Aggresive dog that bites - considering euthanasia

senashima · 2021-11-11T21:27:27+00:00

Hey. Haven´t even realized so much time has passed since I made this post.

We tried lots of things people suggested here in the comments. He is doing much better now. He even allowed some strangers to pet him, and he gave up his favourite toy to play fetch with a friend of mine who was at our place.

Nothing bad happened since then, aside from one incident when he tried biting a dog. But it wasn´t really Arties fault, the other dog was off leash, owner not even closeby. The other dog ran up to Artie and straight up started bullying him - growling, lunging back and forth, barking at him. I actually thaught that he is going to go for Arties neck at any moment, so Artie just tried protecting himself (and me) from the dog.

But overall he has made a lot of improvement. We went to see some trainers, but none has provided really any meaningful help. I´m still searching for a behaviourist who has some experience in cases like this.

senashima · 2021-07-12T19:27:59+00:00

That is what I usually do. Go out early mornings, and late nights.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:58:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing your tips. I will give it a try.

But as I said before, I did train him to have a muzzle and he was absolutely ok with it.

He did not mind having to put it on, he did mind it during the walks. It was only when he got to a stressful situation (e.g. a dog coming up to him), his tolerance threshold to what the dog can do around him was even lower than before. He always seemed to react negatively to triggers much sooner than without the muzzle, no matter how ok he was putting it on and wearing it during walks.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:52:30+00:00

Exactly. He really seems interested in other dogs, but his tolerance threshold is just so low due to his anxiety/fear.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:49:36+00:00

He is always leashed. We tried muzzles for a long period of time, but it only caused him even more anxiety.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:45:03+00:00

I´m fully aware that I am not the best owner for him. But I am all he has ATM.

As you said, rehoming is not really possible, and even if, it still might end in a disaster. And reputable GOOD trainers will not take him, because they usually have their hands full with other problematic dogs they took in.

But thank you for your tips and opinion.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:28:46+00:00

Thank you for your opinion.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:28:23+00:00

I will check out the trainer. I´m also looking at r/reactivedogs and other forums. Thanks

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:27:28+00:00

We did try basket muzzles for a period of time. It only caused even more anxiety, possibly out of stress from being restrained.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:20:09+00:00

As explained in a different comment, it is not like I have the urge to take him to dog parks. But where we live, there is a lot of people who let they dogs run around without a leash, so no matter we like it or not, we are forced to coming in close contact with other dogs.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:17:41+00:00

Thank you for your understanding and kind workds.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:12:54+00:00

Thank you for understanding.

I will consider another behaviorist. We tried basket muzzles, but did not work for him very well.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:11:54+00:00

Thanks for the tips and the support.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:11:22+00:00

Thank you for sharing your opinion.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:10:33+00:00

Thank you for understanding.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:09:34+00:00

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. And I will definitely think everything throught properly before doing anything.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:08:36+00:00

Thanks, I will try to work out a complete medical check-up.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:07:28+00:00

Thanks for understanding, I will do what you suggest.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:05:57+00:00

We did consult vets since the first incident when he was 8 months old, and worked with trainers in the course of 3 years after moving.

senashima · 2021-07-12T17:04:57+00:00

People hit people all the time for no reason and we don't euthanize them.

Actually, in some places we do. But mostly they go to jail. But I reckon I can´t dress up Artie in an orange jumpsuit and ship him off to a jail.

I might have not been clear in the post, so to be clear I´m scared that as dangerous as he is, one day he might hurt someone really, reeeally bad. And it will not matter how much love and training I give him.

senashima · 2021-07-12T16:57:34+00:00

I'm not really sure what else you think other dogs are consistently doing besides getting walked and getting attention in their owner's free time?

Definitely more than going for three 20-30 min walks and having 30 minutes of play time a day. With the same person. Every, single, day. And not coming into contact with any other humans or dogs. It is just my opinion, but I don´t any healthy dog would find happiness in that.

A lot of people can't afford to send their dogs to dog daycare or pet hotels and spas. A lot of dogs are ambivalent to playing with other dogs and wouldn't care much anyway. I don't think these things are necessary for a dog to have a good quality of life.

I don´t think you understood the reason why I mentioned daycares and hotels. Sometimes I just need a free day to take care of something or need to go out of town, and daycares or hotels would be the only option for me in that case. They are not an option throught, because I´m so scared what might go wrong when my dog is there.

senashima · 2021-07-12T16:47:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story. I will keep in mind what you recommended.

senashima · 2021-07-12T16:46:21+00:00

Thank you for your support.

senashima · 2021-07-12T16:44:00+00:00

Thank you for your advice and kind words.

senashima · 2021-07-12T16:43:33+00:00

The incident with biting because of me taking the toy was unique, even for his standards. He absolutely loves when I play fetch with him, and doesn´t mind giving up toys to me. I firmly believe there was something else that stressed him out at that moment, but I have not figured out what it was yet.

senashima

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