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.

IMO it's actually selfish to put this dog into rescue.

You'd maybe feel a bit better about it all and you'd convince yourself the rescue would find the right home... but the likelihood is she would end up getting returned to the rescue - this happens so often no matter how good the rescue is...people think they can deal with things then find out they can't.

The most horrible and guilt inducing thing for you to go through is to PTS but it's actually the kindest thing for the dog. It's a dangerous dog and there's no place for them in our society unfortunately. Very sad but not your fault.

Sorry I've just seen your update. You did the right thing

OP as hard as that must have been, you did the right thing

You need to approach a shelter and ask them for help. They won't just rehome her if she has that history.
They will assess her with behaviourists and see how best to progress. If they decide she needs to be put down at least you can say it was not your decision and it was made by professionals.

I agree you are not the right home and you handling her is a potential risk to the public. The only way forward is to contact a local shelter, they're very responsible.

Gottobefree read the update. Dog has been pts.

@HeatedDryer Yes sorry I have just read the update. So sad that was the outcome but I understands OPs situation.

Hope OP is doing okay x

@NotAHun I think you made a very brave decision. Sending hugs.

You have done the right thing, be kind to yourself xx

@myself2020 I took in a dog with history of biting and aggression, so I beg to differ.

Yes, I have to be extra vigilant, but she's alive and happy and an extremely loving valued member of my family.

It is possible.

My heart goes out to OP though.

My dog hates small children, she finds them stressful. My children are both grown now and she was ok with them as they weren't tots when we got her.
I keep my dog separate from visiting small children and is stressful for me too! I would never pts as I would happily tell my family not to come around rather than do that. As your dog is biting your children I really think pts might be the only way.. I know my dog would pine for me if put in rescue and I'd always be worried she'd bite someone else..

Sorry missed the end! I really think you've done the right thing, my heart goes out to you all.

@BiggestJulie
She’s bitten the adult owner too .
Unfortunately she’s sounding like a liability. I admire anyone who can cope with a dog whose behaviour is so unpredictable .
A change of owner or the stress of kennels might be more unkind .

I do stand by I did what I thought was right. I stayed with her I cuddled her and fussed her, she was not at all distressed and it was instant.

I am very sad it had to be like this. I’d worry if I wasn’t but she didn’t suffer at all and despite her issues and people on here saying I should’ve trained her better - she had a lovely life with us and went out quickly and with cuddles, she had a lovely walk beforehand and all her favourite treats.

It was a decision made out of love. I don’t think many people would’ve persevered for as long as I did I truly don’t. Thank you for all the kind posts.

The dog is a product of how you have raised and trained it. Take it to a rescue and they will spend time retraining it, find it a loving home amongst people who can give it the time and attention it needs. Leaving you free to raise your children hopefully better than you can train and raise a dog!

There's always options for rehoming your dog, perhaps an older retired couple would take her on and would be able to walk her on the lead so as to avoid any confrontation with other dogs. Rehoming centres always evaluate dogs and their prospective homes to make sure it will work so it's worth a go!

What a load of shit hiphop I have two perfectly trained well adjusted lovely dogs, neither would dream of biting. None of my animals want for anything are exercised well looked after and loved

Twotoasts she has been pts now. But elderly couple would be disastrous being as she has bitten me and jolly well meant it to.

You did the right thing OP. For her, for you, for your children, for others and other dogs. You were brave. You did not ‘kill’ her as one of the very first posters said You made a difficult decision, the correct decision and the kindest decision

You need to train her properly, you can’t just kill a dog because you haven’t given it the tools to behave appropriately

FFS, how about those posters train themselves to read OPs updates before posting

OP, you did the right thing. No need to justify to anyone here. Your dog had bitten multiple times and you would be a far more irresponsible owner had you surrendered her to a shelter.

Sorry for your loss

@Lolwhat , @Hiphop2 and @twotoasts read the posts for god sake!

And @Hiphop2 and @Lolwhat my friends parents took a dog from rescue, that "would be fine" in an adult setting...... she ended up
In hospital after being attacked.

Take off your rose tinted glasses done dogs can't be helped and are not safe.

OP you did the right thing. a friend of mine is a behaviourist and a very good dog trainer. she had to put one of hers down(a rescue dog) - just too dangerous for guests and her other dog. sometimes there is nothing that can be done

You did the right thing. You could have handed her over to a rescue but that would have been because you couldn't do what you needed to do in her best interests. She would have suffered, these mythical homes for dogs like her can be rarely found and it's most likely she would have been shunted around and returned, confused and sad.

@NotAHun Good for you for sticking up for yourself. Far too many judgemental people on here. And I'm an animal lover and pet owner, but I really don't understand this attitude that animals must be kept alive at any cost. Anyone who really cares about animals should be thinking that despite your dog's problems, she would have loved you. To take her away and put her in a kennel somewhere would be unnecessarily cruel. Enjoy your other dogs now.

What @Maneandfeathers said 👍🏻