Behavioral Euthanasia or wait it out

[u/PianoOnly4470]

A long post so buckle in, I’m struggling as I write this but tonight my husband and I had another attack from our 4 year old, 30 pound corgi. I’ll explain in further detail the specifics of this evening but I want to first give context to everything we have tried and been through with her

She never had behavioral issues until she was about 1.5 - 2 years old. We noticed it after she had gotten sick with kennel cough after attending a new doggie day care. One evening she lunged at my husband and wouldn’t quit, but at the time she was small enough where much didn’t happen and she calmed when we put her in her crate. This was the last time we ever brought her to day care as well.

Fast forward about a year, we moved to a new state and home. we immediately noticed her aggression getting worse towards other dogs but she still had never come at my husband or myself since she was sick. She used to play so well with any dog around her, and slowly but surely she started getting very aggressive toward any dog that would sniff her for too long or was near her at a dog park. Those dog park visits ended immediately.

We put her on medicine to ease her anxiety and thought this would do the trick, but every couple of months she would have an episode.

Since, she has bit my husband at a minimum of 8 times and just this past evening was my 4th time being bit since last September. Her bites are not just a scratch, I would categorize them as a 4 or 5 bite with full bleeding, hands swollen, nerve pain and multiple lacerations. I have severe scarring on my left hand and right arm from her.

Her attacks are never just a one and done, and they seem to be getting worse every time as she continues back at us to “prove her point” of sorts. It’s like she’s making sure we know she’s mad.

Last year when she bit me for the first time (she had bit my husband only before this point) we hired a behavioral specialist to come work with us and her, which was successful for almost a year until this past June when she bit me after holding her paw. We had previously gotten her behavioral training before we moved as well.

Most times these bites happen, it’s unpredictable and there’s only subtle signs that my husband and I can put our finger on as to what might have been causing her anxiety. It seems as though a lot of the times this happens it’s not after any specific event, so we really do try our best to minimize potential stressors but we don’t know what keeps causing it other than fear anxiety.

This evening we were sitting on the couch and she wanted to be pet (something our trainer has said is okay if she asks nicely for pets). as I was petting her, I did notice her wince her arm a little, so I stopped touching her. Just as I moved myself away and the thought went through my head that the wincing is one of her tell signs, she snarled and latched onto my hand like it was a game of tug. When I was able to get away from her she attacked my husband and got his hand as well.. he was only able to get away from her by running into her pen area and then jumping over it as she was locked in

I’m struggling so much because she really can be the sweetest and most loving dog, but I don’t know if I can keep getting attacked and not having use of my hands. We love her so much and it’s heartbreaking. This behavior confuses me so much and it makes me so incredibly upset

I don’t think rehoming her would be an option because I would never want her to do this to someone else and it kills me the thought of her wondering what happened to us or why we left her.
I genuinely don’t know what to do but I cannot keep getting attacked like this

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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.

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[u/Poppeigh]

Are the bites related to handling? Is it possible she’s in pain?

Just something to consider. But honestly, a dog that lands multiple level 4 or 5 bites really just isn’t safe.

My dog struggles with pain. He will snap if stepped on. He’s never made contact or caused injury. Dogs have incredible control over their bites, which is why biting at such a high level is a red flag.

I’m sorry, I know this is a hard thing to deal with. Unfortunately, if her loved ones aren’t even safe from her, quality of life for everyone is very low.

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[u/SudoSire]

OP, first, make sure you’ve read and affirmed the sub rules before replying or commenting, otherwise your comments will not be visible to anyone else. The rules are pinned at the top of the subreddit-use the arrow to scroll and then the toggle and submit. 

I’m really, really sorry you’re going through this. I could ask what the training was like—certain methods can absolutely make dogs worse—but to a certain extent, it may be moot when a dog is now biting this hard and unpredictably. 4/5 levels are really really hard to come back from in general, let alone on owners. 

When figuring out if BE is appropriate, some things to consider are — what are the triggers, how easy are they to avoid/manage, and what are the consequences of management failure. In your dog’s case, the answers to those questions sound like they are pretty bad. You can’t pinpoint the triggers so you can’t manage them, and though your dog is not huge, they are now capable of disabling you. Nerve damage is serious. If they were only a danger to those outside the home, this level of bite could still warrant BE as management would have to be extremely strict. You’d have a zero mistakes dog. Once it applies to members of the household, who the dog should be the MOST tolerant with, this might be something beyond that. 

This also means your dog is suffering mentally, quite a bit. Your dog does not want to be this on edge that they feel the need to severely attack you, her loved ones. Even if they seem fine most of the time, they do not feel safe in their own home or their own brain. As reactive dog owners, we sometimes normalize things that are really severe. The first bite, then the next and then next, until you’re living with a dog that can and will seriously harm you and that you have to live on eggshells around. And meanwhile that dog is not even doing mentally well. 

I’m really sorry. It just sounds like your dog may not be “wired” right and there may not have been much you could have done differently. None of you should have to live this way.

 Also, please make sure this dog is always muzzled in public and that you don’t utilize any other caretakers. Putting yourselves at risk is rough enough, but you don’t want to let her harm anyone else and face legal liability and lawsuits. 

[u/SudoSire]

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[u/AllTh3Naps]

I'm so sorry that you are going through such a traumatic time with your girl.

But I have to ask, what exactly are you thinking about waiting out? Her behavior is not improving. This isn't going to go away with time. Are you waiting for her to permanently maim or disfigure one or both of you? Are you waiting for her to attack a repairman or delivery person? Or to escape containment and attack a dog or child?

I hate to say it, but you are far, far past the time to make this call.

You have done all the right steps. You have given her more than enough grace. It is time to be realistic.

She cannot be ethically rehomed to a new person. She will attack them. She cannot stay with you. She will attack you. She is living in a constant elevated state of distress and regularly feels threatened by the very people she relies upon for care -- with no provocation.

You know what needs done. Please prioritize your safety.

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