Danielle

Gayle I'm so sorry again, your last post was so heatbreaking. If she is indeed so very thin and fragile I would be inclined to go with you on this one, I know what your hubby is talking about but I think you have made the right choice. She isn't enjoying life anymore, the only reason to keep her going is for yourselves. It's up to you to suss this one out. Is she still well enough to hang on for you guys for a little while or do you think she is ready? From your post I think she is. I've got this looming on me right now and I understand your anguish. It's hard to know when the time is right. Do what you feel is right in your heart, talk to your hubby and try to come to an agreement. I'll be thinking of you today and praying for your family. Please try to take solace in the fact that she has lived an amazing 17 years that have been full of love, wonder and excitement. She would have so many memories, she is a lucky old dog, 17 is an incredible age. Please update us as soon as you can and remember that everyone on dol is here for you should you need us. Big hugs being sent from me and my pack.

Yes she has done treatment. From what they tell me her levels are back down to an acceptable level and they have dropped the meds a bit. I really do feel like crap for disliking this dog, after all she has been in everyones lives for many years and up until now has always been a very sweet dog. You could not find one nicer, she was adorable to the max. But I'm very protective of my pack as is everyone and now especially my old girl whos health is failing. My old girl has been sick for about 18 months but is still hanging on, she has good days and bad, in fact I was sure I would have to get her pts last week but she managed to pull through again. She is so delicate right now and I refuse to have anyone upset her, be it dog or human. She is treated like gold and is the most important thing in our home right now. So yeah I spose the love and protection I feel for her has far outweighed any kindness I ever felt for dads dog. Also the fact he won't step up and do anything about it makes me feel upset and I've wrongly aimed it at the dog. I keep my bunch away from her now and will continue to do so to avoid any issues that may arise. I'll try my best to let go of these feelings towards the dog and try to get that old kinship back with her if I can. Doesn't help when he gives me crap about owning pedigrees and spouts the old crap about hybrid vigour and crosses being better etc. I think I have to learn to ignore him and let it go in one ear and out the other. He is one of those types that love to stir the pot and he can't see how much it gets to me....actually I think he can and that's why he keeps doing it. I love the old bugger but he is one hell of a belligerent and stubborn old bastard who won't take advice from anyone. I think this is really the root cause of my problems with his dogs. It's frustrating to say the least. Just hope me and his dog can get back on track, I really am not enjoying feeling this way about a dog, I've never felt this way about a pooch in my life, and I work with dogs so I see them everyday. I've gotta resolve this soon. Thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated.

Great post woof. I know I shouldn't be humanizing her, I have horses so I know this more than anyone, lol! I just can't help it. If it is in fact just warding off the old and sick, then why is she going my other bitch? She isn't old (5yo) and isn't sick. It's really bizarre.

I'm so sorry gayle, I'm going thru the same thing and it hurts like hell. Big hugs to you and your precious girl.

When we lived in dayboro my Arabian horse was attacked by someones "pet" dogs. They took a massive chunk out of his offside hind leg. I was footed with the vet bill and weeks of medical care. A few weeks after the attack these same dogs were up at my neighbors place and had her cat up a tree. She tried to shoo them away and save her cat but they turned on her and attacked her arm. These dogs had collars on, they were well fed, they were someones pets. We called the ranger to organise traps and the dogs were dealt with. It's not just wild dogs or dingos that cause harm. Sorry if it offends some ppl but I have no issue with anyone shooting a pet dog if it's on their property.

After reading the replies here I've thought further about things. I've wondered why am I blaming the dog and not my parents. The dog is wonderfully trained, will do anything at all, can do the sit stay for ages after you walk away etc, it's very smart. I must admit that most of my feelings of anger are probably directed more at my dad for allowing this aggressive behavior. When she gets into stalk mode I instantly get wary but he fobs it off. Sure enough she ends up attacking. Even after the attack he is blazay (sp?) about the whole thing. I was gutted when she attacked Abbi purely because the poor old dear couldn't even rise from a laying down position to protect herself. It seemed like this dog picked the perfect opportunity to attack her...when she was defenseless. This really got my back up. My old girl is on deaths door and still gets attacked. Same as my little bitch poodle, she isn't even safe when up in my arms, this dog will leap up into the air to grab her and rip her from my arms. Maybe if my father would recognize his dog has a problem I wouldn't be so angry with it, but he won't, he makes every excuse under the sun for this dog. He won't listen to me when I try to give him advice, he won't hear it. His other dogs have issues too, but nowhere near as bad as this one. One of the others is a herding breed and is forever herding and biting my daughter....he allows this as "it's in her breed", FFS she comes from show lines not working lines! He tells my five year old off for running around as it "entices" the herding dog to chase and bite. How about giving your granddaughter a little more care and telling the bloody dog off and training it not to bite kids? The other two dogs are afraid of their own shadow and won't allow anyone to touch them, one hides under the blankets on his bed all day. I've tried to tell him these dogs have issues but nope, won't hear it.

The dog visits the vet pretty much monthly for a check up for the cushings. They spend thousands on meds for it and it is totally sound except for the cushings. It was a delta dog and is a champ in obedience trialling. (sp?) it's done obedience work it's whole life and has many trophies etc, so it's not thru lack of training, socialization or medical issues. It is spoilt rotten tho and gets away with murder at home. I wonder if cushings can affect a dogs temperament? Does anyone know? Our old girl is suspected cushings but it just makes her drink a lot. We have had the ACTH tests and low dose dexy tests but neither could confirm or rule out cushings. She has never been DA though.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I honestly do feel awful for disliking this dog, especially since I've loved it for ten years, but in my eyes my girls come first and I've slowly become very distant to this dog. I won't pat her or talk to her, I've just got no time for her anymore and when I look at her I feel so much anger towards her. I have no idea why she has changed, she used to be great mates with my ACD, they have been friends since puppyhood. She has cushings disease but I don't know if that could cause her to become so aggro. Other than the cushings she is perfectly healthy, so there is no underlying medical cause that could be contributing to this behavior. She's just turned plain mean.....if a dog can be mean. I dunno, I just can't stand her anymore.

Another thread in general has inspired me to ask this question. Please be honest with your answers. So, have you ever disliked or hated a particular dog? My answer is no, not up until a few months ago. Now I do and I can't help it. My dad has a 10yo tibbie X pom whom I've always adored, she was always my fave of his four pooches, up until a few months ago. She has started attacking my girls whenever they are around her. It's gotten to the point that we can't have them visit dads place. She attacked my old cattle dog one night very badly and ripped her face up. My poor old girl is very sick and her back legs gave out so she couldn't even get up to defend herself. Dads dog has also ripped my toy poodle from my arms and tore her ears to pieces. She has become very aggressive and I don't trust her anymore. I'm not comfortable with my daughter being around her now. I have never once hated or disliked a dog, never, but I can't help but dislike this dog now. I know it's not right to feel this way but I can't help it. I'm aware she is being a dog but it seems so nasty when she stalks and attacks, it's like she has pure hatred for my two. She will even do this at our place so I know it's not a territorial thing. She is not like this with dads other three bitches nor is she like this with my male dogs. So yeah I'm pretty ashamed to admit it but I really don't like this dog. Has anyone else come across a pooch that you just could not help but dislike?

My dad has a tibbie X pom bitch who can not be around either of my two bitches. She attacks them with such ferocity to actually kill. She jumped and ripped my toy poodle bitch from my arms and tore her ears up, she wouldve killed her had I not intervened. But she can be with my two male dogs with no issues. My dad also has three other bitches all who she is fine with. Very strange that she would target my girls, especially since one is a cattledog. I've got no time for this dog, it's a nasty piece of work. My girls can be walking along doing absolutely nothing wrong and she will stalk them then attack. Weird bloody dog.

Yes but even in rural areas, if a dog has killed a neighbors calf or lambs for instance then goes home, the rangers will in most cases still destroy that dog due to what it has done. This happened here a couple of months ago, a ewe was mauled by a neighboring dog, farmer saw and recognized the dog, called the ranger who attended the property of the dog. They found the dog with blood on it's face, took it and destroyed it. So really what is the difference? Why does a ewes life hold greater significance than this jrt?

You did absolutely nothing wrong. Regardless of if they were dogs or dingos, they were mauling your animals. Any dogs found wandering here on my property are destroyed. I have very valuable horses here and don't take risks with them. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it's the law of the land. If ppl don't want their dogs shot, don't let them wander onto other ppls land. Simple. I do feel sad for the girl, but I think owners really do need to take more responsibility for their dogs containment and welfare. They have no one to blame but themselves. Don't feel too bad bigdog. Hugs to you.

Here is something to ponder.... There is a thread in general about someone who shot two dogs that were on her property killing her chickens and turkeys. She was well within her rights to destroy these dogs as they were mauling her critters. So please tell me how this scenario is any different? Why should the right to protect ones animals only apply to rural folk? If these huskies were to attack my beloved dogs, chickens, horses, whatever they would cop a bullet straight away from my .22 rifle. So why should city dogs get away with destructive and violent behavior? Considering they are in a more populated area, therefore posing an even greater risk, why should they be kept alive? Killing chickens and killing a jrt is no different. These chickens may have been pets just like the jrt. This is just another angle of looking at this scenario.

No but I would expect one hell of a fine and restrictions to be placed on me. Chickens are birds, they are in fact prey animals so that would in fact be a prey driven act. Killing another dog is different, dogs do not prey on other dogs naturally, dogs are not by nature cannibalistic. They can be but only in extreme circumstances, which was not the case with these two huskies.

I use plush puppy products on my clients dogs and also a "baby powder" scented cologne. My clients go ape over it! You can get this stuff at any grooming supplies store or even try buying some from your groomer, no doubt she will sell you some. I give it out to my clients if they ask.

All that has happened is that he has worn the nail down too far on the footpath or bitumen. It will heal within a day or two, it's relatively painless, might be a little sore but no biggy. If you want to walk him, keep him on the grass for a few days till it heals. Not much else you can do really, except buy some doggy boots which will probably irritate him worse than a sore nail. Don't stress, he will be fine!

I'm flooded in but safe. ;)

Putting words into my mouth isn't going to help your argument Geo. No, not all DA dogs need euthanizing, just the ones who are proven killers. Hope that answers your question. ;)

This is an incredibly intelligent response, your ideas would work wonders in a perfect world with a useful govt, but unfortunately our state govts are hopeless and I don't see it happening. The laws are way too soft I agree. Yes, hike up the fines, implement more restrictions and make an example of these ppl, it would work, but no govt official is going to implement such laws....remember, it's all politics. What I'm really getting at is that to prevent these two from doing further damage they should be put down. I know training, rehoming etc "could" solve the problem, but who would be willing to take on two DA huskies that have such a history? Not many people I can assure you. In a perfect world we could save them all and I really do wish we could, but we need to face reality here. These two are in fact dangerous (not evil or nasty) and there is already an over burdened population of dogs in our society. There are so many dogs being pts in shelters across this country every day that are perfectly balanced animals. I know it seems cruel but why spend time and energy on those who are dangerous when there are so many others who would slot perfectly into society without having to be rehabilitated. I know this comes off a little cold and I don't mean it to, just can't think of the right words. But back to the real issue at hand, I must say that if these two were to get hold of one of my dogs and kill or injure it I'd be mighty peeved at council for allowing them a second chance to kill. There are plenty of dogs out there who won't kill smaller animals, these two have proven they are not only capable of doing this but they are inclined to. I believe it is an unnecessary risk to allow them to keep going. Danielle, There are no laws preventing anyone from owning dogs of predatory and aggressive traits except you are not supposed to allow them to roam and cause harm. The owners are at fault unless the council had damaged the fence and the dogs bolted out as a report suggested, but the dogs are dogs and the owners are the one's who need to pay for what happened IMHO. They need to pay for a replacement pup and trauma to the victim, the need to pay for adequate training for the attacking dogs and a properly secured yard to meet a particular criteria and most of all dog owners need to know that roaming dogs injuring and killing other peoples pets is going to cost them a lot of money. The laws are too soft on this stuff, a $250 fine and a dog euthansed is not harsh enough, they need it cost them 10 or 15K and loose possessions if they can't pay, bankrupt a few if necessary and then they may see the better option is responsible ownership and management.

Lol no I don't shampoo dogs for a living, do you? Once again pls don't assume. No you aren't just agreeing with Cosmolo, you have made some huge statements which you still cannot seem to back up. And how are these two dogs any different to the Xbred that killed my clients dog? Oh that's right, they haven't killed a second dog yet. Silly me.

Cosmolo I don't think anyone is thinking these dogs are evil or nasty, they are what they are, dogs. And in reply to your statement about putting these dogs down, yes, you are 100% right in saying that it won't prevent these owners from acquiring another DA dog. It also won't make society that much safer, but it will remove two deadly dogs from an urban area where they can do significant damage. I thoroughly understand your point, but really, how many times does a dog have to kill before it is euth? This question is aimed at all posters on here who are opposed to putting these two down. It's a serious question that I would like a serious answer to. How far is too far? I'm genuinely curious.

Cosmolo I see what you are saying but are you serious when you say you hardly come across dogs in your line of work who have yet to learn to discriminate between what is prey and what is not? You must work exclusively with extreme cases. Most dogs I know do not behave in such a way and a lot do require training. It's not just trained dogs who can tell what's food and what's not. A lot of dogs know this naturally. I'd still like to hear geos answer to my original question though. I've only asked it a few times, yet to get a reply to that one.

Geo - Please dont assume to know me or my knowledge of dogs. I work with dogs for a living. Yes, I do own small dogs, but I also own two very large ones. Your statements are assumptive and incorrect. My ACD bitch can and always has been able to distinguish between prey items and non prey items. My Afghan hound, Rottweilers, and mastiffs over the years have also been the same. Naturally, not through training. So please answer me this. If these dogs were to get out again and kill another dog should they be pts then? How far is too far in your rationale? Also, if you are saying dogs cannot naturally distinguish between prey and not, then why aren't all dogs DA? Why aren't all dogs HA? By your very own reasoning, every single dog is a threat to each other, kids and adults alike. A client of mines dog was killed at nudgee beach two years ago by a dog that had killed before. I have witnessed this before and stand by my opinion that once a dog has killed it will kill again and should be pts. Housing is besides the point, there will always be a risk of that animal getting out again so we need not take risks with such dogs. OMG! what if my dogs were attacked then killed said attacker? do they need to be PTS? No dogs aren't stupid, but they act on instinct, regard for humans had absolutely nothing to do with it. Just read Cosmolos comments they really sum it all up, without all the melodrama. No I don't. But i quote,"Sorry but once a dog KILLS another dog it needs destroying". So i that is why i replied the way i did. Laughable i think not, your judgement is clearly clouded by the fact you either have a small dog (and feel threatened), or cannot comprehend dogs behavior by the simple facts you've learned nothing from the very reasonable and educated comments that have been placed on here. You seriously think those dogs are cold calculated killers? 'cause if you do you still haven't learnt a thing! and when you do learn something you can better protect your dog as well.

This response is laughable. If a dog is defending itself of course it's not at fault! Do you really think the huskies were defending themselves against an onleash jrt? Wow. These dogs were not going on instinct, this jrt was not a prey item. Humans aren't prey items either and they can distinguish between the two. You don't see dogs going round hunting humans as prey. These dogs knew what they were doing. Melodrama aside, they need destroying and that is what will happen thank goodness. OMG! what if my dogs were attacked then killed said attacker? do they need to be PTS? No dogs aren't stupid, but they act on instinct, regard for humans had absolutely nothing to do with it. Just read Cosmolos comments they really sum it all up, without all the melodrama.

Wowee...so if by chance my toy poodle is attacked whilst out walking on lead I really shouldve chosen a much larger and tougher dog? Get real. Sorry but even a big rott could be killed in the same situation if two large dogs get hold if it. What a ridiculous and thoughtless comment.