Need Home for Basenji

[TuckerVA]

Some of you may have followed a few of my threads from time to time. I need some options regarding rehoming a dog that is a proven biter. I cannot bring myself to have him euthanized. I'm interested in a ranch or something where dogs that have issues will be cared for and Tucker can live out the rest of his life.

I saw a behaviorist a long time ago and she concurred with my most recent second opinion. The 1st assessment was that his behavior cannot be changed without extreme medication or management to the extent where he is continuously isolated from strangers or is always muzzled.

I saw another behaviorist today and she said he is the worst bite case she has ever encountered and concurred, for the most part, with the 1st assessment not knowing that I had spoken to a behaviorist prior. Today's assessment's diagnosis included possesive aggression (he has no aggression towards me), conflict aggression, anxiety, nervousness, almost constant fear of his surroudings and stranger directed aggression. She said the dog is dangerous to people.

She also blamed BRAT to an almost criminal extent for placing this dog knowing of his history of biting. I posted a long time ago with Tucker's history. In general, though, he bit the husband when the wife got pregnant and shortly thereafter, bit a teenager on the street. I'm not sure BRAT was told this before he was put into their care, but it's obvious the assessment was not completely thorough.

I love Tucker very much and do not wish to have him euthanized, which is what the behaviorist recommended. The behaviorist is Dr. Kathryn Meyer, DVM and President, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. She has the credentials to know what she's talking about and, as I said, this is the second opinion on Tucker from behaviorists.

Therefore, I am left with no option but to find a possible place for Tucker to live out his life in peace and without a lot of strange human interaction, or, to have him euthanized. The doctor recommended that it would be best for Tucker to not have to deal with even more situational changes and to have him euthanized. It sounds harsh, but bluntly stated, it is what it is and I'm left with these few options.

If anyone know someone or somewhere…anywhere...that he can go, I would be forever indebted.

My personal email is mcstimpy at gmail dot com. I have to make my decision or find an option very soon. I'm too hearbroken to extend the pain that I am feeling presently.

[tanza]

While I can understand you not wanting to have him euthanized, but I would have to concure about the situational changes. This would be very hard for him, I would thing and really put more stress on him.

Sometimes the kindest thing for the animal is the hardest thing a human will ever have to do. It is never easy to decide to have them euthanized.

[TuckerVA]

Euthanization will absolutely be my last resort. I've been trying since I got home from my appointment today to find somewhere that might rehabilitate him. I'm even thinking about a plea to Cesar Milan even though many disagree with his methodology. I'll try anything I can to save Tuckers life.

[tanza]

@TuckerVA:

Euthanization will absolutely be my last resort. I've been trying since I got home from my appointment today to find somewhere that might rehabilitate him. I'm even thinking about a plea to Cesar Milan even though many disagree with his methodology. I'll try anything I can to save Tuckers life.

Again, I understand… just giving you my opinion.

[phoenix3]

Has he ever lived with other dogs before ? I would also agree with contacting Caesar When i went threw some huge issues with my 2 boys he helped ALOT . I wish i could help

[TuckerVA]

How did you reach out to Cesar?

[nobarkus]

@phoenix3:

Has he ever lived with other dogs before ? I would also agree with contacting Caesar When i went threw some huge issues with my 2 boys he helped ALOT . I wish i could help

I would recommend this as well.

[Kipawa]

What about www.bestfriends.org? I don't have any experience with them, but from what I understand, they are a no kill shelter? What actually do you and/or BRAT know about the history of this dog? How much work was put into training Tucker when he first displayed aggression, and what was the training?

I guess I see euthanization as the absolute last resort, though I understand if Tucker is that aggressive he could harm someone. A family member of mine had to put down her first chow because he was too possesive of her and on two occasions bit people.

Call me Walter Mitty, but I see all life as precious, and I would hope there would be someone/somewhere that would be a match up for Tucker. I would give Cesar and his people a call, but that's just me.

[phoenix3]

I had just emailed on his site .. It took about a week but i got an email back . Then was asked to send a Video of the behavior and got a call bout a week after that.

[Quercus]

I am so sorry….it never hurts to exhaust all possible options, and I would absolutely do the same if he was one of my dogs. You are both in my thoughts....

[TuckerVA]

@phoenix3:

I had just emailed on his site .. It took about a week but i got an email back . Then was asked to send a Video of the behavior and got a call bout a week after that.

That actually sounds promising. I've already posted on his site in the question portion and am currently working on an actual submission video as I type this. Hopefully I'll be able to get through to him.

Conicidentally, my wife is speaking with a producer from Animal Panet today regarding another show. Hopefully I can get an inside angle…

It's difficult getting the behavior on tape, however, when the behavior involves someone risking a bite. His last bite resulted in a hospital visit for a relative. The conditions were extreme, but it still happened (she didn't tell us he bit her for over a day and it had gotten infected).

[nobarkus]

I was just looking at pics of Tucker and he's a very handsome dog. I really hope someting can be done and you can keep him.

[TuckerVA]

Hardest thing I think I'll be faced with in a very, very long time.

[thunderbird8588]

So sorry to hear about Tucker and realy hope you manage to contact Caeser, please keep us posted and the very best of luck.

[Basenjimamma]

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles and potential decision that has to be made…my heart feels for you on every level. I wish I had the magic answer, but I don't.
I hope you hear from Cesar Milan soon.

[sharronhurlbut]

I have to speak up for BRAT and folks who do eval's.
We can only go on what the owners tell us, sometimes the totally tell us what a bad dog they have, to makes them feel better for giving the dog to rescue, sometimes they don't tell us anything bacause they want rescue to take a dog who is not great.
Often these reported bad dogs are wonderful…sometimes these reported great dogs aren't.
All we can do is eval the dog on the day the appt is set up and work to find a foster home.
If we have a foster home, often behaviors not seen will come up, and we know what type of family this dog should go to.
IF we don't have a foster home, we try to find the best "next" home for the dog. Telling them what was reported to us, and what the eval showed.
I am sorry this dog didn't work out for you.

[TuckerVA]

@sharronhurlbut:

I have to speak up for BRAT and folks who do eval's.
We can only go on what the owners tell us, sometimes the totally tell us what a bad dog they have, to makes them feel better for giving the dog to rescue, sometimes they don't tell us anything bacause they want rescue to take a dog who is not great.
Often these reported bad dogs are wonderful…sometimes these reported great dogs aren't.
All we can do is eval the dog on the day the appt is set up and work to find a foster home.
If we have a foster home, often behaviors not seen will come up, and we know what type of family this dog should go to.
IF we don't have a foster home, we try to find the best "next" home for the dog. Telling them what was reported to us, and what the eval showed.
I am sorry this dog didn't work out for you.

I do not hold BRAT responsible. I only wish that I had known what I know now before I fell in love with my dog. It's a very unfortunate situation all around. I'm still working on trying to find other options. I've sent an email to Mike Swan requesting advice…not from a rehoming standpoint, but more on the advice level and in an effort to find some contacts of people who may be able to help me. Most people think it's hopeless, but they aren't Tuckers dad and they don't love him like I do - so they can't possibly understand what I'm going through right now.

[sharronhurlbut]

I have to tell you, no one goes into rescue to put dogs to sleep. We do rescue because we love dogs. That being said, before BRAT came around, I did basenji rescue. I would take the dogs into my house who were biters and no one else could take. Some we found we could live with, some we found, were so damaged, they scared my husband and myself. I made the hard decision not to move those dogs on, but give them peace.
I put them to sleep. Was it hard, yes, did I cry, yes, do I feel guilty NOPE. I did the right thing for a damaged dog. Pat wasn't being mean to you. This boy is damaged.
Maybe you can get Best Friends to take him in. Otherwise, IMO, your out of options.
I am not trying to be mean…I HAVE been there. I have made the tough decision. I know, the dogs I put down are at peace and will not hurt anyone else. I can sleep at night.
Hugs my unmet friend. I am very, very sorry you are where you are with this boy. You sure have done all the right things. Sometimes the dogs are just to damaged.

[starrlamia]

What a hard scenario, Im very sorry.
What are the laws like in your area? I know here once a dog bite is reported, even if you give the dog away etc, you are still liable for any further dog bites/attacks that occur. IMO any human aggressive dog should be put to sleep, it is too much of a liability for the people around and it means that something isnt right with the dog and they would be better off at the bridge.
Good luck

[sharronhurlbut]

Yes, this family is a loving family…they have done all the right things. Sigh. it just makes this all the harder.