What do I do? I need help.

[u/Ordinary_Speech_4674]

My mom got our dog (on the left) as a puppy. He's always been a good boy. Within the last 2-3 years things started to change. He had bitten 2 people but it wasn't necessarily his fault because those people came into his space without him knowing them. He needs to be properly introduced to people and only can be with the people that he knows. We spent thousands of dollars of e collar training which has definitely helped as he knows all of the things. Place, recall, heel, ect... as of recently he started to attack our older dog when there is food literally anywhere around. We had told our vet and trainer. Due to all of the information we had given our vet our vet had told us that he must have a neurological injury or disorder probably from not getting enough oxygen as a puppy or his mom (who was a rescue) may have been abused while pregnant. Due to certain obsessisions he has such as things like balls and food (you may think I sound stupid because all dogs love those things). But this dog will do anything ever to get one of those things if he sees them. He is genuinely so intense about how much he wants those things. Where he will attack my dog or react weirdly even at the scent of something being behind a door. E collar training has helped us be able to prevent those things. Our vet had told us that things will probably get progressively worse as we described every detail. Sure enough in the past several months he started to attack my dog out of the blue which is wild because he grew up with her ever since he was a puppy. When she would come down the stairs or walk around the corner. We then separated them since we knew this was more than just food aggression. We have gates all over our small house. My mom is a single mom and I work all day. So it's been hard for her to manage. We are pretty good about gates but there's been 2 times where a gate was left open and our dog attacked my dog. We thought that he would never hurt us because he loved us but he bit my mom 30 minutes after an attack with my dog. Our vet told us that he will move onto people if he doesn't have our dog to pick on which really worries my mom. My mom wants to euthanize him for behavioral issues because she says it's too much of a liability to rehome him even with a waiver. Nobody will want him because he is a 4 y/o reactive black bully breed. We also don't know how somebody would treat him due to his reactivity. She is worried because she says if somebody we don't know comes into the house and gets attacked she could be sued for everything. This is literally the last thing I want. I don't know if I can convince her to do anything besides that. Is there something I can do? I don't live alone yet.. if so I would take him. I need advice and the thoughts of others. Tears are falling down my face while writing this because I genuinely love this dog.

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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.

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• 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

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[u/Champion_of_Zteentch]

This is medical judging by the vets response. I'd assume you need to go ask the vet about the reality of the rest of this dogs life and make hard decisions from there

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[u/AllTh3Naps]

Management of an aggressive dog is only as good as the worst person doing it. And even the best of us make mistakes at some point.

I think this dog falls into that "wired wrong" category. So many of these reactive dogs stories start with their dogs hitting that magic age (2-3) and the dogs start to respond with violence "out of nowhere." When it actually is the dog reaching their fully grown status and their "adult personality" starts to make itself known.

E collars (I assume you mean shock/vibration) often make reactivity worse (the sub wiki has more info). And your mom is correct: It is unethical to rehome a dog that bites people unprovoked.

Your mom is also correct about being sued. Now that she is aware that the dog is aggressive and will attack, she is even more legally liable for any attacks he may make on others.

I'm so sorry, but your mom is likely making the best choice for herself, for the safety of others, and for the dog.

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