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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:
EverybodyAgrees · 26/12/2022 20:00

The dog might tear the OP's throat out while she goes looking for behaviourists and trying medication - it's a huge, powerful, dangerous animal and how on earth she could live with it having tried to pull of off her mother and both of them getting badly bitten is beyond me - it's an insane suggestion. The dog can be sedated and drift off in a safe, loving environment. Or the OP can hope every day that it doesn't rip her to shreds while she tries to fix it. Why would anyone advise prolonging the life of a dog like this? For what possible reason?

FurAndFeathers · 26/12/2022 20:00

CoffeeBoy · 26/12/2022 19:56

It’s also the fact there is no growl, snapping, etc, and it’s a sustained bite. That scores very highly on the bite scale

suggest you read this. OP. apdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ian-dunbar-dog-bite-scale.pdf

Yes. Exactly this.

The type of bite, the repeated behaviour and the breed of dog all mean that if this dog decides to bite a child or a person outside of the home, or a visitor to the home, the OP could be looking at manslaughter charge.

This is serious.

Notanotherusername4321 · 26/12/2022 20:01

I know two people who have had similar issues.

both times necropsy showed the dog had a brain tumour.

honestly I would assume there is some medical issue and pts without regrets.

CarmenOHara · 26/12/2022 20:01

Of course you must PTS, Op, as you’ve recognised yourself. Call the vet tomorrow. They won’t try to talk you out of it. They will likely have safety procedures to follow eg muzzling.

I hope your mum recovers well.

Fairtatas · 26/12/2022 20:02

That dog would have had at least one nurse and vet with him that would have treated it kindly.
No one should be forced to stay with a dog being pts if not their choice.
it is the same to the dog as having an intravenous catheter placed for iv fluids or a needle for a blood test that happens to many dogs without owners being there, but empathetic professional staff

GuyFawkesDay · 26/12/2022 20:04

A vet check is 100% needed but it may be that the behaviour may be too late to be changed.

I'd fully understand a decision to PTS as you'd never, ever be able to trust that dog again.

Hope your mum recovers quickly.

EverybodyAgrees · 26/12/2022 20:04

FurAndFeathers · 26/12/2022 20:00

Yes. Exactly this.

The type of bite, the repeated behaviour and the breed of dog all mean that if this dog decides to bite a child or a person outside of the home, or a visitor to the home, the OP could be looking at manslaughter charge.

This is serious.

Show quote history

Not to mention the trauma she and her mother have already experienced - seeing the attack and then having the dog attack her, both of them badly hurt - again, I can't understand anyone suggesting the OP continues to share her home with this dog. What has happened is truly terrible, physically and mentally scarring. How could she carry on with it after this, knowing what it could do? She must be terrified.

Leonberger · 26/12/2022 20:06

@thelobsterquadrille but regardless of a medical problem or not. How could you ever trust a 50+kg dog that’s behaved like that. What happens next time it’s having a bad day? Ear infection? Hurt itself? Feels stressed? It’s like a ticking time bomb and not one I would want in my house and I certainly don’t blame the OP for not wanting the responsibility of passing it on. I hate seeing people calling for these dogs to be saved but I bet they aren’t offering to take it in or deal with it during the rehabilitation process (which still won’t take the risk factor away) nor are they experienced to deal with it either so have no clue what they are on about. This isn’t something that will ever be cured, managed possibly but what life is that.

Realistically it would need to live a life muzzled at all times to keep the public safe because it’s shown this tendancy before and the owner couldn’t stop it, the law would not side with OP if it did get out and attack someone considering the previous history. Some dogs are just not meant for society, this is one of them. There are millions of lovely dogs sitting there waiting for homes without risking numerous professionals being mauled on a lost cause.

ShouldIknowthisalready · 26/12/2022 20:07

So loads of threads with opinions and not many answering the OP questions.

OP contact you vet in the morning. Let the professionals advise you on the correct course of action to take in your individual situation.

Losing Lulu Facebook page may help you - it is dedicated to owners who have to have dogs put to sleep for behavioural issues. Non judgemental but loads of support and advice from people who have been in your position.

Facebook Losing Lulu

hattie43 · 26/12/2022 20:08

His life sounds chaotic and locked up for 10 hrs a day is not acceptable. Get some professional advice , not some charlatan off of Facebook but a genuine behaviourist assigned to a dog rescue charity or similar .
To give your dog a fair chance he needs to be assessed in an environment where his needs are being met and not stir crazy with possibly no boundaries having been set . FWIW I knew someone who had this issue with their young dog , he was in a family with young children and they couldn't take the risk so he was rehomed to a farm and all that space to play and relax changed him to a model citizen

Namechangedforthisonetoday · 26/12/2022 20:10

Get this dangerous dog pts. Tomorrow. I say this as the owner of spaniels, black labs and malinois. You cannot mess about giving a dog like this multiple chances. He could kill you or someone else. Whatever the issue is, it’s too late. Ignore anyone that suggest rescues, behaviourists etc. it’s there, it’s in him. Pts.

Burnamer · 26/12/2022 20:11

Hi OP

not sure if you’ll have got this far in the thread seeing as it’s not what you asked for at all. I have a large breed with fear aggression and I have thought about having to make the same decision but we’re not there (yet). We’ve been working with a behaviourist who is good but they’re not miracle workers. We also work closely with our vet who has been marvellous.

in your situation I would call the vet first thing and go from there. Ask for a phone call with the vet themselves before making an appointment. Good luck.

thelobsterquadrille · 26/12/2022 20:16

@Leonberger I don't disagree that the dog is now untrustworthy but for my own peace of mind I would want to investigate any and all health issues before going down the road of no return 🤷🏻‍♀️

EverybodyAgrees · 26/12/2022 20:16

hattie43 · 26/12/2022 20:08

His life sounds chaotic and locked up for 10 hrs a day is not acceptable. Get some professional advice , not some charlatan off of Facebook but a genuine behaviourist assigned to a dog rescue charity or similar .
To give your dog a fair chance he needs to be assessed in an environment where his needs are being met and not stir crazy with possibly no boundaries having been set . FWIW I knew someone who had this issue with their young dog , he was in a family with young children and they couldn't take the risk so he was rehomed to a farm and all that space to play and relax changed him to a model citizen

An American bulldog too aggressive for daycare, who has viciously mauled the owner and her mother without warning or provocation can't just move to a farm. It can't go out without a muzzle now, it's a dangerous and powerful dog that has attacked extremely seriously more than once. And its aggression began before it was left alone - it's alone because it's too dangerous already.

Always4Brenner · 26/12/2022 20:18

hattie43 · 26/12/2022 20:08

His life sounds chaotic and locked up for 10 hrs a day is not acceptable. Get some professional advice , not some charlatan off of Facebook but a genuine behaviourist assigned to a dog rescue charity or similar .
To give your dog a fair chance he needs to be assessed in an environment where his needs are being met and not stir crazy with possibly no boundaries having been set . FWIW I knew someone who had this issue with their young dog , he was in a family with young children and they couldn't take the risk so he was rehomed to a farm and all that space to play and relax changed him to a model citizen

The sheep they could be at risk.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 26/12/2022 20:18

Hi Op, have had a dog PTS under similar circs.

You can call or make online appointments usually with the reason stated, and discuss your concerns in person with a vet.

It's true some dogs can be rehabilitated out of bad behaviours but unless you know for certain what the root cause is, and have time to nip the behaviour in the bud before it becomes a habit, and also have the time and resources to invest in a dog with extreme behavioural issues then PTS is a kindness. There are fates worse than PTS for bully dogs. Let's be honest, 99% of people who get dogs do not have an infinite pouch of resource to provide to a dog with such specific needs and therefore there's no shame in saying you've tried but upon a risk assessment this is the safest outcome.

It's worth getting a medical assessment for pain, posture and neurological issues, if you feel you have the resources to treat any.

If you have ruled out the above then please contact your vet to discuss further.

Pinkmagic1 · 26/12/2022 20:18

I work in a vets and we don't judge people for having a dog put to sleep in these circumstances. In fact I applaud them for making this difficult, but most sensible decision.

It may be that there is underlying health issues that are causing the aggression, but this is a big powerful dog and you do not have the luxury of time and messing around with behaviourists. Next time it could kill.

Animals have no concept of time and there are far worse fates than being calmly and painlessly put to sleep.

Please call the vets tomorrow.

DonutCrossMeIEatYou · 26/12/2022 20:19

Surrender him to a rescue. They will assess and PTS if needed. I am not averse to euthanising aggressive dogs, but given he has not been sufficiently stimulated and has had a lot of changes and stress he minimally deserves a chance of professional assessment.

ShirleyPhallus · 26/12/2022 20:20

hattie43 · 26/12/2022 20:08

His life sounds chaotic and locked up for 10 hrs a day is not acceptable. Get some professional advice , not some charlatan off of Facebook but a genuine behaviourist assigned to a dog rescue charity or similar .
To give your dog a fair chance he needs to be assessed in an environment where his needs are being met and not stir crazy with possibly no boundaries having been set . FWIW I knew someone who had this issue with their young dog , he was in a family with young children and they couldn't take the risk so he was rehomed to a farm and all that space to play and relax changed him to a model citizen

I’d love to know where all these farms spring from which take on aggressive / nervous / elderly dogs

FurAndFeathers · 26/12/2022 20:22

hattie43 · 26/12/2022 20:08

His life sounds chaotic and locked up for 10 hrs a day is not acceptable. Get some professional advice , not some charlatan off of Facebook but a genuine behaviourist assigned to a dog rescue charity or similar .
To give your dog a fair chance he needs to be assessed in an environment where his needs are being met and not stir crazy with possibly no boundaries having been set . FWIW I knew someone who had this issue with their young dog , he was in a family with young children and they couldn't take the risk so he was rehomed to a farm and all that space to play and relax changed him to a model citizen

And what possible use would a farmer have for a dangerously aggressive American bulldog?

he’s hardly going to be winning sheepdog trials is he?

Spottypaperbag · 26/12/2022 20:26

The people saying they would never put their dog to sleep if it showed signs of aggression are probably sat there with a lhasa apso on their laps. Im sorry but the responsibility is with the OP to ensure her dog is not a future news story and a disaster waiting to happen.

This dog has bitten its owner, the warning has been given. Listen to it before its too late.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 26/12/2022 20:26

I love dogs and I love bull breeds, but I'd have the dog PTS. I'd call my vet tomorrow and just explain the situation. They will not judge you.

I'm sure there are times my dogs have been stressed or poorly, but they've never pinned me down and attacked me.

To me the dog is now a ticking bomb.

CoffeeBoy · 26/12/2022 20:30

DonutCrossMeIEatYou · 26/12/2022 20:19

Surrender him to a rescue. They will assess and PTS if needed. I am not averse to euthanising aggressive dogs, but given he has not been sufficiently stimulated and has had a lot of changes and stress he minimally deserves a chance of professional assessment.

Chances are a rescue won’t accept him. They have enough on their plate with non aggressive dogs without having to sort out and pay for something which is the OP’s responsibility. Plus the added stress and upset to the dog. If I was having my dog pts I’d rather be there with him rather than make him go through that with strangers and be even more stressed.

DonutCrossMeIEatYou · 26/12/2022 20:37

CoffeeBoy · 26/12/2022 20:30

Chances are a rescue won’t accept him. They have enough on their plate with non aggressive dogs without having to sort out and pay for something which is the OP’s responsibility. Plus the added stress and upset to the dog. If I was having my dog pts I’d rather be there with him rather than make him go through that with strangers and be even more stressed.

Show quote history

True. I feel bad for the dog but would probably end the same but without the owner he loves.

Good luck OP. I’m sure a vet will do this for you. Give him a good last day.

Perfect28 · 26/12/2022 20:42

Your poor mum. Is she ok?