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AIBU

AIBU to want our agressive dog PTS?

(98 Posts)
sazz1 Wed 17-Jun-20 11:12:32

We have 2 dogs one is a cockapoo. She was fine until 9 months then slowly started becoming more and more agressive. She actually bit one of my daughter's friends when she tried to touch her. We spent hundreds on a behaviour specialist but they were doubtful that it would improve, and advised to rehome.
It's gone from growling to actively running at you snarling and barking when you enter the room. The only person she's ok with is my OH he worships her. Even him, if he tells her to do something she will growl at him. She is fine when we're out great with strangers, great at the groomer.
First thing in the morning she is really loving to me but after 5 minutes I can't touch her as she would bite me. It's so unpredictable but I don't feel safe walking around the house most of the time. It's guarding behaviour and the outbursts are escalating but OH loves her so much. He's even had to get out of bed several times to put her out when I'm trying to get my phone from the lounge or other things I need. She has bitten my shoes while I'm wearing them several times but not me or OH yet. But she's the love of OHs life. My other dog has started trying to defend my by standing between me and the dog and barking at her. It's as if she knows how agressive the cockapoo is and wants to protect me. She's agressive to my son and daughter too if they stay more than a few hours but friendly when they first arrive. It's a nightmare.

tanith Wed 17-Jun-20 11:17:16

I sorry but that’s intolerable can’t your husband see that? Get the dog rehomed at least that way your husband doesn’t have to have her PTS. Being unsafe in your own home is absolutely not on it’s an accident waiting to happen, sounds like she’s very dangerous and could attack anyone. Do something before she really hurts someone.

rosenoir Wed 17-Jun-20 11:18:24

Irresponsible of a specialist to say re home when it is an aggressive dog.

What a sad situation, it sounds as if you have tried to help the dog and I do not see what else you can do other that euthanize. I would be worried that a child could be bitten or worse. Devastating for your husband though, so sad.

25Avalon Wed 17-Jun-20 11:21:53

Why PTS when behaviouralist suggested rehoming? The current situation at your house is untenable. Knowing the dog’s history if she were to bite someone else you would be in trouble for keeping a dangerous animal and would feel guilty if they were badly injured. The only other answer is to get a muzzle but I can’t see this would be fair on the dog. If you love her give her another chance in another home which will be selected to suit her.

lavenderzen Wed 17-Jun-20 11:22:45

A healthy dog should NOT be put to sleep. There is a reason why she is like this. You need to get in touch with the Dogs Trust who will take her and address what is wrong. It is something in your home that is causing this, the other dog, and jealousy. It is a sad situation but Dogs Trust will help you. Get in touch with them.

lavenderzen Wed 17-Jun-20 11:23:54

Just to add the Dogs Trust will spend hours and hours with her getting to the bottom of this. Trust them.

Willow73 Wed 17-Jun-20 11:29:53

Dogs Trust is the only way you might get peace of mind. I would never keep an aggressive dog without trying to change its ways. If your children/grandchildren become nasty or aggressive you would try to do your best to change them so why not a dog?

sazz1 Wed 17-Jun-20 11:39:31

Dogs Trust do euthanase agressive dogs. They say they never put a healthy dog down but they do if it's mental health ie agression.
OH won't part with her that's the problem. It's a total nightmare

Hetty58 Wed 17-Jun-20 12:35:41

sazz1 is an outdoor kennel arrangement possible? A friend took on an ex-guard dog and he's kept in one (with a heated bed) as he's absolutely fine on walks and with adults - yet protects space and objects indoors. It's not worth risking injury so perhaps that's the kindest solution.

Alexa Wed 17-Jun-20 12:42:37

Has the vet ruled out a physical cause? Is she in pain?

Jane10 Wed 17-Jun-20 12:44:25

It seems an odd change of behaviour. I would wonder about a brain tumour. We had a poor cat whose behaviour changed and he was found to have this. It was very sad but we had to have him put to sleep.

Jaycee5 Wed 17-Jun-20 12:45:05

I wouldn't keep an aggressive dog. I would take it to the vet to see if there is a physical cause. If it is something like arthritis the dog may be fine until it is touched in the wrong place.
If the vet finds nothing, I would not keep it and passing it on to someone else might still end up with someone, particularly a child getting hurt.
There are many friendly dogs that never find a home. Aggressive dogs never seem particularly happy and you could give a home to a friendly happy dog. The advice to take it to the Dogs Trust seems good.

EllanVannin Wed 17-Jun-20 12:46:10

Dogs who are bred in this way have mental issues. It's kinder to " let it go ". When they are inter-bred some become very violent. It's not normal !!

EllanVannin Wed 17-Jun-20 12:49:37

Male dominance in a dog is dangerous too.

etheltbags1 Wed 17-Jun-20 12:50:25

I had a dog whose behaviour changed after being hit by a car. She recovered but her nature became aggressive. I consulted a behaviour specialist but did not work, I had to have her pts. I was gutted but the vet said she may have had headaches from the blow from the car. There were no sophisticated vetinary hospitals in those days. Good luck

Spice101 Wed 17-Jun-20 12:56:17

If the dog has already bitten one of your daughter's friends I'm afraid that would be enough reason to PTS for me. The dog is a liability. As much as your husband loves her he obviously cannot stop the behaviour. Is he prepared to accept the possible consequences?

Rehoming, to me, is irresponsible, you are only passing the dog and it's problems onto someone else and the next bite could be a child.

Have you had the dog checked by a vet? Is there an underlying health issue - brain tumour for example that has caused the change in behaviour?

sazz1 Wed 17-Jun-20 13:09:43

Yes she was vet checked and is in excellent physical health. Also sees the vet every year for vaccine. Ideal weight too. She guards spaces ie rooms, sofa, car boot, her bed etc. OH is the only one who can get her out of the car. My problem is he won't part with her, even though he always said he wouldn't keep an agressive dog. It's caused so many rows and arguments. I just feel he's going to wait until she bites someone then it will be out of his hands. There's nothing I can do he won't listen to reason at all.

glammanana Wed 17-Jun-20 13:13:22

Cockapoo's seem to be the ultimate designer dog along with a few others the more they are interbred the worst of their bad trates appear I would certainly not have a badly behaved dog like this in the house,I have dealt with badly behaved dogs over the years and you know when you are on a loosing battle.
My late husband always said a badly behaved dog was the result of a badly behaved owner and he was always proved right.Time to get rid I'm afraid before something terrible happens.

MiniMoon Wed 17-Jun-20 13:14:05

We had a dog who was perfectly fine until he reached puberty. Went to puppy training classes and was coming along beautifully.
When his hormones kicked in he turned into a raging ball of aggression. We couldn't sit on the floor. He barked and growled baring his teeth.
I consulted the Vet who advised euthanasia. He offered no hope for behavioural training, or neutering, saying that it would be a waste of money as, in his opinion, the dog had something called rage syndrome. Probably due to inbreeding. I think he was bred for his looks.
We had him euthanized at 18 months old.
We learnt later that the rest of his litter had suffered the same fate.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Wed 17-Jun-20 13:26:42

How awful. The dangerous behavior of this dog must be a great worry for you.

If I were you I'm afraid it would be a case of "It's me or the dog." Waiting for the inevitable to happen is foolhardy.

MissAdventure Wed 17-Jun-20 13:30:12

Would your husband be prepared to put in a lot of hard work to train this guarding behaviour out of the dog?

If he won't part with her, then it's a bit pointless to discuss rehoming, apart from to say it's hugely irresponsible for anyone, let alone an 'expert' to suggest passing her on to someone else.

MissAdventure Wed 17-Jun-20 13:38:16

youtu.be/MIoFlDjyhWA

Maybe work through these videos.

Jane10 Wed 17-Jun-20 13:40:32

Is it a case of you or the dog yet? If I was at the same impasse with my DH I'd be tempted to rehome myself!

Sorry to be flippant. I know this is serious. Could other family members not back you up on this?

grannysyb Wed 17-Jun-20 13:41:36

A friend had this problem, they got a beautiful beagle and put him in kennels when they went skiing. Unfortunately she suffered a really bad accident, so the dog had to stay there until she was better. When he finally came home he became aggressive to her and other family members. She came round one day in tears to talk to DH who was still practicing as vet then. The dog had bitten one of the family and she was at her wits end. He pointed out that if you know a dog is aggressive and it bites a child or indeed anyone, you could be taken to court. She accepted his advicce and DH put the dog to sleep.

MissAdventure Wed 17-Jun-20 13:43:17

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZphUOs2KGuvqEioFfvtGe7ftWyKZHwrE

Perhaps your husband will agree to work through this lot.
Being a dog owner needs work...

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZphUOs2KGuvqEioFfvtGe7ftWyKZHwrE