Animal no longer available

Visit a different page:

DexterRescue Me ID: 20-04-01-00266

No longer available

About Dexter

Adoption Fee: $50
Havanese
Age: Young Adult
Sex: Male

This animal is available to licensed rescue groups only. Please do not enquire unless with a licensed rescue group. Dexter Barksdale came to us at 12 weeks old in 2015. He was absolutely the best companion to us, a young married couple, for several years. We fell in love with his charming, friendly demeanor and he was easily trainable. He can sit, lay down, fetch, shake, roll over, stand up, 'leave it,' 'take it,' and 'be gentle' on command. We got another [female] dog in 2016 and Dexter began acting a little more territorial. He showed our new younger dog who is the *alpha* in the house, and he started to be more aggressive toward her. Shortly after that, he began acting more aggressive toward me (female) and between 2017 and 2019 he bit me twice. Both times I was bitten were moments when I attempted to take a high-value item (a rawhide) from him (he claimed his 'territory' against me, his mama, which made me very sad), but I love him so much, so for two years I adapted my behavior and the treats he was given in order to avoid another bite. He has also bitten his female pupsitter once and snapped at his female groomer twice. Fast forward...we had a baby in 2019. Though we have raised our son around both of our dogs for ten months, and taught him (however well you can 'teach' an infant) how to treat pets with respect, dogs are family, etc.. Dexter has begun growling aggressively and even snapping at my son when he gets near him. My son can't even walk yet, and has no idea how to react around a dog who has aggressive behavior. We are terrified that Dexter will bite the baby. He's growled at him countless times, and lunged at him three times, all of which when an adult was close and able to intervene, but what happens when there isn't... As much as it breaks my heart to let go of my 'first baby' Dexter, I have to keep my real baby safe. We've tried training Dexter, we've tried kenneling him during certain play hours, we've tried keeping him outside and walking him more often in case it's a 'cabin fever' or lack-of-exercise issue, and nothing has stopped the behavior. I refuse to call him an 'aggressive' dog, because generally he is not. He's super sweet and loving, and very smart and trainable. A lump forms in my throat as I type this because he's SUCH a good dog, he loves to be loved and he loves people, he just has a problem now with women and children. If I had unlimited funds to pay for more training or a huge house where I could theoretically keep him away from the baby for now I would, but we don't. And we can't. And we've had to make the hardest decision we've ever had to make. We have to re-home our first baby. Please, please, if you choose to adopt him please be good to him, let him sleep in your bed, give him lots of carrots, but watch out for the rawhides. They put him in a different place mentally.. but please love him.

Will County
Romeoville, Illinois

Compatibility

  • Good with Most Dogs
  • Good with Adult Men Only

Personality

  • Average Energy
  • Somewhat Dominant

Health

  • Neutered
  • Needs Vaccinations

Facebook Share/Comments

We block people who post offensive messages. See a problem? REPORT NOW

Please ✔ check "Also post on Facebook" after typing a question or comment.