Alright, I've exhausted my other resources. I am at a loss as to what to do with this old dog. I adopted him a few months ago - his owner had passed away. He has always been grouchy but still sharp and no health issues aside from a wheeze.
But now it's cold and rainy and the dog is refusing to go outside, and peeing out of sheer spite on his own bedding, floor, etc. He has to stay in a crate unless I am right there to watch him. So that means - overnight, when I'm at work, if I'm putting the kid to bed. It's too much. He growls at me any time I try to nicely encourage or guide him. Treats don't work. Toys don't work (he loves chew toys). He gets high quality food, glucosamine supplements, CBD oil.
What the **** can I even do to make this dog more comfortable - mentally and physically? He's here for the rest of his days and I want those to be long, happy days.
He has been snapping more and more but today he finally bit me and I totally lost it. I just want to cry. The last dog we fostered, the big Chow, ended up euthanized as he was senile and in pain and bit my neighbor's child - the one that cares for them daily when I'm at work - in the face, as well as biting his original owners when he returned there for his safety. I do not want this for Cody. I want him to be happy here. He loves my son - but any sort of dominant personality / challenge and he's a snarling little s***. I am so sad.
But now it's cold and rainy and the dog is refusing to go outside, and peeing out of sheer spite on his own bedding, floor, etc. He has to stay in a crate unless I am right there to watch him. So that means - overnight, when I'm at work, if I'm putting the kid to bed. It's too much. He growls at me any time I try to nicely encourage or guide him. Treats don't work. Toys don't work (he loves chew toys). He gets high quality food, glucosamine supplements, CBD oil.
What the **** can I even do to make this dog more comfortable - mentally and physically? He's here for the rest of his days and I want those to be long, happy days.
He has been snapping more and more but today he finally bit me and I totally lost it. I just want to cry. The last dog we fostered, the big Chow, ended up euthanized as he was senile and in pain and bit my neighbor's child - the one that cares for them daily when I'm at work - in the face, as well as biting his original owners when he returned there for his safety. I do not want this for Cody. I want him to be happy here. He loves my son - but any sort of dominant personality / challenge and he's a snarling little s***. I am so sad.