Doobie was a rescue so age is pretty vague, but we’ve had him for about 6/7 years. He used to be a decent lap dog, but as we got busier and he started peeing all the time, he ended up getting ignored a lot. He was fed, walked, taken outside, but not really “loved”. There were two incidents of him weaseling in the fence with the bigger dogs, who he usually gets along with, but he got stuck, and they started growling and biting at him and he was too. This is when the peeing and food aggression really started getting more obvious and regular.
I think it’s my stepfather’s fault, because Doobie used to be a sweet dog, but after getting kicked and yelled at, that’s when he actually started biting. Any adult male human he will seek out to bite. He jumped in a deliver van (with the open space instead of door) and bit the guy, it’s never bad enough to really draw more than a pinprick of blood.
But now it’s problems where my 17mo is just near him, makes a sound, even a softer, not loud sound and Doobie growls and does this helping bark that used to mean self defense. He’s nipped my son, stolen food from him and growled and bit when my son tried to reach for it back. He barks and growls in my sons face, and my son still just wants hugs because he adores animals. And I mean sweet hugs not what k would expect from a toddler.
I think if it didn’t feel like it was my stepfathers fault it would be a really obvious choice. Also, like 2 weeks ago had to put down the cat I’ve had since I was a toddler, and I’m still a bit scarred.
We don’t have the energy or availability to properly train him and go through the protocol. Would it be irresponsible to rehome him? There is a place in the area that takes a lot of older small dogs who have minor behavioral issues. It’s a no kill place. I just don’t know if his problems are caused by his current family or are long term issues that won’t be resolved.
I think it’s my stepfather’s fault, because Doobie used to be a sweet dog, but after getting kicked and yelled at, that’s when he actually started biting. Any adult male human he will seek out to bite. He jumped in a deliver van (with the open space instead of door) and bit the guy, it’s never bad enough to really draw more than a pinprick of blood.
But now it’s problems where my 17mo is just near him, makes a sound, even a softer, not loud sound and Doobie growls and does this helping bark that used to mean self defense. He’s nipped my son, stolen food from him and growled and bit when my son tried to reach for it back. He barks and growls in my sons face, and my son still just wants hugs because he adores animals. And I mean sweet hugs not what k would expect from a toddler.
I think if it didn’t feel like it was my stepfathers fault it would be a really obvious choice. Also, like 2 weeks ago had to put down the cat I’ve had since I was a toddler, and I’m still a bit scarred.
We don’t have the energy or availability to properly train him and go through the protocol. Would it be irresponsible to rehome him? There is a place in the area that takes a lot of older small dogs who have minor behavioral issues. It’s a no kill place. I just don’t know if his problems are caused by his current family or are long term issues that won’t be resolved.