I need some guidance on what to do with my chow

JessieGirl:
 
Thank you for your great advise. I am committed to helping Boo. The more education I get on this forum the less likely I will euthanize Boo. Your question " if I euthanized Boo and a month later, the BF ditched me, would I still feel like euthanzing the dog was the right decision? " cuts to the core. And my answer is no. Right now, I have a house with a big backyard so having Boo is no problem for me, as long as I keep him away from strangers and strangers away from my backyard. But if I decide to move in with my fiance, it'd be big issue because strangers will be walking there dogs everyday, day and night. And there's no backyard for him to run around. A 800sqf apartment with furniture and 2 people + 2 big dogs are not what my fiance is willing to live with. I personally don't care-the more the merrier. But I have to respect my fiance's wish since it's his apartment and it'll be his responsibility for taking in any dogs.
I've been looking into renting houses near his work place and mine. I hope I'll find something reasonable.
 
Thank you all for your advises and support. You guys have changed my heart about euthanizing Boo.

Mickeyboo:
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this to you yet, but I was on my local craigslist and noticed someone had a post looking for a temporary foster home for her dog because she had to move somewhere that didnt allow dogs for awhile. Im not sure if this would be a good option as I am thinking if your planning on staying in that apt. with your fiance for a long time, or if you 2 are planning on buying another home together. I mean I'm sure someone out there would be willing to work with him! I'd post on craigslist.com and just have a really strict process to adopt him out and be up front about his "issues" Please don't euthanize him unless it is absolutely impossible to re-home him, he's been your companion.
 
If all else fails, maybe Caesar Milan would take him! hehehe

jenny,
thanks for your input. I've decided not to euthanize him. Eventhough he has issues (behavior and health) he's still my baby. I can't see myself doing it to him and I dont want to fool myself anymore. I gave my fiance 2 plans I made for us and the dogs : 1) move in w. him with both Mickey and Boo, temporary. Sell my house, and then use that money to buy another house near his work place. or 2) he moves in w. me temporary, sell his condo, then we'll look for another house near his work and then i'll sell my house. He said he'll think about it. I guess there's hope he'll go with plan 1.
 
Either way, I'm not givng up on my babies. Much appreciation for those who encouraged me to follow my heart for my babies.

Good for you
 
I have been looking forward to a happy update. Thanks for telling us & I hope all works out with you & your fiance. Glad you put your foot down
 
 

Ya! thats so good to hear! If my fiance ever tried that with me, he knows he'd have his ring back..

since this thread is about Boo, i'm going to post a pic of him
 
 

aww he looks so adorable!

Ok I haven't been posting on this thread, but I've been following it and I just want to pipe in and say I'm really glad you decided not to euthanize Boo.  I know you won't regret it.  I hope you and your fiancee can work something out so that you'll both be satisfied.  And as a side note, Boo is absolutely adorable!

Boo has such a sweet face! He looks like a really nice guy. It wonderful that you've made the decision to give him another chance. I think you'll be much happier with yourself in the long run. And he'll thank you for it.
 
I don't over to the training section on this board much, but I hope you'll utilize all of the great people we have here on idog to help work with Boo. If there are specific problems that he has, post a thread and let us all brainstorm ideas on how you can help him.

 
I know we are all dog lovers here, but this is not a situation of thinking with your heart, but with your head. The dog is a liability, and honestly should be put to sleep, plain and simple. I am thinking the OP wants to have kids in her future, and form a family. This dog is not trustworthy, and a 15 pound toddler would be an easy target for him. Rehoming is out of the question because I personally could not rehome a dangerous dog. Imagine if in a months time you see this on thenews: 6 year old chow brutally attacks and kills a senior citizen. Former dog owner knowingly rehomes an aggressive dog, instead of euthanizing. Dog will be scheduled for euthanasia for the following day”

I couldn't live with myself if this ever happened. Your dog has a serious problem, and even if you did switch his diet, groom and crate train him, do NILIF, spend money on a trainer etc, the truth is that he will never be trustworthy. Im sorry if this advice has made you feel worse but it's the truth. I may be a dog lover but you will never see me telling anyone that they MUST keep their dangerous and unpredictable dog because 'dog are for life' Sorry but it doesn't make sense.

I know we are all dog lovers here, but this is not a situation of thinking with your heart, but with your head. The dog is a liability, and honestly should be put to sleep, plain and simple

 
Im not going to start an argument here, but I feel that you are wrong. Thats like euthanizing your child for being overly destructive and bad. Mickey has a bond with this animal and he needs work, and I have seen formerly aggressive dogs become calm and very friendly with the right trainer, its just finding one in your area and being willing to work with him. I feel that she has made the right decision on what to do here. I can go on and on and on, but I'm not, cause I just wanted to voice my opinion and not start an arguement on this thread

ORIGINAL: LizzieCollie

 
I know we are all dog lovers here, but this is not a situation of thinking with your heart, but with your head. The dog is a liability, and honestly should be put to sleep, plain and simple. I am thinking the OP wants to have kids in her future, and form a family. This dog is not trustworthy, and a 15 pound toddler would be an easy target for him. Rehoming is out of the question because I personally could not rehome a dangerous dog. Imagine if in a months time you see this on thenews: 6 year old chow brutally attacks and kills a senior citizen. Former dog owner knowingly rehomes an aggressive dog, instead of euthanizing. Dog will be scheduled for euthanasia for the following day”

I couldn't live with myself if this ever happened. Your dog has a serious problem, and even if you did switch his diet, groom and crate train him, do NILIF, spend money on a trainer etc, the truth is that he will never be trustworthy. Im sorry if this advice has made you feel worse but it's the truth. I may be a dog lover but you will never see me telling anyone that they MUST keep their dangerous and unpredictable dog because 'dog are for life' Sorry but it doesn't make sense.

 
Lezzie:
 
I totally understand where you're coming from. You had it right where it should. Yes, this was my concern-my dog's capability of attacking a child[&:] and I would NEVER be able to live with myself. I guess a big part of me is believing this won't happen but who am I kidding. Boo has history of attacking  my friends, was able to tear off  my friends' clothes and bit her/him that left with open wounds.
yes, this is a piece of reality I need to address to and not letting my heart covering it over. But most of the time it is SO HARD SO SO HARD to live with the thought of killing my beloved pet.
 
 
 
 

I agree in part with LizzieCollie. You definately have to think with your head and not your heart. You also have to think long term. Boo is only 6yrs, so he is going to greatly effect your life for maybe the next 10 years. You are a young (I presume), engaged woman. What are your plans for the next 10 years? Are you willing to not have a family because of BOO? Are you willing not to live anywhere you like because of Boo? Are you willing to lose your fiancee because of Boo? Life is not static, especially when you are young. You are going to have many opportunities and options presented to you. Boo has be a consideration in every decision that you have to make.

Many people on this board have said they would sacrifice anything for their dog and I have absolutely no problem with that at all. If you feel the same, I totally support saving the dog. But please make sure you are not just putting off the inevitable.

"That's like euthanizing your child for being overly destructive and bad."

Sorry, not even close!

ORIGINAL: jennyx0023

 Thats like euthanizing your child for being overly destructive and bad.

 
No its not the same. We all have to realize: Dogs are not humans, they are not children. While I love and adore Lizzie, and I have a connection with her that I have never had with another dog, I know my child is first and foremost and I know Lizzie is not a human.
 
All Im saying is this. Yes, the dog may have a slight possibility of being slightly tamed. But come on, the OP cannot put her life on hold for a dog who is a danger to the community. Alot of people have told her dont get married. Its easy to say these things.
 
I cant ask anyone to put 10-15 years of their life on hold (no husband, no kids, no friends, no life) for a dog who is a menace.
 
My point is, its better to have the dog PTS now, when he is being loved to death, then when he attacks someone and the owner is forced to put him down. Its more of a comfort to be able to hold and hug your beloved pet while they are being PTS then to have mixed feelings about him if he attacks someone else, and have to let him die alone.