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Re-Home Or Keep Aussie?

Looking for suggestions on my Aussie. We have had Boots since he was 10 weeks old, and he is currently 4.5. My husband and I love our Aussie so much; he was our first "baby."

We had our first human baby 11 months ago, and its really caused a strain in our relationship with Boots. Boots has shown a but of aggression towards our son, and towards our nephews.

We are at the point of contemplating re-homing him, but this completely breaks my heart. I want to keep Boots, but I also want what's best for him... and I fear that we aren't giving that to him. Despite a ton of training Boots does not walk well on a leash which makes walks sparse and very stressful. He has a backyard to play in, but its not huge.

I guess my question is - Would it be better to re-home him (we know someone with a farm and no children who would love to have him)... or is the territorialism and aggression towards kids something we can train him in?

TIA

Comments for Re-Home Or Keep Aussie?

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Aggression
by: Tom

He's acting out because you are paying more attention to the baby now, he was getting all the attention and now not so much.
You can walk him in your house to train him on the leash, make it short so that he walks right by your leg and speak down to him saying "by me" repeatedly do this everyday for a week gradually letting more slack out of the leash but continue to say " by me" he will get it.
Remember they are very smart and seeing all these people coming in to see the baby, he feels he's being replaced so you have to give him more attention. I know this because I have been through it.

finding a good home
by: Anonymous

the are many good homes willing to take small children.

Same here.
by: Jen

I’m right there with you. Same story as us. Heartbreaking. He is increasingly becoming more dangerous around our son and guests. I cry a lot wondering what to do.

My heart is breaking
by: Anonymous

I'm having thoughts of rehoming also, my one year old Australian Shepherd has always shown signs of aggression. Last night while brushing some hair off my bed he got aggressive with me and snapped, made contact with his teeth and left a bruise. He is aggressive with any company to the point that we didn't have company any more. I am unable to take him to the park alone because he shows aggression to everyone and is very strong. I have a 2 year-old granddaughter that hasn't been to my house to visit in a year, because he growled at her. She will never be around him, and she wants so bad to love on him and doesn't understand why she can't. I have cried over the thought of rehoming him because he loves us and it breaks my heart to think about it but I'm lost and don't know what else to do. If I found someone who could love him like we do, I almost feel like it would be what's best for him. My heart's breaking!!!

Don’t wait
by: Anonymous

I am writing this broken hearted. Last night out 3 yo Aussie boy attacked our 14 mo old son. I knew in half an instant we would be finding him a new home. The incident happened right in front of me, and thankfully no blood was shed. But there is only one option for us. My husband and I are truly devastated as a family. What floods my mind is the beautiful relationship Beau has with our son. They play with toys, they give each other kisses, Beau couldn’t care less if there was food around or being fed while the baby’s around. He is not just a dog, more like our first son, but as sure as I know what we have to do it doesn’t make it any less painful.

rehoming dilemma
by: Anonymous

I feel your pain.

We have a beautiful mini Aussie.

He's so affectionate and our family adore him.
He made a huge change to our lives - good and bad.
We've owned dogs before (including a Weimaraner- which are known to also have 'quirks') but this little fella is a huge learning curve.

Severe reactivity is biggest issue (and the overstimulation that comes with it) and this can lead to aggressive outbursts (including biting).

Cars, birds (any noise & movement), sensitivity to surfaces etc.
Some of these are just Aussie traits, but with input from trainers, vet & Behaviourist he's been on lots of meds for anxiety etc. And while counter conditioning has helped, it not made enough improvement over the last year to give us hope that things will eventually change.

At almost 18 mths old, I keep thinking he's going to grow out of some things.

There's been improvement and where we can reduce the stimulation, he is manageable.

It's become so consuming and overwhelming.

I love him desperately, but I do think he will be so much better on a rural property.

We can't move though.

I'm so torn - he's a beautiful dog.

Just need to find the right environment (and then have the strength to give him up). Until then I'm happy to keep him - hoping things will get better.

I am the one chasing my tail.

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