Biting dog (how much, bite, vet, aggressive)

[shipjim]

My dog of 11 years has recently snapped at and bitten some of our grandchildren. While I can excuse some of it this weekend, she took our 9 mos old grandson totally by the head and shook him. Except for a few stitches and bruises he's ok but......Our children want her put down, we have noticed more aggressive tendencies the last year.
We've tried to isolate but when there's a bunch of little kids running around somehow the door doesn't get closed. She also is aggressive towards people on the street (she's leashed), bikes, golf cars and other dogs.
We feel we must put her to sleep. She has some other medical issues but none that woluld explain this.
Any thouhts out there? jj

[jackmccullough]

As bad as you feel at the thought of having your dog put down, think of how much worse it would be if the dog inflicted serious harm on a child.

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by shipjim

My dog of 11 years has recently snapped at and bitten some of our grandchildren. While I can excuse some of it this weekend, she took our 9 mos old grandson totally by the head and shook him. Except for a few stitches and bruises he's ok but......Our children want her put down, we have noticed more aggressive tendencies the last year.
We've tried to isolate but when there's a bunch of little kids running around somehow the door doesn't get closed. She also is aggressive towards people on the street (she's leashed), bikes, golf cars and other dogs.
We feel we must put her to sleep. She has some other medical issues but none that woluld explain this.
Any thouhts out there? jj

With this behavior I'd suggest you kennel or crate your dog when the grandchildren are around, without exception (before they arrive).

Perhaps you can choose to visit your granchildren at their house instead of them coming to yours (leaving your dog at home of course)? In this way you protect both your grandchildren and the dog.

Have you spoken to your dog's veteranarian about this "recent" aggression? If so, have you followed any of the vet's recommendations?

Have you tried any kind of behavior modification training with dog since the onset of "recent" aggression?

I can understand why your children want the dog put down and I can understand why you feel you need to. Your grandchildren should not be placed in harm's way, ever. Tough decision. I'm sad the dog was never securely contained when your grandchildren were near and the agression was allowed to get as far as it did. I hate the idea of a dog being put down because the people did not take appropriate measures to protect small children.

[Honeycrisp]

No dog s/b left alone w/ children - I'm very sorry about the 9 mo. old baby but where were the adults - ?, if the dog is nervous and uncomfortable around the kids, you really have no choice but to crate her and put her in another room and keep the kids separated from her, no if's and's or but's, that s/h/b done after the first bite (or nip). As far as her pulling toward bikes, golf carts and other dogs, ours used to do that at times too and we would keep a close eye on the situation as we walked them (they're not people aggressive whatsoever though) and it all but stopped. At 11, it's hard to change old habits, it's too bad this dog didn't have any training before now but you can't let the kids run wild and have it not upset her as she is a senior and prob. does have her fair share of aches and pains. It's hard to envision what's happening w/o being there. Would talk to the vet though before making any rash decision, he knows you and your dog.

[shipjim]

Thanks all, we infact did/do keep her separated just not crated but the bigger kids 6-8 yrs got into the room and left the door open. This begs the fact that in general she's getting aggressive just not to us. This is one of the most difficult decisons I've had to face and it's eating me up I just can't get the image of the 9mos old with bruises and bite marks and stitches on both sides of his head.

[OctoberMoon]

I don't mean this to come off as harsh, but have you considered any alternatives to just putting her down? I don't understand when people think that ending an animals life is the only solution to an issue.

Have you talked to the vet? Medical issues will, in many cases, cause animals to become aggressive. I am a dog trainer and when people bring up the subject of aggression my first question is ALWAYS do they have any medical conditions that you know of and if not, get them checked out for any. Once medical conditions are found, I always suggest talking to the vet about aggression issues, especially if they pop up out of nowhere.

Second, have you consulted an animal behaviorist? If not, I suggest it. Many will do free consultations and give suggestions.

Third, if you don't want to do either of the above, have you thought about maybe finding a rescue for her? She deserves a second chance, maybe on a farm or in a household with no children and a large yard to live out the rest of her life.

Please don't think euthanasia is the only option. To me, it's a last option in situations like this. She obviously needs to be kept away from children, but please consider other options before just putting her down.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by shipjim

My dog of 11 years has recently snapped at and bitten some of our grandchildren. While I can excuse some of it this weekend, she took our 9 mos old grandson totally by the head and shook him. Except for a few stitches and bruises he's ok but......Our children want her put down, we have noticed more aggressive tendencies the last year.
We've tried to isolate but when there's a bunch of little kids running around somehow the door doesn't get closed. She also is aggressive towards people on the street (she's leashed), bikes, golf cars and other dogs.
We feel we must put her to sleep. She has some other medical issues but none that woluld explain this.
Any thouhts out there? jj

If it were my house and my kids/grandkids the dog would already be gone.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by OctoberMoon

I don't mean this to come off as harsh, but have you considered any alternatives to just putting her down? I don't understand when people think that ending an animals life is the only solution to an issue.

Have you talked to the vet? Medical issues will, in many cases, cause animals to become aggressive. I am a dog trainer and when people bring up the subject of aggression my first question is ALWAYS do they have any medical conditions that you know of and if not, get them checked out for any. Once medical conditions are found, I always suggest talking to the vet about aggression issues, especially if they pop up out of nowhere.

Second, have you consulted an animal behaviorist? If not, I suggest it. Many will do free consultations and give suggestions.

Third, if you don't want to do either of the above, have you thought about maybe finding a rescue for her? She deserves a second chance, maybe on a farm or in a household with no children and a large yard to live out the rest of her life.

Please don't think euthanasia is the only option. To me, it's a last option in situations like this. She obviously needs to be kept away from children, but please consider other options before just putting her down.

I'm not sure if you've ever tried to re-home an older dog that has confirmed broken-skin, medical-attention-necessary child-aggression issues but it isn't very easy and there are ethical considerations associated with re-homing such a dog that, in my opinion, may override the dog's breathing privileges.

To the OP: I'm sorry you guys are going through this. I can imagine how much of a conflict, how utterly dissatisfying and how sad this must be for you. Prayers and regards.

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by shipjim

Thanks all, we infact did/do keep her separated just not crated but the bigger kids 6-8 yrs got into the room and left the door open. This begs the fact that in general she's getting aggressive just not to us. This is one of the most difficult decisons I've had to face and it's eating me up I just can't get the image of the 9mos old with bruises and bite marks and stitches on both sides of his head.

Understandable. I doubt you ever will be able to get that image out of your head. I think you are going to have to admit to yourself and accept that because you did not securely contain your dog that you are now faced with this decision. Your 9 mos. old grandson is very lucky to not have been injured worse. You cannot put this back on the other grandchildren not shutting doors. The responsibility was yours, not theirs, to secure your dog. Big difference between "seperate" and "secure".

If you are not willing/able to absolutey lock up your dog securely (kennel with lock or crate in locked room that limits the access by grandchildren) when company is coming, you have no other choice. There are no second chances when a child is attacked. I'm sorry for all involved. Sincerely.

[skeet09]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

I'm not sure if you've ever tried to re-home an older dog that has confirmed broken-skin, medical-attention-necessary child-aggression issues but it isn't very easy and there are ethical considerations associated with re-homing such a dog that, in my opinion, may override the dog's breathing privileges.

I saw a documentary on a shelter that took in a dog that was surrendered because the dog was becoming very snippy and growling at the young children in the household. The shelter found a home for the dog a while later with a elderly gentleman who lived alone. They were an awesome match. Sure, its rare but it can happen.