Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

How to get an aggressive dog put to sleep?

146 replies

Jazz91 · 26/12/2022 19:02

Hello everyone,
I need some advice from anyone who knows anything about this.
My dog is almost 2 years old and I’ve had him since he was 8 weeks old. Recently we’ve had to move away just the dog and I, and he has become more and more aggressive ever since. A few weeks ago he even was kicked out of his doggy daycare for showing aggression towards the staff.

This has resulted in him having to be home alone for 10 hours a day while I’m at work, because I don’t trust him to be cared for by anyone else.

I took the dog with me to stay with my mum over Christmas, and on Christmas Eve he attacked my mum and then bit me badly for trying to remove him. Tonight he has gone for her again, pinned her down and badly bitten her.

His attacks are without warning, he doesn’t even growl before hand, he just lunges. I do have a dog behaviourist appointment in January, but I think this is beyond help. I am fearful for myself, my family and for strangers. I am devastated that this has happened, I adore my dog and have only ever given him so much love and tried to be the best owner I could be. His switch is sudden and other than this aggression he has been the sweetest and most loving dog, but I know he is dangerous and as much as it will break my heart, I think he needs to be put to sleep. Rehoming is obviously not an option.

Does anyone with knowledge or experience have any advice on where to go from here? Do I call vets first thing in the morning? Do I call an animal charity?

Please don’t judge me, I can hand on heart say that I have tried to do my best for my dog.

Thank you xxx

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 26/12/2022 19:04

Dogs are social animals I cannot imagine the level of stress and anxiety he is experiencing being left 10 hours a day or a regular basis.
Id speak to the behaviourist first, I am also aware of some rescues that will take on dogs with a bite history so it can be an option.

Jumbocoffee · 26/12/2022 19:06

Sounds like the stress of the move. Could you get someone in to sit with him or walk him part way through the day? Have you taken him to the vet in case he’s unwell? If you’re visiting anyone I’d consider muzzling your dog.

Nimbostratus100 · 26/12/2022 19:06

I am sorry you are in this position, just call your vet and take your dog around. Best wishes xx

Canalmole · 26/12/2022 19:06

He needs to be checked by a vet before you make any decisions.
Any sudden change in behaviour like that may have a physical cause such as pain

Blondlashes · 26/12/2022 19:07

Is he muzzle trained? If not that needs to happen.
Keep him away from people.
Has you mum got antibiotics for the bites?
If you drove be very careful because if he attacked you when driving that would be a disaster.

PritiPatelsMaker · 26/12/2022 19:07

Which type of dog is he? I know that Dachshund Rescue will take Dachshunds that have bitten.

CoffeeBoy · 26/12/2022 19:08

Well he needs a vet check first to rule out physical pain causing him to act like this. So yes to a vet phone call first thing.

Ivofexpressoplease · 26/12/2022 19:08

Sorry I have no help but just wanted to say that you aren’t a monster. What a tough decision to have to make.
I have 2 dogs and 2 young children so I’m always watching closely for the safety of both sides. If the dogs, god forbid, ever were aggressive to the children it would be the end of the dogs I’m afraid.

Hope someone on here can give you useful advice but I didn’t want to read and run! Good luck x

Gizlotsmum · 26/12/2022 19:08

Obvious question has he been checked over by a vet? Did the change in behaviour coincide with the changes in circumstance? Was it new doggy day care? Can you talk to a behaviourist before Jan? Was there any similarities with the incidents ( in his space?, guarding food, being petted? ). There will be people willing to help, can he be muzzled in the mean time?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 26/12/2022 19:08

Yes, ring the vet. They willbe able to prescribe medication to give him prior to the appointment (usually a gabapentin and trazodone combo) and then can inject further sedative prior to the final injection.

I'm sorry you're in the position but sounds like you're doing the right thing. What breed is the dog out of interest?

Littlepuddytat · 26/12/2022 19:09

He's badly bitten people on 2 occasions with no provocation. You're right, he needs to be pts. You can't risk him doing it again.

Call your vet at the earliest opportunity and tell them it's an emergency. Your poor mum and poor you.

CoffeeBoy · 26/12/2022 19:09

I’m assuming if he’s pinned your mum down it’s a large dog? Because while I’d give it longer and more time with a behaviourist with a small dog that approach is obviously more dangerous with a big dog.

thelobsterquadrille · 26/12/2022 19:10

What breed is he?
Has he been checked over at the vet for pain and/or neurological issues?

GreekDogRescue · 26/12/2022 19:11

If you leave him alone for 10 hours a day no wonder he is unbalanced

ShirleyPhallus · 26/12/2022 19:11

What a horrible dilemma. What kind of dog is he?

Curtainsorblinds · 26/12/2022 19:12

What breed is he? I think it makes a difference as to what your next move it.

first and foremost you call the vet to get him checked over. This level of change in behaviour needs urgent investigation, he could be in all sorts of pain or discomfort.

then yes see the behaviour expert. In the meantime keep him muzzled and on the lead. Don’t let children into your home or take him anywhere with children.

I wouldn’t just jump to having him put down.

DriftwoodOnTheShore · 26/12/2022 19:13

It really needs to be PTS, OP. How many more people will it bite?

Durango · 26/12/2022 19:16

Remember my mate had a dog like this when I was a teen

All sat in the living room at her house once, her parents, her and me watching a film

Dog lying in its bed. Randomly got up walked over to me and clamped on to my leg and started pulling and shaking it.

No loud noises, nobody scared him, just a little fucker

Original poster
Jazz91 · 26/12/2022 19:17

He is an American bulldog, so he is a large and powerful dog. I never had any issues in controlling him before his change in behaviour. He walks nicely on a lead etc and never pulls and is gentle in all other ways. But obviously he has already done some damage and has the potential to do more serious damage, and it’s not safe and isn’t really possible to remove him if he does attack

OP posts:
PicaNewName · 26/12/2022 19:17

Just call the vet and tell them about his behaviour. They've dealt with this before.

Mumof1andacat · 26/12/2022 19:18

He is a dangerous dog if he can pin people down and bite them. No one should left alone with him especially kids

AlwaysGinPlease · 26/12/2022 19:18

Poor dog. Alone for 10 hours a day?!! Why no Dog walker?

Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon · 26/12/2022 19:19

When I had ddog at the vet a couple arrived with a muzzled malinois.. The owner's dsis had been badly attacked the previous night. They handed him over at the door. They didn't even look at him- just laughing and joking on. They went off and I broke down.
That ddog had nobody with him at the end.
Have your ddog sedated first.
Sorry this is happening op. Please be with your ddog right til the end. Whatever he has turned into really isn't his fault..

Bemyclementine · 26/12/2022 19:19

If you call your vet and tell them about the aggression and biting, and that you feel the best thing would be pts, they will book you in..

IWantItThatWay002 · 26/12/2022 19:19

Hi OP. I worked in a vets & we had quite a lot of aggressive, dangerous dogs in the practice so vets will be used to this.

If you have decided to PTS, which is your decision btw, don't be swayed by people trying to change your mind. Dangerous dogs that have previously bitten may do so again & I know I'd never relax around such a bite risk.

Call your vet & explain the situation. They may ask you to bring your dog in ready & muzzled on tbe day. The vet will not want to/be able to muzzle a previously aggressive dog so it will be down to you.

I'm really sorry that you've found yourself in this situation.