Should I put my dog down or is there hope for rehabilitation??

Question

I'm in love with my dog but, my darling dog isn't so darling. He has bitten two people now: Once, a new friend, over toy aggression in our home and another time, on a walking path the dog bit a stranger. We got him from a shelter six months ago. He's fixed and 1.5 yrs old. After the first time we thought we could mange it. But, now we are scared. The vet says put the dog down. What do you say? Is there any way to help this dog? Or, are we out of luck?

Answer 1

How big is the dog?

I really don't know to be honest.Have you asked the shelter in which you adopted the dog from?

All dogs adopted out must reach certain requirements before being adopted out.I would take it up with them.

Good luck.

Answer 2

dont put him down you can always change  dog it just might take some time and patients

Answer 3

I think putting a dog down for behavioral problems is taking the easy way out and a lot of vets are wrong for saying that's the best option.  If you really love the dog you should take him to a professional to identify why he's biting and try and fix it.  I think euthanasia is overused and abused and it needs to be stopped!

Answer 4

I have a dog like that, but the thought of putting him down has never crossed my mind. When people come over, I just put him in the bedroom. If you take him for walks, just keep him out of range from other people and other dogs. I have had dogs all of my life and have had to deal with just about any problem you can come up with.

Answer 5

your vet probably knows best.

Answer 6

I would definitely have the VET put down.

Take the advice of Walking Lady & Angel L and take the time to have your beloved pet trained.

Euthanasia might be the only answer for screaming brats in supermarkets, but it is not appropriate for your dog.

Answer 7

Please give the dog another chance. Try giving Caesar Milan "The Dog Whisperer" a call. He can help any dog! You obviousely take the dog on walks...or used to. He needs exercise ( if your too scared of walks get a treadmil), and a pack leader. If he's fearful, he's unpredictable. Don't listen to the vet, he's not a behaviorist who specializes in this area. 6 months is a short time and both you and the dog still aren't used to each other. The Dog Whisperer can help if you truely care for the dog. Don't be scared around the dog, that will only agitate him and make him more fearful. Don't baby him either he's not a human. You need to be calm and assertive (not harsh, nervouse, or heavy handed...not saying that you are :P) Best of luck!

Answer 8

have you not heard of a muzzle?  You should have been court ordered (if you have been to court which would surprise me if you haven't been) to keep him muzzled.  He is a vicious dog if you don't muzzle him and he keeps biting people then he will be taken away from you and the city or state will put him down for you since you can't manage to be a responsible pet parent and do what you need to in order to keep him from biting.  By the way muzzles are inexpensive  

Answer 9

have you not thought about a trainer?

Answer 10

get a second opinion by all means

Answer 11

you've only had him 6 months. he's probably just a little nervous and a bit protective over his things. don't give up hope, call a trainer to help you. do you know if he was abused at all?

don't give up, your vet is a moron! until you can find a trainer, muzzle him while on walks, and if he's afraid of people right now, put him in another room until their gone. after wards he can get used to their smell.

i hope that made sense to you?!

Answer 12

call the dog whisperer he works miracles i've seen it!

Answer 13

You have some really tough decisions to make here and if you go to court you will not have a choice.

I agree with Walking Lady, if you still want to work things out you need to get with a behavioralist NOW! No choices in the matter. If you aren't going to take this seriously and take the wait to see what happens approach, then you have been a irresponisble owner at that point. Be responsible for your pet and get the help.

Problem lies here, your veterinarian said he would recommend putting the dog down because of the aggression. This is now in your dogs medical history and medical charts can be subpoenaed. He is not loosly throwing that recommendation around because he wants to put your dog down. He is protecting you and the next potential victim. Legally he/she has to do that or they can lose their lisence to practice. Veterinary medicine was created by the human health department to protect people from diseases and such from the animals we choose to eat or live with in our homes.

By all means, I don't mean your veterinarian is protecting you from your own dog biting you. Do you know what happens to you and your dog if you go to court and the judge declares your dog a vitcious or dangerous dog. You will pay court fines, you will pay this persons legal fees and medical bills, and when your home owners insurance finds out you have a declared dangerous dog in your possesion they will drop you from as a policy holder. You will have to find a new policy and the rates go up.  Like wise if you live in an aparment the your apartment has every right to ask you to get rid of the dog or possibly evict you. Usually, there are restrictions on the conditions of how this dog may live (be contained) and this is dependant upon which state you live in and their laws for dangerous dogs. In some states there are criminal penalties for people who have dangerous dogs and especially if your dog attacks again. You have no idea how bad this could get. Read up on it in your state so you know what you would be up against. I know of someone having gone through this recently. You may have no other choice but to have to put your dog down.

I am sorry, but no matter what advise you take you need to go in this with your eyes open. You need to know what could happen. I know this sounds terribly harsh and I really wish it weren't, but I felt compelled to tell you that this could mean big trouble for you. This is not an easy question to answer by far.

Answer 14

A trainer that deals with problem dogs is a good solution. If you know your dog has issues with strangers, do not give him the opportunity to bite. If you walk him in public, do so on a short leash. Do not allow people to approach your dog. Keep his exposure to crowds limited until he is more under control.Training is the key. It will take commitment on your part and patience. If you don't think you can do this, then return him to the rescue he came from.Good luck.

Answer 15

i had the same problem awhile ago with my dog. we got her as a puppy= she was an albino pit shepard mix(albino pits shouldn't be bred as they  have a tendency to be a bit crazy- or so i was told)

she had bitten 3 people.  after the third time she was quarantine.

so my daughter was told to have her fix that way she would settle down

so we had her fixed. she did settle down. after some time...

i was also was very careful when ever there was anyone around.. it took patience on my part. she turned out after being fixed to be the best dog... i miss her to this day. we had her for 10years. so i say NO don't put your pet down-- try to develop the patience and be more aware of him and his surroundings.

Answer 16

What exactly have you done to help this dog?  What kind of training has he had?  Has he had a qualified trainer or behaviourist work with him?  What in the world makes the vet qualified to say whether or not he can be rehabilitated?  Has the vet seen him and worked with him outside of the clinic where he's stressed?  

You need to get this dog assessed by someone who's actually qualified to say whether or not he can be helped before you make the decision to put him down.  Either a qualified trainer or a behaviourist.

Answer 17

yes you can rehabilitate him but probably by a dog trainer

Answer 18

There is hope for rehabilitating him if YOU are willing to put in the time and also the money to bring in someone experienced with aggression to help you.  There is no 100% cure, no.  You will always need to watch him for signs he's approaching the point at which he could be aggressive, but it is manageable, I would just not ever leave him alone with a child or in a situation that contains a 'trigger'.  No, a basic class will not help in this situation.  A veterinary behaviorist is best, but failing that a GOOD trainer with lots of experience in this field.