Heart vs. Head

[Lucy in the Sky]

OK, the background first.
I have a small- 17 pounds- terrier mix, two cats and two chinchillas.
That information will be important in a minute.
Last Saturday, a loose dog literally ran into us as we were leaving the grocery store. We kept her at the house Sunday, took her out to the SPCA to see if she was chipped. She was not. While at the shelter, she raised her hackles at a small dog and growled at it. The shelter worker said that was a big no-no. We took her home and kept her until Monday, when we had animal control come get her in the afternoon. During the time she was at our house, she was occassionally aggressive toward Lucy, but Lucy pushed back and they were able to play with toys in the same room peacefully. She tried to chase the cats and barked at them, which is why we called animal control to get her.I thought for sure someone would claim this healthy, young, people freindly dog that had been well taken care of.
Fast forward to two days ago, I called the shelter to see if she had been claimed or if she was up for adoption. They told me she failed the behavioral testing. They are going to try to place her with a rescue, but didn't sound hopeful. They also said we could adopt her with the condition that she went to a certified trainer, which would happen anyway since we take Lucy to class every Monday for agility.
So, she is dog aggressive, cat aggressive and as sweet as can be. We live in a 1200 sq ft house where the only way we could keep her confined out of sight of the cats would be to close her in the bedroom.
What would you all do?

[skye97]

That's tough. It sounds like she's a really sweet dog when other animals aren't around. I know how easy it is to become attached to animals (totally guilty here) and the thought of having one you like being put down is really upsetting, but if she's putting your cats at risk, then I would say it isn't worth it. I love my cat so much, and if a dog that I brought home harmed her I would have a hard time forgiving myself. Even if you tried to keep them separated, accidents happen...someone might forget and leave a door open, etc.

Also, I know someone who adopted a dog that is aggressive towards everyone except her. She thought it would get better with training, but nothing has worked, and now she is stuck with a dog that she can't take anywhere, and has to lock in a room when guests come over (and barks *loudly* the entire time). Not that all aggressive dogs are hopeless, but it is tough to overcome those behaviors.

[skye97]

Also...

I just saw that you'd have to keep her in the bedroom. Even if it was temporary, that doesn't seem fair to her.

[FurMama]

Well,

I have pet gates up on certain doorways so the cats can jump over when Little Buddy decides to chase them. As for the aggressive behaviors, I am working with an animal behaviorist. She has temperament tested Lucy ( I have a Lucy too!) and is helping us work with her so she has better control and knows who is leader of the pack. She is a sweet dog except for when excited then she sort of flips out and attacks Buddy. She has also attacked the Springer and has made my little toy poodle cower. So for now she is crated at night and so is Buddy (another dominant rescue). No sharing the bed with Chips and Lily and me for awhile. It is a work in progress. I hope for harmony soon. For this new little dog, I can't say what to do. But it sounds hopeful that she could be worked with. Although, you only had her for a few days so she may have been showing you her best 'honeymoon' behaviors. That is something else to think consider. My Lucy arrived and showed us everything right up front--she is a rescue too. Good luck with your decision! Let us know what you decide.....

[Debbiedogs]

Assessment

You need to take into account her age, size, degree of aggression, and reaction to correction.

THEN you might want to take her on a trial basis. Some dogs can be placed only in homes with no other animals, or a dog of the opposite sex. Depends on the dog.

However, what you are likely dealing with is an untrained, unsocialized dog who can learn how to behave IF you know how to show her using prevention, control, guidance and correction.

[4Sibes]

LIS...how big is this dog, and any estimates on her age? Any indication she has been spayed yet? What do you think the predominant breed might be?
Those are all things I would also take into account.

Some of my most beloved dogs of all time...have been pets obtained because of the heart...not the head.

[grooming goddess]

I would leave her right where she is. Not fair to disrupt the other animals, especially during this time of year.

[Smart-n-Pretty]

Some of my most beloved dogs of all time...have been pets obtained because of the heart...not the head.

Mine, too. [blinks back tears]

[RudyRoo]

My son adopted a stray who was not aware ya didn't eat cats for lunch. He did learn NOT to chase the cats! Lived with me & the 2 cats for several months with no problems. My oldest dog is dog agressive, and when I adopted a new dog last year it was alot of work for me, but now they are best of friends. Sometimes you don't go looking for a new pet, they come looking for you! If you really want to keep the dog, plan on spending time retraining her. I would suggest you start out crate training, best way to keep her from going after the cats and your dog until you can trust her, and she learns her place in this new pack. Good luck & go with your heart.

[Lucy in the Sky]

When I get home I will post a picture of her. I am leaning toward Shiba or Basenji mix because of her build and tail set and the way she sets her expression when intent on something. More Basenji, I was only thinking Shiba becuase the tail is kind of furry. She is young, has squeaky clean teeth. Very mellow- but as mentioned, she may have been in that honeymoon phase. She was scared and very uncertain of her place in our home.

[Maltese_mama]

That's a hard call! I don't really trust shelter Temperment Tests, as they are subjective and often whoever is performing them isn't properly trained. I think it's possible that she could be trained to not go after dogs or cats. It's also entirely possible that she could get worse as she becomes more comfortable. I personally wouldn't risk my other pets. Good luck w/ whatever decision you make!

[lexapurple]

That's a hard call! I don't really trust shelter Temperment Tests, as they are subjective and often whoever is performing them isn't properly trained. I think it's possible that she could be trained to not go after dogs or cats. It's also entirely possible that she could get worse as she becomes more comfortable. I personally wouldn't risk my other pets. Good luck w/ whatever decision you make!

I agree with above poster. But you also had her playing with your dog peacefully. If she is not much bigger when your dog and you are willing to work very very hard to make sure she adjusts in your house, it might work. However, it would not be fair to keep her isolated in bedroom all the time or give her back to shelter if it doesn't work out.

[Canopener Sally]

I think you'd be crazy to bring a known cat aggressive dog into the house. And dog can push over baby gates or otherwise get around them. Don't endanger your cats. This is cliche but you can't save them all. Dog aggressive, cat aggressive- not a good combination for living in a multi-pet household.

Don't adopt out of guilt, adopt because you want the dog. If you're dead set on going for it. Never leave it unattended with the cats, ever.

[BeeJL]

Don't adopt out of guilt, adopt because you want the dog.

I like this advise.