Evaluating and Rehoming Aggressive Dogs: A Personal Experience and Expertise

Has anyone ever had to give their dog to a foster home because they thought they were doing what's best for the dog and for the children in their home? More seriously, you might have a truly aggressive and dangerous dog in your home. Rehoming a dog with a history of significant aggression is a liability and should not be taken lightly. It's hazardous for rescue and shelter workers, volunteers, and fosters—let alone the potential next owner.

Background and Experience

As a dog lover with extensive experience raising and training dogs, I have had the opportunity to care for various breeds, predominantly retrieving breeds and German Shepherds, along with an occasional hound. This experience has given me a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding. However, one particular incident stands out, serving as a case study on the challenges of rehoming a potentially dangerous dog.

My adults adopted a pound puppy named Molly, approximately 10 to 12 weeks old, who looked somewhat sheep-like at the time. As she grew, she evolved into a cross between a brownish Border Collie and possibly an Australian Shepherd, a very pretty pup reaching about 55 lbs in weight. We had another dog, a black Lab/Border Collie mix named Mike, who also lived with us and the two got along well, playing and entertaining each other all day long.

Behaviors and Challenges

My training of Molly went well when I was around, but she exhibited problematic behavior when I wasn't present. She would destroy a rug while in the shower, chew the window pane at the store, and become aggressive when outside, frequently escaping the 52-inch wooden fence with ease. Even with modifications such as chicken wire wrapping the fence and surrounding it with big rocks, she found ways to climb over or chew through. When outside, she would take off and not return for hours, making it a dangerous area for a dog to run free. Separation anxiety was one explanation given by the vet, along with signs of aggression towards others but not myself.

The Incident

One day, my wife and I witnessed Molly climbing over the fence. We chased after her in different directions. Despite the efforts of my wife and daughter to corner her, Molly attacked my daughter's face, prompting my wife to beg for a couple of days to rehome Molly. Reluctantly, I agreed. After three days, we found a woman who ran a boxer adoption farm and was excited to take Molly. However, she later stated that Molly had significant issues, acting out destructively and aggressively, making it unsafe and unethical to rehome her.

Lessons and Insights

Breed-Specific Issues: Different breeds have distinct traits. For instance, the personality of the average German Shepherd will differ significantly from that of the average Golden Retriever. Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and energetic breeds that require constant mental and physical stimulation. They make great working dogs but can be challenging as family pets. P nh?ng potential owners should consider these factors carefully.

Training and Owner Responsibility: While it's true that some owners contribute to problematic dog behaviors through poor training or neglect, it's not always the case. Our family has always been adept at training dogs, and we provided Molly with a high-energy companion and three active children who knew how to interact appropriately with dogs. However, Molly’s high energy and destructive tendencies were too intense to manage effectively within a household setting.

Hierarchy of Priorities: As much as we love our dogs, human safety and the well-being of children must always come first. If a dog threatens a person, especially a child, the priority shifts from the dog's well-being to ensuring the safety of all involved. Immediate action to address the threat is necessary.

Conclusion

Rehoming a dog, particularly one with aggressive tendencies, is a serious decision that requires careful consideration. The well-being of the dog, the potential future owner, and more importantly, the safety of children and other household members must be prioritized. If you find yourself in a similar situation, consult with experts and consider the breed-specific needs and potential challenges before making a rehoming decision.

Disclaimer: Visit my Quora profile for more insights and tips on dog and puppy training!