Please help re: my dog - WWYD?

[cosmowife]

Jan 30, 2013 9:19:48 GMT -5 vegas said:

Jan 29, 2013 13:39:28 GMT -5 halfpint said:

I don't think this is a question of deserving to live. It sounds like you've done a lot for her so far, but I would try the anxiety meds before taking any extreme measures. Does your vet have an opinion on the anxiety issues? I might also check with one additional behaviorist if you can. I'd do whatever you can to make sure your dog and your kid are never alone together in the meantime. Easier said than done?

I don't know, it's hard - I'm not a parent (yet), but I totally understand keeping your kids safe first. On the other hand, I'm a complete nut for my dogs. I can't imagine giving them up. Is there a pom rescue that might work with you if it comes to that?

Good luck, you have a tough situation.

 I am making my way through all of the responses so I haven't read everything yet but I wanted to add that after everything else failed, this is what worked for us.  We tried a behaviorist, spent thousands on training classes and even tried crate training (our dog was a neglected/abused rescue and something terrible must have happened with crate training because he was scared of it).  I wrote this same exact post on the Pets board after I had DS but as an AE because I was scared that board would tear me apart.  They were very understanding and suggested I  go to the vet and check for anxiety. The vet  diagnosed him with anxiety and placed him on meds.  He does snap sometimes (very rarely these days) but never towards any of us and never anything that makes me nervous.  The meds were amazing.

This is really good to hear. We actually have an appointment with the vet scheduled for Monday. I want the meds ASAP. Thanks!

[nickyd2006]

I'm sorry you are going through this. We have a Pomeranian that looks exactly like yours. The only times she's aggressive is when she feels cornered. She's nipped at dd1 a few times but that was out of self protection. Dd1 thought it was funny, since she wasn't actually getting bitten but it was a red flag for us to keep a close eye on them. Pom has a few safe zones she can go to, and in the mornings I let her hang out undisturbed in her own crate that is in an upstairs room. Then when she barks I go get her. I never tolerated biting of any kind but I got her as a 4 month old puppy from the show Pom breeder, and there weren't any issues with aggression, just loneliness being without her other tiny siblings. She's never bitten anyone but we didn't want to chance it so we keep the dog separate from the kids except when its just me with the kids. And even then, its more for the dogs protection. We are more aware of what our little daughter can easily do, one tiny leg break means surgery and thousands of dollars, thank goodness for our dog insurance. We just stress telling dd1 she is not allowed to touch Goldie and her food. I could never put goldie down. She's my first baby and I'd honestly keep her in isolation instead of putting her down. Do you give her enough time to play with you or walk her often? Sometimes they can be aggressive if they are just not given much attention. And yelling at a Pom has never given us any results of better behavior. She acts out at times but usually it's because dh and I have been busy with the kids. And the acting out consists of a random poop hidden somewhere. When we make time for her she behaves much better.that said, I would work with behaviorist and you can teach a dog new tricks if they feel more balanced and love, and understanding. I don't know about meds but who knows. I know that Goldie did more for my mental health, marriage, and life than anyone else. She pulled me out of a black hole when i was ready to leave everything i worked so hard for, she was my antidepressant! Im sure your dog has contributed a lot to your lives as well. She deserves to live.