Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

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

Flip

Original poster

Aggressive dog

22 replies

Ineedabreakfromthis · 07/04/2024 17:58

Please be gentle I’m at the end of my tether and need to put my children first. I have a JRT who is seven and has had aggressive tendencies for multiple years such as being aggressive towards other dogs and showing aggression when strangers come to the house. We have been handling this with muzzle training and not having people in the house. I have also worked with dog trainers and behaviourists. However things have continued to escalate and my ddog has bitten me for no reason other than I have walked past her. I can’t play with my children without the dog barking and lunging at me and she has started attacking me and dh whenever we go to leave or enter the house. I am at the point where I am walking on eggshells and I am scared she is going to bite me again. I feel my only option now is to have ddog PTS. I have tried rehoming her but cannot rehome threw rescues due to bite history and aggression (we’ve tried multiple rescues) and absolutely will not rehome privately due to fear of ddog being used for dog fighting or the thought of her biting someone else. I don’t know why I’m posting really, I guess I just need a bit of a handhold.

OP posts:

Anonanonanon1 · 07/04/2024 18:33

Have you had a vet check?

Devilshands · 07/04/2024 18:36

PTS - this isn't a new issue and won't improve.

I'm really sorry, OP - as someone who has had a dog PTS for aggression related issues, it's heartbreaking. It is truly the worst way to have to have a dog go as you (inevitably) feel like you have failed somehow. In this case, it sounds like you've tried everything you can for your Dog and you should hold onto that. You need to do what is best for all of you (you, children, dog).

fieldsofbutterflies · 07/04/2024 18:53

Sending you a big hug x

Motorina · 07/04/2024 19:01

I'm so sorry. That's really tough.

You may want to look up the Losing Lulu group on facebook. I think they have a website too.

Newuser75 · 07/04/2024 19:13

Has the dog had a thorough vet check?
If yes and pain has been ruled out then I'd say unfortunately you have no other choice than to pts.

You just can't morally rehome a dog with such a bite history.

I'm sorry you are in this position.

Youdontknowmedoyou · 07/04/2024 19:24

Sorry to read this. 💐

ThePoetsWife · 07/04/2024 19:39

Being PTS is not the worst thing that can happen to a dog - do the kindest thing, he must be so stressed and scared to be that agressivw.

mapleriver · 08/04/2024 03:44

Unorthodox and ready to be jumped on but have you tried shouting at him like you're going to murder him? I've had two biters because I like buying dogs with issues for the project and dogs that are willing to seek you out and bite you when they're just relaxing at home need putting in their place, unlike a dog who bites out of fear when it's cornered. If the shouting didn't work I'll hesitantly admit I carried a sweeping brush around during likely times for a bite if a dog was coming at me and seeking out a problem with me, both turned into lovely dogs albeit I never fixed the aggression issues with other dogs outside but that's their business. It's not ideal but better than being euthanised without giving it a shot.
Terriers are very gamey little dogs and do need to be put in their place sometimes, they enjoy being violent and the dog doesn't sound scared if it's causing a problem with you in which case I'd never reccomend shouting at it or wielding a brush at it.

Yllasin · 08/04/2024 06:57

I second that "being pts is not the worst thing that can happen to a dog"
I had my dear whippet cross boy who developed dog dementia and became terrified of everything except lying next to me and even then he might be shaking.
I'm sure for him the experience was : car journey (bit scary); vets and cannula inserted (not too bad); back to my lap, nose in the treat bucket, sleep. Then he knew no more fear.
I still felt guilty, but rationally thinking he wasn't having a nice time, I know it was best for him.

Original poster

Ineedabreakfromthis · 08/04/2024 23:12

thanks for the genuine sweet responses so far. PTS is definitely what we’re going to have to do but I’m struggling to find the strength to phone the vet and make that appointment. She was my baby before my children but she’s not safe around my kids or anyone really and her quality of life isn’t that great. Apart from her muzzled walks she’s pretty much hidden away, we can’t have visitors and when in the garden as soon as my neighbour is in their garden she’s trying to jump the fence to get to her. It’s like she’s in attack mode all day everyday.

OP posts:

indianabones1 · 08/04/2024 23:29

Have you tried a behaviourist to try and get to the bottom of why she's like this? There's going to be a reason she's behaving like this, might be worth trying if the vets can't find a physical reason.

LightDrizzle · 09/04/2024 01:13

@indianabones1 The OP says she’s already tried behaviourists and trainers in her post.

So sorry @Ineedabreakfromthis, it sounds like you have tried really hard for her. I must be very difficult to manage the risk now and it sounds like you are doing the right thing.

carerlookingtochangejob · 09/04/2024 01:29

When did this start? Any known trigger?

Your dog sounds incredibly distressed. You say you have contacted behaviourists - what accreditation do they have? Are they force free?

Has the dog had a full vet check and a pain trial.

Dogs do not suddenly become aggressive for no reason. It will be either pain or trauma. Which is it? What have you done to help?

Concretejungle1 · 10/04/2024 18:23

Have you taken her too the vets first too see if its medical?

AquaDuck · 10/04/2024 18:30

To me it does sound like the dog is very distressed, if the behaviour has gotten worse since the children, it could be a situation or protection gone wrong.

I have dealt with dogs whom are ridiculously aggressive when in a room with children, or even other humans barring the owner to the point that if you walk near then they snarl and snap or lunge at you, but they behave completely different when there are no children in the house (not just out of the room but out of smell and earshot) or the "owner" is not around.

If you keep the dog hidden away all the time, even if it is for the dog and the families safety, it could be making matters worse with the aggression as if it is down to protecting small beings or the family , the dog can't do that if not around them and may be acting out with distress whenever the dog is around them.

Sorry you are in this situation, it can not be pleasant.

Edited to fix spelling and typos

Original poster

Ineedabreakfromthis · 27/04/2024 14:08

Update: after speaking to my vet they suggested best option is for ddog to be PTS for her sake. Ddog is booked in for Monday. I am heartbroken and don’t know how I will get past this. Trying to make this weekend the best possible for her

OP posts:

Puppiesmakemehappy · 27/04/2024 14:11

Ineedabreakfromthis · 27/04/2024 14:08

@Ineedabreakfromthis you really are doing the best thing for your dog and your family. You’ve loved that wee pet unconditionally for 7 years and tried everything. This is sad but it is brave and kind also. Thinking of you.

MrsVeryTired · 27/04/2024 14:15

You're doing the right thing. My DDog is reactive and if I had young children I know we would have to pts (unless family without children took him).
Shelters have lots of non-bitey dogs so rescue isn't really an option and staying in a kennel forever (especially if they are reactive) is no life. A placid sociable dog could probably be fine in a shelter forever (lots of attention from staff) but not a reactive dog.
You've done what you can

Original poster

Ineedabreakfromthis · 28/04/2024 15:05

She’s enjoyed playing in the garden with bubbles and the kids today (under adult supervision) and is currently enjoying a roast dinner as we speak. My heart is heavy and I can’t stop crying. She has gotten me through so much in her little life and I can’t help but blame myself but I have tried everything I can

OP posts:

luckylavender · 29/04/2024 11:11

Good luck OP. You're doing the right thing.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 29/04/2024 11:15

We had JRT, diagnosed with dementia. We kept him until age 16/17 when he became too ill.
We had to wear thick booted slippers, couldn’t show the dog affection. We also didn’t have many visitors or dog had to go in another room.

Dogs with a bite history do get rehomed, to adult only homes. But rescues are inundated as so many dogs are being dumped due to col etc.

”good luck”? What a bizarre comment.

Dareisayiseethesunshine · 29/04/2024 11:17

We also had an aggressive ddog pts. She hadn't been the easiest for a decade. Beat cancer. Then the aggression started.. Big rottweiler and the day she stole ds's lunch out his hand (sat at the table) then had a growling stand off with me was her third strike... Previously attacked 2 of our other ddogs. The guilt. Oh the guilt. But it is the best op. Imagine looking at a scarred dc for the rest of your life if the worst happened.
Much sympathy op truly..

Flip