karenmeal 0 #1 January 4, 2007 I just found out from my parents in Virginia that our family dog, Bandit is being put to sleep tomorrow. I picked him and his sister out when they were 8 week old puppies in the local humane society after my childhood dog had been put to sleep due to cancer. Now they are both 8 years old. Bandit is being put to sleep due to his behavioral issues. He is a really sweet, loving dog, but unfortunately, he is skiddish and when he gets nervous he lashses out and can bite. He gives little warning, so the bites are usually a big surprise, with little to attribute it to. He has never hurt anyone badly, but we now realize that it would probably only be a matter of time until that happened. When I was home over Christmas he bit at me and barely grazed my arm when I was sitting on the floor and gently petting him. Today, he bit someone else who he knows who was trying to pet him. My parents took him to the vet and said their good byes. He will be put to sleep in the morning. I don't even live with them anymore, but this is tearing me up. I feel like this is probably the best thing to do considering the fact that there are children all around my parents house that could get hurt by him. But knowing it is the right thing to do doesn't stop the fact that this just sucks. It is hard to put down an animal. Anyways.. I guess I just needed to vent about it. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #2 January 4, 2007 Damn, that's rather a harsh remedy to a simple behavorial problem. Have you all considered some sort of obedience training?? My God, there are people trained that can fix that kind of problem rather quickly. Do something NOW!!!. Poor dog. The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #3 January 4, 2007 call ceasar milan!http://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #4 January 4, 2007 It's not a simple behavioral problem. He has been to obedience training classes a number of times, my parents have worked very hard with him. Their next door neighbor is a very experienced and respected vet who they are and have been consulting with. The fact that he has also bit my mom, the person he trusts the most is a really bad sign. He can't even be trusted around her! How could he be trusted around strangers or any kids? "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #5 January 4, 2007 Quotecall ceasar milan! No kidding. Putting him to sleep is a little bit of an overkill (no pun intended). Train the dog, don't kill it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #6 January 4, 2007 QuoteIt's not a simple behavioral problem. He has been to obedience training classes a number of times, my parents have worked very hard with him. Their next door neighbor is a very experienced and respected vet who they are and have been consulting with. The fact that he has also bit my mom, the person he trusts the most is a really bad sign. He can't even be trusted around her! How could he be trusted around strangers or any kids? Then they are doing it wrong. Dogs can almost always be helped, it's a matter of doing it right. What a shame. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #7 January 4, 2007 Quote The fact that he has also bit my mom, the person he trusts the most is a really bad sign. He can't even be trusted around her! How could he be trusted around strangers or any kids? That's weird - under those circumstances, I can see a need to have him put to sleep. We used to have a dog like that. The neighborhood kids used to throw rocks and stuff at him when he was little, so he would bite and lash out only on children. He got a baby in the face with no warning and we put and end to that (him.) It's scary when there is no warning and your dog even lashes out on it's owner. =========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #8 January 4, 2007 You don't know what you are talking about. Thanks for snap judgements We love this dog and have worked with his problem for years. But he cannot be trusted around anyone. When experienced veterinarians that know the dog and know the work my parents have done in trying to correct this problem think that the only solution is to put him to sleep or risk someone getting maimed, then I think we need to trust that. Go read this thread for what our family does not want to deal with. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2577526;search_string=nephew;#2577526 "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #9 January 4, 2007 I am really sorry that the only remaining answer seems to be that he needs to be put to sleep and I REALLY wish there were other options. That said, I don't know the dog, what your parents have tried, or anything else about the matter so I'm not going to weigh in on the debate. What I do know is that I feel really badly for YOU. That's so tough to know that it's ending (especially this way). It has to hurt and I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this. Putting an animal down would always be a difficult decision for me to have to make, and I can only imagine how much harder it would be to make if it wasn't driven by a medical condition. So, for what it's worth, you have my sympathy. Hang in there!TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #10 January 5, 2007 Read the book Marley & Me by John Grogan. There are dogs out there that have mental issues. Karen's dog sounds as though that is the case. If a dog has mental issues, there is nothing the human owner can do to remedy the situation. Euthanizing a pet can be the most humane thing an owner can do. Karen, I have been in your situation with a dog with "mental" issues. I did the best thing for her and myself. She is much better off. If I still had her she would be living under lock and key and behind an 10 ft fence. That is NO life for a dog or its own to sit on pins and needles. Bobbi BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #11 January 5, 2007 QuoteYou don't know what you are talking about. Thanks for snap judgements We love this dog and have worked with his problem for years. But he cannot be trusted around anyone. When experienced veterinarians that know the dog and know the work my parents have done in trying to correct this problem think that the only solution is to put him to sleep or risk someone getting maimed, then I think we need to trust that. Go read this thread for what our family does not want to deal with. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2577526;search_string=nephew;#2577526 Sorry, I think it's sad you're putting him to sleep. How about giving him to someone willing to work with him some more? How about calling the Dog Whisperer (seriously)? BUy this book? http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780307337337&itm=1 Just the other day I was watching it and there was a family with a boxer who was snappy as well and they were ready to put him to sleep. Cesear fixed the problem. I am a firm believer that dogs can be rehabilitated, you just have do find the right way to do it. Just because your family has worked with the problem for years doesn't mean it's being done correctly. Vets are not dog trainers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GogglesnTeeth 6 #12 January 5, 2007 Sorry to hear about your dog Karen. My cat (the one that is very sick right now) bit me a week or so ago because she is not feeling well. Now that we have a baby on the way, it is a scary thing and an additional thing to worry about with pets that I never had to worry about before. Blue Skies and tennis balls for your puppy May he chase squirrels forever! Vibes GnTGoggles and Teeth "You fall like a greased safe!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #13 January 5, 2007 Karen.. you could always try a muzzle to protect him from himself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #14 January 5, 2007 Karen, I am so sorry your family is having to make this tough decision. Thinking of you."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #15 January 5, 2007 My parents have exhausted their options. Do you really think that calling a reality show, self-proclaimed expert is the solution? Do you actually buy all the things that they show? Don't you think that editing has a major part in the "successes" in shows like that? We love our dog. Unfortunately, all options have been exhausted. When he tried to bite me, unprovoked the other week, he could have easily bit me in the face and done significant damage. You yourself said that almost all behavioral problems could be fixed. Almost all does not equal 100%. And to Jeanne, Unfortunately Bandit goes crazy when a muzzle is put on him. He has to be put under anestesia to even get his toe-nails clipped. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #17 January 5, 2007 Quote Do you really think that calling a reality show, self-proclaimed expert is the solution? Do you actually buy all the things that they show? Don't you think that editing has a major part in the "successes" in shows like that? I really think that if I was that interested in helping my dog get better I'd give it a shot. You have nothing to lose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #18 January 5, 2007 I've been bitten by a chow like that. No reason . Just petting him. (Girlfriend's dog) The next day i tried to be a friend to the dog and take him out for ice cream. He took off. I found him. He lock jawed on my leg when i called his name. Again no reason to bite. I had a hole in my calf to the bone. Afterwords, the dog acted like nothing ever happened. Psycho. Dog gone. It was a very sad time in my life. That's all I'm going to say about that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #19 January 5, 2007 dude you made a serious post Are you ok, do you need me to get you some beerhttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #20 January 5, 2007 I'm sorry. Won't happen again for a while. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #21 January 5, 2007 QuoteI'm sorry. Won't happen again for a while. Better not or we will be putting you to sleep...Hey, you saving for dublin? Or the farm boogiehttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #22 January 5, 2007 Bandit has had neurological evaluations, everything. My parents good friend, their neighbor and a well respected vet (who coincidentally once had his own reality show) told them tonight that if it were his dog, he would do the same thing. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #23 January 5, 2007 Saving what? room for beer? brain cells? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #24 January 5, 2007 My question was: What if it was a kid instead of my leg? The dog bit me in someone elses yard and didn't even look to see who i was. Had a tube in my leg to drain the ... never mind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnyshrek 0 #25 January 5, 2007 ok the thread is now about the dublin/farm boogie sorry about your dog but the dog won't be here for the boogies so we can't include him...So jeff, why not stay a few weeks see all the dz's in Atlanta. Even take you across the street so you can laugh at the landing areahttp://www.skydivethefarm.com do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
