Behavioral Euthanasia

[Anonymous]

Under what circumstances would you consider putting a medically-healthy dog down for behavioral reasons?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, whatever circumstances you want and the vet will agree with you.

You should not dump or try to “rehome” a dog with any kind of behavior problem, unless it’s to someone you know well who really wants the dog. Like your brother. Not your brother’s friend who has a farm.

So if you’re not willing to keep this dog, and that’s okay, do the right thing and humanely euthanize them. Give them a great last day and a painless departure.

[Anonymous]

One very violent incident without provocation.

If the dog was understandably provoked or the incident was merely scary but not violent (no one got hurt), I'd be willing to give the dog one more chance, with additional training and close supervision.

Any dog with multiple bite incidents probably needs to be put down. I feel awful typing that because it's not actually the dogs fault -- usually dogs get this way because of negligent owners. But the problem is that there is no safe place for a dog like that. They will attack again and next time it might be a kid, an elderly person, they might attack another dog and kill them. Dogs with fight instincts are very, very dangerous, especially if they are larger and their breed has physical qualities that make their bites especially dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Has a vet been consulted and has the dog been through extensive training or worked with a behavioralist?

You’d be surprised at what some people consider behavioral issues when they’re lack of training easily repaired by proper training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One very violent incident without provocation.

If the dog was understandably provoked or the incident was merely scary but not violent (no one got hurt), I'd be willing to give the dog one more chance, with additional training and close supervision.

Any dog with multiple bite incidents probably needs to be put down. I feel awful typing that because it's not actually the dogs fault -- usually dogs get this way because of negligent owners. But the problem is that there is no safe place for a dog like that. They will attack again and next time it might be a kid, an elderly person, they might attack another dog and kill them. Dogs with fight instincts are very, very dangerous, especially if they are larger and their breed has physical qualities that make their bites especially dangerous.

Agree with this sentence. My family trained dogs for many years and they would agree with this sentence, too.

[Anonymous]

Safety issues, plus severe anxiety to the point the dog can't really do or enjoy anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has a vet been consulted and has the dog been through extensive training or worked with a behavioralist?

You’d be surprised at what some people consider behavioral issues when they’re lack of training easily repaired by proper training.

Not every family has this level of money, time and resources. Behaviorists don't work 24/7 with an animal at a price point most owners who might want that service can probably afford. They're usually 1-3 1-hour visits a week, and the dog is with the family the rest of the time. If there are children involved, it may not be safe to continue working with an aggressive animal for "extensive training".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has a vet been consulted and has the dog been through extensive training or worked with a behavioralist?

You’d be surprised at what some people consider behavioral issues when they’re lack of training easily repaired by proper training.

Not every family has this level of money, time and resources. Behaviorists don't work 24/7 with an animal at a price point most owners who might want that service can probably afford. They're usually 1-3 1-hour visits a week, and the dog is with the family the rest of the time. If there are children involved, it may not be safe to continue working with an aggressive animal for "extensive training".

True but it’s very important to consult with a veterinarian. Some people consider separation anxiety as a medical reason to euthanize since their pets can be destructive. It’s important to have an honest assessment of the situation by a veterinarian. Unprovoked biting is quite different from anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Unprovoked aggressiveness and biting.

This is not negotiable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has a vet been consulted and has the dog been through extensive training or worked with a behavioralist?

You’d be surprised at what some people consider behavioral issues when they’re lack of training easily repaired by proper training.

Not every family has this level of money, time and resources. Behaviorists don't work 24/7 with an animal at a price point most owners who might want that service can probably afford. They're usually 1-3 1-hour visits a week, and the dog is with the family the rest of the time. If there are children involved, it may not be safe to continue working with an aggressive animal for "extensive training".

True but it’s very important to consult with a veterinarian. Some people consider separation anxiety as a medical reason to euthanize since their pets can be destructive. It’s important to have an honest assessment of the situation by a veterinarian. Unprovoked biting is quite different from anxiety.

Sure, for non-aggressive behaviors. Separation anxiety isn't aggression, and destroying property isn't the same as harm/risk to human health.

[Anonymous]

It's a compassionate and needed choice when safety is at risk. Too many people are harmed or even killed by dogs that have clear warning histories.

[Anonymous]

Only if in consult with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. I had an otherwise very friendly dog who randomly started attacking my other dogs at age 8. He had never shown a single aggressive tendency before. Took him to the behaviorist and got him treated for pain and put some other stuff in place to reduce his stress level. Zero additional incidents 4.5 years later.

[Anonymous]

Don’t make it the vets decision. Vets have very high mental health stress and unusually high incidents of suicide. They become vets because they love animals and more than anyone cares to admit, many people put animals down for behavior or because the cost to treat is not something they want to pay. It is a terrible part of the job but don’t push the vet to make that decision. Decide what you want to do and pursue rescues if the issue is something like separation anxiety. Someone else will be at home and can deal with the issue. If it is biting, consider a muzzle.

[Anonymous]

Never. I would find someone who can help the dog even if that wasn't me.

[Anonymous]

If it bit my child.