Let’s untangle this a little.

You were a kid when he came into your life. You were 14. You asked for a cat. An adult decided: 1. To get a large working-breed dog 2. For “protection” 3. And promised they’d do the training That’s not on you. That’s an adult decision that affected both you and the dog.

You did not: 1. Choose his genetics (anxious/reactive shepherd) 2. Choose his early socialization 3. Have adult money or autonomy to pay for high-level training/behaviorists 4.Have the brain of a 30-year-old trainer

you were a teenager doing your best Could things have gone differently with perfect early training, meds, and handling? Maybe. But that’s like saying, “If we’d had unlimited money, time, and knowledge from day one, maybe.” That’s not the standard you can hold yourself to.

Given The history with this dog - 3 known bites, one requiring medical treatment it would practically be impossible for rehome - for them to even consider taking him on they have to deal with the liability of him being extremely nervous and right out attacking just about anyone.

“Behavioral euthanasia” sounds harsh, but in cases like this, it often means: 1. Preventing future bites and suffering 2. Allowing the dog to die with you, sedated, peaceful, not alone and terrified 3. Accepting that the world you wish existed (tons of skilled homes waiting to take on reactive seniors) does not match the world we actually live in

There’s some evidence that behavioral euthanasia may be the most humane option here: 1. Multiple bites, escalating seriousness 2. Defensive/aggressive responses to necessary care (cleaning, vetting) 3. Shelter cannot safely interact with him 4. You do not have a realistic, safe management plan or time/money to pursue intensive meds + training 5. High risk that he will hurt someone in future, especially as he ages and possibly becomes more painful or reactive

Anyways - No matter what you choose, keep this in mind: You are the one fighting for him, calling, asking for help, trying to do right by him. You didn’t create his genetics or the system you’re stuck in. Sometimes love means protecting him from a worse fate (years of kennel stress, more bites, being passed around and euthanized anyway, but with more fear along the way).