I dont know if this belongs here so if it doesnt feel free to move.

I saw an ad on my local Craigslist today about a family dog (Mastiff) that has to be put down. The post says that the dog has some health issues(did not say exactly what they were) but mainly is aggressive towards people and other dogs. The dog has bit the mom and their little girl and the little girl wasnt even doing anything to the dog so they say. Anyway they were saying that they got the dog from a bad breeder but they wanted to give the dog a good home so they took it anyway. So the whole reason for the post was urging people not to give breeders the benefit of the doubt. The person then posted again saying that they were putting the dog down and would not give it to another home, I am guessing that they were getting offers to take the dog. She said that she is a stay at home mom so the dog gets lots of attention, it gets walks, and they have tried putting it through obedience training but it didnt work.

This has really been bothering me, even though I dont know the exact situation something just doesnt sit right. So my question is how do you guys feel about this? Do you feel that in some situations dog aggression cannot be corrected and the dog must be put down? I just have never heard of this and am wondering if it is true and who better to ask, right?

If you are asking very generally if some dogs have to be PTS because they are "not right" and dangerous, the answer is yes.

No one can comment on the specific instance you mention, of course.

I personally will go even further and say that sometimes it's the only humane thing to do with (for example) a dog who is living a life filled with perceived demons and enemies and lashing out in fear at every turn, and that is one kind of aggression many here have seen. No one does that dog any favors by forcing him to live a life of anxiety punctuated by terror.

JMO.

Living in fear, hate, constant irritation, and never relaxing is painful mentally and physically.

I can just imagine that a brief moment when sedation takes effect...the first calm, peace, no demon driven fear filling moment... would be the best gift anyone can give a dog or any animal in that type of "situation".

Sometimes ending a life with dignity, care, and compassion is the greatest gift one can give an animal.

 Quote: connie sutherland

If you are asking very generally if some dogs have to be PTS because they are "not right" and dangerous, the answer is yes.

No one can comment on the specific instance you mention, of course.

Yes very very generally. This situation just got me thinking about aggressive dogs and how people feel about them. I have noticed this trend in people lately, thinking that no dog should ever be put down for behavior issues, at least in my area. Of course we cant say too much about the Craislist posting because we dont know the entire situation. I was just wondering how many people think that or believe every dog can be rehabilitated.

I guess this really really depends on the dog/situation but how do we know when to "throw in the towel?" I know this is very hard to answer without the exact situation at hand. I am just thinking generally. Maybe I am just thinking about this too much, I do that a lot LOL.

I do agree with you on the dogs quality of life though.

 Quote: steph a. wilson

I have noticed this trend in people lately, thinking that no dog should ever be put down for behavior issues, at least in my area. .... I guess this really really depends on the dog/situation but how do we know when to "throw in the towel?"

Impossible to answer. What kind of aggression is it? Is there a knowledgeable person with a safe place willing and able to take on the aggressive dog? Has the dog killed? Was the dog born with "ghosts in his head"?

I could add ten more necessary questions, and others here who have more experience could probably add twenty, but you see what I mean.

I think that people who believe that all aggressive dogs can be "fixed" are not knowledgeable or experienced. Unless they mean that rather than PTS, such a dog should be locked away for life with no socialization until s/he goes shelter crazy or dies.

JMO.

Steph,

You said the dog had health issues. Sometimes when a health issue is so painful, it affects the mood or a animal and even a person.

Without knowing if it is the health issue that makes this dog the way it is, I would have to agree with putting it down. It is like when we have to decide when it is time to put our old dogs down when there is no quality of life left for them and they are suffering day by day with no end in site. It is hard but the humane thing that has to be decided by us humans who love our dogs or who have compassion for animals.

There is a lot of things worst than death.

PTS = Post Traumatic Stress?

Just checking, I'm still trying to learn the acronyms for this community.

Put to sleep.

 Quote: connie sutherland

I think that people who believe that all aggressive dogs can be "fixed" are not knowledgeable or experienced.

That statement is so true that it should be made a sticky, Connie.