Bad News

dixiesdad · #1 09-08-2009, 10:18 AM

OK I wrote on this board a little over 18 months ago how my daughter was bit in the face by my boxer. Well we decided to keep the dog and work with her and things had improved greatly untli Sunday. this time she bit her in the face again and it was a little more severe. My almost three year old daughter now has a puncture wound in the face. She is going to heal OK and believe it or not still wants to play with the dog. I was right there and this was definitely an unprovoked attack. I am trying to find a person or an organization that can take the dog. I am truly saddened to depart from an otherwise terrific dog that seems could not make the adjustment of not being the only child in the house. I do want her gone and there will be no talking me out of it but I do not want her euthanized and so I want her in a good home. Anyone know of any good rescues in central Virginia I would love the info. I am extremely sad today but my daughter is top priority to me.

kayboxer · #2 09-08-2009, 10:26 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I totally understand your thinking and I do not blame you. My only hope is that you do not give up on the breed and find another that fits into your home. I'd hate to see your little girl develop a fear of dogs due to this incident. She may not seem to be afraid now, but when you rehome your dog and the dog is gone, she may begin thinking about dogs and biting and become afraid. My son was terrified of dogs at age two, and we didn't even have one. That is the main reason we decided to get a dog, I did not want him growing up afraid of dogs. Please, don't give up on having a dog in your home, and I am truely sorry for what you are having to go through.

BxrMommieNAZ · #3 09-08-2009, 12:53 PM

If you do a Google search for Boxer rescues in your area I'm sure you can find one. Make sure they have their non profit status and are reputable. I see say though, you may be hard pressed to find one to take your dog with a bite history.

Good luck.

Cami · #4 09-08-2009, 01:06 PM

You will be very hard pressed to find a worthy-reputable rescue that will take in a dog with a bite history. The liability is far too high for a rescue to take in a dog that is a known biter. They can't risk it.

Many times people will stretch the truth and not be forthcoming with the rescues and this is just a disaster in the making. The possibility of them finding out the truth about the bite history AFTER the surrender is pretty high, especially since you have stated the situation in a public forum.

Your best and safest bet it to be honest and up front with MULTIPLE rescues in the hopes that you find one that is willing to take the chance on rehabilitation. Another option is to locate a home on your own, again with 100% honesty about the situation. Of course no kids in the home or any plans of them in the future.

EAO76 · #5 09-08-2009, 01:18 PM

There are a few boxer rescues that operate in Virginia. You can Google it. Also here is the link to the rescues that are approved by Boxer World...Approved Boxer Rescue groups

I do a lot of volunteer work with boxer rescues in my area & it is difficult to find placement for a dog with a bite history (but it can be done). Some rescues won’t even be willing to work with you. Others are more open. It usually comes down to resources ($$). It will help if you are willing to continue to foster the dog while they search for a home. Also make sure you let them know all her good qualities too (if she is obedience trained, potty trained, plays fetch, likes water, etc). And offer to bring her to them for a meet & greet so that they can see her temperment for themselves. Good luck & let us know the outcome.

dixiesdad · #6 09-09-2009, 08:41 AM

Let me just start by saying I was not planning on lying to anyone or any organization about this dog. I want to be as truthful as I can so she gets the right home for a great dog. I don't know if I would call hers a bite history as much as a history of being super jealous of not being the center of attention anymore. Anyone with children can understand that the child often requires way more attention. I also want to say this dog is and has been a GREAT GREAT GREAT dog. I am pretty sad right now with conflicting emotions but as a parent I know who is the most important. This dog has never tried to hurt anyone or anything else, always greets people with joy and excitement (sometimes too much excitement) She is fairly welled trained to basic commands and she is housetrained. She makes a great buddy on the couch will take a nap with you anytime you ask and always listens to you when you have had a bad day. I often rock the dog in the rocking chair with me and talk to her and she is awesome to take for a ride. I am truly going to miss an awesome companion but when I weigh out the risks and the trust factors the decision is evident for me. As far as monetary resources they are limited and this may influence where the dog eventually goes. The best we can do is to do like my daughter does before bed and pray that we find a loving replacement home for her.

BxrMommieNAZ · #7 09-09-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiesdad

Let me just start by saying I was not planning on lying to anyone or any organization about this dog. I want to be as truthful as I can so she gets the right home for a great dog. I don't know if I would call hers a bite history as much as a history of being super jealous of not being the center of attention anymore. Anyone with children can understand that the child often requires way more attention. I also want to say this dog is and has been a GREAT GREAT GREAT dog. I am pretty sad right now with conflicting emotions but as a parent I know who is the most important. This dog has never tried to hurt anyone or anything else, always greets people with joy and excitement (sometimes too much excitement) She is fairly welled trained to basic commands and she is housetrained. She makes a great buddy on the couch will take a nap with you anytime you ask and always listens to you when you have had a bad day. I often rock the dog in the rocking chair with me and talk to her and she is awesome to take for a ride. I am truly going to miss an awesome companion but when I weigh out the risks and the trust factors the decision is evident for me. As far as monetary resources they are limited and this may influence where the dog eventually goes. The best we can do is to do like my daughter does before bed and pray that we find a loving replacement home for her.

And that's GREAT and make sure to tell any organization all of the good things. But dogs don't get jealous just an FYI, it's an emotion that is a human emotion, and she bit your daughter, which unfortunately means she has a bite history. It may be only children she cannot tolerate who knows, but unfortunately it is considered a bite history.

dixiesdad · #8 09-09-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BxrMommieNAZ

And that's GREAT and make sure to tell any organization all of the good things. But dogs don't get jealous just an FYI, it's an emotion that is a human emotion, and she bit your daughter, which unfortunately means she has a bite history. It may be only children she cannot tolerate who knows, but unfortunately it is considered a bite history.

Dogs dont get jealous?? I guess it is a human perception. Good to know

BxrMommieNAZ · #9 09-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiesdad

Dogs dont get jealous?? I guess it is a human perception. Good to know

Exactly. They have a "hierarchy" in a pack and it's very important to make sure that dogs know they are at the bottom of that pack and any humans in the home are at the top. It sounds as though your dog is fighting for that position unfortunately that's with your daughter. I'm not sure if you have hired a licensed behaviorist, but if not, one could probably shed a lot of light for you on your situation and explaining dog behavior, structure, etc to you.

Good luck with whatever you end up deciding.

kayboxer · #10 09-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BxrMommieNAZ

And that's GREAT and make sure to tell any organization all of the good things. But dogs don't get jealous just an FYI, it's an emotion that is a human emotion, and she bit your daughter, which unfortunately means she has a bite history. It may be only children she cannot tolerate who knows, but unfortunately it is considered a bite history.

Don't know if I agree with that. There have been studies done suggesting that they do. If you google it you can find them. Opinions vary on this subject, but I think they do get jealous. Just my own opinion.