Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Glad to hear from you John, you've been on my mind quite a bit since your last posting. I hope your son is ok and that the operation is not a big one. Also that your wife's knee operation goes well. Your description of Shandy at the rescue center, and how he makes you feel when you walk together, is heart rending. Sending you lots of support and wishing you and your family all the best.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Just lots of support and sympathy from me here, John. I can't offer advice but you are doing such a good job coping. Big hugs to you and yours.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Hi John, I am just catching up and am so very sorry to hear about your son and I wish him a very speedy recovery and hope the operation goes well. Also wishing your wife a speedy recovery too, you have a lot on your plate at the moment. This is a very difficult situation, but I agree with Barbara, would it be possible to contact the rescue centre and stress the urgency of the situation and ask that you see the behaviourist ASAP firstly to talk over Shandy's behaviour and then subsequent visits with the family? I don't feel you should wait until February. I have a rescue dog myself and I know how you feel, you just want to anything and everything to help these poor souls and you are a very kind and generous man to keep going and I take my hat off to you, you obviously love Shandy very much. Just one little thing, did you change Shandy's name when you brought him home? He may have bad associations with the name Shandy and most rescue centres recommend changing a rescue dogs name to start with a clean slate and no bad memories of their original name, just a thought. You are all very much in my thoughts and please, if you can keep us up to date. Sending lots of hugs to you all xxx
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Hi John. I hope your son's and wife's operations go well and they have a speedy recovery. I agree with Barbara and Helen. Although its very sensible to have your wife and any other family members there when the behaviourist does Shandy's assessment I do think it would be a good idea for you to see the behaviourist sooner to discuss Shandy's behaviour even if its over the phone. I would hope a recommended behaviourist would be able to give you advice on what to do short term with shandy to avoid any similar incidents while you wait for the assessment. At least then you will have something to work on and perhaps your wife will feel more comfortable knowing you have a strategy in place until you get a full assessment. Take care all of you.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Shandy is a lucky, lucky dog to have found you - and perhaps you him too? Your generosity towards him, to make up for others who treated him badly, is heart warming. Sending you the best wishes, and then best of luck, that things work out for you all.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update [quote author=JulieT link=topic=8717.msg131008#msg131008 date=1418830080] Shandy is a lucky, lucky dog to have found you - and perhaps you him too? Your generosity towards him, to make up for others who treated him badly, is heart warming. Sending you the best wishes, and then best of luck, that things work out for you all. [/quote] Me too, in Spades.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Hi John, I'm so sorry that you are in this situation, I can see how much you care for Shandy. But In my opinion, for the safety of the people in your house, you need to remove Shandy from your home until his aggression issues get sorted out. He has bitten people repeatedly, and your son is now facing an operation because of it. All I can do is say what I would do of I were you, and in this case it would be to take him back to the rescue centre. It is unfortunate that it is likely the way he has been handled in the past that has caused this problem, but at this point you need to look forward to the future rather than speculate on the past. He needs to be seen by a behaviourist and a vet to determine what is going on with him and whether or not the issues he has can be managed, and if so, what kind of home would suit him. It might be that your home can be that home. But I would say it doesn't seem to be that home at the moment. This is my opinion, as I've said. It's very difficult to know exactly what is going on with Shandy over the internet, which is why an expert eye on the situation is what is needed. It's a difficult decision and I don't envy you it. Please keep us updated.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update I agree with all that Lisa has said. I know that it is a very difficult and emotional situation but, if I were you, safety would be my priority. Something is making Shandy react in a way that has led to serious injury and, unfortunately, there is every reason to expect that this may happen again. Most likely it has its origins in something that is not in any way Shandy's fault. Making the situation safe by separating him from your family home is definitely not blaming him. It is just recognising the seriousness of the situation and the need to make things safe for your family and Shandy.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update I can only echo what everyone else has said. I understand your desire for all the family to be involved with the behaviourist, but that could come later; I think you probably need some expert advice immediately. How awful the outcome could be if he bit some else when you were out with him I think you are amazing for what you have done for Shandy. Nobody can fault that, but the safety of the humans he comes into contact with, and ultimately his future, must be paramount now. Hope it works out well for all of you and that your son and wife recover fully from their surgery
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Just the thought of sending him back brings a lump to my throat. I do understand why some people feel it is better to send him back but then are we not simply transfering the problem to another area, or possibly making it worse? Anyway, I'm going to wait to see what the vet check up reveals and what the behavorist comes up with before I make any decisions. Can anybody possibly suggest what the vet should check for? I would like to be well prepared before I embark on this road. Thanks folks....John
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update The vet could check for any areas on his body that are painful, in case he is biting to protect himself from being hurt when touched in a painful area. I would be booking a vet appointment as a matter of urgency. They should be able to recommend a behaviourist too. I don't think it's worth waiting for the rescue centre behaviourist - Feb is too long to wait. You need professional, face to face help right now. Best of luck, John, and please do let us know how things go. We all care about your situation.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update Yes, tell your vet what has been happening and, as Rachael said, to check if he's in any pain. Best of luck - I can tell what he means to you. Sending you the warmest wishes that you are successful and get to live happily with your dog, repaying your great care and love. Keep your family safe, and get advice as soon as you can. Seconding that we care - very much, let us know how you get on.
Re: Shandyboy......Staring & update It could also be a dental problem your vet should check his teeth if possible. I really wish you and your family the best of luck with Shandy. I think you are right not to rush into anything until you have some advise from the vet and behaviourist ASAP. Shandy is a lucky, lucky boy to have you and he clearly means the world to you and I understand how difficult it is to even think about turning your back on a rescue dog. We are all here when you need to chat and please let us know how you get on, as you can see we are all routing for you and Shandy. xx
