Putting potentially dangerous dog down

[SadPost]

This is a horrible post to write and we're not there yet but I think it may come to this. Does anyone have any experience of what happens when a dog is put to sleep for behavioural issues? Although he hasn't done serious damage yet, his behaviour has gone steadily downhill over the last month. He's always been v nervous/reactive and we've done what training we can to deal with that but recently he's been nippy and growly. We've ruled out most medical things as far as we can and are trying to ensure that he not put into stressful environments but he's now nipping at my DH just for being in the same room and he snapped at a dog he's been friendly with for ages. He's just about to turn 5 - we've had him since a pup.

I am going to continue with the behavioural training but the general consensus seems to be that he's just LIKE this. I can't see a rescue or his breeder taking him back. I would happily keep him and just not see anyone else if it weren't for the fact that he's going for my husband (only in the mornings when we get up and are going in and out of the kitchen - no other time).

If anyone is able to suggest any wonderful cures please do. Otherwise, if someone could talk me through the process I would be grateful if you could tell me what to expect.

I’ve known some rescues yes. They are just euthanised. But I’d suggest speaking to a breed specific rescue first. Often they will take dogs with issues and work with them either rehoming or long term foster. Dogs show fear aggression for a reason. Behavioural or medical. Both can be worked on (it doesn’t sound like he’s beyond help yet) but it’s a big commitment and not for the faint hearted (I’ve done it - no kids).

My dog was in pain and that is why he started to be aggressive. Have you really thoroughly ruled out pain?

What breed is he.? Is he get breed satisfaction.? Working line breeds , collies and many other breeds don't make suitable family dogs and are miserable without a proper job.

Could that be the case here.?

I may take a look at the breed rescue - thanks. I know that they have rehomed such dogs before. My fear is that he is rehomed and then still needs to be put down and it happens without me being there. He is very attached to me and the very least I can do is be with him.

I can't say 100% there's no pain yet - we'll be going to the vet soon (something else that he's terrified of) but there are no indicators: he doesn't flinch if I touch him or anything like that, he's eating ok.

Breed satisfaction... They're a funny breed, watchdogs really, but he finds his vocation particularly stressful (spends all day looking out the window and is utterly terrified if he actually sees something).

As I say, I'm not there yet but the last couple of days have been fairly awful so I am considering all options.

My dog used to have to be sedated for an examination at the vets. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet to do that. Dogs hide pain extremely well and aggression can become a learned behaviour too if it’s been practised over time. He really needs x rays, bloods etc to really rule it out. Not just a quick once over when he’s tense and wouldn’t show pain.

You could always ask the breed rescue to keep in touch if they feel it would be kinder to let him go. They aren’t going to object to that I wouldn’t have thought. Have a conversation with them.

Some interesting points to consider here about pain and potential medical cause.

I used a behaviourist with my dog who I would recommend 100% - search Gabriel Dog Psychology on Facebook. He's worked extensively with reactive and aggressive dogs and helped me hugely with my American Bulldog. A very different and more professional approach than other behaviourists I've used in the past.

I put my dog on Valarian and Skullcap on my behaviourist's advice and it really helped her. She used to go for DP some evenings but this was put down to her being tired and overstimulated at the end of the day.

Could you block him from looking out of the window. His stress levels will be through the roof if he's doing this a lot and you know he's terrified if he sees something.
Have a read about trigger stacking. Sounds like he's at the top so it won't take much to tip him over and aggression may then feel like his only option.

Your dog would be euthenased, or put to sleep, in exactly the same way vets used on very my sick or old dogs who have reached the end of the road. I always stay with the dog to reassure them; and all but one we paid the vet for a housecall. (The exception was during covid).

The vet gives a calming sedative (if required; some calm dogs don't); then shaves an area of the foreleg, puts a needle in, injects the drug. They just fall asleep in seconds, no pain or distress. The vet checks the heart has stopped. The whole procedure, start to end, takes a few minutes.

I walk dogs for a rescue charity which has successfully rehomed difficult/challenging/needy dogs, even some whose behaviours had been rejected by several previous owners. Sometimes it's just a matter of some training, then finding the right match of person/home/location for that particular dog. Ask your local rescues if they would consider taking him on for rehoming; might help if you offer to pay his expenses . Many rescues are struggling at the moment with the rising number of unwanted dogs and rising costs .

Yes, his triggers are definitely stacked! The trouble is that there are so many that it's almost impossible to prevent it. The window thing is a bit of a double-edged sword. He likes being there and looking out and, for a long time, he'd only get stressed at very particular things. It's his comfy spot (above the radiator and in the sun). BUT recently he's been getting stressed by anyone going past. I may try it for a bit. I'm more concerned about his reaction to DH though.

Thank you for this - it's absolutely not what I want but I need to be prepared for all possibilities.

Thank you, I might try that. Can I get it online or do I need the vet?

Is your dog getting enough exercise? Could you say the breed. That can be helpful in getting specific advice?

I've just looked him up. His website is full of red flags, as he

• talks about alpha dogs and dominance - a widely discredited theory that's about 30 years out of date. Even the man who did the original research, Mech, has withdrawn it.
• he talks about corrections, aka punishments, for aggressive dogs.
• he has absolutely no relevant qualifications listed on his website. Indeed, he actively speaks against those who do have qualifications as being "dogmatic"! His "my story" section is predominantly a poorly written story about him and a neighbour's dog he used to play with when he was a child.
• He doesn't require a vet referral to rule out medical causes of problematic behaviour before he starts working with them

I wouldn't let him anywhere near my dog.

OP, before taking the most drastic action, I would urge you to work with your vet to identify any possible medical things that are going on. Dogs can be very good at hiding pain e.g. having awful toothache but still eating.

I would echo @SchoolNightWine on the topic of stopping him looking out the window (curtains, frosted window film, etc) as it's causing a lot of stress and will be making matters worse overall.

Ask your vet for a referral to an APBC or CCAB qualified behaviourist
www.apbc.org.uk/find-an-apbc-member/
www.asab.org/ccab-register
You can discuss euthanasia with them, and they will be honest, but will also hopefully be able to provide alternative ways forward. This was an interesting post a few days ago from one APBC behaviourist near me www.instagram.com/p/ClvNowRsUvk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

What breed is he?

@FreyaHazel that was my thought too.

Yes, I'm going to try with the window - might put the Christmas tree in front of it! For the moment he's snuggled on the sofa. I'm going to make an appointment with the vet and see what they say. Thank you.

Also, thank you everyone for not just jumping down my throat. We have been dealing with various issues with him for years (he was always nervous, then he was attacked and that made him worse) - made some progress but then lockdown happened and it set him right back. We had made our peace with the fact that there are some things we simply can't do (leave him with other people overnight for example) but this recent escalation is unnerving.

I do love him; he snuggles on my lap as I teach and we spend the evenings throwing a ball from the sofa which he loves (I will admit that we are the LAZIEST owners in some respects). But husband and son tolerate him rather than love him as he's just such hard work.

For the window I would potentially put some of the frosted film over it to prevent him being able to see out.
I did this with my rescue and it's made a huge difference!

I'd also look at doing a more thorough examination with the vets. You say it's first thing in the morning he's worst? Possibly stiff and sore from sleeping. Has he got a decent supportive bed? Can you simply keep him away from your husband in the mornings and see if the habit breaks. If possibly also discuss a pain trial with the vets to see if that helps.

What breed is he?

By you saying your husband and son tolerate him, that sounds like they don’t pay him much attention. This might be the issue.

It also might be worth upping his exercise

@justgettingthroughtheday Could be... It does tend to be after he's been laid down for a while... That's a good shout actually, I shall ponder.

Christmas tree is being moved in the short term. We'll see what happens...

What is a "pain trial"?

Agreed. Although husband does try.

He's a Tibetan Terrier.

We do one longish walk a day and some play in the evening.

I might move to two shorter walks and see what happens.

Can you say what what breed he is? Some issues can be very breed specific, and owners of those breeds on here may be able to give you more specific advice.
Does he not get much of a walk? Short, sniffy walks can be great for tiring dogs mentally which can often stop all sorts of problems.

You haven't said what his breed or size is, which you know makes a huge difference. A snappy Yorkshire Terrier is a different kettle of fish to a snappy XL American Bulldog.
You said you are lazy owners, which is fine for some dogs,but is he getting the mental stimulation he needs? Again breed is important, some dogs need different types of exercise to others and excel at different things.
You need a breed specific dog trainer and need to join a breed specific Facebook group.
If after all of this you still consider him dangerous, especially if you have children and he is a larger dog, then you need euthanise.

To be clear, we have had him for 5yrs and we have used trainers/behaviourists. All of whom said that there is an element of "just his personality" to the problems we have. The thing is that he is becoming increasingly unpredictable. We have not changed; he has. That may be medical and I will investigate properly but there's a good chance that he is simply "one of those dogs". While we've been able to manage him so far, my concern is that as he gets older he will get worse.

We managed a not greatly tempered large breed for 10 years. Then she got cancer. Upped our efforts to cheer her up! A year later her behaviour dropped significantly.. Vet suggested a brain tumour.. No mri as seemed pointless. But extra supervision as she actually attacked one of our ddogs. Then another. Then a stand off with me. 3 strikes and our vet agreed she had become a danger.. Broke me. The guilt. Imo explore every avenue op.
We had ours pts nearly 3 years ago. Guilt.

The guilt.

😪
Wishing you luck op.

Hope my last post didn't come across as judgemental, as it wasn't meant that way.
It does sound like something has changed for him, so hopefully the vet check will find something that they can help with.