Quote Originally Posted by mtbdarby View Post
Thanks you guys. Trust me, I am not doing a great job. I'm ashamed to admit I was at the end of my rope when he bit me again and then layed into Zeus. I had even made an appointment to have him put down, but I just couldn't do it......

I'm trying the best way I can. He has definitely challanged me in more ways than one. Unfortunately, my son is now afraid of him when he starts barking because he doesn't want to get bit. If Rusty ever does bit my son he will be gone - that I can not live with. I do my best to make sure there's no situation where that will happen.
Darby, I know you are trying your best to help this dog. I think you have gone to great lengths to try to modify his behavior, and you should be commended.
I feel I should tell you that if the dog has now bitten you more than once and you have a child at home who has become afraid of the dog....well if it were me I would not hesitate to have the dog put down. Not to 'punish' the poor dog, but rather to prevent a possibly very tragic biting incident where anyone might be the victim- you, your son, someone on the street, or a visitor...
The poor dog does not seem a likely adoptable prospect by others either.
I only say this to try to assure you that I would not think you were 'cruel' if you opted to put the dog to sleep. It's what I would do if the dog started biting.