Should I have dog put down?

[GooseyLoosey]

We have had a rescue dog for a while. He has some problems with his leg and I think he is in pain some of the time with it.

He hated being in kennels and was very stressed by it before we rescued him.

At the weekend he bit ds's face. Ds has had to have surgery as result. Ds had gone to give him a chew.

I don't know why this happened but guess either the dog was in pain or trying to tell ds he was the boss.

I cannot keep him. What should I do?

There is a lot of things you can do before you get to the point of putting your dog down and I think it is vital that you check things out before making such a big decision.

You say the dog may be in pain - the first thing is to go to the vet to get the dog checked out - the vet can also refer you to a dog behaviourist if the problem is a behavioural one and not physical.

You are unsure of why the dog reacted like he did definately not trying to be boss but a good behaviourist can explain why and show you what needs to be done to prevent anything happening like this again.

Do call in the professionals to help you with this that it what they are there for.

Let us know how you get on.

We have been to the vet (lots and lots of times) - he has scarring on his shoulder joings and the rotator cuff is damaged so he will often be in pain. We had been giving him metacalm and stuff for joints and organising exercise accordingly.

We cannot keep him. My son would not come back into the house while the dog was there. We have to find another solution and I don't feel confident in trying to re-home him - I would feel responsible if he hurt anyone else.

I will feel terrible whatever we do - I already do.

It is a nightmare for you - what resuce did you get him from? They should take the dog back if there are issues.

Thanks for your response.

He is a greyhound and came from a greyhound rescue. I know they will have him back, but can't see how they could re-home him either and he really hated it in their kennels.

Can't really believe that this has happened.

Is your vet happy that the pain can be managed long term or will the dog always be in pain?

I don't think I could keep a dog who was going to be in pain it's whole life.

Getting a trainer in would help though and I believe that some trainers are often willing to work with children to help build their confidence. In the meantime could you keep the dog in a different room using a stair gate?

Getting a dog pts should always be the very last resort and should only happen if the dogs quality of life is very poor. Taking him back to the rescue in the hope that he would find a suitable foster home, would be better, although not better than working with a trainer and your vet to try and solve this issue.

The dog will often be in pain and there is nothing they can do to alleviate that. It seems that this dog's response to pain is aggression.

Unfortunately, I do not think that I can ever have him back in the house. Ds says he hates him and I do not feel well disposed towards him. Ds had to have facial surgery and will have permanent scars.

Contact the rescue and obtain their no kill policy. Also an assurance that if he was accepted back by them he would only be PTS for purely physical health related reasons - ie that he is suffering and that cannot be alleviated. Some rescues claim to be no kill but will use "mental health" as a back-door way of disposing of unwanted/hard to home/difficult dogs. Some, but not all... you need one of the latter types. And a home from home/foster type situation (yes, those of us willing to take on a unpredictable dog DO exist... we're like gold-dust, but we're here).

If they can't or won't do that, get back to me. I'm an independent network dog rescuer with contacts across the country and I have genuiine no-kill beliefs and criteria. It will be the gargantuan task from hell to find somewhere appropriate TBH, but I won't see a dog killed unnecessarily and will do everything in my power to help.

Remember too that in the RIGHT kennels, with the RIGHT amount of interaction and socialisation, some dogs who have previously been unhappy in kennels can flourish.

You may, btw, find it easier to get your boy the help he needs if you are prepared to cover vets bills or keep his insurance going when he has left your care, and to contribute towards his upkeep.

Val

Looking back, I'm not totally sure I'm saying the right thing. You say that he is often in pain and it can't be alleviated... I really, really hate to say this but maybe PTS is the kindest option.

Speak to your vet... what's the level of pain, can you get an idea? There's a difference between a tolerable level and agony, IYSWIM.

Has hydrotherapy been mooted or tried? Not now necessarily by you, but is that, in your vet's opinion, something which could help in future?

(Just for the record, and purely in case anyone has any doubts or issues with my stance in the future, I would NEVER advocate a dog being PTS for biting, I am looking at the PTS option here purely in the interests of the dog's welfare. No offence intended OP, but I get involved in a lot of discussions and arguments on dog aggression and I don't ever want anyone accusing me of recommending PTS on grounds other than a dog's health.)

Thanks Val - He yelps sometimes so I think there are the occassional sharp pains and constant low level aching. I loved the dog and would love to think of him in a happy home elsewhere. Will talk to the rescue centre.

Just to add, most greyhound rescues are used to dealing with dogs that have injuries from their racing careers, and none of the ones I know would put the dog down over the behavioural issue alone. The charity I volunteer with has dealt with problems in homes before and a huge range of steps are taken to look at the dogs behaviour in a safe environment (usually an experienced, child free foster home) and review the medical issues.

I'd endorse hydrotherapy and also a lengthy discussion with the vet over pain management and a review of the medication and general care plan.

If he has to go back to the rescue, then that's fine, they will do their utmost to ensure he is rehomed to a household without kids - many experienced greyhound owners are happy to take on "bounces". The occasional yelp, groan or sigh is quite normal for a grey. Our elderly bitch who has arthritis will occasionally yelp if she has been lying in an awkward position or so on - this certainly doesn't mean she is having major problems the whole time, and I wouldn't dream of putting her to sleep on that alone.

Please keep us posted as to what happens.

Val, I 'get' what you are saying re PTS. I am not even considering the bite at the moment, that is an aside for me.

If the dog is in terrible pain, the pain cannot be managed or alleviated, then the kindest thing for the dog is to PTS. If his quality of life is poor then it really isnt kind to keep him like that.

I would hate hate hate if my dog was in horrendous pain and there was nothing that could be done.

Actually my 18month old is in a lot of pain/discomfort but his quality of life is great, so there is no question at the moment of having him PTS.

It is a heart wrenching decision, but if you want to rehome him you will be able to via the rescue, dont you have to contact the rescue anyway to let them know what has happened and what you are thinking about doing?

sorry, rambling and going round in circles here.

Thanks Jax, I knew you and many others on here would. :)

Goosey, I do hope the rescue and your vet are being helpful and supportive and that you'll keep us posted.

Thanks Jax, I knew you and many others on here would. :)

Goosey, I do hope the rescue and your vet are being helpful and supportive and that you'll keep us posted.

Just to let you know, I have returned him to the rescue centre - I am very upset about it. He was so happy when we got into the car to go. I hope someone will give him a good home - at heart he is a lovely dog.

Ds would not say good bye to him as he is still too scared of him. He did however say that he hopes he is happy.

I think you have made the right choice for your family then Goosey. I do hope the dog finds his forever home very soon.

If your child is too scared of your dog that isnt a good thing. Please try to make sure that he doesnt continue to be scared of all dogs, this could easily escalate and turn into something much worse.