AGGRESSIVE LAB / MIX

Every time I read one of your posts, I think more "red flags" - this is not ok and the shelter should be ashamed for adopting this dog out to a family with kids.  She's just doing what dogs do when they haven't been socialized and trained properly from puppy hood, and that is so sad.  People out there, let this dog offer you a lesson - train and socialize your dogs early, adopt from shelters that have behavior programs in place (or bring a trainer with you - it's worth the money!), and for gosh sake, don't use harsh training or pain-inducing devices on fearful or aggressive dogs.

Thank you for saying this, Spiritdogs.  This was a lesson learned for us and should be something everyone should learn from.  I have learned so much from all of this and wish that someone could have guided me through the "adoption" process.  I am also very upset with the shelter about this.  In time, I will be writing them to share my hurt and sorrow.

 Please!  Anyone reading this with puppies, please, please socialize and train your dogs early (just like spiritdogs says) or they will end up this way.  And then when you decide you don't want the dog because it is showing signs (which probably was why she was taken in), please be honest with them and realize that it was your fault and not the dog's for acting out. 

 Unfortunately we were advised for our safety by the vet, we had to put her down.  It was the worst day ever!!!!!  I'm mad and all cried out right now.  My heart is just sunk so low.  I know that we had no choice.  I have tried to find every alternative.  If I ever decide in the future to get a dog (which I couldn't even imagine I could because of this hurt), you better believe I'm bringing a trainer with me and am also going to make sure they are checked over with behavior programs. 

 You cannot trust what people tell you at some shelters.  They just want to empty that cage to put another dog in there.  Not everyone is looking for the BEST interest of the family adopting even though they should.  It would have been the best $100 or so I would have spent to have a traner!

 You are also right about using pain inducing devices.  That was the first thing someone had mentioned to us to do.  I asked the vet about it and she told us it would make her even more aggressive.  I'm so glad we didn't go that route.  I'm glad we provided her with love.  It was probably the only love she received.  Anybody that reads this, don't do that to your dog.  They enjoy the postive training.  They enjoy thinking for themselves.  

Even though we have only had her for two months, I still am waiting to hear her jingling tags on her collar come into this room and lay by my feet.  Unfortunately, this is not going to happen.  I'm going to miss all the fun times I had with her and I truly did love her even though maybe people could never understand the irony of it all.  I did try my hardest but feel like such a big failure to her.  I'm so so sorry and hope you will forgive me.  I hope I will see you one day again at peace and you will forgive me.

I wish I could have undone all the behavior that was taught

I feel like such a failure and now I'm very distraught

I had to make a choice that I could never imgaine I'd do

because of your previous owners and what they did to you.

Please know I had to protect my neighbors and family as well.

I'll miss the good times we had and those times I will dwell.

DOGOWNERNEEDSHELP

I feel like such a failure

You are not the failure here.  The shelter who adopted the dog out failed the dog.  PERIOD. 

There should have been a very stringent screening process in place in order to adopt that particular dog.  This was not a dog that was going to fit into a normal family without a LOT of work, a very experienced dog owner, or an owner who knew, from the start, that they would have to have a behaviorist on board every step of the way. 

You did what you could for the dog.  You realized that you were in over your head (over most people's heads, imo) and you did the kindest thing that you could do for the dog.  There is absolutely no shame or failure in that.

 I'm so sorry...I KNOW how hard and heartbreaking this must have been for you. I was in the same boat with a rescue that we took in. I loved that dog and spent a lot of money on trainers, but she was just too aggressive. She bit one of my kids and she bit a neighborhood kid totally unprovoked. The kid was standing in our yard and the dog ran right up to him and sank her teeth into his thigh before he even saw her..no growl, no bark, just bite. She bit my mother in law and she almost killed my sister's little Jack Russell...but that dog sure loved me... which really broke my heart when I had to have her put down. I really had no choice..she had absolutely no bite inhibition..and I have 4 kids. There is only so much we as pet owners can do. We may have the very best intentions and all the love and devotion in the world to give to these dogs, but we always have to consider our own personal safety, and the safety of those around us....doesn't make it any easier I know, but you did what you had to do..I'm sure in your heart you know this....you are NOT a failure...but I DO feel that the shelter failed YOU!