I’m so sad and torn. I’ve booked my dog into get put to sleep tomorrow afternoon. I’m so upset I’m unable to take him myself. I’ve had to organise a family member too. My heart hurts so bad. I’ve had him for nearly 10 years. Those while 10 years no matter what I’ve done training, vet opinion, electric fence perimiater, letting him sleep inside, bones, toys so many things you name it but nothings worked. He escapes whenever he wants. One time he killed someone’s Guine pigs, he’s killed numerous chickens and one other time injured a pony. The guine pig was when someone was pet sitting and didn’t lock him back up. I’m gone from 8am - 4pm most days and even longer 2 days a week one not till 8pm and the other about 5pm. I’m in and out on weekends. He sleeps inside. He goes to the dog park. He goes on walks. I’ve tried getting him a friend. I got him desexed. So many things yet I can’t keep him in not matter how hard I’ve tried. I’ve extended fences etc. he pushes through, climbs 6 foot fences, pushes through the smallest gaps. He’ll get zapped to her through. He’ll squeeze through the smallest hole and I honestly have no idea how he fitted!!! He’s even pushed wooden panels from a fence before. I love this dog and have tried everything in the 10 years. It’s gotten to the point his life is on a chain unless I am home which is mean. My heart hurts because it’s so hot where we live and the other dog can get into the laundry through a doggy door where the air con has cooled it down.
I’m hurting and so torn.
I know deep down it’s the right decision to put him to sleep because you could never trust him around other animals (yet he’s ok with certain dogs it’s just other animals). He’s amazing with my kids and he is well trained sit, shake, stay etc but you just can’t keep him in a yard no matter how hard you try. You can’t risk leaving him off incase he gets out and injures another animal.
I won’t Rehome him because I know the life he will have will be so horrible. I don’t want him used for dog fighting or hunting because he isn’t that type of dog. He loves to chill out inside and has never done those things (hunting etc)
Am I making the right decision? My heart hurts so bad. I’m so upset I cried to my mum today.
Putting your family pet to sleep
Putting your family pet to sleep
Posted in:
Life Lessons
13 Replies
I think you should cancel the booking. Keep trying. Even buy a dog run for the daytime so hes not on a chain. Put him on a really long chain. It's better than being put to sleep when he's completely healthy.
I'm sure you can solve this keep trying and youll find a solution.
No!! Don't put him down! Call Grant or look him up on Facebook/ internet. The paw man- canine dog behaviour
http://www.thepawman.com.au/
He is amazing at his work and I'm sure he could help u!
Could you not surrender him to the Rspca or dog shelter (there's usually a fee involved with that)?
At least there he'll be given one last fighting chance to find a home that can meet his exuberant needs, before he's put down.
From what you've said, he's trainable so I think you should be more open minded about re homing him or at least surrendering him as I mentioned above. Someone who can commit to this dog could save his life!
Having an animal euthanized for exhibiting instinctive animal behaviour should be a last resort, I just feel there may be steps left to take before such action is taken.
Agree!! Have seen many re-trained and changed!
Sorry you are having to make this hard decision :-( sounds like you have tried nearly everything to me and honestly all it will take is him to kill the wrong animal and he will be euthanased anyway - without you having a choice. Only thing I can think is a run as mentioned above so the dog has more space or if all else fails there are good people out there that have the time for the dog. Don’t be closed off to the idea altogether. Meet potential owners and ask specific questions around what you know the pet needs. Choose a new home wisely... I wish you all the best...
If he's on a long chain during the day he has just as much ability to play etc as if he's not. And if he's in with you when you're home, I think that's a pretty good life for him
Technically he's a dangerous dog if he gets out and kills other animals, I guess it's just lucky he hasn't been PTS yet by the council due to a complaint from the owners of such pets. Honestly, vicious dogs like him who get out do need to be PTS for everyone's safety.
My inlaws had a dog like this and as he got older, he became worse off and started mistaking kids for small animals and would become defensive. I spoke to them about his behaviour and how I was concerned as he too was an escapee and they agreed he needed to be PTS. It's the kindest option.
We had to make this decision earlier in the year also, we had a young 2 year old dog who was just too aggressive even towards other people. We didn't want to re-home her as we would hate ourselves if she ever hurt someone else. It never would have sat right with us. So, she had a big meal and a lot of cuddles, I took her to the vet and we had a really nice time whilst she was sedated and then when I was ready it was done. The vets are so fabulous and make it a very easy process.
Believe it or not but us vets hate putting animals to sleep! Especially when stupid owners like you don't seek the correct training for them. All dogs can be trained if you have the right knowledge and tools and well can be bothered to seek the help for the poor animal.
Thanks for just assuming, as a vet I am sure you understand there's cases where dogs just can't be rehabbed...
We actually had sent her to be trained as she had shown signs from the day we got her, she was then sent to a behaviouralist who continued her training at our home and showing us how to appropriately handle her aggressive behaviour. However, after seeking diagnosis from the vets (and I mean plural as it wasn't just one vet) she had a brain injury which was acquired as a puppy when she was extremely under nourished and having severe seizures (this was prior to us taking her on). They believed that she just wasn't trainable and we had to register her as a dangerous dog after she went to attack a child, luckily we were present and had her on a tight leash and she couldn't actually do so. But she was frothing at the mouth and snapping with no provoking.
So yes, we did seek numerous avenues and it was the kindest and safest thing for everyone involved. We had a lovely day together enjoying cuddles and a meal and then we took her to the vets who were the ones who recommended having her PTS as a final avenue :-)
Stupid excuse to not rehome him, sorry. Those things are rare and if you went through a shelter they would make sure he is going to the best home to suit his needs. Dogs kill small animals, horrible but thats what they do if given the chance and they haven't had a chance to be socialised with them. I don't think that makes him dangerous it just makes him a dog. Rehome him. If he isn't sick he should not be put to sleep.
If he hunts would it really be that bad? I see many hunting dogs very well cared for and alive. Perhaps he is a hunter as he obviously has the desire to. Why kill a healthy dog when someone else could love and care for him.
You made the right choice for you. I had a friend a few years ago who had to put her 3 year old dog down for similar reasons. Had killed chooks when he escaped and her last straw was when he killed one of her cats. This was a big thing for her as that dog was her baby. He was the sweetest dog but while she had no kids of her own she had friends around with kids often. She would never had forgiven herself if something happened.
You make the right choice for you.
I today had to make a very difficult decision to have our girl put to sleep, she had become aggressive toward visitors and she bit my sons girlfriend on the face, unprovoked out of nowhere. I talked to my husband, family and friends aswell as my vet nurse at our vets and decided we couldn't take the risk of her doing it again, that it would be better to remember her as a loving dog not one thats caused harm. Its heartbreaking but I believe your doing the right thing. Keeping other animals and people safe is important, at the end of the day people are going to judge but it wont be on their shoulders if she attacks again!!