To have my dog put to sleep?

[NotAHun]

Not sure this is the right place to be posting this. Long time poster but name changed for privacy...

We have a small ish breed dog. She’s 5, over the last year she’s bitten 2 of my dc one twice, and two other times when people have knocked at door, once when taking a toy off of her, she’s also bitten me hard enough that I lost my nail. She just punctured ds’s arm right on the bony bit and through a long sleeved top and jumper because he tried to push her away as he opened the door to let me in (I hadn’t knocked and she would have heard it was my voice the other side of the door.

I cannot walk her off lead as she would definitely bite a toddler unprovoked she hates tiny children! My dc are all over 5. I don’t feel comfortable re homing her because no one can guarantee that they never come into contact with children and I feel responsible.

It’s awful because we all love her but if ds had been wearing a t shirt and not a jumper she could’ve done serious damage. I feel so guilty at the thought of having her pts but no idea what to do.

please dont rehome her OP. Yes she might get a no child home, but what if they have visitors? they let her off a lead? If they are not told the truth it could be catastrophic . Let her go surrounded by her people.

No home is every fully child proof IYSWIM

PTS - any decent vet will agree

Yes you need to PTS. Please don’t pass the problem on to someone else.

What if this dog bites a visiting child. Its bad enough you dont feel the need to pretect your own kids.

Lots if people in here seem to think that dogs are more important than people but I doubt any rehoming centre will find it possible to rehome a dog thats bitten 5 times. So dog will either spend the rest of its life in kennels or be PTS anyway.

Could you neuter her?. Un-neutered female cats who aren’t producing litters go mental.

If you neuter them they return to normal.

She is spayed.

I know they won’t let her go to a home with children however what if circumstances change, grand children make an appearance or they get relaxed with her and she bites a child out walking? Not to mention she has also bitten me, little old lady, paper thin skin could be catastrophic. It’s easy to say second chance but this is the 6th chance?!

My dsis had a similar dog to yours OP, she eventually PTS after consulting with behaviourists, vets and shelters.

It broke dsis heart but she did come to terms with it eventually and knows it was the right thing to do. Her dog had snapped a similar amount of times, she tried everything to keep her safe and everyone around her safe. In the end the dog turned on her other little dog and dsis was bitten trying to separate them. She had her pts the following week.

Your dog won't know a thing and you know then she is safe from harm. And from harming anyone else.

PTS does not make the dog suffer, living the rest of its life in kennels is no life for a dog. If a dog is a biter you can never guarantee stopping it or that it won't end very badly for someone. Even in a home without children accidents can happen. There are only a finite number of potential homes for dogs that need them. Personally, as heartbreaking as it is, I think PTS may well be the best option all round.

It’s unfair to say I don’t feel the need to protect my own children. This is my reason for wanting to pts. The first incident was probably a year ago, then all seemed settled and good. Now it’s escalated very rapidly.

Is she neutered ? what breed is she ? Its a tough call , it sounds as though she could be trained but being in a home with children whilst you do it , isn't an option. The reason I asked what breed she is, is because there may be a breed specific rescue organisation who might have someone to take her on and offer the intensive training she needs.

In your shoes I think I’d at least speak to a rescue centre first and see what they say. Then you will know that you have tried every avenue before you make a decision.

@NotAHun can I pm you please?

I would strongly suggest you contact The Dogs Trust. They do behaviour assessments and can decide what is best for the dog. They absolutely could rehome to someone who can ensure she won't be a risk but mostly they will give you the best advice. They have teams of behaviourists and trainers that put on classes for difficult/aggressive dogs. They're an incredible charity and I would bet they'd happily help you. I got in touch with them when my dog started being aggressive to other dogs. We've since been working with a professional for over a year now and he's like a different animal. He's lovely. Please speak to them before putting her down.

Obviously I don’t know her breed or type but could she be a farm dog? If she’s able to keep rats away her drive could maybe be useful. And on a farm she’d likely be outdoors away from visitors and not able to bite toddlers or old ladies?

A behaviourist in a rescue might work too as she’s away from what she’s chosen to guard.

Have you actually worked with a behaviourist to see if you can resolve the resource guarding? Or do you feel that is not possible with your DC at home (and being bitten)?

She has bitten children (your DC) and an adult (you) and you say she isn't good with your other dogs either... I would be concerned that if she was rehomed, she would end up biting a visiting child or another dog.

I think if I wasn't able to resolve the problem myself (with help) or be certain I was passing the dog on to someone who be able to resolve it before rehoming her, I would PTS. Awful decision to have to make.

Has she had pups, If not. Having a litter may mellow her out.
No no no! This is EXACTLY the sort of temperament that you do NOT want perpetuated!

@NotAHun so for 3+ years she was OK? No issues?

If so, what changed?

Rehome to a shelter where they can work on her needs and rehome to an adult only home/experienced home. More can be done for her and it's time to let experts do it. PTS is a coward's way out. But yes, rehome immediately as it's clear you can't cope and your kids are at risk.

I disagree to it being a cowards way out but then I would.

Rescues are already at capacity With probably good tempered dogs, I genuinely don’t feel she would be happy without us, we went away and she stayed with my parents, she was miserable, sat by door, howled at night and didn’t eat.

I don’t know what’s changed maybe she’s just become cantankerous. My children do not tease or I’ll treat her they mostly just stay away.

There are breed specific rescues for her. But again I know from following a few they are already at crisis level.

I would PTS if I were in your shoes.

I think PTS is the correct and brave option.

OP has detailed concerns, including the aggression towards any small child.

Dog goes to rescue centre. These places are fit to burst. Seems great, gets rehomed to couple without children. All is great. Enter usual mumsnet scenario, toddler in park, dog on lead, toddler wanders over, no parent in sight, dog bites them.

It's a little bit like many years ago when we had a dog that killed anything that moved. Sheep, lambs, rabbits, cats, the list goes on. Where do you rehome her? A city, and risk other dogs, cats, children? You are just moving the problem on.

This has been five bites. It's not an easy decision at all, but in this case, as an owner of many dogs it's the right one.

The first incident was probably a year ago, then all seemed settled and good. Now it’s escalated very rapidly.

Something is changing for the dog for it to react this way. If it was resource guarding your dog would do it consistently.

What training have you done with your dog during it's time with you?

I would PTS.
Rehoming is unfair on the dog. You don’t know what happens to them when they leave your care. You’ve no control over what terrible end they might have.
You’ve given it a good go. You can’t live on your nerves like that. You’ve been lucky so far that you’ve not ended up in court.
I speak as a dog owner and lover.

I don’t know what’s changed maybe she’s just become cantankerous.

This is what a behaviourist should be working on to help address the issue.

OP you come across that PTS is the preferred option. There are other ones out there. I know you say she howled when you went away, but you had also removed her from her home which may also have upset her.

A good behaviourist should work with you. I know you said a behaviourist assessed your dog, but did they then work with you and the dog? Or was it just as assessment?

Muzzle wouldnt help and im shocked at breed from her Are people for real

No kill shelters are often hell on earth for those poor souls who cant be rehomed. There are fates worse than death and being stressed in a kennel for the rest of your life is one of them. And before anyone asks, its my job to assess aggressive dogs and I work with many many many rescues. Ive seen dogs in kennels for years

PTS is not a cowards way out...what a load of shit. I actually think its the best thing that can be done for some dogs and it takes a hell of a brave person to live with themselves after making that decision. The safety of children and other people must come first. If the OP is to keep this dog she needs to take drastic measures to make sure this can never happen again with behavioural help and changing every aspect of life that allows the dog to be in a position to bite someone to make sure the dog is not a danger to others. If the owner cant commit to this and rehoming means more stress and uncertainty for the dog then its not wrong at all to PTS.

Sometimes i wonder where the people who cry just rehome think these mythical homes come from. People willing to take a dog that is knowingly aggressive to its own family AND strangers are very rare indeed.
Ask yoursef if you would be willing to turn your life upside down for a dog who is willing to bite so easily when there are so many sweet lovely dogs euthanised while waiting for homes that never come

I'm really really sorry but you've no option.

Take care and I hope the children can understand.

There have been no significant changes. We all love the dog dearly but in the nicest possible way she is seriously thick, we affectionately call her pea brain.

If we have been out and come home she will look through the window at us whilst barking aggressively, if I’ve walked them come home with her and knock on the door she goes as mental as if she were the other side.

Training wise I did puppy classes, she has always been socialised with other dogs from a young age, she will sit, wait, like down, send her to her bed, her recall is good but recently I’ve been walking where I know I won’t encounter others or on a long lead as although her recall has always been perfect I no longer trust her with other people or dogs

she Is dangerous. Get her put to sleep.