Sad for dog

[Aru]

Vet check to make sure there no obvious pain that could be triggering an aggessive reaction when handled......but Euthanasia is not the worse thing that can happen to an animal. Behavioural Euthanasia absolutely should be on the cards for this dog.

I would be very very careful with a lab who's showing repeated human aggression. They can do a lot of damage when they are not friendly, and the worst onces are the inconsistent ones. They tend to get passed from home to home until euthanasia after a bad enough incident.
When they are temperamentally unsound in an unpredictable way(I'm not talking about resource guarding etc here) they tend to be particularly dangerous as many people coming into contact with a lab will assume they will be tolerant and human friendly. If they don't growl in warning they can be hard for the average owner to read. They are seen as family dogs. Few people who want a Labrador, want a Labrador that bites.

We don't have always to wait until the dog mauls someone/bites a child/delivers a facial bite before considering euthanasia for human aggression, especially in a large breed dog. Regardless of age or breed.

We don't need more unpredictably aggressive dogs in the general population.

 

[skinnydipper]

Reading between the lines I think he doesn't fit in to their lifestyle anymore

Did he bite in his first home?

Or just when he was pushed way over threshold on his home trial?

 

[Teaselmeg]

It was a lab that half killed my whippet. 6 months later he's still having physio and osteo and doing remedial exercises to fix the damage the damn thing did. It was enormous with a big block head and if I hadn't beaten it and jabbed my fingers in its eyes, and tried to rip its vile fat head off while booting the hell out of it, it would have killed him. It was ragging him like doll. I was very, very lucky it didn't redirect onto me looking back. It meant business and just came charging round a bend and went for him, luckily he was by my side, so I was there to get it off. Its done it to other dogs. And anecdotally there's a breeder in the Oxford area, churning out these big labs with awful temperaments. Not all labs are nice characters, some seem to be flawed.

This really interesting to read ( not your dog being attacked ), but the breeder info. I really hope you whippet is ok, the whole thing sounds horrendous.

My young lurcher was attacked by a large yellow lab a few years ago at an agility training class, we are south of Oxford. The dog clocked us as we walked in and the moment he was off the lead he came straight at my dog, damaging his hip and ruining his agility career before it started, as he is now really worried in an agility situation. I've always assumed that the lab just didn't like entire young male dogs, but maybe he was from the same breeder and was predisposed to this kind of behaviour.

 

[JBM]

I fostered a collie and on her first night home
She went for me
I told her to get down from the top of the couch (the literal top) and I reached out to grab her collar so she went for my hand.
I stood back and continued to ask her to get down but didn’t attempt to touch her again
Once she got down and sat on the couch seat I left her alone
I did not go to touch her again until she approached and lay her head on my knee the next day
She was a saint and never did anything of the sort after
But it was a big stressful day for her and I was stupid.
Doing something like that when they’re settling doesn’t mean anything I think

 

[Errin Paddywack]

When my sister was taking her dog to training classes back in mid 70's she found that labs were the most likely to be aggressive. One in particular really disliked her dog and went for him when she was leaving one night. Missed her dog and grabbed her leg. Made a real mess of her calf, she should have complained at the time but didn't for some reason. Her dog was a scruffy little Heinz57 and no aggression in him at all.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Over 70 yrs ago my parents bought their first dog as a couple, a Lab dog. While he was still quite young, he was attacked by another Lab which shot out of its garden as Dad walked him past on lead.
Labs have never been the soft toys that some people seem to think that they are.

 

[skinnydipper]

Whatever his past history, this dog was set up to fail.

He had left his home and all that was familiar and spent time in kennels. Then went for a home trial, where he had an action packed first day, new environment, new people, new dogs and then was taken visiting

He should have had a chilled day in his new home while he found his feet, without pressure, and if he was known to be a difficult dog then extra care should have been taken.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Whatever his past history, this dog was set up to fail.

He had left his home and all that was familiar and spent time in kennels. Then went for a home trial, where he had an action packed first day, new environment, new people, new dogs and then was taken visiting

He should have had a chilled day in his new home while he found his feet, without pressure, and if he was known to be a difficult dog then extra care should have been taken.

Exactly, whatever happens to the dog, this family obviously aren't knowlegeable/ sensible enough to be rehoming dogs with problems

 

[CorvusCorax]

I took on a very well bred, well adjusted dog who had known me his whole life, all we did for the first couple of weeks was short leash walks, just me and him, and he got all meals from my hand.

Re sofas and furniture in general, it's a pretty common flashpoint that more people need to realise. While it's nice to have a dog that cuddles on the sofa, it does not work for every dog, my old dog had to stop being allowed on the sofa as he was growling at me when I asked him to get off. He was not a rescue or badly treated or in pain, he was just being a possessive arse and me meeting aggression with more aggression, or rewarding it, would have been stupid.

 

[Clodagh]

Exactly, whatever happens to the dog, this family obviously aren't knowlegeable/ sensible enough to be rehoming dogs with problems

But they loveses the fluffies ever so much.

 

[Abi90]

But they loveses the fluffies ever so much.

Also why rescue dogs are not suitable for everyone and why “adopt don’t shop” lacks the nuance it needs. Sometimes people really do need to buy puppies from reputable breeders, who offer continued support, who have had a good start in life. People have to start somewhere, rescue dogs are not always it

Sorry, doesn’t add much to the original post!

 

[Clodagh]

Also why rescue dogs are not suitable for everyone and why “adopt don’t shop” lacks the nuance it needs. Sometimes people really do need to buy puppies from reputable breeders, who offer continued support, who have had a good start in life. People have to start somewhere, rescue dogs are not always it

Sorry, doesn’t add much to the original post!

But entirely true. I think people think rescue is a great thing to do, and it is, but you need more than loves and hugs to turn a damaged dog into a responsible member of the family. I know my limitations and I’m ok with nervous dogs who are just scared but I wouldn’t take on an unpredictable biter. I just don’t think I’d be on the ball enough.

 

[misst]

When we took on our rehome stray from abroad I was completely ignorant. Lucky for us he was small skinny and scared. His go to reaction even 7 years later is snarl growl snap but not bite. I did some reading on here and some behaviour sites and used "common sense". We had an old female terrier who nannied him the first couple of years. He no longer resource guards food and toys and furniture from us or family members but I don't trust him with strangers or strange dogs. If he'd been a bigger stronger dog things could have been very different. We took him on because he was fostered with multiple big dogs and was unhappy (and cute). Given what we know now I probably would pass on having him though I wouldn't swap him for the world. Rehoming/adopting - love is not enough.

 

[Nasicus]

I've known 2 nasty labs. One was years ago, the other is a gun dog that my OH sees regularly through the season. It's a great gundog but everyone has been warned not to even try and fuss it otherwise you might loose your face!! OH has seen it in action and it's very very nasty.

Hoping it's not used for stud and potentially passing on it's face-munching tendencies off out into the world!

 

[CarlungM]

My son and ex daughter in law took on a dog with a bite history. He had been abused as a pup. I remember he bit me the first time we met. Over time with a lot of work from everyone he became safe with family and some trusted friends. Yes he had triggers, but he was the sweetest little thing and had a good life. It was always difficult carrying out certain procedures such as givng ear drops , I guess ptsd for him. It will need a good rescue and experienced home to deal with him. Without this pts is a kinder option. Do they need help with sourcing a rescue?

 

[skinnydipper]

On the subject of going up to strange dogs and fussing them - don't do it. Respect their space. Not every dog wants a stranger up close and personal. Leave them alone.

 

[Clodagh]

On the subject of going up to strange dogs and fussing them - don't do it. Respect their space. Not every dog wants a stranger up close and personal. Leave them alone.

I don’t even go up and fuss mine .
Seriously though the very best thing about working dogs and working dog people is no one wants to cuddle your dog, they have enough of their own.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Seriously though the very best thing about working dogs and working dog people is no one wants to cuddle your dog, they have enough of their own.

YEP! Other people's dogs are none of my business. It's a bit like kids, I love my own dogs but not that fussed about everyone else's.

 

[HopOnTrot]

What colour is it out of interest?

 

[SantaVera]

I'm sure I've posted about this before. My aunt and uncle (experienced owners) bought a yellow lab. Raised and trained him well. Mum took them out training to do searches and working trials stuff, all good.

The dog started being aggressive towards my aunt. "Mardy" behaviour that escalated to growling. They took him to the vet it was that out of character but no physical issues.

Mum (dog trainer and experienced with retraining "problem" dogs) went to help but he didn't display the behaviour. It was only happening when aunt was alone.

He was purebred and lines known, parents health tested etc. He was a huge dog, the biggest lab I've ever seen.

Then he started squaring up to my uncle. The dog was extremely aggressive for no apparent reason. Back to vets in case it was something like a brain tumour but nothing was found.

He was pts because his behaviour was so aggressive. I think he may have bitten my aunt at one point, maybe initially. If he's really decided to go he could have done a lot of damage.

I guess my point is even although labs are generally amenable and a good first dog, they can still have issues.

Not sure if I'm making this up but I think there was found to be something where labs were aggressive. Not sure if it was the equivalent of cocker rage. This was ~ 15 years ago.

Pts seems like a sensible option for a dog that attacks for not apparent reason.

Agree with this.

 

[HuskyFluff]

YEP! Other people's dogs are none of my business. It's a bit like kids, I love my own dogs but not that fussed about everyone else's.

Totally this. And I'm not even a working dog person...

I've also known unpleasant labs - one (knowledgable owners) where the dog just walked up to their 5yr old and bit her face, my mal was attacked by a large entire lab in a field, and on another occasion was then attacked by another when it slipped it's lead in the street. (Comment from the owner 'oh his collars too big for him'). I've never been convinced about their cute. floppy andrex puppy status amongst the general public...

If the dog in the OP can't find a home prepared to put the work in, then there are far worse options than PTS. But he hasn't been set up for success here.

 

[Goldenstar]

Labs are amazing dogs .
They are clever and easy to train.
As with all clever trainable animals they learn the bad as well good very easily .
Entire lab dogs are more of a thing for those into training undirected they can be a complete liability.

 

[I'm Dun]

This really interesting to read ( not your dog being attacked ), but the breeder info. I really hope you whippet is ok, the whole thing sounds horrendous.

My young lurcher was attacked by a large yellow lab a few years ago at an agility training class, we are south of Oxford. The dog clocked us as we walked in and the moment he was off the lead he came straight at my dog, damaging his hip and ruining his agility career before it started, as he is now really worried in an agility situation. I've always assumed that the lab just didn't like entire young male dogs, but maybe he was from the same breeder and was predisposed to this kind of behaviour.

He spent 2 days shaking and terrified, I guess while he was so sore. His neck and face swelled to double the normal size and he was just so sad and sore even on painkillers. He is still having treatment and remedial work for a trapped nerve in his back, the sodding thing got him by the neck, and I got it off and it got him across his back. He is almost totally fine now though, the odd off step if he's been laid in a certain way, but he looks sound and is happy in himself, and its expected he will be signed off in December, 8 months after it bloody happened. He has never had an issue with another dog since. I expected fear and/or aggression, but he's completely neutral unless he's invited to interact with others, then he's a happy clown as he always was. I'm stunned that he came back so well.

Its the younger dog that has picked up issues with it, he is almost always neutral to other dogs, doesn't interact even if invited, but every now and again he will see a dog and something triggers and he does that very aggressive body language and stiff slow walk they do when they mean business and he has to go back on his lead. I have no idea if he would react and I have no desire to find out, so preventative action is taken. He wasn't like that before, so it makes me sad that he sometimes feels like he might have to fight to defend us.

 

[skinnydipper]

OH friend has gone to see an 18 month old dog today. It keeps biting the owner. It's never walked. He was sent a video where owner put its lead on, dog thought it was going for a walk and she just turned it round by the door, so it started nipping her. Getting it all excited about going out, then not going out, what dors she expect. Sounds totally frustrated. Hope OH friend will agree to take it on.

Is this the same dog or a different one?

 

[skinnydipper]

..

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Is this the same dog or a different one?

Yes same dog. Further info was that the original owner did walk the dog. He is quite muscly so looked to have been walked a fair bit but the dog was in control. I think the sudden turing nasty on our friend has shocked him and he said it really hurt. I'm not sure if they have taken the dog back to kennels or not. It has been playing on my mind. I just hope, if they do take him to the vet, that the vet could possibly get him a place at a rescue.

 

[CorvusCorax]

OH friend has gone to see an 18 month old dog today. It keeps biting the owner. It's never walked. He was sent a video where owner put its lead on, dog thought it was going for a walk and she just turned it round by the door, so it started nipping her. Getting it all excited about going out, then not going out, what dors she expect. Sounds totally frustrated. Hope OH friend will agree to take it on.

With the best will in the world, it may also be a bit of a misreading of the situation. I'm guessing the video was taken for information purposes 'the dog does this when we go for a walk'.

Redirection out of stress/excitement is a thing. Then the dog works out, when I do this, either what I want to happen, happens, OR what I want to stop happening, stops happening. Dogs only do what works for them/what is in their best interests.

I know a few 'ripped' looking dogs that don't get walked that much, they are just lucky genetically.

With the best will in the world, it sounds like your friend, and the previous owners, do not know enough about stress signals and certainly not enough about letting a dog set the pace.

I am also very sad for the dog, being bumped around like this. Your friend was told there was a biting issue but thought that he knew better, totally flooded the dog on his first day and now is getting shot of it when he 'found out', rather than putting any work in.
There's often a lot more to taking on a new/rehomed dog than just nice long walks and cuddles on the sofa.

 

[skinnydipper]

I feel very sorry for the dog because I think he is in a worse position now than he was in first place.

There breed specific rescues, it would be worth trying them to see if they can help.

Clodagh has already suggested Black Retriever X rescue.

Is he working lines? If so, does anybody on here know of gun dog rescues who could help.

 

[SantaVera]

Vet check to make sure there no obvious pain that could be triggering an aggessive reaction when handled......but Euthanasia is not the worse thing that can happen to an animal. Behavioural Euthanasia absolutely should be on the cards for this dog.

I would be very very careful with a lab who's showing repeated human aggression. They can do a lot of damage when they are not friendly, and the worst onces are the inconsistent ones. They tend to get passed from home to home until euthanasia after a bad enough incident.
When they are temperamentally unsound in an unpredictable way(I'm not talking about resource guarding etc here) they tend to be particularly dangerous as many people coming into contact with a lab will assume they will be tolerant and human friendly. If they don't growl in warning they can be hard for the average owner to read. They are seen as family dogs. Few people who want a Labrador, want a Labrador that bites.

We don't have always to wait until the dog mauls someone/bites a child/delivers a facial bite before considering euthanasia for human aggression, especially in a large breed dog. Regardless of age or breed.

We don't need more unpredictably aggressive dogs in the general population.

This. There's a very agreeable lab near where I live I feel it should be PTS in the interests of safety.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I agree with you all. Friend expected too much too soon. If dog hadn't of turned on him I think he would have then stepped back and let him be for a while.