tough decisions . . .

A couple of you know that we had an issue with Bevo on Saturday night.  I'm going to tell you the story and then I'm going to tell you our decision and why we've decided to do what we are doing.  I'm doing this so that a) I don't have to keep going over it on the phone, b) you are prepared when you come visit, and c) you will be cautious if you ever adopt a dog from a shelter without a lot of history on him.

We got Bevo about a month ago.  It became clear that his previous owners were idiots unprepared and untrained to be proper pet owners.  Bevo did not know how to relax, walk on a leash, or generally- just be a dog.  Bevo ruled the roost.  Bevo learned how to use his "crazy eye" (this crazed look he gets when he is too excited that's a little scary) and his adorable "puppy eyes" to get whatever whenever he wanted.  Matt and I thought that some training would help so we signed up for the Petsmart classes.  Bevo turned out to be the worst dog in the class (barking, jumping, etc...). We committed to work with him and have been diligently following the homework assignments. He started doing much better.

Bevo started behaving better and we were swooning at his puppy eyes and let him sleep in the bed with us.  One night I tried to move Bevo out of the way so my feet had a place to go.  He growled and snapped at me.  We banished him from the bed.  A few nights later we let him up and he did it again- and we banished him from the bed.  We thought it was just a stubborn streak.  Well, Saturday night Matt got up in the night and when he came back to bed he pushed Bevo over gently with his foot.  Bevo growled, jumped, and bit Matt on the face.  Matt is OK- the bite wasn't deep or too terrible but it hurt.  Bevo was crated the rest of the night.  We were angry, hurt, and very upset.  Bevo had been a sweet, fun, and playful dog and now he just BIT someone!? 

I know, you like many of our friends and family are saying, "Are you getting rid of him? You'd better!  That's a huge liability! Aren't you scared he's going to do it again?  Has he done something like that before?" Trust us- we thought the same things.  We didn't want to make any snap decisions (especially when we were both angry and hurt) so we decided to talk to the professionals.  I contacted Bevo's vet (who has already seen him 3 times in the past month and knows his temperament), Bevo's trainer (who successfully rehabilitated an attack dog who is now the model dog at class), and the Humane Society Behavior Specialist.  We expected to hear them say to return Bevo to the shelter.  We were sad at that thought but Broward has a no bite rule so we were expecting to follow it. We agreed however that we needed to listen and defer to the professional opinions of those who know our dog.  If even one of them said to return him- we were going to do it.

All three professionals said that we SHOULD NOT return him to the shelter.  The vet said that Bevo wants to "be the boss" and from this point on he should never, ever, EVER be allowed in a bedroom- for the rest of his doggie life.  For some dogs, sleeping position can determine dominance in a dogs mind.  By allowing him in the bedroom and on the bed he thought we were all equals.  Now, Bevo is crated at night and doesn't seem to mind at all.  I like it better too because I have room to put my feet. The vet said that since Bevo is not aggressive at any other times, except on the bed, that the prognosis is good that he will be a happy and safe dog who will be good around children and guests.  She believes that crating and training should solve the problem.

The Behavior Specialist at the Humane Society also believes that Bevo will be safe and happy with crating and training. She said something that really made me think:  ALL DOGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BITE. She said that it had been such a short time that we'd had him that he didn't know "our rules" yet.  He was used to getting his way at his old home and when we challenged that it made him upset.  With training, Bevo will learn OUR rules and be a safe and happy dog.  She went through something like this with her dog when she got him. 

The trainer is awesome.  She has successfully trained a former attack dog.  Her dog, Oreo, is the model dog at class who demonstrates the tricks.  She refunded our classes and will start us on an 8 week private training session with her where Bevo will learn how to be dog that can do basic obedience and then how to deal with any aggressive issues.  She agreed that Bevo is used to getting what he wants and we have to be very rigid with our rules so he can learn to be a safe and happy dog.

 All three specialists agree that Bevo should be a nice addition to our family with proper training and crating.  He is NOT aggressive in any other ways so please don't be scared of Bevo when you come visit.  Also, please follow our house rules for prevention of unwanted behavior:

1. No Bevo's in the bedrooms or on the blue couches.
2. Bevo must earn every pet he gets. Make him sit before you pet him. :-) He's good at that!
3. Don't be scared of him.  

Since Saturday we have been very strict with Bevo.  He loves his crate, he's stopped barking at the cats, he stays off the furniture, and he sits for everything.  He's gotten a clue that we INSIST that he's a good dog.  We are very optimistic and have our first private training today at 5:00.  Bevo is already a different dog.  He seems happier knowing his place around here.  We are looking forward to seeing his progress.

I still feel a little funny putting this out there because I guess I still feel like this airing Bevo's "dirty laundry" on the internet or something...  Please show caution when you adopt a shelter dog, and for GOODNESS sake- when you get a pet- MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED TO HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITIES!!! I'm still SO angry at his previous owners who let him live a life that wasn't happy and safe.  I'm also angry that they didn't mention these tendencies to the Humane Society- totally irresponsible. Matt and I are prepared to have Bevo and we are confident, like the professionals, that he will be a safe, and happy dog.


OK- off to take Bevo for a walk. 

:-)