Okay, so for the last year I've been wondering how to handle a problem of mine. Zeke and Rusty got along wonderfully initially, until Z turned about 1ish. Rusty was 2 yrs old I think when I brought Z home at 3 months. I've done tons of work on dog aggression with Rusty--when I got him I was much younger and didn't know as much, and he didn't have as much socialization as he needed. So it's entirely my fault that he has dog aggression issues and I take that on my shoulders with no argument. Zeke is incredibly timid and when I first got him he was absolutely terrified of strange dogs, especially if they were bigger than him. Rusty's aggression has caused fear aggression issues with Zeke, which I've pretty much gotten through. I've had to keep them separated all this time because despite lots of work they still can't be trusted together alone. I've progressed enough with them that they can walk side by side on leash with no signs of aggression at all. Off leash is a different story, so I can't keep them together just yet. I know how to solve this issue, but I really do not have the time at all. I know a trainer who can work with one or both of them on her own, but...she has a very dominant male, and I don't want her to have to keep her own dogs separated in their own home. She would do a wonderful job, but even she now doesn't really have the time for it.
So I either have to figure something out or someone has to go. If I find a home for one of them, here's what I've come up with...
Zeke can only go to an extremely active home. An agility competitor, herding competitor, rancher who needs a good working dog, jogger/fitness buff, etc. If he was placed in any home other than an active one he would go absolutely crazy.
Rusty must go to a home with a knowledgable owner. If he goes to the Average Joe he's going to get worse. Rusty's also an escape artist, so very specific fencing is a must.
I've discussed agility classes with our local dog club in the hopes that:
1) I would learn things.
2)Zeke would learn things.
3)Someone might want a crazy speed demon that can fly through an agility course.
Zeke is better behaved simply because when I got him I knew more and could do more with him. Rusty could easily get there. Rusty is calmer, more laid back. Rusty was my b-day present not long after my Dalmation died, who I'd literally grown up with. Both dogs are young, have tons of life and training left in them. Mudflap loves her boys and her boys love her. Rusty is always the first to let you know if anything is amiss--stranger around, someone bothering horses, anything. Zeke is the first to let you know when a butterfly invades his home. Lol. I loooove my boys to death, and they are both incredibly sweet and loving, and wonderful family pets. It breaks my heart to need to find a home for either of them, and I'm not sure that I could find a home for either that I'd be happy with.
Help. :dogsad: :msncry:
So I either have to figure something out or someone has to go. If I find a home for one of them, here's what I've come up with...
Zeke can only go to an extremely active home. An agility competitor, herding competitor, rancher who needs a good working dog, jogger/fitness buff, etc. If he was placed in any home other than an active one he would go absolutely crazy.
Rusty must go to a home with a knowledgable owner. If he goes to the Average Joe he's going to get worse. Rusty's also an escape artist, so very specific fencing is a must.
I've discussed agility classes with our local dog club in the hopes that:
1) I would learn things.
2)Zeke would learn things.
3)Someone might want a crazy speed demon that can fly through an agility course.
Zeke is better behaved simply because when I got him I knew more and could do more with him. Rusty could easily get there. Rusty is calmer, more laid back. Rusty was my b-day present not long after my Dalmation died, who I'd literally grown up with. Both dogs are young, have tons of life and training left in them. Mudflap loves her boys and her boys love her. Rusty is always the first to let you know if anything is amiss--stranger around, someone bothering horses, anything. Zeke is the first to let you know when a butterfly invades his home. Lol. I loooove my boys to death, and they are both incredibly sweet and loving, and wonderful family pets. It breaks my heart to need to find a home for either of them, and I'm not sure that I could find a home for either that I'd be happy with.
Help. :dogsad: :msncry: