spiritdogs
Posted : 8/18/2008 9:43:25 AM
Whoa, everyone!!!! Some dogs have a mishap with a dog and never have another incident their whole lives. Unfortunately, in the tiny breeds, a puncture that wouldn't even disturb past the fur on a larger dog can do serious damage to these dogs. And, you don't even know which dog was the instigator, or what really happened, from the sound of it. Few attacks are random or unprovoked. Dog language is very subtle, and these dogs could have been pressing each other's buttons for months without a human noticing. I would never consider euthanizing a dog without seeking help from a behaviorist first, so if you can do it, please do. The Animal Behavior Society web page, or the IAABC web page both have listings. In the interim, I would, to satisfy your parents' concerns, keep your dog separate from the others. By the way, a basket muzzle, properly introduced, is not cruel, since the dog can still pant, eat, etc. But, you must never leave the dog unsupervised with the muzzle on. It just isn't safe. For the lurkers, if such a dog is intact, please neuter immediately, as in a male dog this can lower dog to dog aggression. In females, spaying has little effect, but it does remove the possibility of an estrus or pregnancy related fight - hormonal bitches can be very nasty for short periods of time during those events.
Keep in mind that your veterinarian is not a behavior specialist, and some old time vets still recommend euthanizing any dog that shows any aggression. While I wouldn't rule it out if this dog is habitually aggressive, I would still rather see you consult a specialist before making such a serious decision. And, I would want your parents to sit in on the visit, so that even though they are grief stricken, they may gain some insight as to the real severity of the problem, and not just compound a bad situation by a vengeful act that may not be necessary to preserve the safety of the other dogs.