In March, my dog Mollie developed a tumor on her leg. We knew it was cancer and that she did not have much time. We decided to get another dog before we put her to sleep, to help our us and our other dog, Hank, with the loss of his friend. I wanted a lab mix, my husband wanted a shaggy dog, so of course, we got what he wanted. Ginny is part giant Schnauzer, and is all hard headed, like the breed is known for. The week after we got her, we out Mollie to sleep. We were devistated, but it helped me, my husband and Hank to have Ginny. Well, Ginny likes to chew... EVERYTHING! And now my husband has had enough because all she chews is his stuff. But that is because I learned not to leave my stuff in the floor. DUH!!! Anyway, now he is saying she has to go, which I don't think is fair to me, Hank or Ginny. I have defended her until I am blue in the face, and I don't know what else to do. Please help!!! I love her so much, and can't stand to lose another dog right now.

When I deal with Pet Parents I start off by asking "why did you get another dog?" and to be honest in this case you got a dog out of emotional selfish reasons (which is the worst possible thing to do).

Originally Posted by carmen6531

We decided to get another dog before we put her to sleep, to help our us and our other dog, Hank, with the loss of his friend.

That is a huge no-no. Just the same as "oh we got a second dog because our dog needed a friend..." *BUZZ* Wrong!

All though human could not realize it, due to emotions, the household made a poor decision.

What Hank really needed was time to greeve! There was a loss in the home, new dog who does not know any boundaries or limitations, and two owners who can't show leadership due to their own emotional loss. No wonder the husband & Ginny are going wacko! Everyone in the house needs to take a step back and go "shame shame on us..."

Ginny needs to be in Obedience classes weekly. Ginny needs strong leaders with 100% supervision & crate training. Hank needs individual play time & greeving time. Hank then needs to be reintroduced to Ginny properly so he can know his place in the home (which should be above Ginny). Hank will soon be able to help out with Ginny's problem behaviors because in a pack dogs will help to correct undesired behaviors.

If there was not enough time to greeve and no desire to put 100% effert into the dog I suggest finding the dog a new home. If you still feel that you can support the dog's lifestyle needs then I support you trying. Otherwise it is selfish to keep the dog in a household of such conditions.

Please don't take this as harsh... take it as a blunt wake up call. Sometime we all need one, don't you agree? And I hope my "light blub" helps your family surpass the stress.