to ask you what we should do about our dog?

[RagamuffinAndFidget]

I'll try not to ramble too much but I'm quite upset at the moment and I really need some advice. Thank you.

Our elderly (almost 13yo) dog has just bitten me. He is half blind and a bit deaf and possibly suffering from dog-dementia, and he had a really rough start in life so has always been a bit temperamental but manageably so (he has food issues so is always shut out of the dining room at mealtimes/not allowed near the children at all when they are eating, or left unattended with them at all). He has never been vicious, has had the odd grumble but never directed at the kids.

Anyway, earlier this evening he took offence to me asking him to leave the room at dinner time and he snapped at me, biting my foot and leaving three puncture marks.

What do I do? Despite all his flaws he is a much loved member of our family and we have worked hard to manage his behaviour over the years. But now I'm worried that perhaps his issues (sight, hearing, etc) are causing him to be even more bad tempered and that this could actually make him dangerous. I can't even imagine having him put to sleep, but I also highly doubt he would find a home anywhere else and I can't let my children be at risk can I?

Sorry, this isn't really a proper AIBU but I could really do with some wisdom right now.

I would PTS.
My auntie was mauled by her dog who she had had since a puppy until he was 15. He just got old, and the combination of his health problems just made him snap. Not worth it happening to one of your children.

Has he had a vet check recently? It might be that he's in pain which would make him snappier.

I honestly think that the vet would be the best person to speak to.

Go and talk it through with a vet. Perhaps there is some medication that would help, perhaps there isn't anything - but make your decision based on the facts.

I agree, get advice from the vet.

It’s a really common aspect of dog ‘dementia’ for them to become disinhibited, so it could unfortunately be progression of his dementia which has lead to him thinking it’s reasonable for him to bite you when he doesn’t feel like doing something.
I would suggest you take him to your vet and let them know what has happened. They can give him a full clinical exam and check there is no other reason for him to become aggressive (eg pain elsewhere, deterioration of his sight). If not, as sad as it is, I would seriously consider putting him to sleep before he bites again.

Get him to the vets for a full MOT - they'll be in a position to explain if there's much you can do re medication, and where to go from here. You're right about not rehoming - it would be so unkind at his age, and hard for your DC, too.

for your poor toes.

Vet check.
Don’t try to rehome - it would be cruel at this point in his life.
Being PTS is not the worst thing to happen to an animal unfortunately.
What a horrible position for you x

I think if you check with the vet and nothing physically is wrong with him then it may be time to PTS.
My MIL kept her dog alive so much longer than she should and it was cruel. A tough decision but a loving one.

I have two dogs who I adore. I dread being in your position because my head would conflict with my heart, but I think it is vet check time, and possibly pts. More for the dog than anything else

My aunt kept ddog far too long, even made excuses for him when he bit dgm in the face for daring to sit next to him.
Don't risk your dc, see a vet for advice but be prepared to hear what you don't want to hear.
What an awful time to be a ddog owner.

I would pts he’s showing you that now after a lifetime of love he is no longer happy.

Had a jack russel who had the loveliest temperament and like yours all his senses started failing. I took him to the vets the day after he unexpectedly bit me and the vet very kindly said biting is the only way he has of communicating with you. And he’s telling you he’s not happy.

Please take your dog to the vet to be looked at. He's 13, nearly blind, nearly deaf... He may be in pain. Tell the vet what happened, and the circumstances leading up to it.

Follow your vets advice.
Poor dog and poor you. Impossible decision time coming up 💐

I would do a vet check and listen to their advice. It could be dementia. It could be a brain tumour if the loss of the other senses have been rapid.

But honestly, she has bitten you. It would not be responsible or fair to rehome her. She bit you. Someone she has a history of love and safety with. She won't have that with a stranger. You are then passing that danger on.

It's the hardest thing. You'll know what is right. But if I were you. I would give her a lovely last day and say goodbye.

Ah poor thing and poor you.
Agree with the others to get a vet check but if there’s nothing that can be helped I would pts. It’s kinder and more dignified imo.

Our dog is the same age, very deaf and seems to have some dementia. No sign of aggression thus far but I suspect we wil have some difficult decisions to make in the not too distant future.

Definitely a vet check. How did you “ask” him to leave? Any chance he was startled? (Given age and possible hearing/sight issues.) I would want pain ruled out too.

Sorry op. I just realised your dog is a boy. I just had my old girl pts for something similar and I think I was projecting.

You'll know the right thing to do. Trust your instinct

Poor boy. Yes, take him to the vet's, he may be in pain.

Before you make any decisions I would take him to the vet for a check up. Dogs rarely snap out of the blue - either something scared or upset him or he's in pain.

Poor boy. He doesn’t sound well. I hope the vet helps you. Sorry you’ve been bitten. What a shock!

Vet. Animals can’t tell us how we feel and have to resort to snapping. He might be in pain. Poor old man.

We were in this position this time last year OP - had a vet check & he confirmed nothing could be done for our darling dog. She was 11 and physically she was a poster dog for her breed. Dog dementia eventually robbed her of even her basic training. She was my kids first dog - we all adored her beyond words. It was heartbreaking but I finally decided she’d suffered enough in Feb this year.

Poor boy ! He’s perhaps not feeling well. A vet check to ensure he’s not in pain as that might make him snappy being the only way he can express himself.
Maybe missing out on food smells was his final straw !

I had to make the decision to have my lovely old dog pts at 13 a couple of years ago - different reasons but it gradually became obvious she wasn't happy - it was sooner than I was ready for really but the right thing to do. Someone said at the time - it's better to do it a week too early than a day too late which helped me a lot.

I'd second pp's saying get him checked though as if he's in pain it might be able to be kept order control

Could the fireworks have affected his behaviour. They have been going off here for a fortnight, my friends dog has been ill with the stress of them.

I cannot believe the attitude of some people on here towards an total one off inccident of a dog snapping - couls be down to ANYTHING. Would you have a child put down when it bit, hit, smacked another child or adult... doubt it...