Topic: I might have to give my dog to another family...

Title says it all. My dog bit my neighbor's elbow (it was very minor, but we were still shocked) and my mom says, "We have to find a new home for Macy. We may have to put her with an older couple not around kids." When I heard this, I crumbled. Usually My video games would cheer me up, bu that didn't help. I tried to draw and go outside, but that only made things worse. My mom says the decision isn't final and we might send her to a behaviorist, but she's really making the decision sound official. I'm 14 years old and am a great dog lover, I even got along with a big brown lab that everyone but its family feared because it always lunged towards people it didn't know. But my beagle Macy is not a bad dog, she is just afraid and I can't bear the thought of seeing her go. I know we might have to do "the right thing" but I'm just not prepared. It's already enough that I lost my yellow lab Zoe last November. I also have a dog named Ginger who isn't really that bad. Please help.

Wow, Im 14 and love dogs too. My dog is really nice, but when little kids are around she gets jealous, sometimes she snaps at them. If it was just one little bite, I don't see whats so bad about it. Maybe the next time she bites, you could just spray her a tiny bit with a spray bottle or something, just so she knows that it's wrong. I really can't see giving her away for something like that. I can't even think about losing my own dog, so I kind of know how it feels.

My mom is worried that next time it might be more severe though, and we might get sued and lose our home. I'm not worried about that because I could train her, but my mom isn't up for that. On the bright side, she might go to live with my uncle, but I really just want her to stay here and I can't lose another dog again, even if I'm technically not going to "lose" her. I love Macy too much, but it's out of my control. What's your dog like? It's nice to know that there's another person out there like me with a dog. I'll still have Ginger, but I want Macy to be with me so much, that I can't help but feel depressed.

Quick question: how old is Macy?

My dog just turned 9, I've had her since she was 8 weeks old and I was in kindergarten. She's really calm and mellow, and is happy just to lay in her bed, but she can be energetic when she needs too. If it really sounds like you'll have to give her away, then I guess it would be a good time for a behaviorist. But like MrWalkieTalkie asked, how old is she? And how often does she bite?

All I can recommend is keep begging for that behaviorist.

and to keep the dog away from other people.

Yeah... I could, but it seems my mom's made up her mind. If she lives with my uncle, I could always stay the night there, or when he's out of town I can dog-sit her. It wouldn't be the same though. I'll just have to pray for a behaviorist to meet her needs.

If it helps, you could talk with your mom or dad about how much you love Macy. That won't guarantee that you'll keep her(?), but you might feel a bit better about this situation. Hope everything goes well

Gee, your neighbors sure sound nice. Not that I'm saying that it's fine if a dog bite someone, but people just react so ridiculously anymore.

Scumbag neighbors deserve to get shot. I doubt that a dog bite qualifies a home loss lol.

IN this day and age I wouldn't be at all surprised.

At this time I think the best bet would be to talk about this to your parents tell them how you feel and how the decision to give her away will make you feel. Perhaps you can pay for the behavioral specialist a little bit. Maybe make it your responsibility (if it isn't already) to watch her when she goes outside and make sure she has a leash. Also I hate to suggest this but perhaps you could get a muzzle for her to wear when she is outside to ease your parents fears.

One day when I was sick and had to gasp watch daytime television, I was watching family Feud. The question was what you would do when a dog bit you. One of the answers was "kill it". How can so many people be that cruel?

@Rayword45: i'm pretty sure they couldn't sue for that — what they would probably be able to sue for is damages in terms of doctors' bills and the like if the bite was infected or required stitches, which could be quite expensive (thus the concern re: 'losing the house') and depending on where the OP lives, the dog may have to be labeled as 'dangerous' and put down if it bites a second (or third, or fourth) time, since they would already have a history. It's cruel to the animal, but it's how the world works.

I know it sucks to be parted from a beloved pet, but if there's a genuine possibility your dog may have a taste for neighbor-kid flesh, you're probably better off having your dog live with your uncle, MultiMariosonic — maybe they can have a behaviorist work with her there, and then with your regular visits she'll be able to come home a more mellowed dog later on with no worries about her biting anyone.

Okay, think of it this way. Would you rather have your dog with you all the time, but always be worrying that she might bite someone again and have to be put down, or live with your uncle where you know she'll be safe, even if you don't get to see her often? That is what it all boils down to.

huh, well he's from a country where (in certain parts) just having a pit bull (just an example) is considered worse than selling drugs and everyone is sue-happy so I'm not surprised by this.

Poor Macy, maybe you could try begging to your parents? Depending on your age, you could try being cute?
You could also find a good home with a relative where you know she'll be safe and happy and you'll be able to visit her.

@Ketchupcat I know. Dogs are more human that a lot of us; some people are just so mean... dogs are so lovable and I can't imagine life without one.
@Tasuki Maybe... I hate to see her stuck wwith a muzzle all day though.
@Morphtroid I could try but I've cried right in front of them like ten times already...

I want to do anything to keep my Macy. She is pure-hearted and just because she bit someone doesn't mean she's bad. She's just afraid. I care about her too much and one bite shouldn't stand in the way of our friendship. If things don't work out the way I planned, I'm gonna miss her.

Even though I'm on your side (one-sided) I feel as if this is partially relevant.

WARNING: Some mildly graphic sexual discussion

If i were yo u i would say oh heck no. My german shepeard bit my neighbor and he wound up in the hostipal. My neighbor didn't mind because it was an accident. We still kept that dog till she passed away last year. It just one bite, you shouldn't get rid of the dog. I think the best option here is behavior school.

Sadly I think it's out of my control. I've tried everything you guys said and nothing worked. I hope she ends up with one of my family members. I guess this is it for us though. My mom has made up her mind. I mentioned a behaiorist, me training her, begging and crying, even training her, but she declined them all. Oh well, it is better to see her once a while than to never see her again if she bites someone. Thanks for your help everyone. You tried, and I tried. And that's all that matters. Thank you guys, I'm very thankful for your time.