Oh no :( Trinket attacked T-Bone

 Beejou, I commend you for taking her back.

 I don't have any suggestions because I've only ever owned one dog at a time. I am very sorry it didn't work out for you guys and that you both had to go through this. :-/ I'm sure Trinket will find a good home, she sounds like a sweet dog who just needs to be handled by someone who understands her and can devote all their attention on her alone. I'm sure T-Bone will love getting to hang out with some dogs at doggy daycare. :)

A couple of things -- I haven't said anything cos I felt like others were doing it better than I could.

First -- it's obvious from here that you did the right thing, but I think the biggest thing you did *right* was to do it NOW.

Rather than prolonging the agony -- during which time she could have gotten a bite history and gotten *more* attached to you ... you took her back quick, which will make it easier for *her*.  You were doing the right thing for T-Bone and everyone.

Second -- somehow we all get this idea that altho we humans don't get along with everyone I'd like everyone out there to raise your hand if you've never had to change roommates, break up with someone, never been divorced and never changed jobs just because you didn't like people you worked with??   Anybody's hand left 'up' all the way thru that list???

Of course not -- we ALL know that we don't all get along with everyone -- particularly when you have to LIVE with someone.

Why do we think dogs are different?

Sometimes it's a hidden problem like Trinket's aggression, and sometimes it's just the particular mix of one dog with another.  I'm *not* belitting training at all -- it's necessary and it can often minimize many problems (how many of US have had to change habits and do thing differently to live with someone?? - yep, training and management!)

But sometimes it's just a bad mix -- and I think being wise enough to realize that these two dogs just can't co-exist and retain the "happy family" basis that existed before she came ... that IS wisdom. 

I don't see you as a failure at all -- there ARE things you just plain can't "see" all the time.  And it was a problem that just didn't reveal itself prior to move in.

I *am* so sorry, hon ... this was truly difficult for you and I'm so sorry it turned ugly.  But I'm the type to not want to give up either ... and sometimes ... for many varying reasons ... you just have to admit this one isn't going to work.

*hugs* 

Beejou, I know that you were forced to make a very difficult decision, but IMO, you made the best decision for everyone involved. 

(((Hugs)))

Have fun at Daycare TBone!

Thanks guys, all of your support does help reassure me I made the right decision. T-Bone's happy attitude and ample kisses today do too. I just hope she gets the right owner...

I am stuffed full of Mr. Goodbars and T-Bone is stuffed with meatballs. We're doing some power snuggling.

On a side note... I am seriously wondering if the Humane Society KNEW about this and sort of swept it under the rug. Before I adopted her I asked how she was with other dogs, and one of the staff really evaded it. She said it's very hard to know with  dogs of unknown history and I needed to bring T-Bone down. When I did, the staff lady watched like a hawk (at the time I figured they probably just did that) and I asked why she was returned within a few days by the person who adopted her before me. They said the owner was worried she was a pit bull and "Really needed a fenced yard". In retrospect, I might have been able to pick up information from them... even though I couldn't by Trinket herself. I'm definitely not saying they knew, or looking for someone to blame, but it is something I wonder about.

FWIW, I think you did the right thing, as much as it stinks. 

Don't take it too hard. Have some fun with T-Bone, and hey, maybe you will come across the right dog, some time, who will work out well with Mr. Bones. Not right now, but you never know. We brought home a boy who when they met at the shelter, seemed to get along with our resident dog at the time. It turned pretty quickly into him trying to take over as the top dog, and they really weren't happy with each other. They weren't hurting each other yet, and we were used to seeing rough play, we had others who were pretty rough, and she could be. This was beyond rough play, and she was giving signs of being unhappy and freaked out.  We called the shelter, and they said that if there was any question of it, the right thing to do was to bring him back. The dog already in the home should come first.

I hope Ms. Trinket finds herself a place where she can be an only child. 

Beejou

On a side note... I am seriously wondering if the Humane Society KNEW about this and sort of swept it under the rug. Before I adopted her I asked how she was with other dogs, and one of the staff really evaded it. She said it's very hard to know with  dogs of unknown history and I needed to bring T-Bone down. When I did, the staff lady watched like a hawk (at the time I figured they probably just did that) and I asked why she was returned within a few days by the person who adopted her before me. They said the owner was worried she was a pit bull and "Really needed a fenced yard". In retrospect, I might have been able to pick up information from them... even though I couldn't by Trinket herself. I'm definitely not saying they knew, or looking for someone to blame, but it is something I wonder about.

It sounds to me like the previous adopter is the one who evaded the issue, and left the staff at the humane society to figure things out.  Often, people do that because they don't want the responsibility of being the one to "tell" on the dog and put its life in jeopardy.  But, IMO, the staff should have suspected something from the "worried she was a Pit" comment, and maybe they did, which is why they seemed evasive.  If the dog was sweet to all others, why would her breed even be an issue?  But, if she showed signs of aggression to other dogs, perhaps the person was right to be concerned about the dog's genetic background.  The reality is that many of the bully breeds do tend to be dog aggressive, especially if they are not extensively socialized as young ones, and sometimes, even if they are.  Gina nailed it, because she's seen it in Akitas, another breed that often exhibits such tendencies.  You have to know your breed and understand that genetics, while it doesn't write the dog's fate in stone, is certainly a big factor for some. 

That's a very good point, the previous adopters might have seen it first hand and not wanted to "condemn" Trinkie. However, this humane society has several very dog aggressive pit bulls for adoption and they are not in danger of being put down. They consider almost every animal adoptable. Part of me, in a strange way, is grateful *I* ended up with Trink and catching the problem, with no children to be injured getting in the way or small dogs that could have been easily maimed. so it can be called what it is and she can find the right home, without other animals. All of me wishes it was a different outcome, I was on cloud nine. It was already so much strain and heartbreak for everyone less than a week into it... it's for the best. I'm still going to check in on her and make sure she's doing okay.

I have a bit of trouble with a humane society that is so bent on saving every dog that they have seriously aggressive dogs for adoption.  Most adopters are ill equipped to handle that, and it's how things often go wrong, which leads to more calls for banning of breeds.  IMO, shelters should be involved in rehabilitation, but they still need to realize that adopters don't often live in the kind of vacuum that would really be necessary to protect some dogs from transgressing. 

I also think you did the right thing by not prolonging it. You just don't know what might have happened.

 T will be more than happy going to day care occasionally.   You know I take Gibby and he plays for a while and then waits to come home. 

I really feel for you. I had to let go of my beloved Skidget in January after she started fighting with her sister. I found a wonderful home for her where she will be an only dog and she is pampered as she should be. (And poodle cut... she looks so funny to me.) I made sure to find someone who promised to stay in touch with me and give me updates and I'm so glad I did. I miss Skidget every morning and it's great to be able to be in touch with her new people.

  Sorry to hear it didn't work out :(

  Curious why you feel that T-Bone needs to go to doggy daycare? For most adult GSDs, being left some place away from their owner with strangers and strange dogs isn't exactly "fun". I worked at a doggy daycare for about 9 nears and in that entire time there was no GSDs that came through that were IMO appropriate daycare dogs. Most really disliked being left by their owners, many would do nothing but check inside and outside all day waiting for their people. The ones who seemed to have a good time without fail ended up showing predatory or territorial aggression towards other dogs at some point. None of them were IMO better for having come to daycare. I took my own GSD to daycare with me very often but never, ever left her there when I wasn't working. She only enjoyed coming with me because she could follow me around all day, she would have been miserable being left without me.

  GSDs are very people oriented and very bonded to their people. They are not intended to be dog park or doggy daycare type dogs. As a breed they are prone to same sex aggression and exposing them to a lot of group play may actually trigger that. IME it may also trigger on leash aggression and barrier aggression towards other dogs (not just in GSDs but in dog attending daycare in general). What would make T-Bone happiest, without a doubt is for you to spend more tome playing and interacting with him. Teach him a new trick a week, play fetch, teach him to find a hidden toy or teach him tracking, do weight pulling with him, take him swimming, etc.

  While dog parks are a different from daycare, the behavioral issues mentioned in this article are IME also associated with daycares.

GREAT dog park article AgileGSD!!!

I don't know much about which breeds don't need dog parks and day care...but I do know that my Dane goes to a day care occasionally and I take him to the dog park here less than I was for a while.   He is also a dog that really doesn't care belong there very much. He wants to play with us..not the other dogs.  He runs in and picks up a ball for us to throw and thats what he likes.  And for some reason, Gibby who normally doesn't drink that much water....drinks and drinks at the dog park......... so much running, panting and drinking seems to make diarrhea problems for him.   I do take him to the day care on days when we will be gone for longer than Gibby wants to be alone, and hope one day soon he will grow up and not care if we are gone a lot of the day...like all my other dogs used to be. He LOVES going to day care....runs and plays at first..then follows the humans around and watches the gate where you go in and out. Clearly he would rather NOT be there.