to let me know she was coming over . She never came over again after that day. Our dog also tried to bite my daughters best friend whom she had known since she was a small puppy.I was able to stop her but what if I hadn't been able! We decided to have her put down. I couldn't take the chance of her hurting someone. My daughter was bit in the face by my bestfriends dog and it was one of the worst moments of my life! I was standing right next to her!!! Sorry my dog bit your kid doesn't cut it!! My dog never tried to bite family but why take the risk? If you think you can contain your dog and keep others safe thats great but just one laps in judgement could set events into motion that you can never take back.

 

[biscuit]

mad max, that's such a horribly sad story. i'm so, so sorry.

 

[Guest]

I don't know if this is any help, but I was "given"
Homer about 2 years ago by someone who's relative was divorcing and couldn't keep him. I had a terrible time with him. He bit me on the arm and left a large black and blue mark. He barked and barked. He would get a rawhide bone and if you tried to get it from him, he would growl and snap at you. I think he would still do that if I allowed him to have the right kind of bone. I know bettter now and keep them away from him. He only gets nylabones now. It took all this time to get him to be a sweet fellow with me, but we had to go through a lot. I have cats and he wanted to go after them like they were his prey. I think he would have torn them apart if he got them. I had to keep him contained to one room all the time which caused the barking. I had a behavioralist, took him for many obedience lessons, but nothing did much good. I finally got a shock collar, and although I know that many disapprove, it has done the trick for him. Citranella did nothing. Now, when he tries to run after the cats, he gets zapped. He now walks over to them and they turn around and walk away from him. He is now allowed in other parts of the house, but I have to keep an eye on him. Several times I contacted rescues and was willing to give him up as a lost cause, but I was crazy about him and that made it very tough. I had to throw away a perfectly good chair because he ruined it. Although he still has a ways to go, I think there's hope that he will become a normal dog. The behavioralist that I had in the beginning tested him and said he had been abused, which didn't surprise me. When he first came he weighed only 36 pounds and you could see his bones. He is now close to 50 lbs. I think he's worth all the work and effort. I always keep him leashed when outdoors and I warn people who bend down to pet him to be cautious. I'm just crazy about him and wouldn't give up.

 

[mad max]

I think thats great that your dog is doing so well! In my opinion though once a dog crosses the line and bites with the intent to do harm the situation changes! It becomes less about you and whats best for you and more about what is best and safest for everyone else! I loved my dog and putting her down was so hard.....I didn't give up on her though. I felt that It was selfish to keep putting her and others in harm. I coulndn't live with myself if she had damaged someones child or my child for that matter! The dog we are talking about seems to be a great dog with family but has bitten more than once with the intent to do harm. All the love in the world and i'm sorries won't change that. It is a very sad thing. I wish them the best and hope they do what they feel is right .