I need some guidance on what to do with my chow

ORIGINAL: denise_m

I agree in part with LizzieCollie. You definately have to think with your head and not your heart. You also have to think long term. Boo is only 6yrs, so he is going to greatly effect your life for maybe the next 10 years. You are a young (I presume), engaged woman. What are your plans for the next 10 years? Are you willing to not have a family because of BOO? Are you willing not to live anywhere you like because of Boo? Are you willing to lose your fiancee because of Boo? Life is not static, especially when you are young. You are going to have many opportunities and options presented to you. Boo has be a consideration in every decision that you have to make.

Many people on this board have said they would sacrifice anything for their dog and I have absolutely no problem with that at all. If you feel the same, I totally support saving the dog. But please make sure you are not just putting off the inevitable.

 
Denise,
I'm a big dog lover, that's why I'm having the hardest time putting Boo down. In a way, yes, I would sacrifice everything for my dogs. BUT, I also want to have a family with children in the next 3-5 years. I don't want to lose my fiance. Boo has been a major reason for our fights lately and the relationship is going through some hard time.
I want to be able to not worry if Boo gets loose and if he catches anyone walking near him/ or petting him. Honestly, I've been tramautized and worried about Boo since 5 years ago, after his first attack. So, yes, I want to live a life that is worry free. But how do you go about putting your beloved pet down? How do you get the strength? I keep reading many posts on here, and I'm having mix feelings all the time. I don't know what to do.[]

I've been through euthanizing a dog for agression. It is hard on a good day so I would not presume to tell you you need to euthanize your dog, especially sight unseen. This has to be your decision. You know what the truth is about the risk this dog may or may not pose to other people. You konw what the truth is about whether you can contain this dog.  All we can do is support your decision whatever your decision is. But we can't decide for you because euthanasia is hard - I feel it is better to live with the consequences of one's one decison.

Paula

Mickyboo.

I'm going try and answer you the best I can. First of all no matter what anyone else on this forum would do "if they were you", remember - THEY ARE NOT YOU. They don't have to walk Boo into the vets office and say a final goodbye. They don't have to live with the long term consquences of keeping a dangerous dog.

It's helpful to read everyones suggestions, experiences and opinions. That is what this forum is for, but you can't let yourself be guilted into making a decision that may change the direction of your life. You have to do what is best for YOU.

You have someone (fiancee) who will share your future. This is a decision that the 2 of you should make together. No matter what that decision is you will get the support you WILL need from him. If it's holding your hand at the vets - so be it. If it's making personal sacfrices to keep Boo - so be it.

Life is never easy. 99% of the time, decisions are not right or wrong, they are just something that have to be made. You need to sit down with your finacee and talk it all through. Get him to read the thread. Decide on a long term solution, not a stop gap alternative. Find the answer you can both live with and know you have my prayers and my support what ever you decide.

"How do you go about putting your love one down? How do you get the strength"

Mickeyboo, you will lots of help and support for that here, don't worry.
For starters visit the Rainbow Bridge section. It is very inspirational.
www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

ORIGINAL: denise_m

"How do you go about putting your love one down? How do you get the strength"

Mickeyboo, you will lots of help and support for that here, don't worry.
For starters visit the Rainbow Bridge section. It is very inspirational.
[linkhttp://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html]www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html[/link]

 
wow, Denise. I don't know what to say about this poem. I'm speechless. It's so sad. It brings tears to my eyes and heart. Your support and prayers (as well as others' on this forum) are forever kept in my heart. I've heard many people who just drop off their pets at the vet for euthanasia and never look back. I don't know how they could do that. I can't imagine leaving my pet's last breath without him feeling his family is there with him.
If my decision is to let him go, I only pray and hope that he'll run to me again on that day so I can walk with him through the rainbow bridge.
[][][]
I never knew how much my pets effect my emotions..until now []

Don't worry, he'll be there for you at the bridge. I know my dog will be and I suspect he will come running with other dogs I have yet to even meet.

Boo has history of attacking my friends, was able to tear off my friends' clothes and bit her/him that left with open wounds.

Please keep this in mind, Mickeyboo. I will never tell you what to do, but I can say that you are legally and morally liable for your dog's behavior.

I can also say that euthanizing my dangerous dog was the hardest thing I ever did, and I never ever would wish this on anyone, ever. And that I empathize with you and am thinking of you.

And I was going to hold my tongue, but... comparisons to euthanizing a child whose behavior is bad are so freaking inappropriate that I am just flabbergasted. There is a huge, huge world of difference between PTS'ing an unruly child and a dog that has the capacity to harm someone, or even kill someone's small child... I am just in shock over that comment. Stunned.

ORIGINAL: fisher6000

Boo has history of attacking my friends, was able to tear off my friends' clothes and bit her/him that left with open wounds.

Please keep this in mind, Mickeyboo. I will never tell you what to do, but I can say that you are legally and morally liable for your dog's behavior.

I can also say that euthanizing my dangerous dog was the hardest thing I ever did, and I never ever would wish this on anyone, ever. And that I empathize with you and am thinking of you.

And I was going to hold my tongue, but... comparisons to euthanizing a child whose behavior is bad are so freaking inappropriate that I am just flabbergasted. There is a huge, huge world of difference between PTS'ing an unruly child and a dog that has the capacity to harm someone, or even kill someone's small child... I am just in shock over that comment. Stunned.

Fisher try to look past it. IMO it was not an appropriate analogy, and a little alarmist, but on different days we all have different ability to communicate opinions.  Take the clicker approach.

Paula

I would say ask willowchow. She has a "used to be" aggressive chow.

She's given me good advice before.

My opinion, I wouldn't move in with your fiance until you found a suitable place for the both of you and both dogs to live. Even if you aren't looking at it from the standpoint of the poor chow, look at it in terms of how you're starting out your marriage, by giving up something as important as a life for him - not a good start.

jojo. with all due respect, I think the best way to start off any marriage is to talk and come to a resolution both people accept.

Fisher try to look past it. IMO it was not an appropriate analogy, and a little alarmist, but on different days we all have different ability to communicate opinions.  Take the clicker approach.

Thanks, Paula. Your'e right.

I am not going to comment on this thread anymore. This is a difficult situation for this person, and a whole bunch of people are chiming in who do not have any experience with having an aggressive dog and that makes me uncomfortable... without getting all "flabbergasted" again, is it okay for me to say that it is really easy for everyone here--who has never seen a dog leave an open wound on someone--to have lots of opinions about what this woman should do? And that we might not be helping her by chiming in?

Good luck, Mickeyboo. It's an awful situation.

It wasnt an appropriate analogy, I just don't like hearing dogs being put down, I'm sorry.

The dog is six, she is marrying this guy, and she wants kids.  Let's face it - the dog's days are numbered, since if kept alive he could be a factor for 5-10 more years.  Even if the fiance will put up with the dog temporarily, the husband won't put up with him when babies start arriving.  Unfortunately for this dog, it's probably decision time.  But, those of you who said it's her decision are right.  Only our OP knows what is truly in her heart, and what she is capable of managing.  But, personally, I would never make the decision to euthanize a dog without speaking to a qualified behaviorist just to be sure I hadn't overlooked a protocol or medication that could have helped.  It's also unlikely that another human being could influence me to euth a dog.  That would have to be my decision and only after a lot of soul-searching to insure that my choice was in the best interest of the dog and those around him.

ORIGINAL: jennyx0023

It wasnt an appropriate analogy, I just don't like hearing dogs being put down, I'm sorry.

Well dogs get put down for being dangerous all the time. It is often the only thing to do (not refering to this poster's case specifically). If you have a dog that is dangerous and you cannot keep could you in good conscience give it to someone else? So you have a dog that is too dangerous to keep, it would be unreasonable to pass it on to someone else, what is the third option? Euthanasia is a reality and sometimes a necessity.

Paula

I've been following this thread from the beginning.
I'm sorry that you have to make this decision, it is never easy to see a life end.

There's a quote that I remember from a great horseman, George Morris.
"Love means attention, which means looking after the things we love. We call this stable management." It applys equally to the dogs in our care. We have a responsibility to them when we take them into our care. Part of that responsibility is to keep them safe from the world and equally to keep the world safe from them.

- If we cannot fulfill the first, then it is our responsibility to put them in the care of someone who can.
- If we cannot fulfill the second, after exhausting the medical & behavioural possibilities in our resources, then we have a responsibility to bring them to a loving end. Thus fulfilling both criteria.

We all hate to see euthanasia, but there are worse things for a dog than this. We hear about these all the time.
A peaceful death in the presense of the beloved is not the worst.

Good luck in whatever decision you and your fiancee come to.
 
(edited for spelling)