I think the dog's going back

[ktp]

Well, in the whole scheme of things, this isn’t a tragedy, but a big disappointment.

I’ve wanted a Saint Bernard all my life. We’ve had a golden retriever/ lab mix for ten + years who’s been a wonderful dog, great with the kids, good guard dog, etc. But… she’s old and sick and started to snap at them, and it’s time for her to go.

So my husband has been prowling the human society pages for a Saint Bernard. He found one, mixed with an unknown breed and brought it home about 8 days ago. Our cats are fine with our old dog, but we’ve barely seen them since he chased them away after getting here. We got home from our oldest son’s baccalaureate, which was emotional in and of itself, partly because he’s graduating and leaving home and partly because our 5 year old twins acted up to the point where DH said they aren’t allowed to come to the graduation itself tomorrow night.

So, on arriving home, we found one of the cats and tried to re-introduce it to the dog using a technique of ‘trading fur’ that my son swears is what did the trick with both cats and the old dog. We took it slow, it all looked like it was going well, the cat was calm, the dog was wagging its tail, they were sniffing each other…

Then my son set the cat down and the dog grabbed it by its neck and started shaking.

It got away, and into the bushes, and I can’t get it back out. I’m hoping I won’t find it dead.

But I don’t think we can keep this dog. This is a big disappointment.

 

[mamacita]

---

Yikes! That’s pretty upsetting! We just parted w/ our dog that we have had for 4 years. It was very hard to do but we just found out my 2 year old is allergic to dogs, cats, and a ton of other stuff. My advice would be to get rid of the new dog, so you don’t get too attached to him before he hurts something else. I miss our dog, but my mom took him so at least my kids can still see him. I am sorry to hear that about your Golden Retriever, they are great dogs. My mom has had her’s for over 8 years now, and he is getting lazier but still is great w/ all the grandkids pulling on him. I will pray that the decision won’t be too tough on you!

 

[puzzleannie]

BIL raises St Bernards, and evidently what the dog did is the way a mother would hold her pup, but probably does not work on a cat. It may the be dog has not been well socialized and does not know “how to” shake a pup. According to him problems have arisen in this breed, which they have been militating against, and they are trying to breed out bad traits again. With a mix you have no way of predicting what behavior is related to the breed and what is related to environment, socialization, abuse etc. Get rid of the dog now, if you got him from the pound they have to take him back if it is because a problem such as this. In our former home they would have been required to destroy the dog if it caused harm to another pet. What is the law in your area?

 

[kage_ar]

The Humane Society should let you know if the pet you pick is intended for a home with other animals, with kids, etc. It does seem that this dog should go to a home with no other pets.