Putting aggressive dog down.

[Blackfellpony]

Not going into loads of detail because it's really identifying but I'm asking whether anyone has any experience of making the decision for your dog if you can't cope with it any more?

Did you ever get over the guilt?

Dog is the sweetest most loving dog at home yet outside is so fearful and unpredictable. We have already had trainers, behaviourists and vets opinions yet it feels never ending, it's one incident after another and I don't think I can manage it any more

Call me callous but PTS is the right thing to do.

I was brought up with dogs and am very comfortable around any breed, but an incident in the park - not unlike the one you describe - has made my child petrified of all animals since then. You can say that people should know to stand still and it wasn't a danger anyhow because of the muzzle, but a toddler doesn't rationalise fear like that. As a result, my child's life has been affected and has a terrible phobia of all animals. If my DC been physically attacked - which would have happened had the dog not have turned to attack another dog instead - she'd be dead.

Muzzles, quiet walks, fear - it's no life. I know what I'd do.

Incidentally, the dog may be muzzled in public but what happens if a visitor unexpectedly calls, or a friend with a child pops in? You can't stage manage life forever.

You said when you got him he was terrified. It sounds to me like his socialisation period wasn't a good one and unfortunately this period sets down behaviours which remain for the rest of their lives, even if successfully buried for most of the time it always surfaces.

Ask the experts. All the people you've contacted about the dog's behaviour previously. Ask them what they think about having him PTS. If even the most animal friendly people think it should be done, then that will go some way towards alleviating your guilt if you decide to go through with it.

I think the fact that he's causing you so much stress and worry is a valid reason to have him pts. I know there is this conflict of just wanting life to be normal and thinking that as a responsible owner you should do everything you can for your dog.

Before we had our dog pts I couldn't be in the same room as Dh as the dog would constantly attack him. So for two years I spent every evening watching tv upstairs in the bedroom with the dog. I mean that's bloody bonkers isn't it? I don't think I realised how much the dog was affecting every minute of our lives until he wasn't with us anymore. Dh can now move, sneeze, talk without a bundle of fury flying across the room and sinking his teeth into his leg. I no longer have to walk out of rooms backwards which I did for years because if you ever turned your back on the dog he would slink up behind you and bite you. And yes conflictingly a lot of the time he would be lovely. He would snuggle on the bed having his tummy tickled.

I do miss him but I don't regret my decision.

Sometimes you do everything right and it just isn't enough. You have done everything anyone would expect, you have socialised, you have sought help, you have trained, you have muzzled, etc. There is nothing else a reasonable person could do.

Now you have to ask yourself are you happy living with this dog? It seems not, you live in fear of his actions and I think you are right; he is one mistake away from causing a serious incident.

You also have to ask is the dog happy? He sounds stressed and overwhelmed.

No one can make this decision for you but I think he should be PTS. You will feel awful, why wouldn't you? You love your dog, you've done your best for your dog and it's unfair that it was not enough, but it is not enough. He is not happy, you are not happy, he is dangerous.

For what it is worth I had a similar dog, but from a breeder. Nothing in her lines to indicate problems, well socialised, well trained but resource guarding and very difficult. I got help from two behaviourists and one vet specialising in problem dogs and everyone agreed that she was resource guarding me and the baby. She was extremely difficult to manage and she bit me twice by accident when I was between her and the other dog/cat she was attacking. I tried for two years before I had to accept that with some dogs you do everything right and it's still not enough.

I agree boohoo. Sometimes you can do everything but you cannot alter genetics. Some dogs just are unhinged - socialisation, training, behaviourists cannot help dogs like this.

You will not realise how bad the situation really is until you no longer have the dog. The relief when our dog was PTS was emmense the stress of all those years managing a dog that was inherently unsound definitely took it toll on us as a family. It was upsetting and the children were very upset for some time but we have a new dog now and the relief to just walk and live with a dog with no problems is a blessing.

My friends dog sounds just like yours. He was scared of all sorts of stuff, men in hats, balls, and other random things. He was great with other dogs and was really chilled at home but if he spotted something he was scared of it would either go one of 2 ways. Either he would crumple into a gibbering wreck or go after the subject of his fear and bark and bark to warn his mum that the thing in question was there.

The one think that really helped was when the vet put him on valium. He wore a muzzle and a ultra long lead so she did have some control but it was the valium that really helped

Blackfellpony you sound like a superb, caring owner who has tried their very best to resolve things. I've never before said pts is the kindest option with such a dog but in this case, I think it's the best thing for both you and the dog. Even if you don't make the decision now, there's the future to think of, when you've other children coming round who may disobey any instructions not to go into rooms where the dog is. If you have to make the decision, I for one would not blame you.
If you did have to pts, would the vet come out to you (usually for an extra fee).
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Have you decided yet?

Apologies for not updating. We have been awaiting assessment by two behavioural experts, one of which is a vet and the other a dog trainer (both registered and costing an arm and a leg each )

Both have concluded the same thing, he is a very nervous dog who is running up to things he does not like and barking out of fear...a bit like a get away from me type shout. From what I'm told he wasn't attaching the man as such, more trying to get rid of him. Not that it makes it any better for the man but it's an explanation I suppose. I have not seen the man, but I have also heard nothing from him.

I have also been told it's very typical of the breed when unsound or incorrectly socialised, mouthy and shouty but secretly huge wimps.

I took him to the behaviouralists dog socialisation club. I felt physically sick as it was full of adults, dogs, puppies and children but she encouraged me along to see his reaction. Turns out once he settled he was actually very submissive and none aggressive and played with the dogs and people
Granted, nobody touched him or interacted with him on strict instruction but he didn't go into a frenzied attack or anything which I was half expecting, watching him interact he was very nervous and did the bark thing to another dog...ran up and gave it verbal abuse and then ran away

We also had a visitor to the home and let him in (under supervision and muzzled!) and be barked but actually left the room, he didn't attack or try and bite.

Walks have been okay, still reactive but that's nothing new. I walked him with the trainer in a busy area with 5 other dogs and he didn't react at all but at home he is still flying through the air barking like a mad dog at everything.

Saying that, I won't be unleashing and muzzling him any time soon that's for sure. I still know he is 100% not trustworthy.

So, in all its confused things more than before. On one hand I am happier in the sense that it seems it is a huge front he is putting on and that he is actually a wimp and has never shown any signs of following throug after the bark but then again I understand it's going to be a long slog, he is only 2 and I could have another 10 years of this

The house thing I'm not all that concerned about yet as we can safely separate him. If he is to stay it means finding a new house when we move that is easily dog proofed (big enough for a secure run when people come round) which DH is keen to do. He did settle with visitors the other day and does so he could settle in the run with some training I hope but again it's speculation at this point!

So really no, I haven't made any decision as yet but we are making some progress and if it gets to the point where it's hopeless then I know what needs to be done and I am willing to do that

Och you sound so lovely and really love and trying your very best for your dog, It sounds a bit more psitive but keep in mind your quality of life too it isn't just about him I think you are always going to be in a weird limbo with him. I can relate to the get away from me bark ours does it too you just wish they would ignore people , good luck and keep posting if you need to

Wow! You really are doing well. I hold my hat to you. We had a dog who would race up to people, dogs and things he found frightening and bark, which was just about anything that moved, including plants in flowerpots. I found distraction very helpful, and keeping his eye on the toy instead of things he found scary. We have another dog now who we've had since a puppy who is very reactive and nippy. She's a collie. I've been told that she is potentially dangerous and that she has bad breeding. I have to be very careful with her and not let her get away with things. (Vigilance rather than punishment please!!) It is hard work keeping the dogs that are not 'nice'. I feel though that they are better here than being passed around gumtree.

@Blackfellpony any update please? Just read the whole thread as I'm in similar circumstances

My rescue dog has been getting progressively more aggressive and nobody can knock on the door without him lunging and growling/ barking. Plumber was scared to come in the house etc. Went for step sons (aged 32) ankle 2 weeks ago and husband wants rid. I love the dog to bits - he is wonderful with me, but a couple of hours ago he went for my husband and bit his knee. I know it is time to let go and my husband wants to take him back to the shelter tomorrow, but i would prefer for me to take him to be put to sleep because i don’t think he could be safely re homed and can’t bare the thought of him stuck in a shelter for years, after sleeping in a warm house on the sofa and getting constant love and attention from me! I sound selfish and pathetic, but would rather be with him at the end, knowing i gave him a great 6 months, than thinking he gets euthanized anyway, with strangers. So upset - to be honest i would keep him, but he is a danger to others and so i have tobe sensible - no grand kids yet, but i know if there ever are any, they would not visit because of the dog. Heartbroken😢

My rescue dog has been getting progressively more aggressive and nobody can knock on the door without him lunging and growling/ barking. Plumber was scared to come in the house etc. Went for step sons (aged 32) ankle 2 weeks ago and husband wants rid. I love the dog to bits - he is wonderful with me, but a couple of hours ago he went for my husband and bit his knee. I know it is time to let go and my husband wants to take him back to the shelter tomorrow, but i would prefer for me to take him to be put to sleep because i don’t think he could be safely re homed and can’t bare the thought of him stuck in a shelter for years, after sleeping in a warm house on the sofa and getting constant love and attention from me! I sound selfish and pathetic, but would rather be with him at the end, knowing i gave him a great 6 months, than thinking he gets euthanized anyway, with strangers. So upset - to be honest i would keep him, but he is a danger to others and so i have tobe sensible - no grand kids yet, but i know if there ever are any, they would not visit because of the dog. Heartbroken😢

I would PTS personally. Sooner rather then later rather then dragging this out.

He's young and he's escalating not improving. Yes its all fear based but that doesnt matter tbh. Hes still a potential danger to the public. He would have absolutely terrified that man. I wouldnt be surprised if hes already reported then incident to the police...esp given you ran away??

If you keep him he wont ever be able to go off leash again surely? Given that hes an intimidating massive aggressive acting dog and has already harried one person. Your well into the dangerous dogs territory now legally.

So his life will be muzzled lead walks,with you living in fear in case you mess up and he gets loose..or gets the muzzle off or some idiot decides they are the dog whisperer tried to pet him and he reacts ....because then who knows what will happen given hes already decided to up his level of reactivity recently.

Testing this on the public and hoping for the best isnt ok. Its your choice to keep a dangerous dog you have to protect the public from him regardless of how crap it makes his and your lives.

However this is no life for a dog and also no life for you. Imagine feeling this level of fear that your lashing out at everyone strange...that the whole world is this scary. Its not exactly a good life.

What are you going to do when your kid gets older? You wont ever be able to have other children over to the house...because if you did and something happens.. someone tries to pat the dog,he gets out of wherever you locked him, someone enters the wrong room unexpectedly...which is likely with kids... He's got the potential to do so much lifelong physical or simply mental damage to a child...and because you have a documented reactive dog and thats a vwry predictable scenario....you will be held completely responsible for the fallout in that scenario.

There are worse things that could happen to this dog then being pts in his owners arms.

Try Jeff Gellman before PTS.
Based in America, does Skype training for UK clients.
Be warned he is very controversial but if the alternative is putting the dog down you don’t have any thing to lose really and he does appear to work miracles.
Has German Shepherds himself aswell

This is quite an old thread.

@marcimoo it'd be worth c&p your post and starting a new thread for help.

Yes, i have started a new post thanks