[TaylorWoods]

Sounds like you really hate the poor dog - I feel desperately sorry for the animal in this case. Dogs need time, attention, exercise, love, discipline and training to mention only a few.

For a man claiming to have 24 years experience in dog handling and training you sure dont know much. And by discipline I think it's pretty disgusting that you could physically hit a small dog like that. Or any animal infact. You should rule by your leadership qualities and control the pack, even if your pack only has one member...not rule by fear. Do you have any idea that hitting an animal, especially one so small, could cause brain damage or broken bones? you admit to hitting the dog in the face. If you are an average sized man weighing 80kgs that means that you are at least FORTY times the dogs size, not to mention strength. Who taught you THAT method in those 24 years of yours?? Someone I loved abused me once...he justified it by saying he never punched me or hit me, but abuse is abuse no matter the level of intensity. the same man claimed he could never hurt me...he hit my dog regularly...then he hurt me...left me black and blue but claimed it wasnt abusive because he only threw me around into things and slapped me a little. It's called denial....

I get upset with my dogs too, but I take their circumstances into account before acting on impulse. Most times they are acting out because they are frustrated or need something from me. And I remember that we communicate in a different way. I have never raised a hand to mine and I have 2 well balanced, YOUNG dogs with manners worth talking about. They are welcome in anyone's home, the are polite, they dont beg, they do their business outside 99% of the time which i am personally happy with, and they wear big happy grins on their faces every day. I treat them with love and kindness. And in the long run I bought them and that means that i knowingly took on a responsibilty to love them and care for them for the rest of their lives. The same way you did when you KNOWINGLY started to date your fiance who KNOWINGLY bought the dog.

If you dont have the time to walk the dog then you should pay someone to take him out daily. or get up earlier than normal and walk him. I walk mine at 4:30am so that im home early enough to feed them, play with them, make sure they have everything they need for the day and then i go to work. during which time they are either at home playing safely in a yard and the neighbour kindly checks on them, or they go to my parents house for a play date and social time with her dogs. Dogs cant be cooped up, ALONE all day every day and be expected to be well balanced.

If you and your fiance are never at home and arent willing to make small changes to your lifestyle to include and help the dog then the dog should be placed in a home that will give him what he needs physically, emotionally, educationally and devote their time to him as a responsible dog owner.

Perhaps you should watch those programs by Cesar Milan - he trains people...you need training. you might think you have spent 24 years training dogs but you have forgotten about training yourself on how to behave. You're the "big tough human" who rules the house by fear and picks on those who are weaker. Your fiance (who apparently is "THE fiance - how rude! you speak of her and the dog in the same third party manner. If i read your post i would be really insulted) can rehabilitate the dog. Remember she had the dog before she had you - if my fiance laid a hand on any of my animals or me in rage and anger I would throw him out. I dont stand for animal abuse of any kind. You worry about the dog biting your kid...I worry about you flying into a rage and hitting your child like you do the dog...because with children you have ZERO years experience...that's 24 less than you have with dogs and you sure arent great there! by the time you have 24 years experience with kids your kids will be treating their pets and kids the same way as you do.

YES, the dog needs some discipline and some guidance - it is like a child who has never been educated. Would you slap your child in anger when you have never taught him or her how to behave? Dogs often bite out of fear. Can the dog see properly through the hair on it's face??? are his eyes ok? is he fearful? he wont bite for no reason! You have to remember that dogs are intelligent, emotional animals that dont respond to anger and violence. if i was to live in a crate day in and day out with no exercise and i had to urinate and defecate where i ate i would bite you too.

i also got the odd hiding as a child, but NEVER out of anger - that's my point. it was never a reflex to turn around and hit me because i misbehaved. My parents would discipline me when we got home, never in public, talk about what i had done and guide me the right way. If i had been promised a hiding i got one, not with a belt!and when I had done well i was rewarded...do you ever once stop and reward your dog when he/she (or IT!) has done something good? do you give him a treat when he does get out his crate and go potty outside?

Here's hoping that you find the dog a good home where someone will devote time to him and help him learn. There will be plenty of people on this site willing to take the dog from you and rehabilitate him im sure. If i didnt live on the other side of the world i would give him a home.

Your fiance may spoil the dog by feeding it too much but im sure she feels she is doing the right thing OUT OF LIVE. maybe she needs a little guidance but not everyone knows everything. You on the other hand need some serious help.

All JMHO of course - my day however is ruined and I will probably spend days wondering about how this poor little dog is being treated. Shame, I often look at my dogs and think how lucky they are to be in such a loving home, as am I, with a man who loves us, respects us and doesnt slap us around. If I was your fiance i wouldnt let YOU into the house...the dog would sleep in the bed! I feel better getting that off my chest in the dog's defense!!!!!