Dog after pts previous for behaviour

[Mankymonkey]

Some weeks ago we had to pts our beautiful young dog for constant biting of family members including myself. I absolutely adored him nonetheless, believe it or not. I'm still grieving him. Although I knew it was the right thing to do. I still have a dog shaped hole in my life and would one day hope to have another dog.

Has anyone else experience of this? How did it go?

[Booboostwo]

Of course you can get dogs which are 'wired wrong', it's a short hand for saying the dog has genetic factors influencing its temperament in such a way that it is unsuitable for family life.

OP you have been terribly unlucky. Many dogs have gentle and forgiving characters, most can be trained out of problems and temperamental weaknesses, but sometimes you come across some dogs that are genuinely not suited to being pets and no other options are open for them.

If you feel ready for another dog you should look into getting one. Once you decide on a breed talk to breeders about your previous experience, all sorts of feelings may crop up as you are faced with a new puppy and you will benefit from having someone understanding help you make your choice.

[Wolfiefan]

Would you consider a slightly older rescue? Black Retriever x for example have dogs in foster and offer advice.
What breed was your dog?

[DiamondInTheRuff]

OP are you on Facebook? There's a lady called Sarah Fisher, she's a very well respected behaviorist. She recently taken in a puppy that is 100% wired wrong. Poor thing is in a right state for no apparent reason. If you follow her you can read her amazing posts about this puppy. Just to show you sometimes it's just bad luck.

Don't rule out rescue, yes some have problems but there are some cracking dogs. My current two are both rescues (pupdog is from Black Retriever X actually!). it's hard sometimes but honestly it's so much easier than my last dog was as a puppy.

[Mankymonkey]

Thanks everyone. Yes I do know Sarah Fisher and have seen her website and looked at her books but not looked at Facebook.

My dog was a cockapoo. A friend has one who is great. I liked the amount of exercise and stimulation they need. I liked the size so that I knew I could carry him if he was injured on a walk for example.

I would certainly consider a rescue. I'm sure I need the same level of research to find a good rescue as a good puppy breeder. How does one go about finding a good rescue?

[Millyonthefloss2]

From what you've said I'd consider getting an adult dog rather than a puppy. A dog that has a known temperament and is well past any puppy biting.
I agree with Sonic's advice.
I also think that you probably did nothing wrong. I know an experienced dog owner who had to have her third dog, a cocker spaniel, pts because of aggression. Sadly, some dogs do seem to be "wired wrong". It must have been heartbreaking for you and it would be really difficult for you to go through the bitey stage with another puppy. There will be a good rescue near you with some trusty adult dogs looking for a home.

[hillyhilly]

I had a very similar situation but rehomed our terrier at 6 months so didn't last as long as you did but we were all at risk of being bitten and were on eggshells around him. My DC are younger too and have visitors so it was extremely stressful.
I'm never getting a terrier again!
I'm looking at homing an older pup or young adult lurcher, one that has been fostered with cats and children.
I do think that we and you were extraordinarily unlucky. I watched a rescue programme the other night and all the dogs were so placid despite horrific mistreatment or pain.
My vet did warn me at his first consult that he was tricky - he went for her when she tried to feel his testicles!

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I had similar.

Got a dog at six months of age from a breeder who I think was terribly unsocialised. He attacked Dh within a minute of being home. I'm an experienced dog owner and I know the difference between rough, boisterous play and total aggression.

We went straight to a behaviorist, Daniel Mills, so one of the best and not cheap! Pheromone therapy and positive behaviour reinforcement. We struggled on for two years and I've just about lost count of the people bitten by that dog. For two years I always walked out a room backwards because if you turned your back and walked away he would sink his teeth in your leg although he did actually stop biting me. He never stopped biting Dh and would literally "hunt" Dh round the house to Attack him. If Dh was upstairs and sneezed the dog would race upstairs snarling and growling and fly at him. He was drawing blood.

We actually got a puppy before we had the dog pts as my most desperate ploy.....some slim hope that a well behaved puppy might distract the dog and stop him attacking Dh. Didn't work although the crazy dog and puppy got on. We had dog pts.

Puppy is now 2yo and is a delight. Softest, most gentle dog. She adores dh. Very well behaved.

[bobbybearmummy]

It does sound very much like Cocker Rage.I hope the breeder never breeds the parents again.As a dog groomer I have come across similar behavioural issues and frankly there is nothing you can do to train this out of them....they are wired wrong.
Avoid a cross breed and get yourself a miniature poodle instead !

[TheoriginalLEM]

I think before you get another dog you should try to spend time with some dogs/a dog to get over any nervousness that you may have developed due to this experience.

Avoid backyard breeders (cockerpoos lovely as they are, are often bred by backyard breeders cashing in on the popularity).

Am interested to know what colour he was /what colour the cocker parent was (google cocker rage).

ii have never met anasty cockerpoo but they are certainly high energy "breed".

It sounds like your dog had some uncovered issue but generally dogs are lovely creatures and forgiving of the most crappy owners. It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong per se. Were you nervous/hesitant about discipline? Dogs need kind, positive but confident and consistent training. Any nervousness on the owners behalf is often transferred to the dog.

Im sorry you didn't have a good experience but don't let it put you off.

[TheoriginalLEM]

crossed posted with bobby re the cocker rage.

[Mankymonkey]

Hi, thanks for all the comments and suggestions. It still very raw with me. I also want to carefully tread the line in talking about him because he gave me lots and lots of pleasure at times, and showed me lots of love and loyalty, believe or not. But I don't want to give the impression we had a dog we couldn't be bothered to deal with because it was difficult. We really hated giving up on him.

Theoriginal I've already socialised with and even babysat other dogs. It sure shows up how different my dog was.

It didn't fit with what I've read of cocker rage in that it was mostly predictable. I think he was just extremely anxious for some reason, and biting was his way of dealing with it.

[Mankymonkey]

Btw, the cocker parent was a roan.

[TheoriginalLEM]

He sounded desperately unhappy to be honest. (not your fault) i think you made theright decision for him and i respect thefact that you made a really tough decision as i think it eould have been unfair to rehome the dog.

I hope that you find a new dog soon and it works out well for you.

[Booboostwo]

Have you considered a poodle? Lovely dogs, they come in various sizes and personally I like them with a natural coat.

If you are not averse to grooming a German Spitz might be fun. Very bright, up for everything but without the energy of working breeds. They can be yappy though.

[Mankymonkey]

Yes I like natural looking miniature poodles but am wary of tendency to separation anxiety as that was a major problem for me dog.

I think my dog was very unhappy a lot of the time. And it was so awful to not be able to calm and relax him.

[WellErrr]

I'm a bit at some of these replies.

OP did not ask 'was I right to have my dog pts?' People don't pts for behaviour without MUCH effort and soul searching, and sometimes, it really is the best thing for all concerned.

It was a brave decision OP.

[Mankymonkey]

Thank you WellErrr. It seems to go totally against the grain to do this to something you love so much. But I keep telling myself it was an act of love to pts in the end. But ...... I'm still choked up just writing this.

[superdoodle]

I have every sympathy with you OP. I had an almost identical situation as you, with another crossbreed. His behaviour was intractable, incurable (in the words of my behaviourist) and by the age of 2 years he had bitten my daughter and come very close to biting others. I could not go in the kitchen at times due to the aggressive growling and lunging at the door. After much trauma he was pts. It broke my heart.
Fast forward 14 months, and I took a leap of faith with a pure bred golden retriever. He is absolutely poles apart from my previous dog and a joy to live with at 2 years old.
It has been a positive experience for my whole family this time, and I hope you find the strength to have another dog in the future.

[Mankymonkey]

superdoodle thanks for your encouraging words.

[mrslaughan]

I am a little stunned that people say that the parents have no effect on behaviour. The breed I am associated with, which I now know quite well has huge variation in temperaments. The American line is more hyperactive and vocal. The European is more laid back, and not very vocal. Furthermore we say again and again meet the parents , are they the sort of dog you want in your life...... On top of that one of the golden rules of breeding is that you never breed from a nervous dog, you want well adjusted animals as breeding stock.
Op - I would steer away from a puppy, but research your breed, meet lots of different examples of the breed , and most importantly meet the parents. Having had the experience that you have had - you will notice things many won't, and as awful as your experience has been , it does stand you in good steed.

[mrslaughan]

Sorry - blooming autocorrect - I wouldn't steer away from a puppy.....

[Mankymonkey]

Thank you.

[hillyhilly]

Super doodle. - is the hair and smell an issue or not? We have my friends Labrador here today, she's gorgeous but quite big and a bit whiffy after a walk in the rain!!

[samsam123]

:(

[Mankymonkey]

Does anyone have any personal experience of these breeds? Miniature poodle, miniature schnauzer, bichon frise, wire haired fox terrier, Welsh terrier?

I've looked at websites with general breed characteristics but just wondered about what people thought.