I'm out of options for this dog

8 months ago we found a dog.  We already had a dog and a cat, and an infant.  My wife essentially guilt tripped me into keeping it.  Fast forward, the cat has passed away, our child is 2 now.  The dog is more disobedient when we got it.  He's knocked our daughter over countless times just because he's wreckless and doesn't know it limits.  He used to go into his crate to sleep but now refuses so we leave him out.  But he pisses and craps on everything overnight.  He's destroyed countless shoes, remotes, sunglasses, pillows.  He can jump well higher than the counter tops to get food.  He's gotten out loose several times as well.  And the kicker is, he's bitten two people myself included to the point of stiches.  I've called (and I actually counted it up), 24 animal rescues within 250 miles or so of me.  Every single one is full, or won't take him with the current issues.  I'm done, we don't have time to train him properly, any free time I have goes towards time with our child, not this dog. he is borderline dangerous with us and our daughter.  I'm to the point of having him put down, unless something happens in the next week.

I hate to say I agree.  The tearing up and messing your home aside, you CANT have a dog with bite history around a kid that young. Your kid is your primary responsibility.  I would probably be in the same boat you are. Sorry I dont have anything helpful beyond saying it sounds liek you are making the right call. 

When your kid reached the "threenager" phase, things will get worse. (spoken as someone busy keeping his 3.5yo from being mean to his cats, constantly)

Does he still have his balls?  Did you try putting him in a muzzle? 

That's a really tough situation. I don't really know what other options you have other than someone else here on the forum can take the dog or knows someone who can.

I'm sure training could help, though that will likely take some time and attention.

If all this is happening, the dog refuses to go into the crate, etc.,  he is running the house and he knows it.   He is taking advantage to you not being and active "leader of the pack" which is to constantly remind him of his place in the the family.

And biting on top of that is a serious red flag to get him away from your child by any means necessary. 

He will bite someone one day which could result in a tragedy and possibly a lawsuit if its a guest in the home.

camopaint0707 said:

He used to go into his crate to sleep but now refuses so we leave him out. 

The statement above means to me that the dog is in control and not you. 

Not sure where you are located, but if somewhat close to a decent size city I would post up on Reddit/yourcity and see if someone wants it.

We have had issues with the dog we adopted but he is much smaller so easier to deal with. He is aggressive towards strangers and was very protective of his crate towards us. The one thing that has helped but is working with a behaviorist to train him. Through the behaviorist we also got him on Fluoxetine that has helped him a lot but it was also and continues to be a lot of work with training.

Dogs that draw blood on purpose are removed from our household one way or the other. 

Don't dump it on another unsuspecting family, put it down. 

I'm not putting this on you at all, nor am I suggesting that your family's lifestyle would allow for it, but he needs a massive amount of exercise. If he's worked until he's tired, he'll be engaged and respect that entity and he won't have the energy to be as destructive and will know an opportunity for an outlet is coming. 

It's anything but your fault, but it's definitely a problem. It's something that any potential foster or person taking him in should be aware of and utilize as a starting point in him as a reclamation project. 

I'm sorry to hear that. It's a really lousy situation to be in. I have to echo others - you can't take that chance with your kidlet. 

Several years ago we adopted a dog from the Humane Association when our girls were little. Super sweet and friendly during our multiple "check out" visits. The first clue that things were bad was when she went apeE36 M3 crazy (vicious) over something she saw in a car next to us at a stoplight. Then she got freaky aggressive with my stepfather and would not avert her focus. That one got ugly. It was hard to do, but she had to leave our home. Fortunately, in our case the Humane Association took her back after some initial resistance and treating us like crap in the process. 

Your daughter has to come first. 

Sounds like ur dog has a fatal disease. Consult ur vet.

we've tried a muzzle.  Got it on once, then he realized what a muzzle does, and will get aggressive when we try to put it on.  We don't have the time between two jobs and a child to train him.  We don't have the money to hire anyone either.  Ngl, I've been in tears all morning over this, which is why I made this post.  Idk to vent?  Share my story.  I just don't know.   I don't want to end a healthy dogs life over behavioral issues but I just don't know what do to.  I've tried asserting dominance over him but he snaps like hes going to bite me again and then I get scared and give up.  And it's not like I want to dump this problem dog onto anyone else either, the guilt is just going to consume me.

"he's bitten two people myself included to the point of stiches."

That is a giant red flag. That isn't a nip or minor aggressive behavior the dog is dangerous to your family and needs to go. 

Might be time for this dog to move to the farm, unfortunately. 
 

Make a post on Facebook for anyone looking for a high energy dog, not good with other dogs and especially not kids, and new owner must have TIME to train it. If you don't have any takers in 2 days, delete the post and make the call. 
 

I'm sure the dog can be a good dog for someone. But you don't have the time or resources to make that happen. If someone else wants to step up, great, but they need to make it happen NOW. And you need to be clear that right now, this is a bad dog. 

Where are you located, and what breed is the dog, or what is your best guess at the mix?

camopaint0707 said:

I've tried asserting dominance over him but he snaps like hes going to bite me again and then I get scared ...

This is the sign that you need to move on from this dog ... its not the right dog for you.

I've had six dogs, ever since I was very little, only one I was scared of and it was only me. My dad could control the dog, but he was not home all the time. He would take it to the office with him, but then it bit someone at the office. The dog ended up in a farm.

As hard as it might be, you need to get it out of your house ...

As a veterinarian, I have to be cautious about commenting on situations that I don't have personal experience with, but I am concerned about you and your family.

If the situation is as you say, and I believe that it is, it's glaringly obvious that that dog should not be in your home. He's dangerous, to you and anyone else who he encounters. 
 

What advice have you received from your vet?
 

While I don't agree that the dog should be put down because he's not trained, I do think he's not the right fit for your household and you should rehome or something immediately.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Vet offered to put him down free of charge....if that says anything.

In reply to iansane :

been trying to for months....

In reply to mtn :

We think australian sheperd, i'm in south pennsylvania

Stitches is serious - take your Vets advice 

camopaint0707 said:

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Vet offered to put him down free of charge....if that says anything.

You should take him up on that offer ASAP!

Sucks for you, I know, but you have to make sure your family is safe in thier home!

you know the right answer already. i know that doesn't make it easier, but you need to do the hard thing (that is also the right thing). put the dog down.

camopaint0707 said:

In reply to iansane :

been trying to for months....

If you can't find someone then surrender him to the local Humane Society. At least then he might have a chance.