Dog dilemma... put down or get rid of???

[whacker1]

Sorry to say it, but does sounds as if he needs to be put down.  He's already bitten someone, it's only a matter of time before it happens again.  Have a great last hunt and then do what you think needs done.  Good luck and my condolences on a very tough decision.

 

[BIGINNER]

You should give him the chance of one last vet visit for a check up. Can't remember if I read it here or somewhere else but, there was a dog who was getting aggressive towards other dogs and people. Turned out to be an impacted molar and the dog was just in soo much pain it was grouchy about others getting close to it and people touching his head. Might be worth a shot to have a vet throroughly check him out just in case it "might" be reasonably why he's behaving this way....I'd say it might only be fair to him and your own conscience?

[wildweeds]

You really don't believe your theory? nutting one that is allready aggressive just gets you an aggressve no nutter 90%of the time.

Not neutered is he?  If he was mine and I liked him he would be cut.  If he already is then he has to go before someone really gets hurt.

[wildweeds]

He'd allready be in the ground at my house,I will not tolerate the behavior he is exhibiting

So I have a dilemma. I have an 11 year-old (almost 12) German shorthair, Deke', who is (blatantly) getting mean. He has been a great dog, but in the past couple of years he has gotten really grouchy. I think it started when we got our two wirehair pups who are now three. The past year I was working in Everett and living in Kirkland, so I couldn't have the dogs with me and my dad was taking care of them. Now we are back out in Graham (living next door to my parents) and Deke' has taken to getting the pups down when they get out of their kennel and tearing into them. Two days ago he ripped a $216 hole in my dad's wirehair and about three weeks ago one of my daughters friend's dad was picking her up and he was walking towards the deck and Deke' snuck up and bit him on the calf. Yesterday Sophie brushed against him and he turned with teeth bared until he saw me. The vet that came out and sewed up Sage said Deke' is acting this way because he is the alpha and we are not treating him as such, so he thinks he is losing his position and he is acting out trying to keep it. She said when all the dogs get fed at one time he should be the first to get his food and the first to do anything. I never really cared for her, but she may be right.

Since I am working second shift I am not around during the evenings and I am worried that something is going to happen when I am not there especially when the kids have friends over. I don't trust him not to do something. I probably could muzzle him, but then when that muzzle is off for a short time I have to wonder what would happen. My wife thinks we should put him down and thinks if we get rid of him we would be passing the problem to someone else. I was thinking someone else without kids or other dogs may have other results, of course, if I put him down then I wouldn't have to worry when I am not there. So that is my dilemma. What do you guys think? Any words of wisdom?

[Sportfury]

Thanks for all the responses. I could keep him lock up for the most part, but then I would worry if he did happen to get out. Right now he just does his own thing. Any training that he has had seems to be thrown out the door. I know that he can hear me, but if he is not close he will not listen to you. The other day I knew he was over in the woods, so I snuck over on the trail and he was standing there looking towards the house. A couple of days ago I was walking across the yard and saw something over at the neighbors and he was over there chasing her cats. He was close enough where when I yelled I knew he heard me, but he kept doing his thing until I physically went and got him.

We have had a good run, but like I said before I am not sure that I can trust him. I think as he gets older it is only going to get worse. Thanks again guys.

[singleshot12]

I haven't read the whole thread but first thought that came to mind is he may have a bad tooth. My 12 yr old chessy became very aggressive when his teeth were hurting.

[ribka]

You owe your dog for 12 years of companionship. As stated get your dog to the vet for thorough check-out and to a good trainer. Shame we have such a throw-away society these days.

That is why all of the shelters are full of dogs and cats.

[singleshot12]

 

[Machias]

An aggressive dog is one trait I will not tolerate.  For me doesn't matter the age, puppy to old man, ill or snappy and he/she would be humanely put down.  I do agree with the vet check, but if that does not turn up anything that is fixable, we would take a one way trip to the woods.  I've had to do it with a couple of dogs I really liked and it was hard, but grouchy with people or dogs and they are done here.

[Wile E. Hunter]

I had a similar situation a couple of years ago with my 6 year old GSP when my daughter was born. I went back and forth with the same options you've outlined. I definitely think keeping the dog is not the answer. Fortunately we had friends that lived on a farm. My dog through his bad behavior hit the lottery. He lives happily on a farm with a Brittany companion and his new owners spoil him rotten. He can run at will, but doesn't have access to kids. I just could not run the risk of him biting my daughter. Sure, I'd have shot him, but my daughter would have still been bitten, and potentially afraid of dogs as a result for life. If you can find an option other than putting him down, that would be my suggestion. If not, and it becomes keep him and run the risk, or putting him down... I'd rather put him down before he hurt somebody rather than after.

Wile E.

[wildweeds]

Me too,When you have a firsthand witness account of 4 dogs killing another out of pure mean spiritedness...................it get's you on the right set of tracks quick.Pointer great Robert Wehle wouldn't stand for aggressivness and would put them in the dirt himself,I have another fellow I consider a friend that told me he put down 100 pointer pups in one breeding season for faults on the premise that you CANNOT get excellent out of CRAP.When it comes to breeding it's excellent to excellent to get the best possible outcome and sometimes that doesn't work,but it works far better than " I got a good dog you got a good dog".I know a hound guy who would take pups running in the woods and the ones who made it back to the truck got to go home,true natural selection.

An aggressive dog is one trait I will not tolerate.  For me doesn't matter the age, puppy to old man, ill or snappy and he/she would be humanely put down.  I do agree with the vet check, but if that does not turn up anything that is fixable, we would take a one way trip to the woods.  I've had to do it with a couple of dogs I really liked and it was hard, but grouchy with people or dogs and they are done here.

[runamuk]

Either kennel him, full lock down 100% of the time or a long nap might be the answer to the liability you have on your hands. Definately not prudent to let him run about.

Sorry to hear. tough deal.

yep what Happy said....

I've had 2 dogs that were aggressive one was only dog aggressive so it was simple just isolated her from other dogs...our other dog I dont know he was unpredictable so had to be kennelled up around company

[ckr]

I know your pain.  I just went through this delema last year.  I had a wirehair/lab who slowly became more and more aggressive.  He always hated my wife but the kids could always crawl all over him with out a problem.  One day one of my neices walked by him and he bit her in the leg for no apparent reason.  Did not do any damage but scared the hell out of her.  It was a wake up call.  With all of the kids running around my house I could not have this behavior.  We took him in to the vet to have him put down.  The doc was onboard  with us and was going to put my buddy down, the vet tech could not understand why we wanted to put him down since he was so nice.  Well he was sitting on the table wagging his tail and she went in to take him on the back room and WACK.  He bit her hand pretty good.  I guess now she knows why we made the decision that we did.  he was my best hunting partner.  It was a good 14 year run