Comments on: Making The Hard Decision When A Dog Is Too Aggressive http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457 Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:39:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Duanna Ulyate http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-252668 Duanna Ulyate Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:59:19 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-252668 This is an excellent website. Recently I adopted a 2 yr old GSD, female, from a no kill shelter. I have always had a Golden and a Shepherd. i lost my Mother and lat Shepherd last year--the wonderful dog was 15 and raised my current Golden Retriever--an excellent, well trained and very sweet dog. I have had dogs--9--and horses--4 for years and this GSD was fine the first week but became very agressive, lunging and barking and then attacked unprovocked!! My poor Golden was being bit on the throat and ears. The woman at the shelter that ws the primary dog walker,said this dog was so sweet and got along with all animals. She was a great salewoman!!She also said that the dog knew some basic commands--that was not true althought in the 7 weeks we tried i did teach it to sit, stay and lie down--also to walk heeling by the walker--but still she was so unpredictable!! Most of what they said was not true I later found out--it never socialized with other animals, paced in the kennel and was in this kennel 1 and half years of its life--breaking up the last fight--she was trying to kill my Golden, both my husband and I got bit--my huband's wound was very bloody and my poor Golden was bit up pretty badly. The woman that runs the shelter was very apologetic and said that this dog should be with adults and no other animals or children--this was her conclusion after we brought the dog back--my husband's finger still dripping blood!! There is a certain naivete to some people--well meaning but cannot read animals well or even represent them fairly. I learned a good lesson--always follow my own intuition and be much more objective and observant and test the dogs with its socialization--these people that volunteer give lots of affection and very short walks but but no limitations and boundaries or training and they are not professional. This is an excellent website. Recently I adopted a 2 yr old GSD, female, from a no kill shelter. I have always had a Golden and a Shepherd. i lost my Mother and lat Shepherd last year–the wonderful dog was 15 and raised my current Golden Retriever–an excellent, well trained and very sweet dog. I have had dogs–9–and horses–4 for years and this GSD was fine the first week but became very agressive, lunging and barking and then attacked unprovocked!! My poor Golden was being bit on the throat and ears. The woman at the shelter that ws the primary dog walker,said this dog was so sweet and got along with all animals. She was a great salewoman!!She also said that the dog knew some basic commands–that was not true althought in the 7 weeks we tried i did teach it to sit, stay and lie down–also to walk heeling by the walker–but still she was so unpredictable!! Most of what they said was not true I later found out–it never socialized with other animals, paced in the kennel and was in this kennel 1 and half years of its life–breaking up the last fight–she was trying to kill my Golden, both my husband and I got bit–my huband’s wound was very bloody and my poor Golden was bit up pretty badly. The woman that runs the shelter was very apologetic and said that this dog should be with adults and no other animals or children–this was her conclusion after we brought the dog back–my husband’s finger still dripping blood!! There is a certain naivete to some people–well meaning but cannot read animals well or even represent them fairly.

I learned a good lesson–always follow my own intuition and be much more objective and observant and test the dogs with its socialization–these people that volunteer give lots of affection and very short walks but but no limitations and boundaries or training and they are not professional.

]]> By: kyle http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-250672 kyle Sat, 30 May 2009 08:54:40 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-250672 I just had to put my 2 year old dog Charlie (Coonhound, Boxer mix) down for his dominance aggression. He had bit me several (5+) times when I attempted to move him from the bed or the couch. He would also become aggressive when I attempted to trim his nails or touch his extremities. He would also become blindly aggressive towards my other dogs and would need to by physically restrained from attacking. He was deffensive and on edge whenver we had guests over and usually needed to be crated until the guests left. We finally found a friend that took Charlie in at his farm. Charlie had other dogs to play with and land to burn off his energy. He lasted about 3 weeks on the farm before he started to aggress towards the other dogs on the farm. He would be unrelenting in his aggression and turned on the man I gave him to. The last straw was when he became aggressive with a dog on the farm and the daughter of the man that took him in all because she was giving attention to the other dog. I had to have him put down because he had ran out of options. I had tried behavioralists, 'bark busters', obediance, a shock collar, a muzzle, gental leader and isolation. He was just too big of a liability. I loved him deeply and he was a perfect dog 90% of the time. I felt and still do feel bad for the decision that I had to make, but it was the right one, just as in your friends case. It is a decision that a sain person will agonize over and never truly get over. Anyone that passes judgement on a person that has to put a dog down for aggression should shut up until they have been in the same position and had the guts to make the big decisions instead of taunting from the cheap seats of life. Throwing unforunded opinions around is intolerable. I just had to put my 2 year old dog Charlie (Coonhound, Boxer mix) down for his dominance aggression. He had bit me several (5+) times when I attempted to move him from the bed or the couch. He would also become aggressive when I attempted to trim his nails or touch his extremities. He would also become blindly aggressive towards my other dogs and would need to by physically restrained from attacking. He was deffensive and on edge whenver we had guests over and usually needed to be crated until the guests left. We finally found a friend that took Charlie in at his farm. Charlie had other dogs to play with and land to burn off his energy. He lasted about 3 weeks on the farm before he started to aggress towards the other dogs on the farm. He would be unrelenting in his aggression and turned on the man I gave him to. The last straw was when he became aggressive with a dog on the farm and the daughter of the man that took him in all because she was giving attention to the other dog. I had to have him put down because he had ran out of options. I had tried behavioralists, ‘bark busters’, obediance, a shock collar, a muzzle, gental leader and isolation. He was just too big of a liability. I loved him deeply and he was a perfect dog 90% of the time. I felt and still do feel bad for the decision that I had to make, but it was the right one, just as in your friends case. It is a decision that a sain person will agonize over and never truly get over. Anyone that passes judgement on a person that has to put a dog down for aggression should shut up until they have been in the same position and had the guts to make the big decisions instead of taunting from the cheap seats of life. Throwing unforunded opinions around is intolerable.

]]> By: Vicki http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-190670 Vicki Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:14:58 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-190670 I do sympathize with this woman's story. Today I find myself in the same situation. I have a two year old Keshone Terrier mix. She has bitten two people in the last four months who have came over to visit us. We have tried to work with her on her territorial aggression issues. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. She is so gentle with our family and we all love her but she will lunge at anyone coming into our space. We have tried to socialize her but she is totally unpredictable. We are struggling financially and cannot afford the medical and behavioral training she needs. I have been crying for two days on the thought of having to have her put to sleep. I called a shelter close to us and they said aggressive dogs are usually put to sleep. I would not want to pass my problem onto another family. I would be delighted however if she could be treated and allowed to live a stress free life. I also have a jack russell that is seven and great with everyone. But the poor thing is being bullied by our Keshone. I know that it is best to let go of her before anymore people can be hurt. My boys are devastated at saying goodbye. I do sympathize with this woman’s story. Today I find myself in the same situation. I have a two year old Keshone Terrier mix. She has bitten two people in the last four months who have came over to visit us. We have tried to work with her on her territorial aggression issues. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. She is so gentle with our family and we all love her but she will lunge at anyone coming into our space. We have tried to socialize her but she is totally unpredictable. We are struggling financially and cannot afford the medical and behavioral training she needs. I have been crying for two days on the thought of having to have her put to sleep. I called a shelter close to us and they said aggressive dogs are usually put to sleep. I would not want to pass my problem onto another family. I would be delighted however if she could be treated and allowed to live a stress free life. I also have a jack russell that is seven and great with everyone. But the poor thing is being bullied by our Keshone. I know that it is best to let go of her before anymore people can be hurt. My boys are devastated at saying goodbye.

]]> By: Rhonda http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-37158 Rhonda Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:39:09 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-37158 I found this googling on the subject. I am in the end of an agonizing week of deciding to put our young dog (~3 years) BIG (70 pounds) down after increasing aggressive actions. We took him as a stray found in the park starving about two years ago. So far the activity has been limited to other dogs but he has growled recently at one of our sons (19) when he told him to get off the couch. In the past six months he has bitten three dogs when introduced and two were puppies (a very bad sign). Last Sunday he joined in a fuss between our two older dogs and attacked the oldest one requiring stitches to her ear. We spent the week talking to two good behaviour trainers in the area (one said no way would she take the dog). One was not encouraging, but said she would evaluate the dog after a veternarian check and mentioned drugs. That set me searching on Google and this was the first thing I read. It was timely. I am one who believes you need to be there when any of your charges die (many dogs, a couple cats and four horses during my time). My husband and I worked all week to help the kids accept that we would be putting this big "baby" down. And then I was the one who was wanting to be sure that I had looked at all the options. We have young children coming to stay at the house next week and although this dog has not attacked a human, I am not comfortable with him around them and so we must put him down. We don't want to find out the "training" or drugs didn't work by experiencing the time they fail. I appreciate the stories of people in similar situations. I am not going to search further. The three boys understand, but one wants pictures with the dog first and he's not home until Sunday so I'll schedule for Monday take time off for myself afterwards to walk the dogs and put away Luke's toys since he's the only one that still played with them. Thanks for the right message at the right time. My Dad told me once that if you have animals you will likely outlive them and it is our responsibility as the caretakers, to do right by them at the end even if that means making the hard decisions. I found this googling on the subject. I am in the end of an agonizing week of deciding to put our young dog (~3 years) BIG (70 pounds) down after increasing aggressive actions. We took him as a stray found in the park starving about two years ago. So far the activity has been limited to other dogs but he has growled recently at one of our sons (19) when he told him to get off the couch. In the past six months he has bitten three dogs when introduced and two were puppies (a very bad sign). Last Sunday he joined in a fuss between our two older dogs and attacked the oldest one requiring stitches to her ear. We spent the week talking to two good behaviour trainers in the area (one said no way would she take the dog). One was not encouraging, but said she would evaluate the dog after a veternarian check and mentioned drugs. That set me searching on Google and this was the first thing I read. It was timely. I am one who believes you need to be there when any of your charges die (many dogs, a couple cats and four horses during my time). My husband and I worked all week to help the kids accept that we would be putting this big “baby” down. And then I was the one who was wanting to be sure that I had looked at all the options. We have young children coming to stay at the house next week and although this dog has not attacked a human, I am not comfortable with him around them and so we must put him down. We don’t want to find out the “training” or drugs didn’t work by experiencing the time they fail.

I appreciate the stories of people in similar situations. I am not going to search further. The three boys understand, but one wants pictures with the dog first and he’s not home until Sunday so I’ll schedule for Monday take time off for myself afterwards to walk the dogs and put away Luke’s toys since he’s the only one that still played with them.

Thanks for the right message at the right time.
My Dad told me once that if you have animals you will likely outlive them and it is our responsibility as the caretakers, to do right by them at the end even if that means making the hard decisions.

]]> By: BarbLuvsDogs http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-35187 BarbLuvsDogs Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:06:30 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-35187 I'm so sorry Anna had to make the decision, but I applaud her resolve. I'm close to a similar decision right now. From my experience, she made a mature and wise choice to keep others safe - all it takes is one instance during the dog's lifetime when you're not in full control of the dog and it could be tragic for all with a person getting bit. Each situation is different, but the overriding concern in my mind is what level of risk exists. It's just not fair to the people who could be bitten to leave a dog alive if the control is not 99.9% sure to prevent a bite. I think we have to be realistic and evaluate not the ideal that's possible, but the real situation that particular dog is in. I recommend a website for lots of free training info, especially with aggression issues: www.leerburg.com. The trainer raises GSD's for protection work and explains the different tyypes of drives and aggression in some detail, plus how to use a prong collar and leash corrections without abusing the dog, how to fit a muzzle and lots more. I've had a very dog-aggressive dog and now I have a foster dog with quick aggression toward people. I'll be deeply sad if we choose to put her down, but I also could never forgive myself if I let my tender feelings keep me from making a responsible choice. I just focus on doing everything I can and stay ready to accept I may come to the end of what I can do and it's still not enough. The rescue group had seen some fear aggression, but it wasn't until she was homed and bonded with me that she got more confident, protective and reactive - her true colors and lack of proper socialzation came flying out. This dog's a stray Australian Cattle Dog/Dalmation or pointer mix with unknown past, no training before rescue at age 3yrs and huge reactions around the door or any gate, car door etc. Given the breed mix, this problem is probably based in genetics with lack of training and maybe exposure to aggravation at doors to "train" her to be even more aggressive. At home, she'll bite a person she knows well and sees almost daily - except me - unless she can smell them thru the door for a minute first. Also has very high prey drive to chase and bite any person moving fast. But she doesn't "glaze over" - she reacts fast like a snake to a combination of stimuli: if she's aroused enough, she'll channel the energy into aggression. She also reacts to fear in the person, so she'll lunge at a stranger who fears dogs, but stay calm around other stangers who are calm. She could be playing fetch enthusiastically, then see a stranger walking past the fence to her yard - and she'll suddenly shift into a full attack, but if she hadn't been so excited by play, she'd respond to a voice command and stay put or go to the fence slowly and stay quiet. It's taken months to get to this point. Consequently, she's in limbo - can't be adopted, even by me, while I try to elminate the dangerous behaviors. At home, she'll attack anyone who comes to the door, but can be kept calm enough on command to stay in a downstay while on a leash with muzzle on and gradually greet a stranger that I welcome in. She tolerates a roomy wire cage muzzle well and that has allowed me to socialize her with strangers to the point where she's calm most of the time in public and responds well to a quick correction with a prong collar. However, she's still a lightning fast biter in new situations (arouses very fast) and with some people. So, I keep her in the muzzle except when alone at home. I've seen her greet 50 strangers in a crowded plaza, then, with tail wagging and hackles still down, suddenly lunge at the face of one person - usually a man, but can be a woman - never kids. There doesn't seem to be any particular type of person I can identify. She hits some internal threshold and fires like a shot without growling or any other warning I can see. The next step is getting a behaviorist vet to evaluate her and possibly try Prozac. If that doesn't do it, or isn't even a reccomendation, we may have to put her down. The lifetime risk that sometime when she's at home with the muzzle off, if a door is not properly closed and she gets out, she'll surely bite someone. I have installed an extra interior door to prevent human error, but I think of the stories in the paper where the dog that's "always" kept safely under lock and key gets out that one "oops!" time and attacks. It's not the dog's fault. It's the owner ignoring the possibility that this dog is like having a loaded gun walking around on 4 legs. I’m so sorry Anna had to make the decision, but I applaud her resolve. I’m close to a similar decision right now. From my experience, she made a mature and wise choice to keep others safe - all it takes is one instance during the dog’s lifetime when you’re not in full control of the dog and it could be tragic for all with a person getting bit. Each situation is different, but the overriding concern in my mind is what level of risk exists. It’s just not fair to the people who could be bitten to leave a dog alive if the control is not 99.9% sure to prevent a bite. I think we have to be realistic and evaluate not the ideal that’s possible, but the real situation that particular dog is in.
I recommend a website for lots of free training info, especially with aggression issues: www.leerburg.com. The trainer raises GSD’s for protection work and explains the different tyypes of drives and aggression in some detail, plus how to use a prong collar and leash corrections without abusing the dog, how to fit a muzzle and lots more.
I’ve had a very dog-aggressive dog and now I have a foster dog with quick aggression toward people. I’ll be deeply sad if we choose to put her down, but I also could never forgive myself if I let my tender feelings keep me from making a responsible choice. I just focus on doing everything I can and stay ready to accept I may come to the end of what I can do and it’s still not enough. The rescue group had seen some fear aggression, but it wasn’t until she was homed and bonded with me that she got more confident, protective and reactive - her true colors and lack of proper socialzation came flying out.
This dog’s a stray Australian Cattle Dog/Dalmation or pointer mix with unknown past, no training before rescue at age 3yrs and huge reactions around the door or any gate, car door etc. Given the breed mix, this problem is probably based in genetics with lack of training and maybe exposure to aggravation at doors to “train” her to be even more aggressive. At home, she’ll bite a person she knows well and sees almost daily - except me - unless she can smell them thru the door for a minute first. Also has very high prey drive to chase and bite any person moving fast. But she doesn’t “glaze over” - she reacts fast like a snake to a combination of stimuli: if she’s aroused enough, she’ll channel the energy into aggression. She also reacts to fear in the person, so she’ll lunge at a stranger who fears dogs, but stay calm around other stangers who are calm. She could be playing fetch enthusiastically, then see a stranger walking past the fence to her yard - and she’ll suddenly shift into a full attack, but if she hadn’t been so excited by play, she’d respond to a voice command and stay put or go to the fence slowly and stay quiet. It’s taken months to get to this point. Consequently, she’s in limbo - can’t be adopted, even by me, while I try to elminate the dangerous behaviors.
At home, she’ll attack anyone who comes to the door, but can be kept calm enough on command to stay in a downstay while on a leash with muzzle on and gradually greet a stranger that I welcome in. She tolerates a roomy wire cage muzzle well and that has allowed me to socialize her with strangers to the point where she’s calm most of the time in public and responds well to a quick correction with a prong collar. However, she’s still a lightning fast biter in new situations (arouses very fast) and with some people. So, I keep her in the muzzle except when alone at home. I’ve seen her greet 50 strangers in a crowded plaza, then, with tail wagging and hackles still down, suddenly lunge at the face of one person - usually a man, but can be a woman - never kids. There doesn’t seem to be any particular type of person I can identify. She hits some internal threshold and fires like a shot without growling or any other warning I can see.
The next step is getting a behaviorist vet to evaluate her and possibly try Prozac. If that doesn’t do it, or isn’t even a reccomendation, we may have to put her down. The lifetime risk that sometime when she’s at home with the muzzle off, if a door is not properly closed and she gets out, she’ll surely bite someone. I have installed an extra interior door to prevent human error, but I think of the stories in the paper where the dog that’s “always” kept safely under lock and key gets out that one “oops!” time and attacks. It’s not the dog’s fault. It’s the owner ignoring the possibility that this dog is like having a loaded gun walking around on 4 legs.

]]> By: Linda http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-34149 Linda Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:50:46 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-34149 I read your story with great sadness, but after what I experienced with my dog, I can relate to the difficult decision. After many years, it still upsets me to think about my dog. He was part of a litter that was most likely the result of my Golden Retriever/Basset mix escaping while in heat. She had mated with a very aggressive Rottweiler. We kept two dogs from the litter, one a chocolate brown who turned out to be the sweetest most loving dog in the world, and Buster. Both dogs were very gentle and sweet as puppies, but as Buster got older, he developed severe aggression issues. He could be wonderful one moment and then he would get a glazed look in his eyes and attack his sister, my son, or me. Sometimes he "guarded" doorways to prevent us from leaving, other times he just ran across the yard and attacked one of us. I tried to find various solutions but remember being told by a dog trainer or a vet that some dogs are just "schizophrenic" and cannot be trained. Finally, when we had to bring him to a kennel for boarding because we were going out of town, I left town earlier and my son actually had to lock himself out of the house because the dog, perhaps sensing he was going to be boarded, went totally out of control. Nothing would allow my son to get near him. He finally had to call the local animal control and witness the horror of the dog being dragged across the sidewalk as they tried to get him into the animal control vehicle. A year or so later when the animal control officer was checking the neighborhood for updated licenses, he told me it took them three days to get the dog calm enough to handle him so they could euthanize him. He also told me that they never, ever adopt out a dog which has been brought in for aggression. He said most animals become subdued when they are brought in from animal control, but my dog had been "crazy" and even frightened the people there. It grieves me to know what this dog went through. I have had at least six dogs over the course of my life and my family members have had many dogs. I never encountered this kind of problem before or since. To assume that this behavior is somehow accidently trained into a dog is not correct. All my dogs had the same type of training and socialization, so it was obviously a dysfunction in this particular animal. Knowing all that doesn't make it any less painful. My memories are of a sweet, loving dog. But then I remember the look he would get in his eyes, and I feel better about the decision I made before he could injure or kill someone. I read your story with great sadness, but after what I experienced with my dog, I can relate to the difficult decision. After many years, it still upsets me to think about my dog. He was part of a litter that was most likely the result of my Golden Retriever/Basset mix escaping while in heat. She had mated with a very aggressive Rottweiler. We kept two dogs from the litter, one a chocolate brown who turned out to be the sweetest most loving dog in the world, and Buster. Both dogs were very gentle and sweet as puppies, but as Buster got older, he developed severe aggression issues. He could be wonderful one moment and then he would get a glazed look in his eyes and attack his sister, my son, or me. Sometimes he “guarded” doorways to prevent us from leaving, other times he just ran across the yard and attacked one of us. I tried to find various solutions but remember being told by a dog trainer or a vet that some dogs are just “schizophrenic” and cannot be trained. Finally, when we had to bring him to a kennel for boarding because we were going out of town, I left town earlier and my son actually had to lock himself out of the house because the dog, perhaps sensing he was going to be boarded, went totally out of control. Nothing would allow my son to get near him. He finally had to call the local animal control and witness the horror of the dog being dragged across the sidewalk as they tried to get him into the animal control vehicle. A year or so later when the animal control officer was checking the neighborhood for updated licenses, he told me it took them three days to get the dog calm enough to handle him so they could euthanize him. He also told me that they never, ever adopt out a dog which has been brought in for aggression. He said most animals become subdued when they are brought in from animal control, but my dog had been “crazy” and even frightened the people there. It grieves me to know what this dog went through.

I have had at least six dogs over the course of my life and my family members have had many dogs. I never encountered this kind of problem before or since. To assume that this behavior is somehow accidently trained into a dog is not correct. All my dogs had the same type of training and socialization, so it was obviously a dysfunction in this particular animal.

Knowing all that doesn’t make it any less painful. My memories are of a sweet, loving dog. But then I remember the look he would get in his eyes, and I feel better about the decision I made before he could injure or kill someone.

]]> By: Mary http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-34115 Mary Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:31:14 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-34115 sorry.. almost posted the reply twice. sorry.. almost posted the reply twice.

]]> By: Mary http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-34111 Mary Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:02:41 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-34111 Like Anna, I had to make that heartbreaking decision with our dog Bandit. He was a stray and in the first few months, a wonderful dog. When the aggressive behavior first started, a friend suggested that perhaps having him neutered would calm him down. This we did but it didn't help. It got to the point that Bandit was running our lives. If he was on the sofa, we had to wait for him to get off before we could sit down. The growls graduated to snarling and to be honest, I was afraid of him when he was in one of his *moods.* Other times he would be so loveable that he'd positively lick you to death. For two years we walked on egg shells around him... never knowing when he would be Dr Jekyl or Mr Hyde. My son, at the time was very ill and needed a visits from a Home Health Nurse twice a week. Every day when I went to work it was with a fear that I'd come home to find my son's throat ripped out by a dog that neither of us could control... My son was too weak to, and I was out of suggestions or methods to try. My last straw was on an a quiet evening while I was watching TV and Bandit was at my feet. I reached down to scratch him behind his ear and his fur went up. For 3 minutes I was subjected to the most frightening snarling and attack stance I'd ever seen. I held my breath and in quiet tones I tried to calm him... not moving a muscle while I did so. It was then that I made the decision that he should be put down. This dog was not adoptable and there's no way I would put someone else in the same situation. Truest me, I cried my eyes out when I took him to our vet the next day. I stayed there until the shot took effect and cried some more. I'd never had to put down a dog that seemed so physically healthy. To make matters worse, he was in one of his good moods and just seemed to trust me so! Sometimes it absolutely sucks to have to make those life and death decisions! My vet said it was quite possible that whoever "discarded" him before I found him had abused Bandit. I don't know if that's the case or if it makes ending a life any easier. I still look at his pictures and wish things had turned out different. Since then we've adopted two more "throw-aways" and they are a joy to be around. We now have 3 rescued dogs and 3 cats... all fixed, contented, and members of our home. So yes, Anna, I know exactly what you went through. Like Anna, I had to make that heartbreaking decision
with our dog Bandit. He was a stray and in the first
few months, a wonderful dog. When the aggressive
behavior first started, a friend suggested that perhaps
having him neutered would calm him down. This we did
but it didn’t help.

It got to the point that Bandit was running our lives.
If he was on the sofa, we had to wait for him to get
off before we could sit down. The growls graduated to
snarling and to be honest, I was afraid of him when he
was in one of his *moods.* Other times he would be
so loveable that he’d positively lick you to death.

For two years we walked on egg shells around him… never
knowing when he would be Dr Jekyl or Mr Hyde. My son, at the
time was very ill and needed a visits from a Home Health Nurse
twice a week. Every day when I went to work it was with a
fear that I’d come home to find my son’s throat ripped out by
a dog that neither of us could control… My son was too weak to,
and I was out of suggestions or methods to try.

My last straw was on an a quiet evening while I was watching
TV and Bandit was at my feet. I reached down to scratch him
behind his ear and his fur went up. For 3 minutes I was
subjected to the most frightening snarling and attack stance
I’d ever seen. I held my breath and in quiet tones I tried to
calm him… not moving a muscle while I did so. It was then
that I made the decision that he should be put down. This dog
was not adoptable and there’s no way I would put someone
else in the same situation.

Truest me, I cried my eyes out when I took him to our vet
the next day. I stayed there until the shot took effect and
cried some more. I’d never had to put down a dog that
seemed so physically healthy. To make matters worse, he
was in one of his good moods and just seemed to trust me
so!

Sometimes it absolutely sucks to have to make those life
and death decisions! My vet said it was quite possible that
whoever “discarded” him before I found him had abused
Bandit. I don’t know if that’s the case or if it makes ending
a life any easier. I still look at his pictures and wish things
had turned out different.

Since then we’ve adopted two more “throw-aways” and they
are a joy to be around. We now have 3 rescued dogs and 3
cats… all fixed, contented, and members of our home.

So yes, Anna, I know exactly what you went through.

]]> By: Laura http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-33367 Laura Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:09:12 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-33367 So many issues...i'm not sure where to begin. The shelter probably thought they were doing the right thing by adopting Rover to someone without children...since he had been known to bite children. IMO, they should have notified Anna of the pre-existing issues in full detail. Then she would have known not to take Rover to a playground, park, schoolyard, etc. where the potential for disaster was. The shelter must have hoped for a better life for Rover or they would not have let him be adopted. Poor Anna...what a hard thing to have to go through. Not only did she have her well being to think of but also the best interest of Rover. Just being alive does not always guarentee a wonderful life for some animals...especially shelter animals when you do not know what has happened to them in the past. I do hope that once Anna's heart has healed she will adopt another companion. There are so many dogs in need of a good home like Anna's. A very good friend of mine is involved with rescue. Many local shelters call her to evaluate some of their most aggressive dogs. Some of the dogs that are at the shelter have been through to much torture, suffering and pain to be adopted out. The kindest thing that can be done for some is to end their suffering once and for all. I know to some it will sound hard, cruel and plain disgusting to euthanize a perfectly healthy dog. It is the hardest decision to end a life. Dog rescue work is not for the faint of heart. On the other hand, many of these aggressive animals can go on to live a wonderful life. Many just need training, socialization and love. Some need to be tested for thyroid issues...it's amazing what a simple blood test will reveal. Don't give up Anna...the right companion is out there waiting for you to find him/her! IMO, not only did you do the right thing but you made the best decision for Rover too. So many issues…i’m not sure where to begin.

The shelter probably thought they were doing the right thing by adopting Rover to someone without children…since he had been known to bite children. IMO, they should have notified Anna of the pre-existing issues in full detail. Then she would have known not to take Rover to a playground, park, schoolyard, etc. where the potential for disaster was. The shelter must have hoped for a better life for Rover or they would not have let him be adopted.

Poor Anna…what a hard thing to have to go through. Not only did she have her well being to think of but also the best interest of Rover. Just being alive does not always guarentee a wonderful life for some animals…especially shelter animals when you do not know what has happened to them in the past. I do hope that once Anna’s heart has healed she will adopt another companion. There are so many dogs in need of a good home like Anna’s.

A very good friend of mine is involved with rescue. Many local shelters call her to evaluate some of their most aggressive dogs. Some of the dogs that are at the shelter have been through to much torture, suffering and pain to be adopted out. The kindest thing that can be done for some is to end their suffering once and for all. I know to some it will sound hard, cruel and plain disgusting to euthanize a perfectly healthy dog. It is the hardest decision to end a life. Dog rescue work is not for the faint of heart.

On the other hand, many of these aggressive animals can go on to live a wonderful life. Many just need training, socialization and love. Some need to be tested for thyroid issues…it’s amazing what a simple blood test will reveal.

Don’t give up Anna…the right companion is out there waiting for you to find him/her! IMO, not only did you do the right thing but you made the best decision for Rover too.

]]> By: Alisa http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-33032 Alisa Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:20:25 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-33032 I don't think that suing the shelter would be a good decision. Just because he had bitten children doesn't mean that he is unadoptable. Children are often aggressive toward dogs and can be very frightening to them. Since Anna didn't have kids most likely they didn't see a problem. The shelter did tell her he had some aggression issues in the past. She was taking a risk by adopting him. She probably knew that and that's why she didn't sue. More people need to use common sense instead of pointing a finger and slapping on a lawsuit. As for the training method, it doesn't sound like it was too great, but it would be very hard to prove in court that the training increased the dogs aggressive behavior. I don’t think that suing the shelter would be a good decision. Just because he had bitten children doesn’t mean that he is unadoptable. Children are often aggressive toward dogs and can be very frightening to them. Since Anna didn’t have kids most likely they didn’t see a problem. The shelter did tell her he had some aggression issues in the past. She was taking a risk by adopting him. She probably knew that and that’s why she didn’t sue. More people need to use common sense instead of pointing a finger and slapping on a lawsuit. As for the training method, it doesn’t sound like it was too great, but it would be very hard to prove in court that the training increased the dogs aggressive behavior.

]]> By: Purina Puke http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32614 Purina Puke Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:18:14 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32614 My grandmother has an aggressive dog. He has bitten and attacked all of us for years. I'm scared to even be around him now. The other day he even tried to attack my cat. Something he hadn't done before in the past. We can't clip his nails or cut his fur. We can't get a leash on him. He tries to bite us if we try. We have to take him to the vet and he has to put him out in order to do everything. He is a small dog but was bred to be a guard dog and is incredibly strong for his size. He has never been abused at all. In fact my grandmother spoils him rotten. Which I think is part of the problem! Just being around this dog is extremely stressful. I have begged my family to be more careful with him and to try everything possible to help him. I am always afraid he may attack someone outside of the family and if that happens and he's reported my grandmother may be FORCED to put him down. I love animals and I love my family but I don't think my grandmother is a good dog owner. Her dog needs medication or training or something before he seriously hurts someone. She's already had to go to a doctor twice because when he bit her it became infected. ITCHMO ADMIN: Try posting this in our forums (itchmoforums.com) and see if anyone can give you some advice. My grandmother has an aggressive dog. He has bitten and attacked all of us for years. I’m scared to even be around him now. The other day he even tried to attack my cat. Something he hadn’t done before in the past.

We can’t clip his nails or cut his fur. We can’t get a leash on him. He tries to bite us if we try. We have to take him to the vet and he has to put him out in order to do everything. He is a small dog but was bred to be a guard dog and is incredibly strong for his size.

He has never been abused at all. In fact my grandmother spoils him rotten. Which I think is part of the problem!

Just being around this dog is extremely stressful. I have begged my family to be more careful with him and to try everything possible to help him. I am always afraid he may attack someone outside of the family and if that happens and he’s reported my grandmother may be FORCED to put him down.

I love animals and I love my family but I don’t think my grandmother is a good dog owner. Her dog needs medication or training or something before he seriously hurts someone. She’s already had to go to a doctor twice because when he bit her it became infected.

ITCHMO ADMIN: Try posting this in our forums (itchmoforums.com) and see if anyone can give you some advice.

]]> By: furmom http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32552 furmom Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:16:55 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32552 I'd say xnay on the police dog. Police dogs usually have to work around normal people without biting them, sometimes in pretty tense situations, and be able to pick out the bad guy and nail only him. As a guard dog with a night watchman perhaps, where any stranger he sees is fair game maybe. If his aggression is due to physical causes or mental disorder you have a loaded gun until they are treated, retraining would be tricky. Police dogs are not all that aggressive, they just have a heck of a good time arresting bad guys. They aren't mean, they just love their job. I’d say xnay on the police dog. Police dogs usually have to work around normal people without biting them, sometimes in pretty tense situations, and be able to pick out the bad guy and nail only him. As a guard dog with a night watchman perhaps, where any stranger he sees is fair game maybe. If his aggression is due to physical causes or mental disorder you have a loaded gun until they are treated, retraining would be tricky. Police dogs are not all that aggressive, they just have a heck of a good time arresting bad guys. They aren’t mean, they just love their job.

]]> By: JJ 2 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32466 JJ 2 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:21:33 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32466 Couldn't Rover perhaps have been trained as a police dog? I hear that's what they're doing these days in many of these aggressive dog cases...often it seems to work out. Couldn’t Rover perhaps have been trained as a police dog? I hear that’s what they’re doing these days in many of these aggressive dog cases…often it seems to work out.

]]> By: furmom http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32451 furmom Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:39:43 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32451 Anna did her best with a difficult dog. A decent behavioral specialist may or may not have been able to help, the shelters retraining program may have made it worse. But a smarter vet should have been consulted. A thorough health work up may have identified a reason for his behavior. We had a GSD who had previously been perfectly fine for several years and became randomly aggressive in just a couple of unexplainable situations. He had never been harshly treated in any way. His behavior turned out to be related to seizure activity and he behaved fine on seizure medications, a relatively cheap treatment in his case. Low thyroid and a few other physical illnesses could cause strange behavior.If a vet had investigated all possible treatment s for Anna's dog and nothing worked I would feel better about the choice of euthanasia. Again Anna could not have known this without a more knowledgeable vet. Anna did her best with a difficult dog. A decent behavioral specialist may or may not have been able to help, the shelters retraining program may have made it worse. But a smarter vet should have been consulted. A thorough health work up may have identified a reason for his behavior. We had a GSD who had previously been perfectly fine for several years and became randomly aggressive in just a couple of unexplainable situations. He had never been harshly treated in any way. His behavior turned out to be related to seizure activity and he behaved fine on seizure medications, a relatively cheap treatment in his case. Low thyroid and a few other physical illnesses could cause strange behavior.If a vet had investigated all possible treatment s for Anna’s dog and nothing worked I would feel better about the choice of euthanasia. Again Anna could not have known this without a more knowledgeable vet.

]]> By: Katie http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32446 Katie Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:22:19 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/making-the-hard-decision-when-a-dog-is-too-aggressive-1457#comment-32446 I believe Anna did the right thing, none of us knows what truly caused the aggression in this dog, and not knowing what the trigger was, I believe Anna did the right thing. If a child had been mauled, think of the horror Anna would have lived with her whole life, think of what could have happened to this dog. He was loved, and went to the bridge quietly and with compassion. The shelter should have been honest with Anna, and told her up front the history of this dog so she could have made an informed choice. I don't believe it is fair or right of a shelter to adopt out an animal that is aggressive to an unsuspecting person or family. How horrible for Anna to become attached to this dog and than having to make a difficult decision. Katie I believe Anna did the right thing, none of us knows what truly caused the aggression in this dog, and not knowing what the trigger was, I believe Anna did the right thing. If a child had been mauled, think of the horror Anna would have lived with her whole life, think of what could have happened to this dog. He was loved, and went to the bridge quietly and with compassion.

The shelter should have been honest with Anna, and told her up front the history of this dog so she could have made an informed choice. I don’t believe it is fair or right of a shelter to adopt out an animal that is aggressive to an unsuspecting person or family. How horrible for Anna to become attached to this dog and than having to make a difficult decision.

Katie

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