Could you put your dog to sleep?

[sparks19]

well it's nice to say that you would never have a dog that has aggressive tendencies but I just don't see how you could possibly know that... especially if you have a shelter dog.

for example.... Belle does not have an aggressive bone in her body as far as I can tell..... she is very complacent, loving and not the least bit aggressive.... but if it turned out that when my child was born that she decided to become aggressive towards my child.... she would have to go. She has been around children and she is fine with them but you can't possilby KNOW how a dog is going to react to every situation.... every situation is different and I would in no way shape or form put my child at risk because my dog was jealous and became aggressive towards the child. of course I would do what I could to try to correct it but when it really comes down to it... my childs safety is the MOST important.

I am not sure that I could rehome in good conscience. Not knowing what MIGHT happen in that home. I could be held liable if she were to turn.

now that being said... I am not saying that Belle has aggressive tendancies. She is just so laid back by nature that I have no concerns about her. But you can't always just "know" what dog will have aggressive tendencies... Any dog can have aggressive tendencies.

 

[Whisper]

I would if I had to. . .and sadly we have once before. It was absolutely heart-wrenching.

 

[drmom777]

Wow, so many people have been in this boat. And here I thought it was just my personal shame. I know it wasn't my fault, intellectually, and that we put him to sleep because otherwise he would have hurt someone for sure and been taken by the cops. We knew it was inevitable and wanted him to die with people he loved around him. But I still feel guilt and shame and I miss him still.

 

[jason_els]

I've had to do it. I can't read this thread beyond posting to say that it was only the last resort after the best canine oncologists in the world had said there was no hope.

I kept Tristan alive and happy for the four months after he relapsed, until he went off his food, which was the signal he was in pain and he would have less than a week to live. That week would have been spent hooked to IVs and in enormous pain and I couldn't do that to him. I'd like to read this thread but can't. Even after a decade I still become very emotional even discussing it.

Yes, I've done it only after every other avenue was exhausted and his quality of life was such that he faced the brief remainder of his life in sheer torture. I know it was the right thing to do but it didn't make actually doing it any easier.

Though it was the hardest thing to do, I was with him in the end. I held him, I buried him. When I got him the deal was I'd be there for the good and the bad no matter what. I had to uphold my end of that bargain and am proud and glad that I did. Not being with him at the end would have haunted me and it's one regret I'm glad I won't have to die with.

 

[otch1]

Hi Jason... your Tristan sounds like he was very special! I too had to put one of my dogs down for health reasons, cancer. This thread was about individuals who've had to euthanize a dog for behavioral disorders. Casa, your post didn't make any sense to me. If I read it correctly, I will agree to disagree. Not all dogs can be "saved" and until you've had extensive experience with very serious disorders, it is really impossible to say that you would never make the decision to put an animal like that, "to sleep." It really is a heartbreaking decision for most owners and I'd like to believe that they are always making this decision as a last resort, after consultations/evaluations from proffessionals and when all other options have been exhausted.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

Yes, I'd euthanize for aggression if necessary. I had to do it once. Ten year old Australian shepherd, got her as a rescue at a year old. Was very dominant and she didn't like other dogs (except my German shepherd who was her buddy). I did a lot of behavior modification and worked through much of it. She learned to ignore other dogs. I put four obedience titles on her - clear through Utility Dog in AKC (first UD on an Aussie in Alaska!). She took HIT's, qualified both for a Dog World Award and an ASCA Honor Dog Award (earning both novice titles with three straight scores over 195) and was the #6 Novice ASCA Aussie in 1995-6. She also earned a herding title on sheep.

She was an amazing frisbee dog and used to ride behind me on my horse, even at a lope.

But when she was a few years old she started having seizures, and over the years following it got increasingly worse. The medications helped, but when she was nine she started having sudden rage episodes where she would be completely normal and suddenly flip into a rage - biting me and biting Dawson, the GSD who was her friend. And as suddenly as it started she'd go back to normal, tail wagging and acting as if nothing happened. We increased/changed meds but eventually even that didn't work and I made the difficult choice to have her put down. We played frisbee the day she died.

I couldn't have known, when I got her, that she would become uncontrollably aggresive.

I'm pretty adamant about dealing with aggression problems in dogs. I don't like rehoming dogs with aggression problems, although with today's rescues you have options you didn't used to have. If I had a dog with aggression, I would either deal with it or have them euthanized (as difficult as it would be). I am just as adamant about dog-to-dog aggression. It's not tolerated in my girls and I go to great lengths to socialize and teach them to interact peacefully with others.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[Amstaffer]

For aggression? If you had an aggressive dog that was getting progressively worse, could you put him/her down?

Only if this aggression could not be control in any way. Like some sort of mental disease where the aggression was random and unpredictable.

 

[casablanca1]

Casa, your post didn't make any sense to me.

I'm not surprised. The question was "Would you euthanize for aggression?" and my answer is that I wouldn't because in all liklihood, I wouldn't be in that position. To clarify - in my experience, 99% of people with euthanasia-level aggressive dogs acquired the animal knowing it had issues with aggression and with hope that they could socialize or train the problem away. And sometimes they're successful and have a great dog. That's their choice. My choice is to not take the chance. Aggression is something I will never accept when choosing a new dog. And because I adopt adult dogs, and because I adopt only from a good shelter, that reduces my chance of owning a seriously aggressive dog to almost nil.

 

[sparks19]

I'm not surprised. The question was "Would you euthanize for aggression?" and my answer is that I wouldn't because in all liklihood, I wouldn't be in that position. To clarify - in my experience, 99% of people with euthanasia-level aggressive dogs acquired the animal knowing it had issues with aggression and with hope that they could socialize or train the problem away. And sometimes they're successful and have a great dog. That's their choice. My choice is to not take the chance. Aggression is something I will never accept when choosing a new dog. And because I adopt adult dogs, and because I adopt only from a good shelter, that reduces my chance of owning a seriously aggressive dog to almost nil.

It does? how so? They cannot introduce those dogs to every possible scenario.... I think you have just been lucky.... but to say it would never happen to you is just... well.. naive.

 

[joce]

I'm not surprised. The question was "Would you euthanize for aggression?" and my answer is that I wouldn't because in all liklihood, I wouldn't be in that position. To clarify - in my experience, 99% of people with euthanasia-level aggressive dogs acquired the animal knowing it had issues with aggression and with hope that they could socialize or train the problem away. And sometimes they're successful and have a great dog. That's their choice. My choice is to not take the chance. Aggression is something I will never accept when choosing a new dog. And because I adopt adult dogs, and because I adopt only from a good shelter, that reduces my chance of owning a seriously aggressive dog to almost nil.

I don't think thats true at all. Most dogs I know who I consider truly aggressive were that way form something like a tumor-no one knows when there dog is a pup that at eight it will get a tumor. Its not even something a breeder can test for.

I have never been in the position but our friends had their golden mix put down about a year ago because of aggression. It would be perfectly fine and then flip out of nowere-I've never seen anything like it. It definately wasn't a case of jsut work with the dog. they saw multiple vets hoping it was something that oculd be fixed and not a one had an answer. She had no visable tumor but they all agreed it was something short circuiting in her. Apparently the smallest tumors that can not even be seen can be worse than the huge ones that cause vision and balance issues etc.

Of course there are dogs that were not raised or bred right and they may have a tendancy to be aggressive. If after you have exhausted all possabilities on working on it and there is no change then you ahve to do what is right for the dog. An aggressive dog is not safe. I'd rather put a dog down than have animal control drag it away because someone got bit or any of the million other things that could happen.

 

[casablanca1]

It does? how so? They cannot introduce those dogs to every possible scenario.... I think you have just been lucky.... but to say it would never happen to you is just... well.. naive.

I didn't say it would never happen to me - I specifically said of course there's a chance I could still end up with a very aggressive dog. But the chance is slight because of the way I approach adoption.

As for the question of how can the shelter screen for aggression in every circumstance, that's obvious. You test for temperament, not situations. Fear or frustration or surprise don't turn a normal dog into an aggressive one; they just trigger the aggressive dog who, until that moment, had been happy and therefore peaceful.

 

[otch1]

You are mistaken, Casa. This thread was not specifically about shelter dogs, rescues, ect. It was simply stated as "would you put your dog down for aggression". This meant any dog, an owners personal pet, one they've raised, one with potential health issues that develop over time. There are all kinds of contributing factors to aggression. Your response made no sense because you are posting about something very different. You stating this would never happen to you because you feel you're an accurate enough evaluator and would also do appropriate health testing to ensure you'd never be in the postion of "accidentally" adopting a dog with a serious behavioral disorder. (Or even deliberately adopting one.) Again, this thread was not specifically about rescue dogs. Have a good day.

 

[otch1]

Just to clarify so this doesn't become confrontational... if we were addressing only the issue of adopting an aggressive shelter dog, that would be unlikely. Most of the nationally recognized shelters I've worked with have qualified evaluators. They do not put seriously aggressive dogs up for adoption. Therefore, it's unlikely that "Joe public" could go in and rescue one even if they wanted to. These dogs are generally put down by the shelter before the public ever sees them. Again, I believe this is about the average dog owner whose pet developes behavior disorders, serious aggression, ect.

 

[casablanca1]

The OP began the thread as a question "Would you ever put a dog down for aggression?" I answered that question as it was asked - for myself. While many people chose to debate the broader topic of should you euthanize a dog for aggression, I chose to focus more narrowly on my own decisions and history. I don't buy puppies, I adopt adult or adolescent dogs from shelters, etc. I'm not sure why you have a problem with my response, but I'm sure you have no confrontational motivations. I too have no desire to provoke confrontation; many people, after all, find it difficult to use non-confrontational words when expressing their own confusion.

We could debate the issue of shelters adopting out unsuitable dogs for a long time, I'm sure. I do not believe that most shelters screen appropriately, but that's a whole other discussion.

 

[otch1]

You're right, I'd like to see this thread stick to the original subject. Title "Could you put your dog to sleep" (for aggression). I did find your response a little sarcastic and I thought it was irrelevant to the thread as this was not about owners irresponsibly trying to save aggressive dogs from shelters, then having to euthanize them. Believe me, it can happen to those owners who've done everything right in raising their dog. You seemed unsympathetic to those that have had to make this decision in the best interest of the animal and the public. That decision having nothing to do with how you acquire your animals. Hope that makes more sense.

 

[squirtsmom]

If I had to.

 

[Giny]

Such a difficult question, wow, I don't know what I'd do. I've never been in this situation. I only after many testing, medically and physically, could I decide that it would be in the best interest of the dog. I don't think I could ever re-home the dog, my conscience would never be at peace. I couldn't forgive myself if the dog attacked someone. I rather help him go to the bridge.

 

[ylevitin]

Yes I may have to do that for transfer fear aggression in which the dogs transfers a fear responce of weak nerves on the nearest victim at this point that is another dog.

Even thou the dog has excellent Penn hip scores , passed a CGC and is 1 pt away from a Champion title. + I did not breed her she is a outcross for me.

I still have no choice if it does not correct it self with maturity and work.

But this lack of pack ability as a working Livestock dog may be her end one day.
Truth is I dont have the heart yet to do it
But she will NEVER be bred ever !

Note every thou I told another breeder about this issue she has the line herself she wants me to send her the bitch INTACT for breeding.
I asked why she said her sister ( unproven) produce such "pretty pups".

Id rather see her at Rainbow bridge than bred the hell out of.

I see no reason to put young, healthy, sweet with people dog down for lack of pack behaviour, unless you are doing this to free up space for another dog or trying to play "dog politics". You can always adapt her out as a spayed pet to a family with no other dogs or someone who has the ability and willingless to work with the dog on building her confidence.

I would be willing to adapt the dog from you and give her the happy life she deserves. Please, spay her before transfer, so I don't have to deal with it and let me know when I can pick her up. If she wouldn't be able to live with any of my dogs - she will become a pampered house pet, or if she chooses - a goat guardian in her own pasture.

 

[planet molosser]

Yelena go back to backyard breeder heaven.

If you think I would send a dog to someone who caused a breed ban for your breed and who has had pups KILLED by "tree limbs" in kennels you are sadly mistaken.

LEAVE ME ALONE: You are playing breed politics cause your BUD has a litter mate ,who has ATTACKED her pack mate ( your CO) so much that her owner bitched about it online dont make me DIG that post up.
You think by saying "spay her" will HIDE the fact you want her only to do damage control for your friend/buyer. And who _may_ want to breed him

SMOKE screen aint working

PS SHE ATTACKS SHEEP when they RUN. ( more anti working LGD behavior)
Her behavior is uncontrolable and unpredicatable.

PSS Why dont you tell the other person that she "was wrong" putting down 2 litter mates and the father of this litter???
Why do you kiss someone ASS to their face and then swing MUD behind their back?

I on the other hand would be happy to tell you what a backyard breeder you are here , on tel and in your face.

 

[planet molosser]

Cha Ching

To all , admin and the original poster.

This is why poor dogs with poor tempermants are bred and weak nerved dogs are sold that attack and cause breed bans.

D O G P O L I T I C S .

This person a backyard breeder herself is here to do damage control for her buddy who got a dog from a litter that turned out HORRIBLE in temperament .

My dog is the grandsire of this litter and I still will NOT excuse lack of working abilty and weaks neaves.

But when you cull or remove dogs from breeding that others own the line of it becomes he said she said yayayaya.

So this is going to get quite ugly cause I said I would PTS with NO mention of the LINE or the dogs name.

Yet we got to do yet another so are the Days of our lives in the Rare breed world of backyard breeders.

Since the father of this litter comes from a major SHOW kennel that FIGHTS his dogs: The money is BOO KOO in this line , SHOW ME the MONEY brings out
the worse in people.

Working LGD lines that dabble in show $1000-1500 for pets working dogs.
Show? Fighting Lines start at 2,000 and go to 10,000 K
Do the math

It should be about bettering the breed NOT EGO"s of who is friends with WHOM today cause this changes on daily basis.