Help! Please tell me I'm doing the right thing?

Mince Pie

Mince Pie

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 June 2011
Messages
9,756
Visit site
I took on a rescue staffy in June. He has fear aggression to other dogs, seperation anxiety and has now lunged at and nearly bitten someone. He has already bitten a friend as she was separating my dog and hers whilst they were fighting, my dog left the other dog and went for her.

He is booked in to the vets to be pts on Monday morning :(

Please tell me I'm doing the right thing?
 
You are doing the right thing. Very wrong that the 'rescue' put you in this situation. Sad for both you and the dog.
(Being bitten while seperating a fight is no reason to PTS but if he launched, unprovoked) at someone, that is.)
 
Selina, he is already under a behaviourist for his anxiety issues. I have left him a message and will hopefully speak to him over the weekend. Now that I think back, J was a bit iffy about the guy coming into the house.
Clodagh, I didn't go through a rescue centre. He was advertised on Facebook, but his previous owner was totally upfront and honest about his issues. The problem is that his behaviour is escalating.

I should probably add that he has recently had a full MOT from the vet.
 
I think you are doing the right thing - it will only be time before someone gets seriously hurt - as hard as it is. If the behaviourist isnt getting anywhere then I can't see what choice you have ? You certainly couldn't pass him on. Shame as Staffy's always seem to get a bad press .
 
I had a rescue dog with similar issues and with the proper help and patience you can work through this. I had to use a muzzle every time we were around anyone except myself and OH initially but as my dog got his confidence and settled into a secure and loving home, he eventually came right. I never left him alone with kids ever, but I did grow to trust him with adults. It is a lot of work to retrain them but for me it was worth it because I ended up with a truly lovely dog.

I know it could be different with yours and you have to make the decision that you think is right, but I would speak to more professionals before considering pts.
 
Yes you are doing the right thing. I'm not saying he couldn't be rehabilitated with endless time and patience, but it would be an incredibly tough job that no-one but the most determined would take on.
 
Finding the right person ie behaviourist to help you without costing an arm and a leg is next to impossible, if you are anywhere near Cayla pm her as she is an exceptional gifted person and Ive seen her work with dog aggressive dogs and is nothing short of exceptional.

In the meantime muzzling the dog when out on a walk is a must for other dogs safety and perhaps other people, you dont say whether this dog is neutered or how old he is, what do you do to correct his behaviour when he is lunging at other dogs, what sort of collar do you walk him in.

Its impossible to give advice on a forum for this sort of behaviour, you need someone who is there on the ground with you, if you are not able to do this then having the dog pts will be your only option.
 
I am so sorry you are in this position and have to make the decision. For what it's worth, I think there are a lot worse things that can happen to an animal, than being put to sleep by a caring owner and vet. X
 
Lévrier;13077606 said:
Yes you are doing the right thing. I'm not saying he couldn't be rehabilitated with endless time and patience, but it would be an incredibly tough job that no-one but the most determined would take on.
Click to expand...

And that rehabilitation wont be easy for the dog. I only use positive reinforcement with mine, but that doesn't mean that is easy and they sail through issues without a care in the world. Yes its much better than other types of training, but with an issue this severe and ingrained then it is stressful for the dog. So yes, I think you are doing the right thing and dont you dare feel guilty about it!
 
Dobiegirl said:
Finding the right person ie behaviourist to help you without costing an arm and a leg is next to impossible, if you are anywhere near Cayla pm her as she is an exceptional gifted person and Ive seen her work with dog aggressive dogs and is nothing short of exceptional.

In the meantime muzzling the dog when out on a walk is a must for other dogs safety and perhaps other people, you dont say whether this dog is neutered or how old he is, what do you do to correct his behaviour when he is lunging at other dogs, what sort of collar do you walk him in.

Its impossible to give advice on a forum for this sort of behaviour, you need someone who is there on the ground with you, if you are not able to do this then having the dog pts will be your only option.
Click to expand...

He doesn't lunge at other dogs, he goes in wanting to play but can be a bit boisterous. If the other dog tells him off he will retaliate, I use training discs and the command 'come away', walk off with him and then praise and treat when he returns his focus to me. He is walked on a flat collar. He is getting a lot better with other dogs and we have had no problems recently on that front, however I still can't fully trust him. He is roughly 4 years old and neutered. We are already working with a behaviourist so I will hopefully speak to him over the weekend and see what he thinks.
Thank you x
 
I do wonder if he is 'protecting' me, but at the same time I have purposely started to distance myself from him in an attempt to lessen his SA. This does actually appear to be working which is why it is a shame that this aggression towards people has really started to take hold, his previous owner was shocked to hear what had happened. Part of me would love to keep him but it would mean that he is muzzled and on a lead at all times outside the house which doesn't seem fair on the dog as he is a high energy type. Having said that I do have a decent sized back garden for him to run in. No doubt I will be swinging from pts and back again over the weekend :rolleyes3:
 
Having him muzzled will not actually impact his life and a longline will be enough for him to runaround but you say you wonder if he is trying to protect you, surely your behaviourist would spot this. If he is seriously people aggressive then you dont really have a choice but again I would expect your behaviourist to advise you.
 
It is difficult to comment without seeing the behaviour but from your post I assume your dog is fear aggressive. I have a fear aggressive dog here who is slowly letting go of her fears. We have had help from an Institute of Modern Dog Trainers person and I would recommend them over other trainers for this kind of problem. Here are my thoughts after reading your posts.

It is perfectly possible to keep a dog happy even if he needs to be muzzled and walked on a long line in public places as long as the owner organises off lead exercise in secure places and provides plenty of stimulation, mental and physical. You can hire agility clubs' secure fields, tennis courts or indoor schools.

The fact that your dog redirected the aggression towards the person trying to break up the fight does not really mean he is people aggressive. He was highly aroused and full of adrenalin. In that scenario a dog goes into survival mode and may attack anything that threatens to restrict his movements.

If he loses his nerve when faced with the body language of some strangers, protect him by asking people not to interact with him or come close to him. Some well-meaning people scare such a dog by invading his space without realising it. He should always be allowed to decide for himself whether he feels comfortable enough to approach somebody. Tell people to please ignore him and not make eye contact with him.

I hope your behaviourist can help you and this dog, if not I would get a second opinion from somebody who has a proven record with fear aggressive dogs. In the meantime get him used to a Baskerville type muzzle by putting treats in it and letting him put his head into the muzzle himself until he associates the muzzle with the treats.

Finally, the problem may be more intractable than my dog' s was. I would also be the first to admit that keeping a dog with such problems needs time, money, strong nerves, planning and the right set-up to keep everybody safe. If you are not in a position to provide for all this dog' s needs without causing serious upsets in your own life , then pts is a humane and sensible decision.
 
planete said:
It is difficult to comment without seeing the behaviour but from your post I assume your dog is fear aggressive. I have a fear aggressive dog here who is slowly letting go of her fears. We have had help from an Institute of Modern Dog Trainers person and I would recommend them over other trainers for this kind of problem. Here are my thoughts after reading your posts.
Click to expand...

He is a very nervous little dog, but at home you can see his happy nature. I know very little of his history so who knows what associations he has.

planete said:
If he loses his nerve when faced with the body language of some strangers, protect him by asking people not to interact with him or come close to him. Some well-meaning people scare such a dog by invading his space without realising it. He should always be allowed to decide for himself whether he feels comfortable enough to approach somebody. Tell people to please ignore him and not make eye contact with him.
Click to expand...

Thank you. We do this already but mainly in the house, again to try and help with the separation anxiety. The man he nearly bit had come out of his house - we were a couple of meters away - and was unlocking his car when we got level with him, he was not paying any attention to me or the dogs. J just lunged at him and went to bite, I didn't see any hackles, or tension in him but admit that I could have missed some signs.

planete said:
Finally, the problem may be more intractable than my dog' s was. I would also be the first to admit that keeping a dog with such problems needs time, money, strong nerves, planning and the right set-up to keep everybody safe. If you are not in a position to provide for all this dog' s needs without causing serious upsets in your own life , then pts is a humane and sensible decision.
Click to expand...

I would love to keep this dog but I'm not sure how it would work. I have 2 other dogs so I would want to walk him own his own so that I have more control over him. However this would mean leaving him at home for up to 90 minutes twice a day whilst I walk the others. There is a football pitch nearby, which isn't enclosed but you can see anyone coming from a decent distance. I could spend some time down there on a regular basis throwing his ball. I am disabled so whilst I am at home all the time my physical health is restrictive, especially if I'll be doubling my walking time.
Also it's the sheer unpredictability of it, other people can pass him in the street and he's fine? I've taken him round Newquay when it's been busy and, whilst a little overwhelmed by it all, he was fairly ok - surely that would be a time that he would more likely snap?

I'm positive that with work he will be a great little dog, at home he is happy, bright, playful and I can really see the potential in him. I'm just not sure that I'm the right person, which leaves me with the dilemma of what to do with him.
 
Remember if you did decide to go ahead and PTS he does not and will not know, it is no more stressful an event for him than going to the vets for his annual booster vaccinations.
Don't feel guilty he would no longer be living in a mental place full of fear.
In your shoes I would PTS.
 
Last edited:
I don't think anyone here can tell you if you are doing the right thing as we don't know the full circumstances. Only you can make the decision.
There are so many dogs in rescue its unlikely he would get rehomed.
He may improve with the correct handling but it would take a lot of work and commitment.
It's a horrible situation for you.
 
Personally I would put to sleep, he will know no different as twiggy2 says so well, you have tried hard with him.
I wouldn't want to pass on the problem. How would you feel if something awful happened, can you take the risk?
 
You cant save them all, some are just too damaged. it sounds trite and I apologise for that but its true.

What you can do is save someone from being injured by the dog in the future

Its a brave and courageous decision
 
You are doing the right thing.

What if he bites a child while he is being 'rehabilitated"? That does not bear thinking about, especially as the dog is now a known biter as far as the law is concerned.
 
You have made things hard on yourself by leaving it over the weekend and I'm sure that you are wondering now about your decision. From what you've said, I think its 100% the right thing to do, any dog that lunges at a passerby is not safe and there must be every chance that someone is going to get hurt by him.
 
twiggy2 said:
Remember if you did decide to go ahead and PTS he does not and will not know, it is no more stressful an event for him than going to the vets for his annual booster vaccinations.
Don't feel guilty he would no longer be living in a mental place full of fear.
In your shoes I would PTS.
Click to expand...

This.

Back in may I had my three year old collie pts. The reason was because he was in pain because of arthritis in his spine and hips. He started attacking my new pup over food, then the big collie when he walked by. The vets kept giving me painkillers saying this one will work etc. The last straw for me was when he went for the pup when she was just chewing a bone and then when I had separated them, by squrting water, growled at me then ran and hid.

I just sat on the floor and burst into tears knowing what I had to do. He, bless him, crawled up and snuggled into me as I'd to say it's okay mum.

Three hours later he was pts.

I know it's a slightly different situation than your but I thought it might help.
 
bonny said:
You have made things hard on yourself by leaving it over the weekend and I'm sure that you are wondering now about your decision. From what you've said, I think its 100% the right thing to do, any dog that lunges at a passerby is not safe and there must be every chance that someone is going to get hurt by him.
Click to expand...
Yes I agree, I keep looking at him and wondering if there isn't something else I can do for him. His fear aggression towards other dogs has improved a lot and I do think that with work he can improve on this front as well, but I just don't know if I'm the right person for him. I have friends that have links to rescue groups who could help him but I would constantly be worried about him and if I've made the right choice, but then I feel selfish for putting him down when someone else could give him a chance.
I'm just so torn over this dog because under all the fearfulness is a wonderful, loving and happy dog. Currently he's alternating between sitting on the sofa cuddled up next to me, or playing with my 16 month old JRT. It's hard to believe that today could be his last day :(
 
Why do you think he is not the right dog for you, as Ive said before its very difficult giving advice over a forum because we cant see the dog in front of us or you, because 9/10s of the problems are handler issues, its what you are doing or not doing. Im not saying this is down to you because clearly this dog had issues before you had him.
A friend of mine who lives in the village has a little terrier, she is getting a bit of a reputation for attacking other dogs, when she stays with me she is absolutley fine even when I have other dogs staying, Ive walked with her and met other dogs and when Ive seen her look at them in a certain way Ive called her name and pointed my finger at her, that has been enough to redirect her attention.

Ive taken the liberty of reading your other posts and forgive me for saying but you have had a few problems, i would say you are a bit under confident and coupled with an under confident dog you are going to have problems with this dog.

You said you were going to have a word with your behaviourist, what did they say, if they feel they can help your dog and you then I would give it another try and would muzzle your dog and keep on a long line in the mean time.


A few years ago I took on a dog aggressive dog, he was a 40kg male Dobermann, he had also bitten a member of his previous owners family. I rang around all the training classes, explained my problem, was told it was very common and to bring him along, when they saw him in action they soon changed their mind and I got kicked out of training classes, they were not prepared to work on a one to one basis either. I found an ex police dog trainer who also owned Dobes and he told me straight I had to shape up and take charge, with his help that dog became my dog of a lifetime and even though he died a few years ago it still breaks my heart talking about him.

One of my current Dobes is a rescue bitch and she was very fear aggressive when I first had her but again with lots of work and training she is the sweetest dog and a friend to every dog that walks in my house.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top