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Male Dogs

We have a 2 year old male pit/mix rescue dog - we've had him about 1 1/2 years.  He is very well behaved and gets along very well with other dogs.  There's never an issue with him getting aggressive, unless he has a bone/toy outside with him, and then he gets aggressive, chasing any other dogs out of the yard.  Recently, I was approached by someone to see if I would take another abused rescue dog (1 year old male pit).   This dog was chained up by his back leg with a 4 ft lead - with his food just out of his reach - when he was given food.  I am seriously considering taking this dog in -however, I am concerned how it will affect my other dog - and whether I should be concerned with aggressive behavior from this dog with my children (ages 11 & 12).  Any response is greatly appreciated.
Note:  The person that has this abused rescue dog now told me that if I don't give him a response soon, he is going to have the dog put to sleep.
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441382 tn?1452810569
My honest opinion is that as much as you want to help this other dog, until you can work out the aggression issues, however few they be, that your current dog has, don't take on any more to work with.  We all want to help as much as we can, but the sad truth is that we can't individually save the world.  

I also hate it when people prey on the emotions of others by telling them that if they don't adopt this particular animal or that particular animal, that the animal will be put to sleep.  By saying that they know they are taking you to the brink of your restraint, and if there is any way at all you can do it, even if it means an inconvenience to you and your family, you will do it.  Don't fall for it.  What I would do if I were you is to go to www.petfinder.org and put in your zip code and the breed or mix of the breed.  You will get a list of rescue organizations for that breed, and you can copy down the numbers and give them to the person who has the dog that needs a home.  That way you can feel that you did something to help, and even though they might have to do a bit more work to rehome the dog, the person will be able to find someone to give the dog a home.  Perhaps if they try their "he'll be put to sleep" line on a rescue group, they might respond.  Then again, they might not, but at least  you tried.

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
You already have a dog with no social skills, so adding yet another dog with no social skills will bring up problems right away.  Unless you can keep them separated initially and do some serious work with both dogs, then you'll have to pass.  If you do pass, take advantage of this opportunity to work with your own dog on social skills.  Try checking out Cesar Millan's videos and books at your local library to get some hints on how to deal with the behavior.  Once you're on stable ground with your own dog, you'll have the tools to help another one.  :-)
Helpful - 0
127124 tn?1326735435
I know exactly how you are feeling.   I've been looking at a plea from our rescue group for a dog in a high kill shelter.   This dog has been badly abused and I want to help her but I know right now it's more than we can take on.   We currently have 2 of our own dogs.  1 is a rescue dog.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your response - I was feeling the same way with my concerns but feel so bad about this other dog - I just hate that people can abuse animals in this way!  I just cry when I think about what this poor dog went through and would so like it to have a loving, happy home - I'm crying thinking about it!  
Helpful - 0
127124 tn?1326735435
We also work with rescue dogs.   I know you really want to help this other dog but I do see the possibilities of problems.   This new dog will very likely be food agressive (who could blame him after having food just out of his reach) and your dog already shows
agression with bones and toys.    Considering you have kids I would pass on this one.
One of the first things we were taught was you can't help every dog.  Just do the best you can.   Good luck with your decision.  
Helpful - 0
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