Corona leading to euthanasia, really?

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

Saw someone suggesting that owners of challenging dogs might have to consider pts their dog if the lockdown gets worse.
I know some dogs are only able to be exercised away from others for various reasons and obviously some dogs need a considerable amount of exercise.
Is this really a possibility? My friend has a dog which has been attacked on lead by others off lead and as a result is very scared of other dogs making him extra challenging in these difficult times.

[Scattyhattie]

While this is an unusual situation, dogs that have had operations often go on very restricted exercise plans & thanks to pain medication still feel like want to do more than they should, but can tire dogs out mentally with other enrichment activities & training sessions. So I don't think most owners would need to be considering euthanasia.

I've been taking my fearful dog out walking at night when most people have already been so hardly see a soul, early mornings are perhaps also quieter now people aren't walking before work.

[tabulahrasa]

I dunno...

I mean I’ve been inside for nearly two weeks apart from the odd shop visit and 10 minute walks because the dog has dodgy hips...

There’s me my 24 yr old, my 19 yr old the dog and the cat here all day, but my DPs still at work.

And tbh if having the kids euthanised was an option I might have considered it today, lol

But seriously, have to have them PTS? No I doubt it, but I mean some people might find living like this and adding in a problem dog that they’d coped with normally too much? Maybe...

[StillMedusa]

Pretty grim that we are one week down more or less and people are already suggesting euthanasia.
I would think that it is perfectly possible to adjust to the new normal.. if anything for fearful dogs, the lack of people around might make it easier to walk a dog at odd times to not see other dogs/people.

On the other hand, like the previous poster, I wouldn't mind knocking my offspring and dh out for a week or go.. euthanasia might be a step too far...

[Floralnomad]

People who really love and care about their dogs will manage and find a new ( hopefully very temporary ) norm , people who don’t will look for the easier alternative which is ditch the dog / pts . I don’t find it surprising at all l

[Wtfdoipick]

There's plenty that can be done inside with a dog to mentally stimulate them the problem is not dogs but the owners not really knowing how to manage

[slipperywhensparticus]

People have suggested animal food isnt "essential" so I can believe it

[tabulahrasa]

Ok, so I was obviously joking about euthanising my kids

But...

Say you’re a single parent or your partner works for the NHS and suddenly all your systems for managing a problem dog are upset, you’re home schooling young children by yourself - for loads of people money is an issue just now and maybe you just manage to cope with the first 3 weeks... but.. they extend it or if they don’t, later on there’ll be more time like this

I can honestly see how it might just get too much for people to cope with and it’s hard to rehome a dog with behavioural problems normally...

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

I'm not sure a high energy breed that may be used to a couple of hours of off lead exercise can be stimulated inside efficiently on an on going basis?
It doesn't look to be quieter either , I've seen lots more dogs out than usual. Hobby doggers rather than the usual serious owners.

[tabulahrasa]

“I'm not sure a high energy breed that may be used to a couple of hours of off lead exercise can be stimulated inside efficiently on an on going basis?“

Normally - sure...

My last dog was a Rottie who developed joint problems fairly young... so he was used to long country hikes and suddenly he would have still done them despite wearing his joints out - but I was restricting his exercise massively, we added in some scent work stuff, loads of clicker training, fed him in ways that occupied him and he was fine, sometimes he didn’t get walks for a few months...

It was a lot of work though, I mean I had the time and was happy to do it with him, because well if you like dogs most of that stuff is fun, lol, and the realistic alternatives were to let him get bored and unhappy... or have him PTS.

But I can totally see it being a bit much for some people and, just now?...

[jinxpixie]

“I'm not sure a high energy breed that may be used to a couple of hours of off lead exercise can be stimulated inside efficiently on an on going basis?

As the owner of several high energy dogs yes it can be done. It takes time and effort on the owners behalf. But no more time than the off lead exercise took.

[WhoWants2Know]

My local dog warden reported 4 abandoned dogs within 24 hours of the initial lockdown instructions. It's more difficult to get dog food and people aren't able to visit rescue centres to regime at present.

I suspect a large number of euthanised pets will be a side effect of the pandemic.

[Puppywithattitude]

@jinxpixie I'd be interested in your suggestions.
High energy dog, anxious on lead.

[permana]

I'm astonished that having a dog is a problem in the lock-down. I'm still taking my dog out once a day for an hour off-lead, I'm not in London so it's easy to avoid people if you know the routes well (which dog walkers do).
She's happy with everyone at home, she's not sure who to hang with she's spoilt for choice.
I've not seen problems with dog/cat food in the supermarket.
I am actually scared she is more likely to be stolen at the moment! Because having a dog at the moment is brilliant, she is a tonic for all the craziness.

My local fb group is full of people offering to walk dogs in the lockdown.

I think the type of people who abandon their pets or euthanise them (which is expensive) for no good reason will always do this - I'm not against euthanising a dog which can't be rehomed - I would prefer that than them being in a rescue centre for the rest of their lives.