i have to get rid of my dog

[ladypanther]

So sorry to hear. How old is he?

[Carolina Husker]

Sorry about your divorce.

[Anybodyhome]

Dogs are color blind... not the gray/white/black color blind. They see yellows, blues and lighter purples or violets. They do not see the typical red/green/oranges humans see. It may have been a visual clue that set him off, but highly unlikely.

If you must get rid of him, please do not turn him over to a pound because he'll likely be euthanized within 2 weeks, less of he shows signs of aggression again. Try to find a rescue organization and be very honest and explain. They'll do their best to help.

Another question, if I may. What was the reaction to the dog after the incident? Did you pummel him mercilessly, yell at him or correct him? I woulda pummeled him, but if that happens he may never be right again, as justified as it may have been.

[SamTheRam]

Did she and the dog get along well before the incident?

[Wither]

has to do something to get your attention.

The dog isn't doing anything to get your attention. It bit because it feels threatened or angered.

[o803oVaDeR]

When it happened i was sitting right next to them at the computer. I jumped up and grabbed him. I pulled and yelled his name and he let go. My wife went down the hall into the bedroom and he gave chase after her. I am not sure if he was still being aggressive at this point or not. I jumped in front of him and hammer fisted him in the face. It was all i could think of to do. I then grabbed him and put him in his crate. The two of them have a love hate relationship to be honest but neither have ever been aggressive toward the other. When we argue he gets involved and barks at her but i make him stop and put him outside or something. Sometimes i get the feeling he is jealous of her. As crazy as that sounds but i still never saw this coming.

I took him to pets inc today. They are going to help me adopt him out to someone. He is still with me at my house until they find him a home. I just keep him away from the wife and kids until then. I was very honest with them at pets inc. I dont want to be responsible for someone getting hurt by him.

[NCstoner420]

I'm sorry but your dog needs to be euthanized. Adopting him out leaves the window open for a repeat of this situation and it could be him getting loose then attacking a child. He is up there in age and just like humans some people snap and need to be moved away from the general population.

[Mr. Scot]

Sorry to hear that, man :(

The dog I had most of my young life only ever went after one person. It was a guy who walked into our yard while going door to door. After we pulled him back, we talked to the guy and found out he was a cultist.

Dog never bothered anyone else.

[SamTheRam]

My dogs growl at the same person all the time. Sometimes I wonder if they aren't picking up on something the rest of us haven't.

[Hawk]

no, the rest of us hate you too!!!!

[Iceberg Slim]

I am sorry to hear about the attack, that's got to be a tough pill to swallow.....but I think you are doing the right thing by working with Pet's Inc. I am sure they will find a place for him, but it has to be strange with him still in the house right now with your wife.....are you keeping him in the crate all the time?

[o803oVaDeR]

I keep him in the crate or outside unless the wife is in the bedroom but yeah it is a little awkward. She is very uncomfortable around him which is understandable. It will still be hard when it comes time to let him go.

[SamTheRam]

If you get rid of the dog and then your wife leaves you, kill your wife.

[Lumps]

I'm sure your in shock but you shouldn't be surprised. Your American bulldog has aggression issues because it's in his genes, I assume you accpeted that fact when you got him? Also it sounds like he could be overprotective of you or it's territory. Do you spoil it or maybe give it too much attention? This has a lot to do with genes as well but it can also be the humans fault. A dog picks up on subtleties like a child. If it felt like when you were fighting, you were going to attack it would have.

Hard to say what happened not knowing how the dog was raised and where it came from. If you didn't contribute to this type of behavior I would put the dog down but dogs act differently with different owners so trying a new owner might be a good option.

Either way I hope next time you can inform yourself a bit more of the breed you own before getting a dog. Especially if you are having a family. Breeds are more popular for a reason, they may not make you look as cool or tough but like I said more popular for a reason. American bulldogs are quite possibly the most dominant and overprotective breed besides a rottie.

The breed must match your lifestyle or it will never work out. That is #1. Looks mean nothing (except to distinguish breed tendencies) and bonding comes later.