Help me find my dog a good home please!!

[mrsgiggles]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Elissia my husband and I live in northern California and we own a gorgeous American Bulldog, 15 months, 100 lb, white with brindle patches named Sheba (but we like to call her our love bug.) We have papers for her from the American Bulldogs Association but never did send them it but it can still be done if needed. I need to find her a GREAT home, I still can not believe that I am doing this..it literally breaks my husband and my heart. My husband is currently in Iraq and the dogs started fighting non stop and therefor have to be completely separated. We live on base and they are telling us that if we dont rectify the situation we will get kicked out. I cant lose my house while my husbands gone so if I can not find her a home I will be forced to take her to the pound which I dont think I could stomach. We have two AB Sheba and Xena, before my husband left for Iraq they were best friends. However, the table has turned and they only fight. I have read that they are competing for dominance. On top of that I have never felt that our home was adequate for two large dogs, we have only a tiny tiny backyard and with our 6 month old not as much time for the two of them as we had originally planned. Sheba is an great dog. She is willing to be anyones best friend, I would say that is her only weakness lol. She absolutely adores children. She has pretty much mastered potty training but I won't lie she has the occasional accident. She is stubborn when it comes to training and therefore not fond of the sit command unless you supply a treat but I believe with the proper dedication would be a willing participant. Like I said an amazing dog that is more like a child to me. I will only let her go to a home that I feel will 100 % suit her. Big yard, tons of play time, running, and daily walks are a must, I want her getting a better life than my husband and I can provide. It would also be amazing if maybe we could schedule a couple times to visit her, or maybe at least some pictures from time to time. Ok Thank you for reading my novel lol. If you are intrested in taking on my Love bug you can message me on here or call at (580)5830947 Thank you again
Elissia

[groominglady]

Have you contacted her breeders? A good breeder would take her in and find the right home for her.

also: http://americanbulldog.rescueme.org/

[ProudShadow]

Fighting can be solved if your determined and consistent.

[mrsgiggles]

I have contacted the breeder but he doesn't have any room right now. I have talked to people that own the same breed ( American Bulldog) and I was unaware of this but they said that when two females reach maturity they typically just have to be separated. Once they make the decision to fight it is rare that they will ever go back. Even if things do seem ok after some work the slightest thing can have them fighting again and when they fight it is extremely hard to break them up not to mention scary. I have tried and tried again and again but with my 6 month old I simply can not take the risk. I wish there was another way, I just do not see one. Thank you guys for your response.

[Dax]

Myth #1 - female dogs can't live together after maturity. If you spay and neuter your animals the competition for 'top bitch' is lessened. The rest is training & control.

Myth #2 - you can consider your dog like your child and still give them to another home. When your 6 month old is slow to potty train, will we find an ad in the paper too?

Myth #3 - bulldogs are stubborn. Their masters are weak leaders. Why would I sit for you if I know that I don't have to?

If you truly regret having to do this, then the members here can give you tips, tricks, items that you can buy, etc that will allow you to keep the 'children' you have and your home too.

[mrsgiggles]

Well Thank you for the information...sort of. All of the things that I stated are things I have researched and gotten from people who train these dogs. I have even gone as far as having an outside trainer come to assess the situation. While I appreciate that you took time to reply to my message it was not helpful. I am having a hard time as it is facing the facts. But in my situation the fact is I have to find her a better home. I can not provide her the home she craves while my husband is gone. She is stressed out and just not happy. I believe that it takes a bigger and more courageous person to come to that realization and take the necessary steps to see to it that she is happy. This does not mean that I love my dog any less or am any less dedicated than you. I have a selfless love for my dog. Will it hurt me terribly to get rid of her? Yes it will. However, keeping her would hurt her and that would be selfish. And no I will not get rid of my son if he is difficult to potty train and how dare you make such a comparison. However, if later in life I have a son that is trying to kill my other son will I find help for him? Yes I will.

[mrsgiggles]

Please if there is someone that can help in placing my Sheba to a GREAT home that would be wonderful. I have two weeks or I lose my home so I do not need to hear anymore about what I am doing wrong or simply not doing. I feel bad enough enough as it is but I know in my heart this is the right thing. I am determined to find a great family for her! Thank you guys so much!

[Dignity]

Does Sheba's breeder have a wait list that would be willing to take a 15mo old? I would seriously go through a breed specific rescue since Sheba seems to have some issues that may need to be worked with. A breed specific rescue will educate any potential adopters to make sure a suitable/knowledgable family is selected.

[mrsgiggles]

No I hate to say it but Sheba's breeder really could not be of any help. He wished me luck but he said that was all he could do. I am afraid of that myself. When she is not around Xena ( our other baby) she is perfectly fine. No aggression towards us what so ever. She has never growled, barked, or snapped at anyone. The only difference with her that I believe is a result of stress is she prefers to stay outside. Since they have to be separated 100 percent of the time I rotate them but when Sheba gets inside she wants right back out. Thank you for your input I really appreciate it!

[mrsgiggles]

How would I go about doing a breed specific rescue? That is a huge concern of mine, that I will find a home then the same thing will turn around and happen to her that is why I am educating any potential homes on everything about her. I am currently talking to another breeder that I found on an American Bulldog Forum and I gave him all of her information and he is searching for me but of course no promises.