Dog Bit - Husband Disagrees on Action

I didn't read all the responses, sorry. I agree the dog has to go, that shouldn't even be a question.
Where and how would be a dilemma for me. Putting him down may not be the only option. I'm not saying it wouldn't be for me, just putting it out there.
I wish you the best and I can only imagine the tough spot this has you in.

I love dogs

A dog who has bitten at least 6 times THAT YOU KNOW OF has to go. I am so sorry. I agree with you. Good luck.

The dog has now bitten family members a total of six times. It's time for the dog to go.
We had to put a dog down recently that we loved. She was a rescue from an abusive situation and it had made her dog-aggressive. We did obedience training, socialization, pheremone therapy, even Prozac. Nothing worked, and she kept attacking my dog, each time more viciously than the last. My poor dog was terrified of her, and it wasn't fair to him to live in fear in his own home.

Talk to your vet, and see if there is a behavior specialist he/she can refer you to. This is not just a trainer, and this is not something you guys should try to manage on your own at home. There are veterinarians that have gone on to become board-certified in behavior medicine and are the best trained and equipped to see animals with significant behavior issues. If you wish, you and hubby can attend the appointment together, and then that way, following the behaviorist's assessment, can both hear what he/she has to say, and then make a decision. I don't blame you for feeling the way you feel but more pets get euthanized or given up for behavior reasons than anything else, and at least a behavior consult is an option to consider before making any decisions.

ETA: If you have seen a behaviorist before, I would try to get in touch with them again. Behavior issues are sometimes one of those things that you can't totally "cure" them of, but can manage, and sometimes things change or something new crops up. If you did decide to euthanize the dog, I can understand that - I don't want to see any person, especially a child, be injured. Plus it can be a liability factor. I have euthanized some dogs and cats myself because of the severity of their aggression and other behavior problems. If that is what you feel is the right thing to do, you don't need permission from us. My job is to give pet owners options - it's their decision to make. I've seen people want to give up a pet for the most superficial of reasons, or for some simple problem that can be fixed if they put a little effort into it. And I've seen people go to extremes for a pet because they believe they are doing the right thing and just can't give up - even if that pet is a menace to them and the rest of the household. Only you can decide what you are willing and not willing to tolerate.

Dog goes-today! Do NOT let your son around him. You sound like a smart and reasonable owner. I agree with you, I wouldn't want to put him down either, however I wouldn't want to give him to anyone else to be possibly bit.

there are too many good dogs out there that dont bite when someone is startled. To try to find him another home is having one of them lose out on a new owner. You are completely right to have the dog put down. Too many people dont want to put aggressive and mentally unstable dogs down. However, they should be.

I had to make a choice like this with one of my show dogs. She had child aggression. I could never risk her hurting a child and never could feel right giving her to a childless couple that she may go and bite a stranger child in their care.

You are doing the correct and responsible ownership, thing to do.

I'm so sorry this is happening. I'm a huge dog lover, I'm an ex vet tech, my boyfriend is a veterinarian and we have both done tons of work with rescue groups.

This dog has to be euthanized...today in my opinion. He is dangerous and you have a young son. What would you do with a rescue group? " please adopt our dog, he has attacked the family multiple times".

You have a very loving family but your husband kept this from you and this would probably be something I would battle. Honey, say goodbye to the dog because we have a 10 am appointment tomorrow to have him euthanized. It's sad but necessary in this case. Good luck.

B., I agree with you. Time for him to go. Dog lovers will not agree, but you simply cannot risk it. Biting family is one thing (still not acceptable in my book) but if he bites someone else, you will be held liable and the cost could be significant. Some insurance policies will NOT pay out on dog bites. You need to put him down. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Good luck.

oh, sweetie. i'm so sorry. this must be so upsetting and painful for you.
not just the prospect of having to euthanize a family dog, but that your husband has concealed something so important, and is now being unreasonable.
of course you are completely, 100% in the right. you have to stand firm and make your husband see reason.
be simple and direct with your son. and let him see your sadness. there's no way for it to be 'okay', and the family should be sad together.
but you need to get your husband's head on straight.
{{{{{{B.}}}}}}
i am SO sorry.
:( khairete
S.
ETA i totally disagree with all the suggestions to take him to the pound or a rescue to give him a 'chance.' biters have a virtually non-existent chance of being adopted by anyone, not just childless people, and he will be heartbroken and bewildered at the seeming abandonment. the kindest and most ethical thing to do is to take him and let him go in the arms of someone he loves.

I'm sixty two, I have had dogs since I was 7. I have never had one of my dogs bite me. I have had several get close when I was playing rough with them, but they never bit. My parents would have never allowed a biting dog to live to bite again.

I had one dog (cocker spaniel, AKC) that nipped one of my kids. I began watching him closely and found he didn't like kids on his level. Teenagers were ok, but not two year olds that would look him in the eye. I gave him away to a family with only teenagers and warned him about his not liking kids at his level. They never had a problem. If they hadn't wanted him, I would have put him down.

If this dog bit you and has bit your husband multiple times, the only thing to do with him is to make him a "Junk Yard dog" or put him down.

What breed of dog is he? Pit bull?

Good luck to you and yours.

I agree with you B., sadly. I'm so sorry.

I am an animal lover and I think the dog needs to go.

Now, that doesn't mean he needs to be put to sleep--he just needs to be OUT OF YOUR HOUSE.

It's possible that it can be trained out of him and if your husband loves the dog, then he can look into that kind of training. But the dog needs to be out of your house in the meantime.

There may be another family out there willing to work with the dog. But that family is not you.

Your husband may feel better knowing that he's trying to find the dog another home with someone that can work with him.

Good luck! And protect your son in the meantime!

I'm a dog lover too but totally agree with you. I would suggest to your husband that he close his eyes and picture your son yelling, as all kids do, and the dog running over and biting him in the face. Likely your son's face is fairly close in height to the dog's as the dog sounds pretty big. Tell him to picture that. Then ask him if it's really worth the risk. Tell him to picture another child coming over to play and the dog getting out. And what kind of life will it be for the dog if you have to keep him separated all the time anyway, if that's your husband's solution? Nevermind the risk of the dog getting out... Sorry you have to deal with this... And I agree to explain the reality to your son. The dog bites. He will go to doggy heaven now.

B., I totally agree with you, I think you are doing the absolute best thing for your family.

This is one instance where, if I couldn't get my husband on board, I'd take the dog myself, or tell him, "me or the dog". Hopefully he realizes that you are right.

Hi B., I just want to say how sorry I am that you are having to all go through this. It sounds like you are the voice of reason in this situation, and your husband's emotions and attachment created a lot of ambivalence in doing what's necessary. He's human. How sweet and normal that he doesn't want to put the dog down and wants to give him another chance. But you are the logical one here. You can't predict the safety factor here anymore. 6-7 times is too many now, especially when it's against his own family members :(

I'm sorry for your huge investment being all for naught. It's a lot to lose. But you know you did the right thing from the beginning to the end. Keep your son and others safe.

I know I'm late to the party, but I have to add my voice to the general consesus of "you are doing the right thing". I'm eyerolling at the one poster...( who i'd like to tell to geesh get a grip) but you always have that on this forum, just taking the good w the bad. I don't see your question as SHOULD I put him down, but how to deal w hubby and son.

I'm so sorry this happened. It sounds like you have put lots of time, energy, effort, love and training into this dog. You've done everything you can do for this dog, above and beyond the call of duty and THEN some. It sounds like your husband is starting to get it.

Your son witnessed this event, so it probably won't be as hard as you think to explain to him in an age appropriate manner. I'm sure there are all kinds of books about pet loss, but this is a harder situation than normal. Kids are smart, he'll get it...be honest and age appropriate in your explanation. He may have lots of questions...I know my little man would.

Please let us know what happens.

I feel your pain. We had an awesome dog tho she was an Alpha. We paid hundreds of dollars to have her professionally trained. this was our BABY!. Well, then we had our first "real" baby and things changed. She still was an awesome dog until I wanted her to do something that she did not want to do. We then got the snarly lip and growl. I was holding my newborn and she lunged for me. That was it. We had her put down as I am in agreement with you, I would not let anyone else take her knowing her aggression. I suggest you discuss with your vet, we did and he reassured us that we had our dog as a family pet not to be isolated from everyone. He reassured us we were doing the right thing and so our dear dog was put down. We were devastated but they are animals, your safety and your children should always come first. Its a hard choice but its the only one. Do not trust that dog.

So hard.
You know your dog and family best.
I'm so sorry...

I am sorry this situation has come for your family. However, I wanted to let you know that I fully support your decision to do what is best for the safety and well being of the family. I'm very sorry. I do think that you are making the right choice.

I think you could take the dog to a shelter and tell them the circumstances. There are people who might want to adopt the dog, despite knowing that he occasionally bites.

I don't think you have to put him to sleep, but I agree that with small children around, you can't have an aggressive dog in the house.

Maybe Cesar will adopt him. Cesar could fix your dog.

The thought of putting an animal down makes me sick to my stomach... however... if I thought that an animal would endanger my children or guests in my home, that animal would be O-U-T immediately.

Children scream... children get rowdy... people get startled and yell. It happens. Dogs that are OK, don't react by attacking. I'm sorry that your family is going through this, but this isn't an exception... this is his behavioral pattern. I would speak with the vet and make sure that there isn't another option that would remove the dog from your home, but not result in it's death.

Good luck tonight.

I was in this exact situation a year ago. My daughter rescued a puppy in TX who was a Lab/Blue Healer. She was a sweet dog with a lose screw in her brain. Everything was fine with her for the first several months, then she attacked my two smaller dogs and knocked over my grandson, 17 months, and barked and growled at his throat. Things got progressively worse the mailman and garbage men seemed to trigger an attack response in her, then she attacked one of the small dogs and drew blood. I saw it happenand if I had not grabbed her by the collar and got her off him she would have killed him. I had to take him to the vet to be checked in case he needed stitches. Now for the bad news:

In Wisconsin
YOU AND HUBBY are 100% responsible for the actions of your dog. If your dog attacks a person you are responsible for all medical bills, including ambulance, ER, follow-ups, physical therapy if needed and if the dog kills you are also responsible for funeral expenses, and possibally a wrongful death lawsuit. So it could easily be a million dollar lawsuit.
Even if you re-home the dog and warn the new owners he has bitten the injured party can come back to you and sue you.

I got this info from 2 vets, a dog behavioral specialist, 2 shelters, and an attorney.
The dog needs to be put down. It is the most difficult thing I have ever done.

Sorry, have not read any other responses, but the dog's got to go.

I told my fiance when we agreed to have dogs and a child that ONE BITE and that animal is OUT.

I totally understand. I also grew up raising and breeding dogs. One question- is this dog neutered? As you know, unneutered males can be very unpredictable. Not that it would make a difference in your stance, and honestly it shouldn't. If it were me, I would do the same thing. Esp since the next time it could be a child screaming. :(

I am so with you and glad he's come around. There are some states that say if a dog bites and draws blood they must be put down. There is no choice. You are right thought he could easily do that to your son. If a dog will bite his master there is no telling who else he will bite.

I'm not going to weigh in on whether or not he should be put down. I do want to suggest that waiting a week to give your husband time to process this and make a decision is essential to your husband's well being and the well being of your relationship.

The dog has bitten before over a period of time. Nothing has changed except that you now know about it. Another week is not going to hurt.

I suggest that you tell your husband that you want the dog put down and then give him time to deal with his feelings and come to the same conclusion. Give him space and empathy while he processes the need to do this.

I am so sorry this happened to you. I love animals too and i have to totally agree with you. I would not wait around for a 7th bite, especially if it could involve my four year old. As i love animals, including dogs, they are just that.. animals. IMO i think human life and human safety supercedes animals who show aggression! And who have bit family members at least 6 times. good luck and i think you are making the right choice!
so sorry you will lose your family pet but... for your safety and especially your child's safety, the dog needs to be put down.

First off, I am so terribly sorry! We had to put a dog down for similar reasons, but we agreed immediate when the dog bite and drew blood. In fact, our poor first baby didn't even lbe 12 more hours. He was taken in first thing the next morning ( he was an anxiety medicine, we had spent hundreds on hundreds with special trainers....)

I'm not sure how you convince your hubby. He needs to see that a dog with any history of biting cannot be in a house with a child. What happens when your son gets bigger and he and he friends run through the house? A anxious herding dog won't be able to handle that stress.

I'm not sure what to tell your son. I'd just say the dog needs to go bye-bye because he is anxious and sick.

you cannot control someone else's will. This question gets asked all the time. It can't be done. You've made a decision that you will do it without his consent if thats what it comes to. But you don't really want to do damage to the marriage which may very well be the case should you do this behind his back. All you can do is tell him your position and give him a few days to hopefully agree with you as he has had time to process. Not everyone arrives at difficult decisions with clarity on short notice. Don't hound him or tell him its your way or the highway. Just let him process. If he is a reasonable person, the chances are good he will come to the same conclusion. If he doesn't, then do what you have to do to keep your children safe. You may damage the marriage either way (if you take matters into your own hands now or latter), but you will damage it without a doubt if you don't give him a little time.
You are willing to gamble that he may not be able to forgive you if you go through with this. Thats a rock and a hard place. There's no magic potion to make someone see it your way.

I'm soooo sorry!!!

I am a dog lover and pet owner. If my dog bit - sorry - I would have to put him down.

Tell your husband that IF there is a next time? You could lose EVERYTHING...if the person sues you - you willing to lose your home over a dog? If the answer is NO - then he needs to say good-bye and let you put the dog down. What's worse? What if that was your son that got bit? Would he wait a week? I don't think so.

How do you tell your son? You tell him the truth. We are putting Jake down because he has bitten people. We don't want you to be next. They are pack animals and it's not fair to him or anyone else if we keep him separated.

Good luck!!

Would your husband listen to the vet, if he won't listen to you? If the vet agrees that the dog must be put down, I would have the vet talk to your husband in person and immediately.

Unfortunately, sometimes people will listen to a professional third party when they will refuse to listen to their own spouses. I'd enlist the vet right now and TAKE your husband to see the vet today. You can't keep waiting to do this.

The only alternative to euthanasia that I can think of would be to locate a farm somewhere that needs or wants herding dogs and that would be willing to take him, knowing he is a biter. But who knows how long that might take, or if you would ever find such a place? Meanwhile, your young child is truly at risk.

There is another issue here: Why did your husband hide from you the information that the dog bit? Even one bite would be reason for him to tell you. Enduring five bites to protect the DOG means he absolutely put the animal ahead of both and your child. I think that once you have resolved getting the dog put down, you and he need some serious, serious talking about why he made the conscious choice to protect a dog rather than to protect his own child. I would be very hesitant to replace this dog, out of concern that husband would again put the pet before the child. Really, his behavior shows some seriously questionable priorities.

Is your dog an Australian Shepherd, by chance? They are known to nip in the leg in an attempt to herd (even their humans). I know your bite sounds like more than a nip but if I did guess the breed, please check into their rescue. I adopted my second Aussie from an Australian Shepherd rescue and perhaps a childless family would be willing to give him a chance despite his history. Often they have foster families willing to take in the pet immediately until they are adopted.

B.,

From the Dog's History, it sounds like there is DEFINITELY something that is going wrong with him. It sounds like possibly Post Traumatic Stress from his past situation or something? Not sure, but you mentioned you got him from a rescue. Something that happened to him has resurfaced (IMO), and you need to get him to a Vet ASAP.

It sounds like he just MAY need to be put down....and that makes me VERY sad to say (as an Animal Lover). You just don't want the next possible attack to be on your son, or fatal.

Good Luck!

Your Husband is emotionally attached to his dog, of course. As is anyone with a pet. He is thus having a hard time, separating the actual course of action that needs to be done.
And you have a child in the house.
I would be scared of the dog biting or attacking him. Too.

Or, you just keep the dog, outside. In a kennel. Or on a tether/runner.
So if you keep the dog outside, he won't be inside the house or near your son.

And yes, for now you have to keep the dog separated or cordoned off.
Or, you could find a new owner for the dog... one in which they have a farm or a huge lot for the dog to be "free" and runaround in.
When I was a kid, we had a German Shepard. We had a big yard and home. And the dog was very protective of us. It is the nature of these breeds. Well, one day we had to give away our dog. He was too "aggressive" to others that was not our family. Though he didn't actually attack anyone, we knew one day he possibly would bite someone. Even if he was a very disciplined dog. But we found a new owner, who wanted the dog... and who had a farm out in the country. Our dog, was very happy there. He could be himself. And my Dad did go there to check up on "our" dog... with his new owner and on a farm. A real farm. Not a dog kennel farm, mind you. And our dog was very happy.

Or, you could take your dog to the Vet... and see if there are any health issues or whatnot. If the dog is old, then maybe he is having a degeneration of his mind? Just like in adults. They get, irrational etc.
Try these options. First.

I imagine you have already had the dog trained? Many times?

If you do get rid of the dog, you just have to explain to your son that he is dangerous. And unpredictable. Therefore, you cannot have him anymore.

The dog would have to go. My child comes first. It that had been me I would have taken him somewhere right away. He has bitten too many times so he knows what he's doing. Good luck!!

Why can't he be an outside dog? If he's kept in a fenced yard and there's a separate area for him to run around in why can't he be an outside dog? Or muzzle him. If he's such a family member can't there be some way to keep him within the family but everyone safe?

I know it's hard. Maybe if you explain to your husband that when a dog bites the alpha members of its pack (you AND your husband, let alone just one of you!) the dog must be dealt with. He (the dog) has gone beyond doggie rehabilitation and if he'll bite you and your husband then he WILL bite anyone that lives in your home and comes to visit. He WILL bite strangers outside. He's a danger now to everyone. But you know this, obviously... so your husband needs it laid out straight.

I would take the dog to the vet and have him examined. Surrendering the dog willingly will be easier than having him bite someone else down the road and having them file a police report, especially if he bites a child. Would it take the dog biting your child on one of few times he interacts with him for your husband to agree to euthanize the dog?

Then after euthanization, you can request that the vet do an autopsy. My guess is that there's a biological reason for the change in aggression for the dog. A friend's beagle did the same exact thing your dog is doing, and they had to euthanize him. When the vet did the autopsy they found a brain disorder that purebred beagles can get that causes this disorder. He was dangerous and incurable. So maybe your dog is having a similar issue.

And my biggest point for a previous poster: this is NOT a people issue. This is not "oh the poor doggie." This is VERY LIKELY a biological issue with the dog that can't be fixed.

B., I'm really sorry.

I'm also really pissed at your husband for withholding this info from you. Five times? That's beyond the pale! It could have been your son today. It could have been your son...

I'm glad your husband is coming around. If my husband and I were going through this, and he didn't come around, I think that I would be making the decision myself and letting the chips fall where they may. Thankfully this didn't happen with our dog.

I hope your leg is okay. I don't know what to say about your little boy. Perhaps talking to your ped about how to tell your son would be helpful.

Hugs~

Well maybe the dog thought you were a threat to your son when you screamed. My dog i had was the same way. Just because he doesn't appear to want anything to do with your son doesn't mean he's not protective over him. My son is ROUGH on his cat. And by rough I means he drags him around lays on him ect yet the cat has never hissed or scratched or anything. Yet if I move wrong or god forbid step on his tail he literally attacks my leg! Now I'm not trying to justify what the dog did, but I don't think killing it is the answer. Maybe he would do better in a rescue that can handle him better.

It's so hard, I completely understand. We adopted a dog from a pet rescue group and she ended up biting first our adult friend, then a neighborhood little girl. After the little girl was bit for no other reason than entering our house, we'd had it and returned the dog to the pet rescue. Due to the bites, the pet rescue owner said that she would keep the dog her self and not try to re-home. I'm glad we had that option. Good luck, glad to hear your husband now agrees with you.

Hi B.,

Kudos to you for being not only a responsible pet owner, but a friend to animals as well!

I am very sorry for what looks to be a big loss in your family.

Have you checked to rule out any potential medical causes, such as hypothyroidism?

Updated

Have you checked to rule out any potential medical causes, such as hypothyroidism?

Having 9 pets myself, all my animals, aside from cats, have SOMETHING that makes them snippy at us. Our oldest male Dauschund will bite and draw blood anytime we try to clip his nails. We don't know why, other than that, he is a sweetheart. Our female Pomeranian will occasionally get in tiffs with our female Dauschund and I've been snipped for pulling them apart. My lizard bites me EVERY TIME I go to give him his liquid vitamins. Other than those things though, all of our pets are loving, kind animals that we treat as family.

Considering he is an otherwise kind dog, you could try going to Angel's of Assisi and seeing if they will help you rehome him. They will make it public that it is as simple as he can't be startled, so he should be in a house with adults and possibly a single pet rule. Euthenasia is not yours, and his, only option.

If you do decide to put him down, look up the Rainbow Bridge poem. It's about a place where all animals go when they die so they can wait for their family. It might help your situation if you choose this.

ETA: ALL of my dogs get jumpy when someone in the house gets mad, gets scared, and god help you if you are play fighting because my oldest Dauschund will bite the looser!

I just remembered a situation from when I was very little, but what it boiled down to was the dog had cancer that spread to the brain and got like yours after any loud noise.

Absolutely that dog would be out of my house today. I can't imagine how hard it will be, but it's the right decision. The only thing I would add would be that maybe the Vet, giving all the info you have will have another solution besides putting the dog down? If there's some way he/she thinks the dog could be rehabilitated by someone (other than you and someone without kids in their home), then by all means, go that route. If there were not other option, I'd put the dog down, but I'd never have that dog around my child. Sorry you're going through this.

My cat did this- went from being the most loving cat one day to attacking for no reason the next. Took him to the vet and the thought was he had bad arthritis and a neurological problem. My point is- take the dog to the vet first and find out if there is a physical problem. I don't know what the deal is with the rescues, but years ago my friend's dog was a biter and after much research, her parents found a group that took him and trained him to be a hearing guide dog. So I guess if you look hard enough you may find something.

You can make him wear a muzzle all the time. I guess that is what I would do. Sad situation. I'd also keep working on teaching him...but I'd never trust him again. Some of those herding dogs are just too high strung and prone to do something like this. :(

You guys are doing the right thing by getting rid of him r putting him down.

~I know you have done your research, just wanted to let you know that in our area the local pound will ask you if the dog has bitten and they will still try to place the dog with people (without kids) who are open to trying to rehabilitate aggressive dogs, if they don't find any takers, then they will put the dog down. Just throwing this out there, so you know that some pounds have ways of 'trying' to place a dog that is a known biter. Have you checked the pounds in your surrounding counties??

I'm sorry for your loss, but you are (of course) doing the right thing here. A dog that bites you and hubby would most certainly bite a child or someone else. And then YOU would be liable....

EDIT: I just read some other responses and had to laugh. Muzzle him full-time or (better yet) leave him tied up in the yard???!!!! Yes, that's a fantastic solution in which nothing could ever go wrong.... Some people are hilariously delusional.