When Should a Dog Be Put Down?

[momof2inPA]

Some people seem to believe that a dog should never be put down. Do you believe that putting an animal to sleep is ever warranted and under what circumstances? What if the dog has bitten someone or several people? What if the dog has attacked other dogs and you think it will attack a person? What if your dog is so vicious seeming that you can't find a kennel or pet sitter to watch it while you go on vacation, but it has never actually bitten someone because you've been very vigilant? What if you think your dog has become dangerous and you don't want it anymore, but you don't want anyone else to risk it? What if your dog is deathly ill? What if your dog is ill but fixable and the fix will cost a lot of money (say enough for a Disney trip)? What if you just don't want your dog anymore and take it to the pound where it will probably not find a home?

I've just been wondering, is it ever ok in your opinion?

 

[CookieGVB]

In certain circumstances, yes.

Dangerous dog - yes.

Deathly ill - yes.

 

[bananiem]

Ok, I'm ready.

 

[Christine]

Reasons that are "ok" for euthanizing a dog for me are:

If the dog becomes aggressive toward family members and the behavior cannot be corrected with proper discipline methods.

The dog is aggressive to outsiders and you, the owner, cannot control it. (Many dogs are aggressive to non-family members but can be kept contained with no problems).

The dog is terminally ill and suffering. Expensive treatments only prolong the agony.

I don't agree with putting a dog down because it has an injury and you don't want to part with $2,000 to fix it. Sorry, when you adopt an animal you've got to know that this is a potential expense. If you are never prepared to do that, don't get an animal. I have had 4 dogs in my lifetime and not ONE of them was maintenance free. They all cost me a small fortune. We've paid for two anterior cruciate ligament surgeries, chronic kidney failure treatment, broken leg, bladder cancer diagnosis, and probably more.

I also don't agree that once a dog bites, that's it. There are *usually* extenuating circumstances. I remember one time when I was moving into my new unit of base housing. We had no screen yet on the door as it was being repaired and it was on it's way to the house. The front door was open and the screenless outer door was the only protection. I had my dog's food bowl in that area. This 5 year old little girl was roaming the complex (unsupervised). She stuck her head through my front door and put her hand in my dog's food bowl. The dog snapped at her hand. Of course we got in trouble for that. Fortunately, they didn't make me euthanize the dog, but they could have. The dog never bit again. That kind of stuff ticks me off.

 

[lulugirl]

In certain circumstances, yes.

Dangerous dog - yes.

Deathly ill - yes.

I agree. Always a painful, difficult decision but sometimes it is necessary.

 

[momof2inPA]

What is dangerous or aggressive, what if the dog acts dangerous and aggressive, gowls at people, tries to nip people, but he hasn't bitten anyone yet? Maybe you've prevented him from getting too close to people. Maybe you've tried to train him to behave, and it just hasn't worked? If one bite doesn't always mean that euthanasia is the answer does the lack of a bite always mean that euthanasia is unwarranted?

 

[momof2inPA]

I also don't agree that once a dog bites, that's it.

I'll agree with that. We had a puppy that bit me when I was little while it was fighting with another dog. I tried to pull them apart. Anyway, that was the only time that dog bit anyone. My parents could have put her down, and I'm kind of surprised my dad didn't, but I was glad. She was a sweet dog.

 

[Christine]

I'm not sure there is a blanket answer for your question. If my dog was aggressive to strangers, but not in the home, then I would do whatever I could to make sure that the dog didn't see strangers. I have a dog that is somewhat aggressive. She is aggressive toward other dogs. So, I have a big 6-foot fence and I do not take her for walks outside of my home unless it is extremely early in the morning or late an night. I just make sure she isn't in any position to bring out her aggression. I can control the situation but, say, a person in an apartment couldn't because the dog would have to go out in public regularly. If the dog was aggressive in that person's situation, then the dog could possibly be adopted out to an owner who could deal with it (unlikely). If not, that would be good cause (in my book) to euthanize.

 

[hiwaygal]

I had a dog for 14 years who absolutely DID NOT like strangers. He had bit others two times. Both instances were "provoked". The dog was confined and both people were warned, but insisted the dog wouldn't bite them .

He also bit me several times, because I challenged his "authority".

I finally decided to put him down (at the ripe old age of 14) because the vet believed he had a brain tumor. Being this dog was rather old for his breed, and that even if the diagnosis was confirmed, brain surgery was not an option (they wouldn't do it), I opted NOT to send my dog for an expensive MRI and he was euthanized.

Many people told me to put him down over the years because of his aggressive tendencies. But I refused for many reasons, not the least of which his aggression was due to a lack of socialization and training, therefore they were MY fault, not the dogs.

In many years of boarding him at the kennel, he only nipped a technician once, and even SHE said it wasn't his fault (lots of barking dogs, etc.). I warned the kennel every time that he would bite if given the chance, and for the most part they never had a problem.

If someone has an "aggressive" dog they can't control, I would strongly urge them to get in touch with a breed rescue. Many times the folks who volunteer for these groups can and will try EVERYTHING to save the dog, much more than a "casual" owner can or is willing to try.

To answer the OP's question, yes, there are reasons to put a dog down, but I don't think aggression is necessarily one of them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What is dangerous or aggressive, what if the dog acts dangerous and aggressive, gowls at people, tries to nip people, but he hasn't bitten anyone yet? Maybe you've prevented him from getting too close to people. Maybe you've tried to train him to behave, and it just hasn't worked? If one bite doesn't always mean that euthanasia is the answer does the lack of a bite always mean that euthanasia is unwarranted?

Well the answer to that question is to become the alpha over your dog.
Also it is a clear indication that the dog does NOT respect or trust you to take care of him/her when a situation arises.

When we brought Butters home 4 months ago he started down that path. Dog aggressive, fearful, tried to be the "alpha" in the home.

Well we had a come to Jesus with him via thru a professional trainer. From then on we exposed him to situations that were scary (to him). We walked 2 times a day in a heel position. When he behaved inappropriately he got "downed".
He still has to be "downed" sometimes. He still wants to be alpha over my 9yodd. It is not tolerated.

Basically you don't put up with that crap (aggression is NOT tolerated) and you train your dog.

BTW...Butters is a happy, happy dog now that he is NOT the ALPHA and can walk next to dogs and he is assured I will take care of him.

Wasn't easy...but I did it.

 

[NMAmy]

I believe in putting the dog to sleep if they are so ill or feeble that their quality of life is compromised and nothing can be done to improve it. I've had to do this once and it's heartbreaking but it was even more heartbreaking to watch her suffer. I would not put a dog to sleep because a medical procedure that could help them cost too much--any more than I'd not pay for a medical procedure for my kid. When I accept the responsibility of a pet, that's part of it--I expect there to be medical expenses.

 

[momof2inPA]

To answer the OP's question, yes, there are reasons to put a dog down, but I don't think aggression is necessarily one of them.

Which makes me think of my sister's dog. It was a ****zu-- meanest dog you ever met. It was extremely territorial, especially if anyone outside the family visited. It bit several people. My sister tried behavioral training, and some kind of pack dominance stuff. Anyway, that beast was always a danger. The vet insisted that she come in muzzled. No one would pet sit the creature. She once was accepted at a kennel when my sister went on vacation, but the workers were so scared of her, they didn't let her out while she was there, just threw in her food. Plus, my sister had kids that were nipped by the dog, but never bitten hard like other folks were. If that would have been my dog, I would have put her down. She was too aggressive. She was unsafe.

 

[momof2inPA]

Well the answer to that question is to become the alpha over your dog.
Also it is a clear indication that the dog does NOT respect or trust you to take care of him/her when a situation arises.

When we brought Butters home 4 months ago he started down that path. Dog aggressive, fearful, tried to be the "alpha" in the home.

Well we had a come to Jesus with him via thru a professional trainer. From then on we exposed him to situations that were scary (to him). We walked 2 times a day in a heel position. When he behaved inappropriately he got "downed".
He still has to be "downed" sometimes. He still wants to be alpha over my 9yodd. It is not tolerated.

Basically you don't put up with that crap (aggression is NOT tolerated) and you train your dog.

BTW...Butters is a happy, happy dog now that he is NOT the ALPHA and can walk next to dogs and he is assured I will take care of him.

Wasn't easy...but I did it.

I agree. That's a good training tactic. My sister tried it and it didn't work. Maybe she wasn't a good trainer, but either way, it didn't work. So, if a person works and works with their dog and it still tries to dominate humans, what should be done? What if no one else will take it or you're worried that it will hurt someone?

What do you mean "a come to Jesus?" Doesn't the Bible say there won't be animals in heaven?

 

[stuckatwork]

A dog should be put down when:

It politely lets you know its tired of being held

Its afraid of heights and your tall

Put downs are very hurtful to a dogs psyche and rather an uplifting confidence boosting phrase should be used.

 

[hiwaygal]

Which makes me think of my sister's dog. It was a ****zu-- meanest dog you ever met. It was extremely territorial, especially if anyone outside the family visited. It bit several people. My sister tried behavioral training, and some kind of pack dominance stuff. Anyway, that beast was always a danger. The vet insisted that she come in muzzled. No one would pet sit the creature. She once was accepted at a kennel when my sister went on vacation, but the workers were so scared of her, they didn't let her out while she was there, just threw in her food. Plus, my sister had kids that were nipped by the dog, but never bitten hard like other folks were. If that would have been my dog, I would have put her down. She was too aggressive. She was unsafe.

Not to question your sisters judgement, or that she did everything she could. But my guess is that perhaps the training she was using wasn't the correct technique this dog needed. There are so many methods out there, and most trainers use what has been most successful for them. I can also understand financial limitations to just how much "expert" training one can afford to pay for. That's why if I had a dog that was just too much for me to handle, I would look into a breed rescue group, they will work with the dogs tirelessly until there is absolutely NO other option. And even then, the foster family may still decide to keep the dog.

In my case, I also had to muzzle my dog for every vet visit but the kennel technicians where I took my dog didn't have many problems. Perhaps the folks at the kennel your sister went to just weren't well-trained to handle agressive dogs (many folks who work in a kennel have NO clue about training or dealing with dogs).

Also, I think it's different for folks who have kids. I don't (so my opinions are probably different). When I had my dog, it was just me and the dog 99% of the time. He was ALWAYS on a leash when we were walking, and I was VERY diligent about warning kids or folks about getting too close. Actually, with him, I had more problems with the dogs everyone thought were "just fine" approaching my dog (because they were never on a leash).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Just because a dog is aggressive towards other dogs does not mean that they are aggressive towards people. I've worked with my dog on her aggressiveness towards other dogs, but she is not agressive towards people. We have people in and out of our house and there has never been an issue. Kids can stick their fingers in our fence out back and she doesn't do anything. The UPS man is convinced that she is dangerous the way she barks when he walks to the door. But if her were to walk in our home she would be fine.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What do you mean "a come to Jesus?" Doesn't the Bible say there won't be animals in heaven?

No nothing to do with Jesus...It means that from here on out, you are the boss and you will not tolerate crap period. You have to learn how to properly reprimand the dog. It is different than a correction. A correction is when you are training and teaching a dog and it doesn't do what you want so you give a correction. It is nothing cruel, it just means you are redirecting the dog in the proper manner and it is done very quick and reassurance is given after for the desired responses.

Reprimand is what you do to a dog when it is behaving inappropriately in your "pack". The dog is growling, jumping up, snarling, nipping mouthing, licking (can lead to nipping & is not desirable for alpha dogs), etc....Basically dog is being bratty and you need to give a reprimand.
You need a professional to show how to do this. It can be dangerous depending on the dog. I don't recommend this for a beginner. I called it "come to Jesus" but trainers also call it "straightening a dog's "crap"."

Everytime the dog is behaving alpha, he gets downed. A trainer will show you the way to do it and will "read" the dog for you. If a trainer (I trust) told me that this dog was dangerous, I would put it down.

I thank the many people that helped me, help my dog.

We still have more hurdles to jump with him but he is 100% better and he trusts us which is so important in rehabilation of a dog.

Put downs are very hurtful to a dogs psyche and rather an uplifting confidence boosting phrase should be used.

While that may be true, you have to take each dog case individually. That is why I recommend a professional dog trainer that can read the dog.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Well the answer to that question is to become the alpha over your dog.
Also it is a clear indication that the dog does NOT respect or trust you to take care of him/her when a situation arises.

When we brought Butters home 4 months ago he started down that path. Dog aggressive, fearful, tried to be the "alpha" in the home.

Well we had a come to Jesus with him via thru a professional trainer. From then on we exposed him to situations that were scary (to him). We walked 2 times a day in a heel position. When he behaved inappropriately he got "downed".
He still has to be "downed" sometimes. He still wants to be alpha over my 9yodd. It is not tolerated.

Basically you don't put up with that crap (aggression is NOT tolerated) and you train your dog.

BTW...Butters is a happy, happy dog now that he is NOT the ALPHA and can walk next to dogs and he is assured I will take care of him.

Wasn't easy...but I did it.

You dog sounds a lot like one of ours. I did have a wonderful private session with a trainer which helped a lot. But, I have not been following up with her like I should. I do not put her in enough situations that will give her the practice she needs around other dogs. At least I can walk her now and not fear that she will react to every dog around her and she has learned the "quiet" command so she will not bark and bark at a dog that is outside (when she is in, she doesn't bark at all when leashed and she sees another dog). You are right--it's very important for a dog to see their humans as alpha and to realize that the humans will protect them.

 

[lisajl]

A dog should be put down when:

It politely lets you know its tired of being held

Its afraid of heights and your tall

Put downs are very hurtful to a dogs psyche and rather an uplifting confidence boosting phrase should be used.

Lol This made me smile.


In all seriousness though, You should have a pet euthanzied when it can no longer be a dog. It is so old and feeble and it cannot do anything anymore.
It's a tough decision.

I agree with another poster regarding people not wanting to part with money on a dog they can fix. We see it ALL the time at the clinic. It is terrible!
I know money is money, but a pet is a luxury not a necessity.

Lisa

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You dog sounds a lot like one of ours. I did have a wonderful private session with a trainer which helped a lot. But, I have not been following up with her like I should. I do not put her in enough situations that will give her the practice she needs around other dogs. At least I can walk her now and not fear that she will react to every dog around her and she has learned the "quiet" command so she will not bark and bark at a dog that is outside (when she is in, she doesn't bark at all when leashed and she sees another dog). You are right--it's very important for a dog to see their humans as alpha and to realize that the humans will protect them.

I just wanted to share that the more things I expose him to the more he trusts me and feels proud of himself. You can actually see it!
But when we rescued him he was a mess.
Butters was so bad that he was in a constant state of fear. That fear shows as aggression in dogs and tried to alpha our family.
He was afraid of people, dogs, bikes, inanimate objects like a trashcan etc...
We forced him to face his fears (slowly)and he is fine with dogs and inanimate objects now. Even horses! The neighbor brought up his horse to the dogs and they about jumped out of their skins. Of course we were stepping on the leash and they couldn't move.
As much as it seemed it was bad it actually helped them. They felt so proud of themselves when we left. Dog training is interesting that is for sure.