Trying to rehome a dog that has bitten me- could we be liable if we are upfront about it

[Anonymous]

Op again. We would never take him to the shelter. Once I convince my husband that euthanasia is the right route (very soon), we will take him to our local vet with lots of squeaky tennis balls and his favorite treats and be with him the whole time. We have had him since he was a baby- we love him. We’d never just drop him off at a shelter.
He’s not bitten three times but if he didn’t have an underbite I think the number would be more like 6. He will lunge and snarl and snap,and then pee himself and tremble because he’s so anxious. It’s a personality/environment perfect storm and he’s a mess and we all don’t walk within 5 feet of him, excepting my husband. Two nights ago he was sitting in the kitchen and as I was ladling our meatballs he started staring and growling at me. We are scared of him. It’s so sad, he’s so cute and for two years was a wonderful dog.

[Anonymous]

OP - however in between these episodes he has weeks where he’s great and sweet and happy. We still have to watch ourselves but he’s way less aggressive.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your dog has epilepsy.

[Anonymous]

OP - just showed this thread to my husband. We are putting him down this week. I’m so so so sad, but also relieved. Thanks for all the thoughtful advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- he has lunged at me multiple times but only actually bitten me once- when I was reaching down to pet him. His episodes are out of the blue, usually at night when he’s tired. We have learned never to approach him when he’s sleeping. He doesn’t react the same way with my husband but has lunged (growling, snarling) at my kids when they are sitting on “his” couch ( he is no longer allowed on any furniture). Writing it all out it does seem crazy that we are trying to rehome him- it’s just that he is so different with my husband than he is with myself and the kids and our other dog. I was hoping that maybe in a calm home with no kids or dogs or other stimuli he would behave differently, but I certainly am not sure that will be the case. I have tried to be an alpha too but for so,e reason he only recognizes my husband.

I would have put him down long ago

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - just showed this thread to my husband. We are putting him down this week. I’m so so so sad, but also relieved. Thanks for all the thoughtful advice.

You are making the right choice. I know it's hard.

[Anonymous]

I love dogs. No one should have an aggressive, ill tempered dog as a pet/in a community setting. Some can be trained, but some just are dominant, aggressive, territorial, guarding animals and will always be a threat to others. If he has bitten, is aggressive and lunging at kids and others - sorry, but should be gently euthanized for other’s safety. Giving him away/rehoming his is only transferring the danger to someone else’s children/family/random people.

[Anonymous]

What does the contract say from the breeder?

My dog is from a champion breeder. The contract states that the dog must be returned and not given away.

What does your contract say? Give the dog back.

[Anonymous]

Im sorry but I’m actually appalled by the fact that you are putting your 2 year old dog to sleep. First of all, did you do any research before getting him? English bulldogs arent suggested to be in families with kids under 13. If you look at any bulldog rescue, 99% of the dogs say no kids and no other dogs no the house. We have a 10 year old English bulldog female who we also got at 10 weeks old. She does NOT like other dogs (she will growl and go after them) and does not like any kids under the age of 10. We knew this about the breed going into it and were fine with it. The dog should be re homed to a house with no kids and no other dogs. Putting a TWO ywar old dog to sleep is just cruel and selfish. And you also said you never sought help from a behaviorist? Really op? Also, I am shocked your vet is willing to put a healthy young dog to sleep. This whole post is sad and you never should have gotten him to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- he has lunged at me multiple times but only actually bitten me once- when I was reaching down to pet him. His episodes are out of the blue, usually at night when he’s tired. We have learned never to approach him when he’s sleeping. He doesn’t react the same way with my husband but has lunged (growling, snarling) at my kids when they are sitting on “his” couch ( he is no longer allowed on any furniture). Writing it all out it does seem crazy that we are trying to rehome him- it’s just that he is so different with my husband than he is with myself and the kids and our other dog. I was hoping that maybe in a calm home with no kids or dogs or other stimuli he would behave differently, but I certainly am not sure that will be the case. I have tried to be an alpha too but for so,e reason he only recognizes my husband.

He needs to be an only dog and the owner needs to be a man.
He feels miserable living in your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like your dog has epilepsy.

This is not canine epilepsy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- he has lunged at me multiple times but only actually bitten me once- when I was reaching down to pet him. His episodes are out of the blue, usually at night when he’s tired. We have learned never to approach him when he’s sleeping. He doesn’t react the same way with my husband but has lunged (growling, snarling) at my kids when they are sitting on “his” couch ( he is no longer allowed on any furniture). Writing it all out it does seem crazy that we are trying to rehome him- it’s just that he is so different with my husband than he is with myself and the kids and our other dog. I was hoping that maybe in a calm home with no kids or dogs or other stimuli he would behave differently, but I certainly am not sure that will be the case. I have tried to be an alpha too but for so,e reason he only recognizes my husband.

He needs to be an only dog and the owner needs to be a man.
He feels miserable living in your house.

Please stop projecting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - just showed this thread to my husband. We are putting him down this week. I’m so so so sad, but also relieved. Thanks for all the thoughtful advice.

OP: your vet may refuse to euthanize the dog, if he or she doesn't agree that this is the best course. Just be aware of that.

Again: it just does not sound like the dog has done anything warranting euthanasia yet. It sounds like this home is a bad fit for your dog. I really hope you will consider trying to place your dog in a home where he or she has a chance to be happy and safe before deciding that one minor nip and two lunges warrants death.

[Anonymous]

OP, I wish you'd reconsider putting the dog down. This sound EXACTLY like what happened to us, 15 yrs ago. Except the dog in question was a Corgi. Almost identical problem. Would only let my husband near him (after a couple of years of being fine with me and DS, who was 4 at the time). Long story short, we gave him away to a lady who lived alone and always owned Corgis. He died a couple of years ago (keeping in mind the original incident was over 15 yrs ago, and he was about 3 yrs old when we gave him away) after living a happy life with her--no kids, no constant chaos in the house.

He also bit me, twice. Not hard, not super viciously, but similar to what you describe. He hated the noise and everything that comes with an active family. We have since then had Rottweilers, who actually love it--they are always in the room with the most people, usually under your feet. Much better family dogs--they love the attention, even of small kids.

Try to find him a home with nobody else in it if you can. In the mean time, crate him and put your DH in charge of him--that's what we had to do.

[Anonymous]

I’d totally take a dog like this. I already have two.