Saying goodnight to a healthy young dog (aggression)

[Glowecestrescire]

Has anyone, taken the hard decision to let a dog go, because of human aggression?

He's an abused rescue, and only a baby, but would it be kinder? We're still doing everything we can, but at what point do you question if sometimes you need to make the awful decision.

I haven't done it but yes, I think it is kinder than the very restricted life he would lead and the risks to others

My SIL/BIL did it last year when their 1 year old spaniel went for SIL.

It was absolutely the right decision as they have 2 dd so it was too high risk keeping her, pity they didn’t make the right decision before getting her as a pup (they are not doggie people and don’t have a life suitable for a dog, gave her no training, left at home all day, etc)

My husband and I had to nearly 20 years ago. Adopted him as a pup, and when he was about 11/12 months, he started becoming very aggressive. Like a switch was flipped. We did everything possible. Medication, multiple behaviourists, training, everything. We were very experienced dog owners , as well, so not our first rodeo.

Our vet was the one who recommended putting him to sleep and said it was the responsible thing to do and we agreed. It was fucking horrible but it was the right decision.

I have had to do this. I had a rescue that went for me one night. Bit the side of my head and my ear. I have no idea what triggered it, and couldn't take the risk he would do it again and worse to a child. He'd been with me about 6 weeks and appeared to be settling in well.

I often wonder if there was some trigger that I missed, but I really can't see one.

It was awful, but the right thing for me to have done at that time.

No, but I would. Some dogs are too aggressive to ever be trusted and that turns what should be a wonderful partnership in to a 12 or 14 year long battle.

Yes this is where we are at

Yes this is where we are at

I suggest you act quickly. The poor dog is suffering. Our vet believed our dog suffered from some kind of neurological issue/mental illness and there was nothing we could do, and he kept becoming more dangerous. We had two young children at the time so it was very stressful.

I suggest you act quickly
We are. This is our decision for the weekend, as have been to the vets and the behaviourist.
Was wondering if others had done the same.

See that I find really sad actually. That dog may have been a candidate for rehoming with people who knew what they were doing and actually met the dogs' needs

Rubbish. There's hundreds of not thousands of sane and safe dogs sitting in rescue kennels. Putting one who attacks humans down is the right thing to do and if anything, frees up a good home for a nice dog!

I have known it yes. But only after all avenues have been exhausted and never in a dog going through adolescence as that is a turbulent time for all dogs. It has been dogs with deeply ingrained fear issues which cannot be managed and all of those people extremely experienced.

It is the last option.

No.

Sometimes a dog just is reactive and aggressive and there is absolutely nothing that can be done. And quite frankly, no amount of training will ever ensure a dog that has attacked for no reason is 100% safe - because there is no 'trigger' to address. A provoked attack (child pulling on tail etc) yes. But random attacks and aggression? No.

And a dog that is a rescue, that still has these problems? It'll stay in kennels (probably in a 2x2 meter cell) for its entire life. That's not a life. It would be better off dead.

I have a rescue that was aggressive. It's taken three years and she still has triggers. Sometimes I wish I had never adopted her - but it was me or PTS and she has made progress. But not all dogs do and no one knows a dog better than it's owner. If I hadn't made progress with her (she was 3 when I got her), I'd have PTS. It's the only responsible thing to do - particular for a dog that has already experienced how fucking shit kennels are. They don't deserve that again.

It sounds like you’ve done everything you can do and it’s shit but ok. I think animals will have similar mental health problems to those that humans get or organic brain problems and too just can’t train it out of them any more than you can with a human. But a human you can work through with talking therapy or medicate or keep safe with sectioning etc. You can’t talk to a dog sadly

It would depend on the dog and the likelyhood of an attack being serious i.e a snappy chihuahua I would probably keep and dangerous German Shepard not a chance.

Have you looked at rescues OP? A farm near us takes on challenging spaniels and an ex police dog handler has worked with reactive German shepherds but we live semi rurally

Yes. Bought as a puppy and wasn't yet 2. Tried lots behaviourists etc. Vet suggested we could keep him crated and medicated until he was able to behave better. But I thought it would have been a terrible life for a dog.

Loved him so much but he was fear aggressive and I was very worried he'd attack a stranger. It was heartbreaking and I'm only just about getting over it 8 years later. I do think it was the only decision.

Feel for you op.

I can't speak for every rescue but when I was looking to rescue a dog a few years ago, I went to a few near me and there was not one dog that was suitable. Almost every dog was listed as potentially aggressive around children or that needed a lot of one to one focus and attention due to behavioural issues, so they were better suited to families without children. I've always had dogs with children as do lots of people, so it's an issue with the dogs, it's not that they're all normal dogs and it's the people that are wrong for the dog.

Just under two years ago I had to make the decision to Pts my soul dog at a young age due to aggression.

I still cry and I am still upset by it but it was the right decision.

I would however suggest contacting the rescue first as some have a clause in the rehoming contract to return the dog.

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this

Thank you all, I appreciate the comments.
We have the rescues blessing. We've worked with them for years and have successfully fostered many dogs, of varying backgrounds, but ultimately abuse cases.

This wee lad is beautiful, but at 35+kg, we're not talking a nip if he made contact.

We adopted a rescue dog that became very agressive. Without any warning he bit my cleaner very badly in the face. She had to have many stitches and it was a wonder we weren't sued. I rang the rescue place and they then confessed he had been returned 3 times for agression. I had him put to sleep, it was kinder than sending him back again. This was several years ago and I still feel sad about it.

Depends, dog aggressive no, although I would understand if people did.
We have just adapted our life around our dog, and avoid all other dogs- but it has changed our life, so it isn't for everyone.

Human aggressive then yes, I would rule out pain and see a professional but if still aggressive then I would do it.
I know it would weigh heavily on me but I would do it as the best option for everyone, including the dog.

Yes, it’s the right thing to do. I had a young collie as a teenager, he attacked me and bit me really badly. My mum took him straight to the vet - I was heartbroken but she absolutely did the right thing.

"An abused rescue and only a baby"

As in, his behaviour now is COMPLETELY NORMAL AND RATIONAL for what he has been through at this age.

Please do not end his life. Please speak to a small local rescue and be honest about his issues and see if they can work with him. There are lots of people out there like me who are willing to do this work.

I rehabilitated a seriously aggressive dog that was 9 years old - it was hard work but we got there. "Can't teach an old dog new tricks" is not true. And here you have a young dog!

You're here asking if it's the right or wrong thing to do because you rightly doubt it... the pets corner of mumsnet is often very pro-PTS so if you're looking for that, you'll find it, but my plea to you is please, if you can't do the work yourself, please please let someone else give this poor little being a chance.

And when I say ask a local rescue - I obviously don't mean the one he's come from, as they should never have rehomed a dog with such aggression problems in the first place and sound ill-informed to do that and then immediately "give their blessing" for him to be killed. You need a second opinion.