[Breeds] Considering getting a new dog in the near future after a traumatic experience https://ift.tt/eA8V8J I know there used to be a breeds survey one could fill out on here for posts like these, but I could not find it. Long story short, I recently had to do a behavioral euthanasia. I adopted an 85 lbs., 6 year old Boxer/Mastiff/Rottweiler mix from my local humane society about a year and a half ago. Eventually it came out that he had anxiety and aggression problems that gradually became worse. Dexter also showed signs of previous abuse. He bit a child and spent time in quarantine, bit me, etc. I lost my apartment (not because of him) and we had to move in with my friend who also had a dog, but was aware of and willing to work with Dexter's problems. I spent the summer working on socialization, desensitization, and in a constant state of hypervigilance preventing/breaking up dog fights. It worked somewhat, but eventually became too much for everybody involved. No shelter or rescue would take him because, as I later learned, their liability insurance policies forbid them from re-homing a dog with a history like his. It was decided that euthanasia was the best course of action. What's done is done and I'm not looking for "what ifs", after the fact recommendations, or judgement on my extremely difficult decision. ​ Edit: The AutoMod supplied the breed questionnaire! ​ Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs? This will not be my first dog. I have experience teaching basic commands and leash training. I also have some experience working with dog aggressive dogs, but I do not want to do that again right now. Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder? I would like to go through a reputable breeder or adopt a retired show dog. I do not think rescuing is a good option for me at this time. I'm not ready to be put in another situation where I might have to escort a healthy animal to death's door. A friend also suggested adopting from a rescue where the animals are fostered in volunteers' homes, but I'm still unsure about not knowing the dog's background, genetics, or possible outcomes temperament-wise. Describe your ideal dog. My ideal dog would be fairly easy to train, moderate to bordering on high energy, a good size to travel with me in the car (weight limit at my apartment is 75 lbs.), prone to a friendly disposition towards people, children, cats, and dogs. A bonus would be if it sounded a little intimidating lol. What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why? Australian Shepherds because they seem like smart, versatile dogs, Golden Retrievers....tbh I'm very open to all breeds What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do? Basic obedience, just for fun tricks, I would love to do off leash training Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport? I would love to try competing in agility and obedience. I have a bit of experience with obedience from 4-H, but I've never done agility. Care Commitments 7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day? I am home almost all day, most days, so I can interact with my dog as much as needed. Dexter had this ability to moderate his energy. When we were going he was really excited and ready, but when we weren't he would just sleep on the couch for hours. 8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park? I can exercise my dog for an hour or two everyday. Exercise would include walking, trying dog parks, finding hiking trails, car rides...the dog would come with me as much as possible 9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly? I would prefer not to have the extra expense of a groomer. I've done all of my dog grooming myself and I wouldn't be opposed to trying to learn how to do some trimming by watching YouTube videos or something. If I absolutely wasn't able to I would pay a professional. Personal Preferences 10) What size dog are you looking for? Weight limit in my apartment complex is 75 lbs. 11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle? Minimal slobber and barking; shedding does not matter 12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area? I would love to be able to train my dog off-leash Dog Personality and Behavior 13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space? Snuggly 14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please? Eager-to-please 15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors? I would like my dog to bark when someone knocks on the door, but not show aggression to strangers or visitors. 16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs? No, I can't do that again at this time. 17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid? I would like to avoid food aggression, separation anxiety, and aggression towards other dogs, cats, or people Lifestyle 18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone? It would really depend on what I'm doing that day. Probably would not exceed 8 or 9 hours on a really busy day. 19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog? I live alone. 20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they? I have a cat. 21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly? Possibly. 22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease? I rent. I believe the weight limit is 75 lbs. and the breed restrictions are the usual ones. 23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds? I live in the United States. I am not aware of any breed bans in my area. 24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live? Summer temperature 85-90 degrees Farenheit; winter temperature 30 degrees farenheit and below Additional Information and Questions 25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant. 26) Feel free to ask any questions below. dogs parkmeeae

I know there used to be a breeds survey one could fill out on here for posts like these, but I could not find it. Long story short, I recently had to do a behavioral euthanasia. I adopted an 85 lbs., 6 year old Boxer/Mastiff/Rottweiler mix from my local humane society about a year and a half ago. Eventually it came out that he had anxiety and aggression problems that gradually became worse. Dexter also showed signs of previous abuse. He bit a child and spent time in quarantine, bit me, etc. I lost my apartment (not because of him) and we had to move in with my friend who also had a dog, but was aware of and willing to work with Dexter's problems. I spent the summer working on socialization, desensitization, and in a constant state of hypervigilance preventing/breaking up dog fights. It worked somewhat, but eventually became too much for everybody involved. No shelter or rescue would take him because, as I later learned, their liability insurance policies forbid them from re-homing a dog with a history like his. It was decided that euthanasia was the best course of action. What's done is done and I'm not looking for "what ifs", after the fact recommendations, or judgement on my extremely difficult decision.

​

Edit: The AutoMod supplied the breed questionnaire!

​

1. Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
   This will not be my first dog. I have experience teaching basic commands and leash training. I also have some experience working with dog aggressive dogs, but I do not want to do that again right now.

2. Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?
   I would like to go through a reputable breeder or adopt a retired show dog. I do not think rescuing is a good option for me at this time. I'm not ready to be put in another situation where I might have to escort a healthy animal to death's door. A friend also suggested adopting from a rescue where the animals are fostered in volunteers' homes, but I'm still unsure about not knowing the dog's background, genetics, or possible outcomes temperament-wise.

3. Describe your ideal dog.
   My ideal dog would be fairly easy to train, moderate to bordering on high energy, a good size to travel with me in the car (weight limit at my apartment is 75 lbs.), prone to a friendly disposition towards people, children, cats, and dogs. A bonus would be if it sounded a little intimidating lol.

4. What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
   Australian Shepherds because they seem like smart, versatile dogs, Golden Retrievers....tbh I'm very open to all breeds

5. What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
   Basic obedience, just for fun tricks, I would love to do off leash training

6. Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?
   I would love to try competing in agility and obedience. I have a bit of experience with obedience from 4-H, but I've never done agility.

Care Commitments

7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

I am home almost all day, most days, so I can interact with my dog as much as needed. Dexter had this ability to moderate his energy. When we were going he was really excited and ready, but when we weren't he would just sleep on the couch for hours.

8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

I can exercise my dog for an hour or two everyday. Exercise would include walking, trying dog parks, finding hiking trails, car rides...the dog would come with me as much as possible

9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

I would prefer not to have the extra expense of a groomer. I've done all of my dog grooming myself and I wouldn't be opposed to trying to learn how to do some trimming by watching YouTube videos or something. If I absolutely wasn't able to I would pay a professional.

Personal Preferences

10) What size dog are you looking for? Weight limit in my apartment complex is 75 lbs.

11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle? Minimal slobber and barking; shedding does not matter

12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area? I would love to be able to train my dog off-leash

Dog Personality and Behavior

13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space? Snuggly

14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please? Eager-to-please

15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors? I would like my dog to bark when someone knocks on the door, but not show aggression to strangers or visitors.

16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs? No, I can't do that again at this time.

17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid? I would like to avoid food aggression, separation anxiety, and aggression towards other dogs, cats, or people

Lifestyle

18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone? It would really depend on what I'm doing that day. Probably would not exceed 8 or 9 hours on a really busy day.

19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog? I live alone.

20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they? I have a cat.

21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly? Possibly.

22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease? I rent. I believe the weight limit is 75 lbs. and the breed restrictions are the usual ones.

23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds? I live in the United States. I am not aware of any breed bans in my area.

24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live? Summer temperature 85-90 degrees Farenheit; winter temperature 30 degrees farenheit and below

Additional Information and Questions

25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

26) Feel free to ask any questions below.

Submitted October 26, 2019 at 04:51AM by parkmeeae https://ift.tt/2onEZ8M