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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should I get my dog put down?

176 replies

andypandy30 · 20/08/2012 20:05

Really don't know what to do for the best. Had our dog nine years, she is a mixed breed, nor really sure what she is a bit Spanial, she has always been lively jumping up etc.
We took her to training a few years back, it didn't really work to be honest. I have 2 ds one who is five and one 2.10.
A few years back the dog bit the next door neighbour, we were at work she got out in the rain so he tried to put her back in. The nice next door neighbour played it down but had a plaster on.
We let it go and watched her closely. She has growled at the kids a few times and nipped the eldest once when he was a toddler but the child stood on his tail accidentally. Both ds know not to be cruel to the dog and never are. Today ds tried to take a bean off the dogs plate, it was left over from his dinner and given to the dog. I heard ds scream I was washing up he was crying hard his arm was very red and swollen and has teeth marks but it didn't bleed.
Not sure what to do, everyone telling me we have had enough warnings now and next time it could be the eye.
Dog is walked everyday has massive back garden and I only work part time so it's rarely alone.
Please give me some advice sorry it's so long didn't want to drip feed

OP posts:

flatpackhamster · 20/08/2012 20:31

andypandy30

Flapjack that is very harsh, how can you call me vile? I'm asking for advice here. Really hope you never find yourself in a situation like this.

Well I wouldn't, because I wouldn't let the dog get out of control.

I know you think it's harsh, and yes, it is harsh, but dog ownership is a responsibility. There are very few bad dogs out there, but an awful lot of bad owners. Here you are talking about discarding or killing an animal because you can't be bothered to teach it to behave properly. You came on to AIBU, and yes, you are BU.

Mytimewillcomebutwhen · 20/08/2012 20:32

Andypandy I'm in NI too - the Doghouse Sanctuary in Banbridge Co Down might be able to help. I'm slightly surprised that you're refusing to investigate re homing options because of your dogs age - have you actually contacted any?

Doghouse Sanctuary 02840 662460

AdoraBell · 20/08/2012 20:33

Could you not section off an area of the garden for the dog? I agree, having a large space can't replace walking a dog.

messtins · 20/08/2012 20:33

I would be very worried. Every dog has a point at which it will bite, dependent on how provoked/ threatened it feels. Most dogs will display quite a bit of wary body language, growling etc before moving to biting. Dogs which do not do this but use biting as strategy 1 are dangerous, and the more incidents where this stops the perceived threat or provocation the more likely they are to do it in future. no matter how careful you are there is always the opportunity for the standing on the tail type incident to escalate, both in your home or potentially in a new one. The neighbour would have been well within his rights to insist the dog was PTS after the first incident. Rescues are spilling over with dogs - it would be irresponsible not to tell them about the problem and would make her v difficult to rehome. You are never going to trust the dog. you will never forgive yourself if the next bite lands one of the kids in hospital. It's a very tough decision but I know what I would do. As a vet I have PTSd many dogs for similar reasons and I feel very sorry for anyone put in the situation but you have a duty to keep your kids safe.

Original poster

andypandy30 · 20/08/2012 20:34

Flatpack what utter crap you talk.
Im taking about getting her put down because she bit my child and hurt him and she has done this 3 times now and really hurt the next door neighbour.
I have had her 9 years I love her, it would break my heart but at the end of the day I have a duty to project my children. They come first and always will

OP posts:

OldGreyWiffleTest · 20/08/2012 20:35

No rescue centre will rehouse a dog that fails the 'taking food away test'.

You must ring the Doghouse. You must not trust the dog near your children.

Scheherezade · 20/08/2012 20:38

Sounds like she doesn't like children. Ergo she could be rehomed to anyone without kids. Hardly rocket science.

Cuebill · 20/08/2012 20:38

Andypandy it does sound like you need some help. Do speak to another trainer before you make any major decisions.

I am not sure where you are but would recommend either Robin Bates in Antrim or Robin's website or Michael Mccartney in Lisbon Michael's website both will travel.

Either of these trainers will be able to show you simple training methods to make sure your dog will feel stressed to need to bite again. (They may have contacts for rescue outside of NIreland if you cba to train your dog)

9 is not too old to retrain and few very simple changes will mean you can live together safely.

I can understand you immediate panic at this situation BUT it is usually solvable and if not you will have experienced trainers who will be able to help you out. Please contact them asap.

Scheherezade · 20/08/2012 20:39

Oldgrey. That's just not true. When we were looking for a rescue dog I saw loads advertised as protective of food, not suitable for homes with young children etc.

Original poster

andypandy30 · 20/08/2012 20:40

To the northern Ireland poster thanks so much I will ring them now
I am only going on the advice of my vet who said she is too old to be trained and not safe to be rehomed.
Of course I will try but I will be telling about the biting I could not have this on my conscience.
To the posters who mentioned exercise the dog is waked EVERY day at least once. I run 4 times per week she comes with me and I took her a five mile walk yesterday. We are a very active sporty family I know the importance of excercise for dogs

OP posts:

Cuebill · 20/08/2012 20:41

There is no taking food away test in rescue centres.

minikimmi · 20/08/2012 20:41

Yes, get it put to sleep. Stupid animal not sharing his beans.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/08/2012 20:42

Surely a huge part of animal husbandry (any animal) is deciding what is best for the animal when you get to the end of the road?

If you have no rescues you can rehome her to (and TBH there will not be a queue of people falling over themselves to rehome an elderly, proven biter)

Does your dog have any health issues?
Have you discussed with your vet?

If your dog does bite again (which sounds a likely scenario) what then?
The signs have been there.
Put yourself in that situation. What advice would you have wished you had taken?

(You haven't posted this on Doghouse have you?)

Original poster

andypandy30 · 20/08/2012 20:43

Thanks cuebill. I will ring for advice my vet just thinks its too late as she is getting old now but I will try

OP posts:

curiousgeorgie · 20/08/2012 20:44

It does sound like the dog wasn't really the problem. A stranger tried to grab him and put him somewhere? Your DS took food off of his plate?

My dog can be a bit unpredictable where my DD is concerned so I just make sure to take the steps to not have them in that situation. I feel I'm more training DD than my dog, to leave him alone, to not take his food etc.

Putting the dog down seems like a massively cruel and unnecessary thing to do.

coffeeinbed · 20/08/2012 20:45

I thought you said you've rang up the vet and they said it was too late to train the dog?

Cuebill · 20/08/2012 20:45

Believe me your vet is not trained in dog behaviour and he is wrong! I own a rescue centre and we retrain dogs every day from pups to the lovely oldies over 14. It can be done (easily)

Original poster

andypandy30 · 20/08/2012 20:45

No I haven't posted this anywhere else. Also this is the first time I posted about the dog. Yes as I said I rang the vet straight away. The dog has no health issues age had a check up 3 weeks ago

OP posts:

flatpackhamster · 20/08/2012 20:47

andypandy30

Flatpack what utter crap you talk.
^Im taking about getting her put down because she bit my child and hurt him and she has done this 3 times now and really hurt the next door neighbour.
I have had her 9 years I love her, it would break my heart but at the end of the day I have a duty to project my children. They come first and always will^

Not really sure why you came on to ask if you're BU then. Clearly in your mind, you're doing the right thing. Perhaps you should have posted in "I'm 100% Correct And Anyone Who Disagrees With Me Is A Meanie".

curiousgeorgie · 20/08/2012 20:48

And just to add, my dog is a spaniel. He has boundless energy and takes toys etc when he is bored. One walk a day and a massive garden doesn't cut it. I spend 30 minutes at breakfast time, 30 mins in the evening (and maybe more if we are generally outside) just throwing the ball with a ball thrower back and forth. Even afterwards he still needs his walk.

MrsJohnDeere · 20/08/2012 20:50

Please, please, please contact a spaniel rescue place ASAP. Strongly recommend the NWESSR rescue people. They will talk through everything and be able to help find someone experienced who can take this dog from you. Don't have him put to sleep unless there is a good medical reason to do so. IMHO most vets know bigger all about behaviour issues.

WithoutCaution · 20/08/2012 20:51

Why not find/talk to a dog behaviourist? They are far more knowledgeable on this type of issue than your vet, who has already prove how little they know about dogs

nearlyawife · 20/08/2012 20:52

YANBU. Dogs that are around children should not bite. At all.
I am expecting my first child, due November. I have a terrier who is 5, and from day one she has been around my cousin's children and toddlers. She has been dragged about, had her food taken out of her mouth, been poked up the bum with a plastic sword, and at one point as a puppy, been rescued from being picked up by one back leg by a two year old.

She has never so much as curled a lip.

A dog who is quick to bite when stressed, scared or whatever is not safe for children. It would be devastating for the OP to put her dog down, but the dog would not be in pain, or passed from pillar to post, and wouldn't know anything about it.

If my beloved dog was to display ANY agression to anyone, my child would be my priority.

Madmum24 · 20/08/2012 20:52

If it's closer to you the Assisi Animal sanctuary is in Bangor.

Original poster

andypandy30 · 20/08/2012 20:53

That's great but walking everyday and running 4 times per week with the dog and a file mile walk once a week is all I can manage with 2 ds and a job and a husband working 60 /70 hours per week. Really cant do much more and I really think this is plenty and is not the reason for the dogs aggression

OP posts:

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