Annabel Fenwick Elliott has shared her experience of rehoming her German shepherd, Bear, a 'lockdown dog' adopted in 2020, citing the animal's aggressive tendencies and the birth of her child as insurmountable challenges. Elliott described the decision to rehome Bear as heartbreaking, admitting she had previously judged people who gave up their pets.
Bear was acquired from a private adoption website. The seller claimed Bear was a two-year-old, highly trained male, good with other dogs and children, and being rehomed through no fault of his own. Elliott met the seller, described as a young man in an Adidas tracksuit, in a park. She noted red flags, such as the dog being underweight and having a dull coat, and the seller not conducting a home check, but was eager to provide Bear with a better life.
The dog's behavioral issues became apparent the day after adoption when Bear exhibited extreme aggression towards other dogs in the park. When Elliott contacted the previous owner for advice, he suggested a prong collar and then blocked her. Upon inspection, Elliott found red marks around Bear's neck, indicating he had likely worn a spiked collar.
Elliott discovered Bear was born in Poland and was approximately 17 months old when she adopted him. She suspects he was bred for guarding due to his temperament. Bear displayed severe reactivity to all other dogs, regardless of their size or temperament, and would actively pursue them. Elliott noted that the death of a man attacked by a German shepherd in West Yorkshire highlighted the potential danger of such animals.
Life with Bear became increasingly stressful over the two years Elliott owned him. She struggled to physically restrain him, even with a snout harness, and he managed to escape and attack other dogs on multiple occasions, once drawing blood. The other dog owners were angry but did not press charges. Elliott was unable to exercise Bear off-leash due to the risk and resorted to walks in the early morning or late at night to avoid other animals. She also could not have visitors with dogs and found the experience isolating.
Elliott invested nearly £10,000 in private and residential training programs. Professionals concluded that Bear's aggression was likely genetic and would require lifelong management. Her situation became more manageable when she met her now-husband, Julius, who was able to physically handle Bear during his aggressive episodes. However, outings remained stressful, and Bear could open doors within the house, escaping confinement.
The challenges escalated with the birth of their son, Jasper, in 2022. Elliott worried about Bear's potential aggression towards her child, despite him previously being fine with humans and children she encountered. The family had moved to Iceland for her husband's job, and transporting Bear cost nearly £5,000. Daily walks with the baby and Bear became perilous, especially on icy paths, making it difficult for Julius to control Bear if another dog appeared. During this period, Bear again broke free and bit another dog, although no serious injury occurred, and the owner accepted their apology.
While Bear never showed aggression towards Jasper, accidentally knocking him over only when reacting to other dogs outside, Elliott realized that neither she nor Bear were living a good life. She sought a new home for Bear where he could have ample secure land, an experienced handler, and no other dogs. She decided against sending him to a shelter due to the low adoption rates for dogs with a history of biting, considering euthanasia as a last resort over a life of suffering for Bear.
After interviewing several potential adopters from a Facebook appeal in Iceland, Elliott found a family with a remote farm and experience with large breeds. Bear thrived in his new home, able to run freely without encountering other dogs. Elliott and her husband experienced immense relief, mixed with sadness, upon rehoming Bear. They later adopted a golden retriever puppy named Laska, taking extensive precautions to ensure she had no behavioral issues.
Elliott expressed that seeing photos of Bear living happily in Iceland is bittersweet and that she still flinches when encountering other dogs while walking Laska. She stated that she would not change her decision to rescue Bear, believing she ultimately found him the right environment.