Muscatine

I have a 2 1/2 yr old Male Choc lab. Sadly, since I live across from a school, yrs of taunting from kids have turned him into something we can't have anymore. He's not good around children. And I can't trust him anymore. As painful as this is for me, I have to realize he can't live here anymore.

Email me at rizzo38@gmail.com

Again, ONLY to a house with no kids. He's a great dog, and a natural hunter. Papered as well. Not fixed yet, but... would nuetering him make him less aggressive?? All comments welcomed.

:-(

Jr

THATS

supposed to calm him down.

Nuetering

That my dear sir, is an old wives tale. Nutering is good to keep the population down of unwanted animals and helps prevent prostrate cancer.
He is only 2 1/2, so he can still be retrained. You shouldn't give up hope on him yet.

Jr

Neutering does help in some dogs, if done before the age of one. For the most part, however, DF is right, it's mostly just birth control.

As for his behavior, you've got a judgement call to make. Is it worth risking him biting a child while you commit to retrain and socialize him? That's the choice you have to make. Things you'd have to consider would be whether he is inside a secure fenced area when children are present, and if not, would you be willing to do that. Also, when out, or while you are re-socializing and training him, would he be able to wear a muzzle?

If you decide not to keep him after all, you'd have to be very picky, specific and clear about and with the people you give him up to if he is a known biter, and advise them of these things as well. (I would go so far as to say get something in writing.) Otherwise, if they run into a liability issue down the road, they might say you never told them he was a known biter, and then you would be liable as well.

If he is not a known biter, and you feel he can be trusted if trained properly, then you have to decide if you are willing to make that commitment, whether you have the time, etc. If you do, call Chris McGuinnes down at the Humane society, or Alice Spotto. Both have great expert experience training dogs, and might have some advice.

I've been through something similar, and know it's never easy. Good luck!

Linlou