Dog problem

Well said Iam

It's difficult for any of us to assess what's really going on here. My 16 year old, very patient and Kindly old dog, could have been described at 'attacking' the puppy who joined our two older dogs. In truth, he was ensuring the pushy pup learned some manners before he was allowed to join the existing dogs on the large dog bed.
The significant issue is the OP doesn't trust the 5 year old dog. She kennels the dog when her grandchildren visit "for fear of her unpredictable behaviour. The feelings of guilt are enormous. but how long before something catastrophic happens"
Those are very clear statements from the OP and I'm not sure its helpful to her (or her dog) for posters to insist that she continues to care for this dog. I also agree totally with NannyandGrampy that not all dogs are suitable for re-homing and should be euthanised. I've never had to do this with any of my dogs. However, my vet and behaviourist both told me that the pushy puppy referred to above would have been re-homed or pts had he not been with me/someone like me, because of his reactivity and complexity. He was well bred, well socialised etc etc but by age 2, I was in despair. He is the same age as the OP's dog now and doing brilliantly but he will never be the laid back, chilled and rock solid temperament dog I'd hoped for and always had in the past. I've rescued and fostered dogs that were easier to turn round than my much loved young dog. I wish the OP well in whatever decision she makes. Her post shows she cares about her pets and recognises something has to change.

So you had 1 cat and 1 dog then gained another cat and now a puppy. The fact that the dog is OK with the puppy outside is probably the key. This dog is trying to establish territory inside the house. Have you tried keeping one room/space just for her and not allowing the other animals into it? You may find that once she has somewhere that smells just of her she settles down

I think I would work with a behaviourist if it was me BUT ( and I’m going to fly in the face of some of the opinions above) , if your dogs behaviour cannot be corrected I would euthanise.

I don’t believe in passing potential problems on if they can’t be corrected. It’s too much of a risk in my opinion.

It’s a tough call but I could not live with myself if a badly aggressive dog I rehomed attacked a child.

What breed is this dog and has she been spayed?

Please Please try talking to someone first. Do not put a healthy dog down thats unfair. Also keeping your dog in this stressful environment is unfair

Firstly I would re-home the puppy. Puppies are always easier to rehome. Dogs not getting on with cats is hardly a new thing and I would imagine that this dog is very stressed by the home environment. I would go to an animal charity and see if they think they can find a home where she is the only dog. That way you might end up with a cat only house, which would probably be the way to go.

An owner owes it to their dog to sort out any destructive/aggressive behaviour, if possible. Taking in a puppy was not the wisest thing, considering the older dogs behaviour had deteriorated a couple of years before. Owning a living animal is a responsibility which needs to be taken seriously.

I don’t agree with the idea of rehoming, you obviously know your dog and you don’t trust him. Enough said I think. You need to know that the dog has been treated humanely and there is only one way to be sure.

The blue cross and dogs trust weren't overly helpful for me. A small independent rescue was far better. They do it out of love and understanding of dogs, in their own time, and with a determination to match dogs to the right owner who can work with any problems to overcome them.

Your dog needs to be assessed by a behaviourist to see whether its possible to train and rehome her. The Dogs Trust are excellent, as are many breed specific rescue charities. As OldMeg says, whatever you do, don't advertise her free to good home etc on the internet. Your dog would be attractive to people who are training their own aggressive dogs - she'd be bait.
Your dog may be helped with her behaviour by ensuring she gets the right kind of mental and physical stimulation. You don't say how much exercise she gets, or how you've intervened other than by screaming. She needs limits setting and you don't sound to be in a position to do this

It sounds as though your mind is made up and this dogs life with you is coming to an end. Contact a good re-homing charity like the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross to arrange for her to move on and be assessed and hopefully trained.
Alternatively, get her vet checked, have an honest discussion with your vet. The vet may be able to help you reach the right decision. Vets are reluctant to put down healthy dogs. They will be able to make an initial assessment about the behaviour. Not all dogs can be safely re-homed.

It seems that your older dog is agressively bossy . I got super intelligent dog from the RSPCA and very regretfully had to return her as she was dangerously aggressive towards my old male dog. She was fine with my young, fit and equal ranking male dog.

Maybe you need to hand in your bossy dog for rehoming. I notice quite a few of the reasons given for rehoming is "not getting on with".

I was also warned about advertising as 'free to good home' as dogs are taken as bait in dog fights. I had already put out an advert, and had some very dodgy sounding enquires. I also had a young woman who wanted me to take the dog, having never met her, and drop her off, which I had refused to do. I was then told that women are paid to answer these ads in order to get dogs for fighting. Its a cruel world out there. I had no idea!

I love my dogs but would always put children first. If there are concerns about the children's safety then you should look at rehoming the dog. Be honest with the rescue centre about the problems you have encountered and they may be able to find a more suitable home.

And for heavens sake train your new puppy so it doesn’t develop bad habits.

PS having reread your OP I think I might have underestimated your dogs aggression behaviour. But still talk to a rehoming charity first.

I agree with bluebelle. You owe it to your dog to explore every other avenue first.

Yes, get her rehomed. I visited many rehoming sites before I got our rescue dog earlier this month.

They stated quite clearly whether their animals were good with children, or other dogs or cats, etc. I could easily have rehomed a dog that didn’t like cats as we don’t have any.

If your pet is good with people then there are lots of charities that will rehome her.

One word of warning though DO NOT advertise her free to a good home. Dogs thus advertised are targeted by dog fight enthusiasts and use as bait to train their aggressive dogs. Go through a rehoming charity such as Dogs Trust or Blue Cross.

Just because your home is not now suitable for your dog it doesn’t mean she has to be killed she is only 5 for goodness sake give the poor thing a chance to be someone else ONLY pet which seems to be what suits her best and you can be calm knowing you have your puppy and cats who all get on together Four animals in the home has become too much for her and it sounds as if the puppy was the last straw, she’s telling you in the only way she knows that she is living under stress I don’t understand why killing her is your first thought
I why not give her a chance with someone else

Why not talk to your vet and a couple of re-homing centres before you make that oh so difficult decision on euthanasia? You would be certain at least you had tried every option and I would think an ethical vet would want you to do that anyway. As missa said there are re-homing organisations for specific breeds. We had a dog who became very snappy after a difficult incident with builders but without small children and with great care he was perfectly manageable. There may be another home for your dog where she would be fine.

I think you need to get the dog to a vet, this change of behaviour and severe aggression is not good for the others.

It probably should be put down. What breed is it?
Do dogs get any form of Dementia or brain tumours etc?
There are such diseases in humans , Huntington's disease etc.

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated. The difficult dog was always ok with other dogs except the one time and outdoors is fine with the puppy. The puppy was literally dumped in my garden and the heart ruled the head and we decided to keep her. I dont know why she became so aggressive as we treat them all equally with time and affection and knowing food can be a catalyst they are never fed together and food is never left down. If this last attack had resulted in her killing the cat I tgink my mind would have been made up instantly, it's a big decision. Thanks again everyone.

Surely it’s worth discussing with a dog trainer, vet or similar before putting a healthy dog down Perhaps it is jealousy or insecurity or just a territorial characteristic (as she only ‘goes for’ the puppy in the house) but why not rehome in a house with no other pets or children (giving them the full picture of course) But perhaps as an only pet with an older calm person the dog would be fine You probably just have too many other pets for her to tolerate but that’s not her fault is it ?

I had a dog who sounds similar to yours. He was a lovely puppy, but as soon as he reached puberty he became unpredictable and aggressive. It got to the stage where my teenage children couldn't sit on the floor. They were afraid of him. I couldn't have visitors unless I put the dog outside, or in the garage. I spoke to the Vet about castration, but he didn't think it would help. The Vet mentioned something called rage syndrome, and we made the decision to go for euthanasia. My dog was only 18 months old. I found out later that all the litter had gone the same way.

Put your feelings of guilt to one side and do the responsible thing. Talk to your vet who will more than likely agree that euthanasia is the answer. It is better for all in the long run.