Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

How would I go about rehoming an aggressive dog? Or am I kidding myself?

72 replies

JustBeingJuliet · 15/03/2015 10:53

This is breaking my heart, but I genuinely think we've come to a point with pup where I just can't risk keeping him anymore :( I've posted about his behaviour a few times and had some good advice, and I've been working with a behaviourist who has stated she isn't sure anything is going to work.

He's an 11 month old JRT. He's terrified of everything; attacks every dog he meets, dislikes children, dislikes strangers, attacks his own reflection in the tv, petrifies of cars, bikes, buses, kids ride on toys, bangs, the vacuum cleaner, the noise deodorant cans make etc etc. I've had him from 8 weeks old, he was bred by a friend who has mum, dad and his sister - all lovely, sweet, well balanced dogs. I've done everything right re socialisation, he's never had a bad experience rtc. I've been bitten several times when he's been lunging at someone else or at his own reflection, and, although he's not actually gone for me or 9yo d's in the house, I feel it's only a matter of time. When anyone visits, I have to crate him and he spends the whole time snarling and getting into a state as he hates anyone in the house. This morning, he's just flown at his reflection in the tv and narrowly missed ds's face. I've just about come to the end of my tether :(

It's a matter of time before he bites someone, regardless of how careful I am with him, it feels like I have a ticking time bomb. I'm really not enjoying dog ownership anymore, and I feel my other dog is being punished as we can't socialise as much etc.

Am I kidding myself to think he could be rehomed? Who would take on a people/dog aggressive dog? One that even a vet recommended behaviourist has basically written off? It's breaking my heart but I can't risk ds bring bitten and I've tried my hardest :(

OP posts:

Hakluyt · 15/03/2015 19:32

"What concerns me is your vet recommended behaviourist has basically written off No qualified behaviourist will write off a dog."

Why woild a behaviourist never say that they felt ththe r was noting more they could do? Not every situation is resolvable.

Methe · 15/03/2015 19:36

Do the right thing for fucks sake.

TheoriginalLEM · 15/03/2015 19:39

I agree Hakluyt - how much more money does the OP has to throw at this situation, with the best will in the world, the poor dog sounds like he has a screw loose, it may well be a physical thing but if the vet can't find it and the OP isn't able to make process it really is cruel to keep the dog alive. It doesn't matter what the behaviourist says really, if the OP can't implement the advice for whatever reason - lets face it, its all good on paper but in RL sometimes dogs just aint fixable :( Its such a shame but i know what my decision would be.

GoofyIsACow · 15/03/2015 19:44

Oh Juliet, i can see how heartbreaking this is for you and i think some people are being very harsh to you.

I hope the vet is helpful, it does sound like pts is your only option at this stage.

for you

SunshineAndShadows · 15/03/2015 19:48

Hi Juliet I think I remember some of your previous posts and you've been very patient and worked hard with your dog. As a vet with an interest in behaviour I'm not sure that rehoming him would be sensible. He doesn't sound as if he's be easy to rehome and most rescues don't have the resources to invest in extensive behavioural rehabilitation. Permanent life in a shelter has generally been shown to be detrimental to dog welfare.

From your dog's perspective living in a state of constant fear and stress is a psychological welfare problem, and of course there are risks to yourself and your DS. In a case like this where youve already tried hard with little impact, and whre rehoming is going to be an enormous challenge, human health risk and incredibly distressing for your dog, I'd consider euthanasia as the kindest and safest option

tabulahrasa · 15/03/2015 19:53

mutty - I see a vet not a behaviourist, I'd say she's pretty much given up on my dog...she hasn't exactly and she hasn't said that.

But, we've tried all the big things and yes we'll keep going and hope we find something that does make a difference...we are at clutching at straw point now.

So my interpretation of the situation isn't necessarily what's actually been said.

LikeABadSethRogenMovie · 15/03/2015 20:03

You have my sympathy, OP. It must be a very miserable life being stuck in a mind of such fear, poor dog! I agree with the comments that say there are worse things that can happen to a dog than being put to sleep. Being moved around and left to rot in a kennel being one of them.

muttynutty · 15/03/2015 20:13

Hakluyt a good behaviourist would not leave a client asking for advice on the internet whatever the situation, they would be discussing all options for the specific situation and be with the client until the client is happy with the decision (and also be there if they change their mind).

BetweenDogandWolf · 15/03/2015 20:29

[flowers ] It's a horrible situation and reminds me of a childhood dog we had who was incredibly nervous and aggressive as a result. I absolutely adored her. My parents ended up having her PTS after she bit the next door neighbour. My brother and I both have (luckily minor) scars on our faces from attacks before that. There is no way we could have rehomed her.

SansaUndercover · 15/03/2015 20:59

Given everything you've said, I wonder if your dog has some kind of physiological problem that is causing him pain. This may not be easy to fix or detect and it may not be solvable even if you can find it. I've seen a few situations with horses where unexplainable dangerous behaviour has later been found to have been caused by something like a brain tumor or some other physiological problem.

Rehoming him wouldn't be easy- this dog sounds like he'd be a real danger to staff and/or a fosterer, and many rescues understandably don't want to put their staff and volunteers in that sort of position.

I know the dogs' trust does have shelters which cater for dogs which can't live in a family home- but I think these would be only available to dogs who are happy to live with other dogs. It might be worth contacting them anyway, as they might be able to advise you of someone who could help.

If you can't rehome him, I don't think you should feel guilty about putting him to sleep. It does sound like he doesn't have much quality of life and as others have said, it's not the worst thing that can happen to a dog.

Boomf · 15/03/2015 23:34

Sorry , I know I sounded very unhelpful

But really ... You have a child at home and still continue to keep this aggressive, anxious, unpredictable and snapping dog. I can't get past that when you've had so many warnings that he's going to cause damage to someone one day. And it'd be you at fault because you're very aware of just how bad he is.

I don't think dogs should be put to sleep for no good reason, of course I don't. But how many reasons do you need? Do the right thing and call your vet tomorrow

Owllady · 16/03/2015 11:56

This thread is making me feel uncomfortable because I don't think it's up to people on the internet to tell you what to do either. Part of being a responsible owner means we take professional advice about our dogs and make responsible decisions for them and that's up to you to do.
I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but it's part of owning a dog.
I'm sorry you are in this situation as it sounds heartbreaking but the decision lives with you :(

Owllady · 16/03/2015 11:56

LIES

Branleuse · 16/03/2015 12:10

I think youd be kinder to PHTS, sorry. He is not a happy bear. Hes even frightened of his own reflection and youre waiting for the point that he lunges at the children.

If it was a human, he would be in prison by now, or sectioned.

SnakeyMcBadass · 16/03/2015 16:35

I think you know what you want to do, but you love your dog and it hurts. I get that. I have a dog reactive, stressy dog. I manage him ok now, but I was on my knees many times before getting here. My line in the sand was if he became people aggressive. I know I couldn't have managed that. If he ever does, I will put him out of his misery. Because a dog behaving with aggression to everything is miserable. But only you can decide what to do next. Talk to some rescues, your vet, another behaviourist. Get all the help and support you need to make a decision. I for one won't judge you whatever

MollyMaDurga · 16/03/2015 16:43

You said he was bred by a friend, have you talked to her? Would she take him back?

FuturePerfect · 16/03/2015 17:04

I had a similar scenario. My vet made it clear that if I decided to pts, they would not make it hard for me (the dog had bitten my child). BUT they will not make the decision for you.

butterfly2015 · 16/03/2015 17:20

I feel so sorry for you op. I second the post that suggested something might be going on that's not been picked up. Our dog (when I was a teen) was lovely and then suddenly went for me, bit my foot. A few weeks later he started sneezing uncontrollably, blood spraying everywhere. He had a massive tumour and had to be pts. It was devastating.

He might just be wired wrong. My neighbour had a puppy staffy, his sister had a puppy from the same litter. Hers was a lovely affectionate dog, his was a nutter who went for my oldest. I never trusted it.

It's a decision only you can make and its the hardest one to make.

Original poster

JustBeingJuliet · 16/03/2015 18:04

In theory his breeder would take him back, but she has other dogs, cats and young grandchildren (one of whom he's already gone for) so wouldn't be a great situation for an already stressed out dog.

I'm awaiting a call back from my vet to see what he can suggest. I've made the decision the dog isn't staying, just need to find out if anywhere will take him or if the only option is to PTS.

OP posts:

Original poster

JustBeingJuliet · 16/03/2015 18:07

Owllady I'm not asking anyone to make a decision for me; my op was asking if I'm kidding myself that he could be rehomed. I can't keep him, much as it breaks my heart, as its only a matter of time before he hurts someone. I'm just trying to avoid the PTS option if I can. Ideally, I'd love him to go and live on a farm with no other animals and a nice old lady to cuddle up to, but I know that's unlikely. It's a bloody hard decision and I'm losing sleep over it :(

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 16/03/2015 18:24

"Ideally, I'd love him to go and live on a farm with no other animals and a nice old lady to cuddle up to, but I know that's unlikely"

Unless you actually know of that farm and lady and she's willing to take him on, that isn't what is going to happen.

What is likely is that he'll either spend the rest of his life in a rescue, or be bounced from home to home until someone else has him PTS.

NoelHeadbands · 16/03/2015 18:25

PHTS would be a kindness I think

girliefriend · 16/03/2015 18:32

Pts I wouldn't even be considering rehoming in this situation as would not want an injured child or another dog on my conscience, he is not a happy or safe dog.

MollyMaDurga · 16/03/2015 18:55

If the breeder does not want him back I would put him to sleep, but not without telling her. It is hard, I know, but for him it is just over.. he doesn't know. Make his last days as good as they can be, take him to his favorite places, stuff him full of sausages and cheese, cream on top, all that, and then bye bye little fella..
You can't rehome him, it just wouldn't be fair or safe. And it's not as if there aren't loads of unproblematic dogs looking for a home.

Midori1999 · 16/03/2015 20:25

I think if you aren't prepared to keep him, the. The responsible thing is to have him put to sleep. However, not knowing what the behaviourist has recommended, it might be worth considering getting a second opinion first. I've seen some vets that haven't a clue about dog behaviour and neither have the 'behaviourists' they recommend.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread