About Bear

We adopted Bear when he was only 6 weeks 4 days from a mutual friend here in Spokane. As Bear was a puppy, we brought him to the vet regularly for check-ups, brought him around other dogs and kids when we could, and took him to a puppy class and an intermediate class at a local training facility called Diamonds in the Ruff, at which he was a star pupil. ���S As Bear has gotten older and bigger (now 105 lbs), we have run into some behavioral issues. After talking with specialists recently, we have been advised that we were given improper training techniques and tools for his breed, which have exacerbated his issues. Both of his breeds are busy, working breeds that need much more daily activity than we have been able to provide for him. We knew adopting him would come with some challenges, but we couldn't have anticipated what we are presently dealing with. For a long stretch of time, we were unable to bring Bear around other dogs or children (for many reasons i.e. not being neutered yet so no female dogs, staying home due to weather, or just not having many opportunities to bring him around small children). Bear began to exhibit more protective and aggressive behaviors to other people and animals (only to people outside of our home, not including adult friends and family that would come over). I wish I could say that we as his owners did everything right, but I now know we didn't and now we are in a really sad situation. We have spoken with several trainers & rescues here in Spokane to discuss our options and how to move forward with correcting said behavior. Recently, we took Bear to our cabin w/ our extended family. We tried our best to advocate for him and told everyone to please keep their distance while we acclimated him and made him comfortable with the people and environment there. Against our instruction, our nephew ran up behind Bear, startled him, and Bear turned around and nipped him in the chest, breaking skin. It wasn't bad, but still terrifying. Our nephew is doing great and his parents aren't pressing charges or asking us to put Bear down. If it were a stranger, that would have likely been the case. Bear has also shown these aggressive behaviors toward other dogs. Please please know that Bear is not a mean dog. He is the sweetest pup ever to his family, but because of lack of exposure/socializing on our part, we think he is just scared of others and has not built the confidence he needs to know he doesn't have to react in such a way. When we were able to bring him around other dogs at a younger age, he did great and I really truly think he could return to that good social behavior. The nipping incident was a huge wake up call for us that something needed to be done. We have spoken to several trainers & rescues, and our options are limited. The only board & train (intensive/rehabilitative) program that we found would be beneficial for Bear is an 8-week program at MethodK9�'�| for just over $6,000. My fianc̩ and I cannot afford this, but I talked with my bank anyway about potentially taking out a personal loan. With interest, we would be paying closer to $10k when all was said and done if we went that route. Another option is basically sheltering him from the triggers for the rest of his life and keeping him cooped up�'�| which is not a happy life for him or for us. Another option is rehoming him. Our final option is euthanasia. My fianc̩ and I do not have it in us to put down our boy. Again, he is SO sweet to his family and people he knows well. The only time he is a wild card is outside of his comfort zones (home). Bear has SO much potential. He is still a puppy (just a large one) and I am fully confident that with the right professional training and socializing, he could really turn around. Rehoming him has made the most sense to us. My fianc̩ and I have tried to find a good rescue to rehome Bear to, but because of his nip/bite history, we are coming to dead ends left and right. We are desperate at this point. We are getting married in September and are hoping to start a family. Unfortunately, after the nephew incident, I am not sure I will ever be able to trust him or let my guard down with him with our future kiddos. As much as this breaks my heart, we have to think about what is best for him and for our future family. Also with growing a family, we wouldn't be able to give him everything he needs to live his best and fullest life. If anyone sparks an interest, I would be more than happy to sit down and or talk on the phone in more detail about Bear. My fianc̩ and I are absolutely heartbroken about this whole situation. Bear is our baby and we love him SO much. We've never been faced with a decision like this and it has just ripped us to pieces. Neither of us have it in our hearts to put Bear down when he was so much potential, and he is so young. Please help us. ���

Spokane County
Spokane, Washington