advice please...kill the dog?

[beckbabe]

Ok here's the deal. We have an 11 year old Chow Chow. Her name is Suki and we DO love her. Her health is fine but her behavior is increasingly bad. She is now to the point of running away every time someone opens a door, constantly in the garbage, eating the childrens food off their plates when they turn their backs, and so viscious to strangers she can no longer be boarded. Three different places refused to board her again.

The last vacation we took , we took her with us. She ran away. While she was gone, she bit one of our hosts who tried to bring her back. This person is now suing us ...lovely.

I wouldn't go so far as to say she would bite my kids, but she is kinda schitzy. Is it wrong or selfish of me to want to put her down? It feels wrong, but it also feels like she's screwing up 4 peoples lives. Any advice?

btw...I'm sure this may attract some animal haters...thats not what I'm looking for, this is a serious question.

 

[R Nitelight]

beckbabe

I really hope your kids never misbehave....

 

[Tabby432]

Let her run away.

 

[YoungGun69]

What does the vet say?
I would take the dog to a vet and see if something is wrong anf then decide.

 

[doctor_insanus]

Definitely, take her to the vet!

A friend of mine had a dog (13 yrs) which had to be put to sleep. The dog was going blind, deaf, had bone spurs on her spine, and suffered seizures. Life for that dog was becoming extremely hard; after agonizing over the situation for weeks, they decided to end it.

If there's any way to care for the dog, then definitely pursue it. However, that isn't ALWAYS the case.

Whatever happens, good luck!

 

[Simply Me]

As cruel as this sounds, you need to get a large cage, and place her in it everytime she misbehaves. My dogs use to jump on people all the time and did unmentionables in the house, and the vet gave me a book on how to retrain them. The cage worked well, even got to the point they they went in there on their own when they did something wrong,lol. No, don't put her down, try other things first, and if you still can't manage her, then try to find a good home to send her to. Just my opinion

 

[april-wine]

hugssssssss beck

the scariest thing is dog that can't be trusted....i had a german shepard that went through the same thing....unfortunately there really isn't recourse, you never know now when your lovely family pet will bite the next person....it is obvious you love her but you need to protect your family....i am a dog love and the last thing i wanted to do was put my dog down, and unfortunately chows are known for this type of behavior....she will only get increasingly worse....good luck hon, hugsssssssssss

 

[Shylady]

That is a hard thing to decide, I would take her to the vet and see if there is anything hurting her physically, and if not try retraining her.

If that doesn't work, get rid of her because a child is much more important than a dog.

 

[Vi]

Good dog goes bad?

Beckbabe, before putting your dog down, locate and talk to a "rescue" person. Many times you can find a rescue that deals in only your breed of dog and can help you with the problem. They may know of trainers or people that deal with behavioral problems. They also will try to find a home for the pet if you can't handle it any more. As a last resort, they too will have the dog put down.
A dog that suddenly misbehaves is often times a troubled dog. It has had a change in it's life and can't cope with it. Many times it has been abused in some way, either physically or mentally. Other times it is a medical problem.
Dogs can't talk and tell us how they feel, so they use other means such as bitting or running away to let us know that they don't feel well.
Check with your vet, a trainer that knows your breed, and a rescue person before putting your pet down. A little time and money spent will make your decision a smart one. You are the one that has to live with that decision, so make it one you can live with and not have second thoughts.
Good luck, I hope I have helped in some way. Vi

 

[KillerMuffin]

I don't know much about chows, I had one for about 2 months before we had to get rid of it.

I do know this, though. Dogs are social animals. They have to have interaction with their "pack" every day, that means you and the family. Not just a pat or two on the head when you feed them or fifteen minutes of playing around. If she's used to being a part of the family and lack of time or other reasons have gotten in the way, she may feel like she's being left out, or her place in the family has changed. This will confuse her and it may make her act up, particularly if she's never done it before.

Contact a local vet or a dog trainer in the area and see if they have an idea what you may do to train her. Dogs don't misbehave by tearing things up and running away to annoy you, they do it because they're bored, frustrated, or confused. One thing you can start doing right away is re-enforcing the "come" command. This will also give her the social interaction she craves.

Take her into the back yard, let her get a few feet away, then say her name and order her to come. When she does it, reward her with tons of love and praise. Repeat. Ad infinatum. This will help when she runs away, because she will remember that when she comes to you, she gets happy things. Theoretically. When she does that, teach her to stay, or to sit, or to shake, whatever gives you the opportunity to work with her everyday for at least 20 minutes where she has your undivided attention.

Another thing, if she's not broken to the leash well (that means she walks next to you when you're on walks, not tugging you where she wants to go), then you can teach her that and take her on walks which are good for both of you.

Or, this could all be the start of a physical condition and you ought to take her to the vet for a ful examination.

 

[TygerEyez]

Um.. psychiatrist maybe?

SiimplyMe, it wasn't a cruel suggestion, but it's only the beginning step until she can get real help.

Fortunately, I had a chow all my life, until she died last summer, well past the age limit on her breed. Chows only "live" to be 11, and Penny was 17.

Anyway, getting a medical Veterenarian's opinion is a very good idea. But have you also checked into Animal Psychiatry? It may sound weird, but it can help.

Dogs have behaviorisms just like we do, and just like wolf-packs in the wild. Ever watched a wolf-pack? How they react around each other, why they do what they do? Dogs are a "down-breed" from Wolves. Their behaviorisms are much like that of a wolf.

There are reasons they do what they do. And just because an animal bites, doesn't mean that the dog has flipped out, or that it's too ill to live anymore.

Beckbabe? Have you recently moved, or has something really major come into your lives recently? Not into your dog's life, but into yours?

Alot of times a new situation or something new to the family, affects the dog. They feel threatened and lash out. All they need is reassurance kindly, but firmly.

Like I said, you should probably check with a Vet first, but please consider checking into either a Dog Psychologist/Psychiatrist, or read up on a Chow's Behaviorisms. It can help.

 

[batter]

Beckbabe

i had a red chow chow named Sassy who was 14 when i had to put her down last January.

she was very friendly and docile all along but her health problems were getting compounded with various things. they are very prone to skin conditions, she had thyroid problems later and various other things which came with old age.

if Suki has problems, i would take her to a vet first to check for medical problems first, then check with other chow breeders and call asking for information, even try obedience school if it is possible.

the fact that she has run away and bitten people is a matter of control. put her on a leash and muzzle her when people are around. it may sound cruel, but you have to think of her safety and that of others around her. you dont want everyone suing you for bites, and you now have to think of your children.

Suki may not have bitten them yet, but she has bitten others in the past.

The final decision is yours. It was difficult to decide to put Sassy down, but i did have her best interest at heart when i made that decission. In my heart i know i made the right decission even though it was a very difficult one to make.

Good luck to you.

 

[Starfish]

I own a chow mix, and he is the best behaved dog I or anyone I know has ever met.

He is that way because his former owner beat, starved, and nearly killed him. Now, he is just so grateful that he is loved alone, but fed, cared for, and even punished (properly: voice change and command).

Chows however tend to be very bad, mean and nasty tempered dogs, when raised even in a loving family from puppyhood, because they are pushy little bastards. If you even give them an incling of a clue that you can be pushed around, You are fucked! Now not all, but most.

Training/punishing them, after the fact, is ineffective, and can even bring out bitterness in them, and they can easily turn on you.

Go to your vet. Tell them everything, and in the end, you'll find that putting her to sleep is the only option.
If she has bad behavior, has bitten a guest, and is generally uncontrollable.... somday she may bite you or your kids.
I am not saying it is 100% that she will, but I would almost bet on it, except I don' t gamble.

My resources here are pretty solid. I have been attacked by a chow, that came out of a car window at me, while I walked through a parking lot. They are so inbread that their temperment is aweful.

You mix a chow with a golden lab or something else and that = good, happy, well adjusted, genetically balanced family dog!

Warning People....... All Pure Breeds are a handful..
Genetic disorders abound, Personality problems, and usually a great deal more maintainance care....

Mutts make great pets, and there is a pound or humane society full of them to pick from.
Please consider only mixed bread pets it you have childern...

Worse dogs for children:

Pits
Chows
Dalmations! (this one is a big one. Everyone thinks they are such cute puppies, but as dogs they are very tempermental and bad with children.)

Want purebred..... get a lab... they are too dopey to be agressive.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Speaking from personal experience, I have to disagree with you on the Dalmation bit GR. My dal has been a wonderful addition to the family. But we're a dalmatin kind of family so he fits in well with us. I doubt we'd have the same luck with a lab or a beagle.

 

[jcgirl]

Take her to the vet. For a Chow she is still a youngun. If all else fails, make sure your Umbrella insurance is mighty high and send her to Behavior school.

 

[Starfish]

That's cool KM. I can understand that there are a few here and there that don't carry the temperment of the breed, but overall, the breed tends to lend to 'bitchy' behavior that doesn't mix well with kids, unless the kids never harass the dog, as kids tend to do. If a dog is bad, like I discribed, it'll only get worse with age.

How old is your Pooch?

 

[beckbabe]

Lots of smart people with good advice...too cool. Well, I will take her to the vet, that is the best advice, professional help is a great idea. I hadn't considered that she might be sick, but this has been going on for about 2 years and she has had her regular shots and checkups. As far as psychologically, she's never been beaten or mentally abused, and she was always well trained and well behaved before this.

As for something that set this off, take your pick...2 1/2 years ago when this started we had her spayed (at age 9...long story ,I was always scared to do it) and the vet said it didn't go smoothly. I never got a good answer on what that meant. In that same month we moved, and I had a baby. maybe one or all of these things is the answer but I don't know if knowing that helps . I'm afraid that in my heart I know GR may be right, and the vet may say put her down.

ps: Tabby I considered letting her run away but it's actually more cruel and a bit irresponsable...but believe me the idea has it's appeal.

pps: I have heard that dalmations are the most biting breed but I have never even seen one except in the movies...so I'm not sure.

 

[batter]

please

keep us up to date on what happens.

whatever the choice you make, believe you are doing it for the right reasons. dont ever second guess yourself.

 

[Bigdog]

I have four dogs, one is a 3 year old Chow. While I would never recommend euthanasia as anything but a last resort, your situation dictates that the dog MUST leave your household for the sake of the children. A Chow can inflict massive injuries to a child in the time it would take to get up from a chair. She is already asserting her place in the "pack" by stealing from their plates. God help them the first time they try to grab food away from the dog. A animal behavioralist may be of some assistance to you though, so ask you vet for a referral before you make a final decision.

If putting her down is not something you can bear to do, please find a local rescue group that can hopefully find her a home with someone who can handle her through her final years. There are people who are skilled dog handlers and can raise her in a childless environment. While I would never want to see you lose a family pet, I would take that over the chance your children could be maimed or killed.

I hope things work out for you.

 

[Comshaw]

posted by beckbabe
As far as physiologically, she's never been beaten or mentally abused, and she was always well trained and well behaved before this.

As for something that set this off, take your pick...2 1/2 years ago when this started we had her spayed (at age 9...long story ,I was always scared to do it) and the vet said it didn't go smoothly. I never got a good answer on what that
meant. In that same month we moved, and I had a baby. maybe one or all of these things is the answer but I don't know if knowing that helps . I'm afraid that in my heart I know GR may be right, and the vet may say put her down.

ps: Tabby I considered letting her run away but it's actually more cruel and a bit irresponsible...but believe me the idea has it's appeal.

My sister had a Chow when she moved from Oklahoma to here. JR was a great dog, well mannered and well trained, until the move. My brother-in-law stuck the dog in a small dog house on the very back of an open trailer for the trip up here. that trip must have done something psychological to JR. After he got here it was like he had a split personality. He was fine one minute and a raving slavering terror the next. He got out of the pen they had him in one day while my Sis was at work. My niece called and told me she had tried to catch him but he growled at her. When I arrived he was in the neighbors yard. I called to him and he followed me to his pen. When I reached for his collar he clamped onto my arm and left a 4 inch gash in it. He let go of my arm and lunged at my face. I kicked him in the nose, stopping him for just a heart beat, then he grabbed my leg, leaving four punctures all the way through my calf. I ended up sitting astride his back, a knee on each side gripping the ruff of his neck, a place I never want to be again! Imagine sitting astride a dog that's growling and snapping, knowing that if you slip or let go, your going to be a chew toy. My Sis finally got there a few minutes, or an eternity, later. She snapped a chain on his collar and tied it up short to a fence pole. I jumped, threw him and ran all in one motion. Needless to say we had him put down that afternoon. My Sis couldn't chance him getting loose again and doing to a neighbor kid what he did to me.

I think your dog has probably developed a psychotic condition from the bad spay, the move and the addition to the house hold. The best advice is see a vet. Maybe not the one that spayed her though. Find one you trust and tell them the whole story. Sometimes a trainer can help or some times a dog Psychologist can be of assistance. But do something! The dog is a danger to you and your's the way things are.

Personally I like Healers. I had to euthanize my healer yesterday, kidney failure. We had him for 11 years. Damn dog wormed his way into my heart. Can't get use to not having him running out to meet me when I arrive home. Anyway, I hope you find a solution. But please do something soon. Don't wait until the dog decides to make a chew toy of one of your kids.

By the way, a big kiss goes to you beckbebe for taking responsibly for your dog. To bad there aren't more like you. If there were I may not have the dozen barn cats I do. Each and everyone a drop off from someone that didn't want to take responsibly for their pet. All neutered by the way. My vet jokes he's putting a wing onto his clinic and dedicating it to me! Between the dog, the barn cats, the ferrets and the horses the damn guy takes a vacation on me at least once a year! Anyway, hope you find a workable solution.

Comshaw

 

[Problem Child]

Want purebred..... get a lab... they are too dopey to be agressive.

Grrrrrrrrrr.....

 

[KillerMuffin]

*Pets PC* Good boy. You are such a good puppy. Now why in the hell does he always roll on his back when I do that?

 

[beckbabe]

Just an update. A few weeks have gone by. I took Suki to the vet, and he basically gave me all of the options you good people had told me. Her health is good and she doesn't have heartworm. We have been going over basic training with her, but if anything, she's worse. If nothing changes, I'll have my husband take her to Animal Rescue on Saturday. Unfortunatly, they are only open until 4 pm on weekdays, and I can't handle taking her. Thank you again to everyone who helped me with this.

 

[Shylady]

(((HUG))) beck I know it is hard, but the kids are worth more.

 

[april-wine]

hugs beck....need a hug just come on over here.....arms wide open