I think my dog has ruined his last chance :(

[riseshine]

I'm in a horrible situation. I've been in hospital for nearly 2 weeks recovering from pneumonia and sepsis.

3 days ago our dog, a westie, bit my daughter badly enough on her hand that she has had to have treatment at hospital.

It's been so awful when I'm stuck in hospital and I can't be with her to comfort her or make rational decision about what to do.

Unfortunately this isn't the first time, 6 months ago he bit my youngest daughters hand. And has snapped at us all on a few occasions.

He is a lovely dog, but on his terms, he is getting progressively more grumpy and often growls if you get too close if he's not in the mood etc

Although I'm devastated I feel like it would be irresponsible to not find a new home for him - my husband has dealt with the whole situation badly, blaming my daughter and saying that we just have to stay out of his way.

Please help me make sense of what to do :(

[NNChangeAgain]

If your DC ran out of the house when they weren't supposed to would you wave a milky bar in front of them to get them back in the house?

People who believe that the behaviour, thought processes and reactions of a child and a dog are comparable are are liability to both.

You cannot raise a dog as if they are a child. I can't quite believe I've written that on a parenting site.

[mudandmayhem01]

The problem with dog behaviourists, is it is not a profession. I could set myself up as a dog behaviourist tomorrow. I am sure there are some good ones around, but is it worth the risk?

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

Your husband needs to take a week off and support you. You can't do all this from a hospital bed.

I would have the dog put down. It's bitten one of your children badly enough to send her for treatment.

If you didn't own this dog and it belonged to someone else and had bitten her, I don't think MN would be advocating training of the dog, they would be expecting the owner to PTS.

This isn't his first time, you don't have to live like this. How is your daughter?

[Veterinari]

JimmyChoos advice is based on outdated pseudoscience. It's fine to 'agree' with it in the same way that it's fine to agree that the moon is made of cheese. Doesn't mean there's any evidence to support that opinion though, and it is in fact contraindicated by the weight of scientific evidence.

I always find it astonishing when folks with clearly no actual knowledge or training in a situation feel that they are qualified to give 'expert ' advice - especially when the consequences are potentially severe.

OP see a qualified behaviourist.

[NNChangeAgain]

I am sure there are some good ones around, but is it worth the risk?

Probably not, if you just pick up the classified ads and ring the first number you see.

But, by seeking recommendations, finding out the requirements of professional bodies, speaking to dog rescues and breeders, it is perfectly possible to identify a "good" behaviorist rather than a charlatan.

no different from selecting any other professional really - would you say it's not worth the risk of having the water leak fixed in your home, because anyone can call themselves a plumber even without qualifications - and instead, you should just turn off the water or move house?

[tabulahrasa]

"I am sure there are some good ones around, but is it worth the risk?"

Well yes, because there are professional registries that only accept certain qualifications and 2-3 years experience.

Not exactly a huge risk if you go looking for one properly through a vet and a professional register.

[Hillbilly71]

He's 8 years old. He's had a good innings. A lot of dogs don't get to that age.
I wouldn't rehome him. Quality of life is better than quantity. He has had a far better longer life with you than farm animals have. If you do PTS Think carefully how you break the news to the children as you don't want them feeling guilty. Possibly a brain imbalance isn't too far out there?
Please give yourself a break from feeling bad. X

[mudandmayhem01]

The professional registries are trade organisations that can make up their own guidelines as to who they can accept ( and their own charges) There are some good dog behaviourists out there, but it is not a profession. Anyone who says they are a nurse or a vet for example could be thrown in jail if they were found out not to be, dog behaviourists unregulated. The term professional is much over used.

[WaitrosePigeon]

I'm sorry to say but I would PTS.

[LilCamper]

Some behaviourists are REAL professionals with degrees and everything.

OP for regulated professionals try the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors or COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers.

[Veterinari]

Actually mud you're incorrect. Terminology used is accredited by ASAB or APBC. You're right in that the term 'dog behaviourist' is not regulated, however specific nomenclature is and using an accrediting body it's pretty easy to find a reputable behaviourist - you can search by region on the apbc website

[NNChangeAgain]

Anyone who says they are a nurse or a vet for example could be thrown in jail if they were found out not to be, dog behaviourists unregulated.

Just like plumbers, then? Is that not a profession? Best not call a plumber when you've got a water leak, after all they're not regulated, and their professional bodies are trade bodies and can set their own standards.
Best just disconnect the water supply and move house as soon as possible

[mudandmayhem01]

I will agree to differ , there is still no regulation of this industry, no HCPC, no GMC equivalent. No professional charters. I am sure some of these associations are well meaning, but it is not a regulated industry.

[mudandmayhem01]

Plumbers, do not set their own standards they are tightly regulated by organisations such as a Gas Safe register and building regs, which are all externally regulated by hse. You can go to jail if you do unregulated work on a boiler. Plumber isn't actually a chartered profession, but it illegal for unregistered people to do certain aspects of plumbing.

[Megainstant]

I always find it astonishing when folks with clearly no actual knowledge or training in a situation feel that they are qualified to give 'expert ' advice - especially when the consequences are potentially severe

I have 45 years training as an owner of many happy, well behaved dogs

I hate this idea that only 'trained professionals' can give advice on anything.

It's like saying let's not bother listening to mums about child rearing. We should only listen to the hv. She's a trained professional after all

[Megainstant]

Dog behaviourists are guff. You sound like a good loving owner. There doesn't sound like any reason for your dog to be particularly stressed. Who will rehome him? Someone who never has visitors? Oh and don't forget they have to have an inner door before their front door.

[LilCamper]

Megain, you just sound deranged.

There are people at doctorate levels in canine behaviour. It is an actual science.

I know many brilliant behaviourists.

You may have owned dogs for 40 years. I have had a vagina for 40 odd years, doesn't qualify me as a gynaecologist.

[Veterinari]

Megainstant I've had a vagina for 36 years - it doesn't make me a gynaecologist and if I experienced a problem I'd seek professional medical advice. I'd assume that parents of children with behavioural difficulties also seek specific professional medical/educational/behavioural advice as needed rather than diagnosing their kids via MN

your arrogance is both dangerous and inappropriate

[ImYourMama]

PTS

Every Westie I've known had gotten like this in older years

[riseshine]

Thank you for all of the input it's given me a lot to think about.

First things first going to have him well looked over at the vet.

Emotionally it's going to be so so hard :(

[Hillbilly71]

Found this on the internet for you. Like someone else said, Westies can be like this:

Based on the analysis of all data, Westies were placed in a cluster of “very high aggression, high reactivity, and medium trainability”. Other dog breeds in this cluster were Cairn Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Airedales, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds and Fox Terriers. By contrast, German Shepherd Dogs, Akitas, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers formed a cluster characterized by “very high aggression, very high trainability, and very low reactivity”. We have to remember that this is an artificial system of data classification, based on interviews with ‘authorities’ and their subjective experiences and opinions with these breeds.

[MoonfaceAndSilky]

This might be worth a shot? They believe that before a Westie is deemed to be beyond rehabilitation, all possible avenues and remedies should be explored.

www.westierehoming.me.uk/contact-us

[Branleuse]

I always think in threads like this, why do so many people not want to accept that some dogs can just be arseholes

If a man hospitalised a woman on a couple of occasions, would you just think he needed a better home and less stress? Maybe a different woman?


Some dogs are just wankers, and with a heavy heart you just have to make a tough decision

[riseshine]

A family have just been to see him that had heard of his plight

I was very honest about his bad behaviour and they took him for a walk

They are going to have a good think and get back to me

[riseshine]

Vet didn't find anything obvious wrong with him