Isn’t it possible that if the GSD has the Great Dane for company he won’t experience as much separation anxiety? Maybe together with meds it would be OK.
^ This. I’d at least try seeing how he is with the company of another dog before euthing the poor old guy.
[QUOTE=CrazyGuineaPigLady;6069956]
Everyone except vacation1? :lol: I’m not against euth in this situation but you sound a little immature and a lot impulsive.
Who was the main caregiver for the dog before you moved out? Did you not foresee he would be too much for your parents? Why did you get another dog instead of a security system if you felt unsafe in the new house? You said in the OP that your mother hated the original dog “from the beginning”. Why did you think that would be a good situation to leave him in?
I’d probably be giving you the hug and bouquet of flowers you crave if the dog were younger and had more options, but he doesn’t. Since you’ve been referring to him as “your dog”, you need to step up and make his last days or years pleasant.[/QUOTE]
Uh no, I was thanking everyone that posted since the last time I thanked everyone. Don’t know where you got that I’m impulsive and immature but you have the right to your opinion.
To answer your question: he was a family dog. Everyone was equally his caregiver. Then, almost 5 yrs ago I went to college. So obviously in that time my parents were the main caretakers. No, I can’t tell the future and I did not know he would be “too much” for them. Like I already explained, there was a long period of time that he was actually better. Anyway, I already explained that we rent, and the company has to approve and pay for changes we make to the house, which is why there is no security system. Re: my mom hating him, please see my previous post, I’m not going to repeat myself. Never asked for a hug and a bouquet of flowers, asked for reasonable suggestions for my situation which have been given to me and are in the process of being implemented.
OP, there are wireless security systems for rentals. Here’s just one example:
[URL=“http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100546406&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100546406&ci_src=14110944&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D27X-_-100546406&locStoreNum=6175”]
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100546406&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100546406&ci_src=14110944&cm_mmc=shopping--googlebase--D27X-_-100546406&locStoreNum=6175
You wanted a dog, we get that.
Thanks! I had no idea you could get ones like that. I will look into them!
I never said it was a necessity to get the dog, of course I wanted her. But I am also much more comfortable in our house having her around.
I actually wasn’t even going to include the part about us getting her because honestly, she has nothing to do with the situation. We still would not be able to take the shepherd if we didn’t have the dane. However, I knew if I didn’t include that, it would look like I was lying when someone posted something like “To the MAX is such a HORRIBLE person she’s saying she can’t take her dog when she went out and got a new one!!11!!!” because I have posted about her and didn’t want to come of as dishonest/shady.
We wouldn’t have a problem with having two dogs. BUT, we CAN’T have a destructive one and it’s not an option to move.
I think the plan is for me to take him to the vet when I go home in two weeks. Then, if the stronger/different drugs work and he’s not destructive when left alone, my parents may be OK keeping him OR it would be possible for me to have him for his last few years. If they don’t, we’ll have to revisit our options.
“My” dogs that were family pets did not leave with me when I moved out as they stayed with the family…and I got my own dogs, etc.
I don’t think the OP wants to see the family dog euth’d just yet and is trying some ideas. Her taking the dog from her parents home is not an option. Me taking some of my parents’ dogs into my own living situation would not have been viable either. I don’t think her asking for advice to give to her parents and try to help is bad.
I also wanted to say something about the urinating in the house. My anxiety dog urinated and occ. deficated in the house all of the time. I attributed it to bad potty training. When we started to uncover the anxiety issues and started her on some different training and meds it disappeared in days. Until I had educated myself more, I had no idea that it was a symptom of separation anxiety. She rarely has accidents in the house anymore.
Exactly. I think most of the people who are sniping at the OP are missing this point:
OP was a minor when her family got the dog. As shepherds sometimes do, he chose OP as “his” person. But he was, and is, the primary responsibility of her parents - they made the initial decision to bring the dog into the family. I’m glad the OP wants to help find a solution for the dog. I’m sure she would take him if circumstances allowed.
My family got a dog when I was six, and he lived for 17 years. When I left the home, Beau did not go with me. Same thing - I loved the dog, and he was “mine”, in a manner of speaking, but his geriatric care and bills were the parents’ responsibility. Had I been asked to step in and help, I’d have done what I could (and fortunately Beau never had SA), but, as with ToTheMAX, my options and resources were limited.
I feel like I should step in and present a parents view here. We have 4 dogs in our family, one is “my sons”, two are “my daughters”, and one is “mine”. Mine son is 21, he will at some point in the foreseeable future be wanting to move out. As his dog is big, and presumably he will do as most young people do and start out in an apartment, I expect that “his” dog will be staying with us. The same for my daughters dogs. IF, when the kids are settled, they want to take “their” dogs into their homes, of course they will be welcome too, but I suspect all 4 are here to stay for the duration. If I wasn’t willing to deal with that, I would never have let them get the pets. Same goes for their parrots (altho I kind of wish my son’s sun conure would move out when he does, he is a loud birdie!).
I think it is unfair of OP’s mom to call her up and say “do something or I will kill the dog”. If she hated the dog from the beginning, maybe he should have been rehomed many years ago when he had a chance to be successful. Parents need to stand up and own their decisions, and OP’s parents decided to get the dog, and then keep it when the behavioral issues showed up. They need to do the right thing for the dog. OP is trying her best and I wish her the best of luck.
Yes she got a new dog. She is starting her life as an independent adult. I just don’t see why people would jab at her for that.
arabiansrock,
I agree with a lot of your post. When minor kids get a dog, it’s really the parents’ dog as many people aren’t in a position to take a dog for some time. Kids go to college, travel overseas, take jobs requiring travel, etc. Since the dog was acquired when the OP was a minor, I don’t think it is really her dog - he’s really more her parents’ dog. The whole situation is a shame and sad, though. I did kind of like the suggestion of getting him some babysitters, if he’s good with people, though. I don’t know how practical that is, but it would be neat if it worked.
Yes she got a new dog. She is starting her life as an independent adult. I just don’t see why people would jab at her for that.
I would think that a lot of it is that she is in housing that doesn’t allow pets. I understand that many people living in the same housing have pets, and as long as they are “non-destructive” it is okay. I would not take the risk. I’ve had many pets. None have had severe separation anxiety, but all have occasionally had accidents, thrown up on the carpet, chewed something, etc. What if another tenant’s dog has a medical emergency and vomits or has diarrhea or bleeds all over the carpet? What if a dog bites someone and insurance requires enforcing the no pet policy? I just wouldn’t trust that management wouldn’t change their minds, or that new management wouldn’t come in and change the policy. I also honestly did not like how the original post said that if the Great Dane had been destructive, they wouldn’t have kept him. Most dogs aren’t just destructive or not destructive - owners have to help them develop good house manners, but also accept that they might get an upset tummy or make a mistake.
But, people have different comfort levels with risk, and hopefully it will work out - and if not, hopefully the Great Dane will be able to be re-homed.
[QUOTE=Casey09;6071066]
I would think that a lot of it is that she is in housing that doesn’t allow pets. I understand that many people living in the same housing have pets, and as long as they are “non-destructive” it is okay. I would not take the risk. I’ve had many pets. None have had severe separation anxiety, but all have occasionally had accidents, thrown up on the carpet, chewed something, etc. What if another tenant’s dog has a medical emergency and vomits or has diarrhea or bleeds all over the carpet? What if a dog bites someone and insurance requires enforcing the no pet policy? I just wouldn’t trust that management wouldn’t change their minds, or that new management wouldn’t come in and change the policy. I also honestly did not like how the original post said that if the Great Dane had been destructive, they wouldn’t have kept him. Most dogs aren’t just destructive or not destructive - owners have to help them develop good house manners, but also accept that they might get an upset tummy or make a mistake.
But, people have different comfort levels with risk, and hopefully it will work out - and if not, hopefully the Great Dane will be able to be re-homed.[/QUOTE]
Dane came fully trained. She is FULLY trustworthy in the house. But like I said, this isn’t really about her. So I’m not going to address the insurance, etc comments because I have said that I don’t want to discuss our situation in detail for a variety of reasons. But, like I said before, she is in no danger of being “booted” from our living situation.
I’m not concerned about accidents, etc, they can be cleaned up. It’s the destructive/repetitive behavior that comes with the SA that I can’t risk here.
Again, thank you everyone for your comments/suggestions.
BUT, I have a HAPPY! update! My mom called earlier and apologized for Saturday night’s phone call. I explained my plan to bring him to the vet and then told her if that didn’t work we could reevaluate our options. She interrupted and said that she would never put him down, that she was just very (very!) upset when she called me.
So I guess this thread has all been for NIL! I am still going to be bringing him to the vet to see if they have a different medication that will work but I can breathe easy knowing that if they don’t it won’t be the end for my guy.
That certainly is great news. And I understand your mom’s veting and frustration. And the vet visit is a great idea.
YAY! Glad to hear the update! He looks like a handsome man too 
P.
perhaps this was already suggested - must admit to just skipping to the end :o - but have your old guy checked for kidney function (at his age, I’d have a complete senior panel done), he may’ve been stress pacing & completely unaware of the peeing.
What a cutie! I’m glad it’s worked out.
I’ll gladly beat you up a bit, you deserve it.
I suggest getting rid of the fiance.
You’ve had this poor dog for 10 years, got a new bedwarmer so the dog is screwed. Why did you ever move into a rental house that didn’t allow dogs? Was this an excuse to ditch the dog? Sure sounds like it. You know that an old German Shep. isn’t very adoptable. You owe it to the dog to either euthanize him or to arrange your life accordingly. You owe the dog, not the bloody boyfriend.
It’s like people giving away lame old horses now that they’re not useful to the selfish owners. Classic stories of, “I’ve had Bubba for 18 years, he’s lame now and needs to find a nice home to retire”…what a selfish load of uncaring BS. This is no different.
I just read your mom is going to keep the dog…still very sad.
[QUOTE=Trakehner;6073093]
I’ll gladly beat you up a bit, you deserve it.
I suggest getting rid of the fiance.
You’ve had this poor dog for 10 years, got a new bedwarmer so the dog is screwed. Why did you ever move into a rental house that didn’t allow dogs? Was this an excuse to ditch the dog? Sure sounds like it. You know that an old German Shep. isn’t very adoptable. You owe it to the dog to either euthanize him or to arrange your life accordingly. You owe the dog, not the bloody boyfriend.
It’s like people giving away lame old horses now that they’re not useful to the selfish owners. Classic stories of, “I’ve had Bubba for 18 years, he’s lame now and needs to find a nice home to retire”…what a selfish load of uncaring BS. This is no different.
I just read your mom is going to keep the dog…still very sad.[/QUOTE]
:rolleyes: I love when people give absurd solutions. Getting rid of the fiancé will not change anything.
Maybe this thread hit too close to home but in your rush to trash the OP you missed out on a LOT of key information.
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This really isn’t the OPs dog rather her father’s dog that attached to her so she feels an emotional attachment to the dogs well-being.
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The OP has a lifestyle that is not compatible with an anxiety-prone shepherd (working out of the house 8+ hours a day).
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The OP did the kindest thing and left the dog with her parents (the actual “owners”) and moved into a place that is not technically dog friendly.
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Due to the location, other tenants, whatever, the OP wanted the companion of a trustworthy large dog to act as a deterrent for unsavory individuals.
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The shepherd is not suited to this (the OPs work schedule) and the dog does not take well to change.
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The OP adopted a suitable dog that matched her needs.
I think it is kind of the OP to look for a situation for her parents dog.
Getting rid of the fiancé does not mean that the OP has the lifestyle to keep the shepherd unless she also moved to a new house and started working out of the home.
Trak, you ought to read the Giveaways section here. Someone has a bowed horse that healed up but was told that the horse would bow again so she will euth the horse unless someone takes her because she won’t keep her for another 20 years. Not a lot of people who will provide for a lame horse. I bought land to retire my old horse.
I do not agree with euthanizing a dog or cat for convenience BUT as pointed out even though the dog choose the OP the FATHER chose the dog. He IS the parents’ dog and their responsibility to decide when to euthanize. For a GSD he’s getting right up there and most of them have a nerve degeneration disease in addition to arthritis. That may be starting in now. I would also suggest the babysitter to them. He should be checked for bladder stones and bladder cancer in addition. Good luck.
[QUOTE=Trakehner;6073093]
I’ll gladly beat you up a bit, you deserve it.
I suggest getting rid of the fiance.
You’ve had this poor dog for 10 years, got a new bedwarmer so the dog is screwed. Why did you ever move into a rental house that didn’t allow dogs? Was this an excuse to ditch the dog? Sure sounds like it. You know that an old German Shep. isn’t very adoptable. You owe it to the dog to either euthanize him or to arrange your life accordingly. You owe the dog, not the bloody boyfriend.
It’s like people giving away lame old horses now that they’re not useful to the selfish owners. Classic stories of, “I’ve had Bubba for 18 years, he’s lame now and needs to find a nice home to retire”…what a selfish load of uncaring BS. This is no different.
I just read your mom is going to keep the dog…still very sad.[/QUOTE]
You are an idiot. Smack yourself upside the head.
[QUOTE=Trakehner;6073093]
I’ll gladly beat you up a bit, you deserve it.
I suggest getting rid of the fiance.
You’ve had this poor dog for 10 years, got a new bedwarmer so the dog is screwed. Why did you ever move into a rental house that didn’t allow dogs? Was this an excuse to ditch the dog? Sure sounds like it. You know that an old German Shep. isn’t very adoptable. You owe it to the dog to either euthanize him or to arrange your life accordingly. You owe the dog, not the bloody boyfriend.
It’s like people giving away lame old horses now that they’re not useful to the selfish owners. Classic stories of, “I’ve had Bubba for 18 years, he’s lame now and needs to find a nice home to retire”…what a selfish load of uncaring BS. This is no different.
I just read your mom is going to keep the dog…still very sad.[/QUOTE]
For God’s sake, she got the dog when she was a kid, a Minor, there is a reason that Minors cannot enter into legal, binding contracts.
Her parents are the responsible party here. She is in an untenable position.
