UPDATE

Well, things are not going as well as I would have hoped. I was taking Stewart aka Cujo (as Karen calls him) out of the car the other day as some school children were walking home in front of our house. Stewie tried to go after them, barking and snarling. Usually we go from car to house and back without a lead but for some reason I had snapped one on him that time THANK GOODNESS and was able to hold him back.

At the dog park, all his undesirable behaviors have intensified and I just can't take him anymore even with the muzzle unless it's very early in the morning and I confine him to a smaller, enclosed side area. If someone else also wants to use it I have to remove Stew.

We have escalated his care now to a behavioral veterinarian who can prescribe medication if she thinks that will help. We don't know what approach she'll take but we hope it's multi-dimensional because relying solely on psychotropic meds to keep the children of our neighborhood safe isn't something we want to do. We don't know anything about this so we'll of course wait to talk to her (on 2/7) to make a decision. We got her name from three separate sources (our vet, Stew's trainer, and a friend) so this seems the right direction to go.

Sigh.

Marnalou,
I know you and George are going through one trying time and my heart goes out to you. I wish there was some advice or a person I could direct you to, but unfortunately I am helpless here.

Stewie is such a big strong dog, that your alternatives are limited. I know you don't want to hear it, but he's so powerful and lively that maybe a farm is the solution for Stewie's soul. He'd have plenty of room and could run around to his heart's content. He comes from a working breed, and maybe that's what he needs. I don't know, but this is all that I can come up with that might help you guys.

I am so very sorry
Marty

MarnaLou, hopefully the vet will find a medicine that curbs Stewie's wild side but still keeps his personality. And please don't tell Stew that I called him Cujo!

MarnaLou, I'm so sorry that things with Stewie aren't progressing. Are you still seeing the behavioralist along with your vet? Please keep us updated.

I'm very sorry to hear about this as well. And things seemed to be going so well ... (sigh)

Masaki

Marty, the farm idea is quite an appealing one. Now to find a farmer!

Amanda, we have a whole host of professional assistance going on with this pooch. We have:

*his two regular veterinarians

*two trainers who have agreed to provide observations of his behavior when out of our presence (this starts next week)

*a behaviorist who is like a psychologist (can make suggestions for changing the environment and who can detect behavioral patterns but who cannot prescribe medications)

AND

*a veterinary behaviorist who can prescribe meds (we'll see her in a couple of weeks, earliest we could get in)

We're giving this dog every chance to work out.

Karen, LOL, you could never offend Stewart!!

Sorry to hear that Stewart is still creating some serious challenges for you. You and George are certainly giving 100% to help him. Unfortunately, this may well be a case of no matter how much you do, nothing is helping him.

I wish you luck. I know this is breaking your hearts.