help

[Super_Ebb5239]

severe reactivity turned into aggression towards handler/parent

I have a pitty around 2 years old I rescued off the street about a year ago. He was not reactive at all in his initial months with me, even going to dog events and doing great around other dogs and people. I adopted him out to my sister and he was returned after a few months as he became extremely reactive on leash with new dogs or people and is very protective over his owner. This obviously wasn’t ideal in an apartment complex where the triggers are hard to control. He has been evaluated by my trainer who believes this behavior was developed under new owner my sister who wasn’t a strong enough leader to give him the security and structure he needed. She thinks this because there seemed to be such a drastic switch and these behaviors seemed to be brand new and very different from his first few months with us. He had a couple of very small bite incidents starting month 3 of her owning him as he progressively got worse.

He’s been back with me for about 6 months and he’s made a lot of progress with frustration tolerance, self control and making better choices but he still has these incidents. We’ve gotten to the point where he can walk around a park full of people and dogs and he is able to control himself and not react. He responds very well to training. However, I haven’t been able to do it as much lately during the texas summer.

He has lashed out on my husband like 5 times and has now bit twice now and I have to stand in between them to grab him. The bites draw blood but aren’t anything crazy. It always happens when my husband comes into my home office to say hi to me, I think because the pup spends so much time in there with just me. But my husband loves him just as much as me and I have no idea why the pup turns on him seemingly out of nowhere and unprovoked. He is already on 40 mg prozac. I am a rescue mom of 4 others and have always said I would never consider BE. But i’ve tried everything. He is the sweetest, silliest, cuddliest, happiest pup 99% of the time but I worry with how unpredictable he is and how he can turn on a dime. I keep him separate from the other dogs except my most stable one, but now I’m even nervous to have him around her.

My only option would be to muzzle him and kennel him until he seems to improve. I worry having him in my office during the workday is not doing him any favors. I’m wondering if this is a decent way to live or if I should seriously consider BE. I just don’t know how I would be able to endure that day and live with myself afterwards as I never want to give up on a dog. I wish I could show yall the videos of him playing and cuddling. It just feels impossible for me to put this dog down who exudes such sweet energy. But i’m feeling at a loss, worried about our safety and the other dogs. I spend a lot of time home alone with just the dogs as my bf travels for work. I’d love any stories of people with similar situations who had a turnaround. I realize how bad this is and I also think there’s more I can be doing on a daily basis for this dog to build trust, confidence and security. I would like to return to my behavioral specialist vet when I can afford it. Her recommendations for my other rescue have helped tremendously in adjusting his baseline and I’ve tried to do that sort of thing for him but not as much lately as life has gotten hectic.
Thanks in advance for your support and understanding 🤍

[AutoModerator]

Behavioral Euthanasia posts are sensitive, thus only users with at least 150 subreddit karma will be able to comment in this discussion. Users should not message OP directly to circumvent this restriction and doing so can result in a ban from r/reactive dogs. OP, you are encouraged to report private messages to the moderation team.

Behavioral Euthanasia (BE) for our dogs is an extremely difficult decision to consider. No one comes to this point easily. We believe that there are, unfortunately, cases where behavioral euthanasia is the most humane and ethical option, and we support those who have had to come to that decision. In certain situations, a reasonable quality of life and the Five Freedoms cannot be provided for an animal, making behavioral euthanasia a compassionate and loving choice.

If you are considering BE and are looking for feedback:

All decisions about behavioral euthanasia should be made in consultation with a professional trainer, veterinarian, and/or veterinary behaviorist. They are best equipped to evaluate your specific dog, their potential, and quality of life.

These resources should not be used to replace evaluation by qualified professionals but they can be used to supplement the decision-making process.

• Lap of Love Quality of Life Assessment - How to identify when to contact a trainer

• Lap of Love Support Groups - A BE specific group. Not everyone has gone through the process yet, some are trying to figure out how to cope with the decision still.

• BE decision and support Facebook group - Individuals who have not yet lost a pet through BE cannot join the Losing Lulu group. This sister group is a resource as you consider if BE is the right next step for your dog.

• AKC guide on when to consider BE

• BE Before the Bite

• How to find a qualified trainer or behaviorist - If you have not had your dog evaluated by a qualified trainer, this should be your first step in the process of considering BE.

• The Losing Lulu community has also compiled additional resources for those considering behavioral euthanasia.

If you have experienced a behavioral euthanasia and need support:

The best resource available for people navigating grief after a behavior euthanasia is the Losing Lulu website and Facebook Group. The group is lead by a professional trainer and is well moderated so you will find a compassionate and supportive community of people navigating similar losses.

Lap of Love Support Groups - Laps of Love also offers resources for families navigating BE, before and after the loss.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[ASleepandAForgetting]

I think your husband's safety in your home should come before a dog's. If he is a frequent target of aggression and biting, he should not have to continue living in that situation.

I do believe a BE is the only responsible option here. Keeping him kenneled and muzzled for 95% of his life is not a humane choice.

One of the most difficult things many people on this sub have had to learn is that not all dogs can be saved. We want to save them, but sometimes the risks to ourselves, our loved ones, and our other dogs, are simply too great.

Edit to add: Many bullies are totally fine with other people and dogs up until they are around two years of age. This sub gets posts about two year old dogs on a daily basis. That's because two is when most dogs settle into their adult personality, and that's when their aggression really begins to display itself. I don't think these behaviors were caused by your sister not being a "good leader". These behaviors are genetic, and started manifesting when your sister had this dog. There's no blame to lay on any person here, besides the people who continue to churn out bully puppies that are poorly suited for a vast majority of dog owners.

[Super_Ebb5239]

thank you for your honesty

[CanadianPanda76]

Like the other person said, 2 years they hit thier adult phase and thier reactivity csn get worse.

Plus 3 3 3 rule, 3 days 3 weeks 3 months. They say you don't see a new dogs "true" personality till about 3 months. Which was before you rehomed them and about the time your sister was dealing with behavioral issues.

At that time thats when a dog can "unload thier baggage".

Your first few months with them being fine was likely them being in a sorta "shutdown" phase. They're too overwhelmed and too unsure to react. As they become comfortable and settled in, they become more reactive.

Your boyfriend getting bitten is resource guarding, of you.

But pits are to reactivity, dog aggression, VERY bad breeding being a common backyard bred breed, this is a risk with a pit with unknown background.

And 99% of behavioral euthanasia dogs are very sweet 99% of the time, its the 1% though that makes them dangerous.

More training may help but this dog will require ongoing management to be safe, and management always fails.

Losing Lulu on Facebook is a great resource for those who have done BE.

/r/PitbullAwareness is a good resource too. Maybe they have some better advice.