I am right now trying to help a dog that is having issues and everything in his life is or has changed so it is no wonder!

I agree that each dog has to be treated as in individual case, there is no one cure or one cause.

I always ask myself if I could handle the situation. Would I keep this dog in my home? If we don't think we could handle it it is very hard to think of someone else, most likely with less tolerance and experience than us doing so.

I think it is the most important job of shelters and rescues to help with the dogs with the most issues as they are the ones that need the help. They are no doubt the most difficult to place but in need the most. And, as I said before, if you can't help then there most likely is no help for the dog. Having experienced people foster the dog can make all the difference in the world as well as the right decision on placing a dog or not and where the dog should be placed.

When I worked at the SPCA, and before my home was full, I brought many dogs, and cats home for sleep-overs. This was the best way to get to know them. Some dogs were super mellow and well behaved at the shelter and little brats once in a home and some were so miserable and stressed at the shelter but angels once out from behind the bars. It was incredible to see the difference some one on one time in a home would make. It did wonders for placing dogs in the most suitable homes. I took home dogs that sat snarling in the back of the kennels but ended up with them wagging their tails and sleeping in my bed; totally different dogs in a different environment. There were very, very few dogs that I have met that could not overcome their issues, previous biting problems included, once in the right home with the right people and out of the environment causing the stress or problems in the first place.

Getting all the information you can about a bite is so important and can often answer any question of why it happened in the first place. Medical reasons are huge too and can be solved so easily in many cases.

One of the worse stories I remember of a dog that bit was a dog who was deemed dangerous by an SPCA Animal Control Officer and brought in by the family to be euthanized. The dog was a 5 month old border collie mix who had been nipping the children when they were running around and had chased them when riding their bikes. The family was told by this Officer the dog had to be euthanized or it would hurt someone and they would be liable. The Officer did not believe any type of bite was acceptable no matter what the circumstance, no matter what the damage, or if there even was damage (this dog ripped a pant-leg not a person). The dog was killed despite my pleading with the family not to do so, despite offers to take the dog myself, despite pleas with the Officer. The family was convinced this dog was dangerous because of the fear put into them by the Officer who told them if they gave the dog away, even to me, they were liable for any damage the dog did in the future. This was a puppy nipping at pant-legs and bike tires! The dog was frantic and got the Officer but good with a back claw on her way to the bridge as she struggled to get away. She did not bite him although she could have and was in the most stressful situation she had probably ever been in. He will have a scar for life on his neck to remind him of her but unfortunately he has most likely forgotten how he got it already. This dog died because she was a biter. So many dogs die for the same type bite because they say a dog is a biter when seeking help from rescue or shelters. Anyone who calls themselves a rescue or a shelter for these animals should always investigate the situation before saying a dog that has bitten cannot be helped. If I hadn't asked the family I never would have known, and would have assumed, the dog did some major damage to be deemed dangerous and killed. I couldn't help this dog but she changed my thinking and opened my eyes to helping dogs that have bitten because there were, and still is are policies in place in many shelters and rescues that refuse or deny help to any dog that has bitten.

I agree that dangerous dogs should not be adopted out but what about dogs that are perceived dangerous but really are not? As most of you know, people often exaggerate or hide truths when surrendering an animal because of their guilt. Both sides of this can be dangerous and need to be looked into further, carefully before any decision is made. I always make a trip to the vet's a priority and seek advise from others too.