I might lose my dog!
- Thread starter oliver
- Start date
Yes, you're at fault for this situation, but you have to learn from it, not wallow in self-loathing. I seem to remember your first post said you were 18 -well, that's kind of young. We all make mistakes, and we all need guidance. A combination of bad choices and bad luck resulted in this situation - in my opinion, no 18-year-old boy should own an American Bulldog, that's too much dog for the variety of human deemed most dangerous behind the wheel by car insurance agencies. You made some bad choices, but with all due respect to your mother, you could have used some better guidance.
There's never been a century big enough to keep a dog that randomly attacks people and killed other animals. In an earlier century, he'd have been shot down in the street as a threat to children or livestock. I sympathize with your pain, but if you romantize this situation into a 'he was too powerful for this crowded modern world' scenario, you run the risk of not learning from your mistakes. In this case, that means getting another big male dog and rearing him to powerful adulthood without the training or supervision that will keep him from becoming a danger who has to be killed before he seriously injures or kills someone.
I agree that agressive dogs can be rehabbed, but it takes a certain set of circumstances - a good professional trainer and some control over your environment and life - none of which you appear to have. You can't morally pass that dog on to anyone else. Your options are basically to confine the dog to a pen or a muzzle for the rest of his life, or to have him put down. And because of external forces, you're having him pts. Accept the tragedy of that, and the good reasons for it, and your own guilt. But learn from it.
There's never been a century big enough to keep a dog that randomly attacks people and killed other animals. In an earlier century, he'd have been shot down in the street as a threat to children or livestock. I sympathize with your pain, but if you romantize this situation into a 'he was too powerful for this crowded modern world' scenario, you run the risk of not learning from your mistakes. In this case, that means getting another big male dog and rearing him to powerful adulthood without the training or supervision that will keep him from becoming a danger who has to be killed before he seriously injures or kills someone.
I agree that agressive dogs can be rehabbed, but it takes a certain set of circumstances - a good professional trainer and some control over your environment and life - none of which you appear to have. You can't morally pass that dog on to anyone else. Your options are basically to confine the dog to a pen or a muzzle for the rest of his life, or to have him put down. And because of external forces, you're having him pts. Accept the tragedy of that, and the good reasons for it, and your own guilt. But learn from it.
Can't you get him checked out after the quarantine? Would your mother atleast give you that much? He may not have attacked you yet because he is more afraid of you than you are of him (I'm not being mean to you). I have a bulldog mix and he shows a few signs like your dog Capone does. He is overly protective of our house and of us. I have since enrolled him in puppy class to socialize him and teach him more basic obedience. Did you get him from a reputable breeder, shelter? Where did he come from, maybe if he came from a breeder you could call and tell them what kind of situation he is in. Sorry if you already went over this stuff. There has been so many replies that I can't remember. The only thing that I can say is you have to do what is best for your family and also for Capone. Also he should be neutered. Not being neutered is what adds to the aggression problem. If you think your dog can be worked with, helped, and still live a normal happy and healthy life than by all means try and go for it. Good Luck!
Its hard, especially being in the spot I am, it is not my house, its my Moms, after all. Everyone is pushing me into this, believe me I dont want to, but at the same time I saw what he did to my sister, and I saw what he did to my little dog bugsy, if I hadn't of came he'd be dead by now. We will get him checked out at the vet before we put him down, and I hope there is something wrong (not something to hope for, but I dont want him to be put down). My Mom says that we CANT keep him, I've tried to convice her too many times, and everytime I seem like I have her conviced, Capone attacks again. He isn't just biting, he is attacking, he keeps lunging and biting, until someone pulls him off of the victom! I cant control him when he is like that, its hard, he doesnt listen to my commands, he listens to no one, I have to pull him off.
I'm worried that he will attack again, and what if its really serious next time, my Mom could lose her house or be sewed, we arnt protected by the "one-bite rule" anymore. I know I sound like that I am for putting my dog, believe me I'm not! But I dont have any other choice.
I'm worried that he will attack again, and what if its really serious next time, my Mom could lose her house or be sewed, we arnt protected by the "one-bite rule" anymore. I know I sound like that I am for putting my dog, believe me I'm not! But I dont have any other choice.
I don't know. I read once that a majority of shelter dogs are between 8 months and 2 years old, because that's the prime age for behavioral issues to reach a critical point when owners haven't got the time or experience or desire to nip problems in the bud. I agree it's tragic to kill a young dog, but in the situation as described, this is possibly the perfect time to kill this dog - before it gets the chance to kill or maim someone.
As for the vet check - while I would certainly do this, I wouldn't expect a solution. The dog's demeanor during and after each attack sounds like a young, intact male dog who's learned he can be aggressive to control his world. Nothing sounds like a dog in pain or reacting inexplicably to unseen physical symptoms.
As for the vet check - while I would certainly do this, I wouldn't expect a solution. The dog's demeanor during and after each attack sounds like a young, intact male dog who's learned he can be aggressive to control his world. Nothing sounds like a dog in pain or reacting inexplicably to unseen physical symptoms.
I know hes still a puppy, for god sakes he still chases his own tail and tries to bite it! He doesnt know any better, but he can seriously hurt or kill someone! I cant believe hes already going to go down, before hes even considered a dog, he has to die, i failed badly as a dog owner, and now hes paying for it.
oliver... after a month youll either have capone or not. You'll have to wait i guess and see how things pan out. i am not having "pity on you" i am just sympathising WITH you for capone. have you ever heard of rainbow bridge, well that is where he'll go if something bad happens, and if there is such a thing, he'll be happy there
LEA - that is absoulutley correct. In some cases, they wait and quarantine the animal either at the local dog shelter or at the owners home. Quarantine is suppose to be very strict where the animal has no contact with the outside world. They wait a period of time to see if rabies symptoms are going to show up. In some cases, if a dog is not current on it's rabies vaccine and bites someone than the dog will be put down and it's brain sent in for testing. Very sad and very scary. 
BTW- Your puppy is the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW- Your puppy is the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!! 
Hey Oliver, I felt the same way as you did about 3 years ago but I was proactive, saw a therapist, took medication and even checked myself into a hospital. I mean I had it all.. great family, girlfriend, support, in a top 20 university etc.. but I needed to take time off from my life to re-think, accept and realize things. I had my dog at that time too and he made things a lot easier because it was nice to have a being who doesn't judge you no matter what you do and what mood you're in.
I took a semester off, slowly (this is key) recooperated and I've done a complete 180 without any medication now and I even speak out for NAMI (National Association of Mental Illnesses). All it takes is some perspective to really appreciate things more and to get yourself on track. I'm not diagnosing you as depressed or anything but just be proactive and you'll be glad you did.. even if you have to force yourself. Now I'm simply taking my time with things, applying to medical school and enjoying everything. My dog is in a similar situation and he is extremely sick right now.. but don't put all your hopes into your dog although I know how much he means to you. Please PM me if you have any concerns. Hope everything works out for the best.
Daniel
I took a semester off, slowly (this is key) recooperated and I've done a complete 180 without any medication now and I even speak out for NAMI (National Association of Mental Illnesses). All it takes is some perspective to really appreciate things more and to get yourself on track. I'm not diagnosing you as depressed or anything but just be proactive and you'll be glad you did.. even if you have to force yourself. Now I'm simply taking my time with things, applying to medical school and enjoying everything. My dog is in a similar situation and he is extremely sick right now.. but don't put all your hopes into your dog although I know how much he means to you. Please PM me if you have any concerns. Hope everything works out for the best.
Daniel