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Post by stormyskies on Feb 3, 2013 20:23:24 GMT
We recently adopted a Lakeland terrier Ted from a rescue place. They had him for 12 days and assured us he had never showed any aggression towards people or other animals. We have 8 other dogs and a livery yard where people bring their dogs up. We took one of our dogs and he was fine with her. However we then were told he had just been castrated so in hindsight was probably woozy! Anyway we got him home and he is absolutely lovely natured, fabulous with people and kids, sleeps on my foster sons bed etc. We kept him away from our dogs for the first week as he had a touch kennel cough and for the next week he was kept on a lead. Then my son was taking him for a walk and one of the liveries dog, a little pug, was on our drive for some reason and Ted attacked him and locked his jaw on his throat. We separated them with water and put it down to a small furry creature and terrier instinct. In the next week he did the same to a jack Russell, and since then he has done the same to an alsation and a westie! Same thing, he can't cope with barking, growling and locks on their throat. He has always been ok with our dogs, although I keep a close eye, but today, absolutely unprovoked, he attacked the beagle and it took us a good ten minutes to get him off. So something needs to be done I have 2 options, rehome him or have him pts. So does anyone know anyone who would give a home to a Lakeland terrier? He is the cutesy dog ever and lovely natured and cuddly. Very obedient too. However, he would have to go to a home with no dogs and could never be let off the lead in a place where other dogs were. But he loves walks and happily walks on the lead. My other option is to pts but at least this way I would know he is safe, will not be lasses from pillar to post and won't end up being used as a fighting dog by some chav! I am going to ring a dog behaviourist tomorrow but I think it's instinct and there is no pattern to his attacks. Can anyone help? I am going to get him a muzzle tomorrow
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Post by bigears on Feb 3, 2013 20:38:38 GMT
Have you called the rescue ysuallt policy is you return to them?? Were abouts are you
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Post by stormyskies on Feb 3, 2013 20:48:36 GMT
In the north east. We signed a contract saying he could not be returned and to be homest he is much loved and I can't bear the thought of him being back in a kennel. He is very very loving and would hate it
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Post by Philippa on Feb 3, 2013 22:47:53 GMT
I can't believe they had you sign a contract to say he couldn't go back. I would have thought it should say he can't be rehomed and must go back. How bizarre.
I'm afraid I can't help other than to think he is trying to make his place known in the pack. 8 dogs is a lot (no criticism) so he has possibly reverted back to pack behaviour.
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Post by nia2311 on Feb 3, 2013 23:18:50 GMT
Any reputable rescue I have encountered ALWAYS state the animal remains property of the rescue and must be returned to them if circumstances dictate the re-homer cannot continue. This is the case for my rehomed rabbit, and even for my rehomed ex-battery hens! Also any reputable rescue would not advise an animal was fine with other animals if they were aware it was not, and again, would not allow an animal to be viewed by potential re-homers if it was still recovering from anaesthesia. Its like viewing a child's pony that has been lunged for an hour!
I would be reporting the rescue, once you resolve what to do with the dog. It does not sound reputable to me, and it is not acting in the best interests of animals or re-homers by not allowing animals to return, and giving incomplete or plain wrong information.
Perhaps your vet could advise on the behaviour? Unfortunately, if this dog has had a previous bad experience (i.e. attacked by another dog) then you are unlikely to be able to resolve it, especially in an older dog. Example - one of ours was attacked by a Boxer when it was young. Forever onwards (both lived to be 14) our Lab would go for a Boxer if he saw one. He never attacked anyone or anything else, but he would make a beeline for Boxers. We kept a close eye on him and put him on the lead if we saw one, but trying to get Boxer owners to call their dog back was infuriating ("its okay, he is very friendly blah blah blah").
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Post by 09rebel99 on Feb 3, 2013 23:53:33 GMT
Personally if it was me although very difficult I would pts before he causes some serious harm. You just never know whats happened with them before. Someone I know had a bassett since it was a pup and it was vicious with other dogs just when it was on the lead. Next minute it bit someone!! They sent it to be rehomed which I strongly disagreed with. God knows if they told the rescue place the full story or not!!
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Post by dobiegirl on Feb 3, 2013 23:58:17 GMT
I would muzzle him for the time being and keep him on a long line and then at least you can reel him in.
See if your vet can recommend a behaviourist as there are a lot of cowboys out there.
Can you say who the rescue is? most rescues insist on dogs coming back to them or even have their own behaviourist if needed.
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wilbs
Full Member
Posts: 246
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Post by wilbs on Feb 4, 2013 7:24:33 GMT
I would have him pts. Unpredictable terriers are very dangerous animals. And Lakelands are particularly difficult, and particularly if he had been used as a 'working' terrier. It's their instinct. Would certainly be muzzling him while you make up your mind.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Feb 4, 2013 10:00:41 GMT
I would pts. A friend of mine years ago adopted a big lurcher - I went to lunch and it wouldn't let us out of the front door, she had to throw a biscuit into a room for it to follow and shut the door on it. She had three small children so it went back to the rescue place, was rehomed again (it had apparently already had various rehomings previous to my friend) and bit a child.
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Post by prettyreckless on Feb 4, 2013 11:27:51 GMT
is there no way you can give him his own run and space to let off steam? just for now....away from other dogs? rather than having him muzzled?? and look at re training etc??
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Post by stormyskies on Feb 4, 2013 21:19:26 GMT
The contract we signed said they would only take him back within 7 days otherwise hen was our full responsibility.
I muzzled him this morning and he still managed to pin our beagle to the floor. And then the beagle retaliated and Ted couldn't as he was muzzled and it was just awful. We removed the beagle and ted spent the next 10 mins trying to hunt him out. The beagle is the only one of ours he has attacked, the other dogs belonged to other people, although on our land.
We made the heartbreaking decision to do what is best for Ted. I didn't want to rehome him as was terrified he would be passed from pillar to post. I spoke to our vet who agreed with us, and little Ted was pts this afternoon. It was very peaceful as he was sedated and I held him in my arms as he slipped away.
I will deal with the rescue place when I am feeling less fragile
Thanks for all the advice
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Post by BettyBo on Feb 4, 2013 21:28:51 GMT
Oh stormskies I think you have done the very best thing for him and admire you for your bravery xxxxx
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Post by victoria (highhill) on Feb 4, 2013 21:39:03 GMT
stormyskies - well done for doing the right thing for the dog - i'm sure it wasnt a decision you took lightly but i'm sure it was the right one xx
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Post by Philippa on Feb 8, 2013 7:31:40 GMT
I know how you are feeling. I once got a boxer from boxer rescue which hasn't been assessed correctly and had medical issues. I had to make the same decision as you after 3 weeks. I know I did the right thing too. xx
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wilbs
Full Member
Posts: 246
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Post by wilbs on Feb 8, 2013 7:42:36 GMT
Well done for making such a difficult decision - but the right decision IMO for the dog. Good wishes to you and your family.
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Post by sectiondcrazy on Feb 15, 2013 21:06:29 GMT
horrible decision to have to make but youve done the right thing for Ted. You'd never forgive yourself if you re-homed him and he bit a child or seriously injured another dog My thoughts are with you xxxx
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Post by auntiebarb on Feb 15, 2013 21:31:33 GMT
Ahhh, such a sad story. We all feel for you, you tried absolutely everything didn't you?
You are a star and hopefully Ted is too now.
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