Sad Day for our Pet

[spasm3]

We have come to the sad conclusion that we have to put our 4 year old Boston Terrier down for aggression. Its been a journey to try to help him, but he is getting worse. After our first terrier passed away from old age, we got another one. Unfortunately this dog appears inbred, not in appearance , but behavior.

Super aggressive, breaks typical small dog collars to get at other people or dogs. I have to find small dog collars that are metal clasp. He has bitten several people, the vet, the kennel staff, and his biting us is escalating. You can't walk with him, as he will focus and lunge at any other person or dog. Like in a campground setting.

He is sweet when he is, loves to play, and can be so much fun, but has a uncontrollable aggression streak that is somewhat unpredictable. If pulled or moved off of something he wants like deer poop, he turns and goes after your hands to bite. He sleeps on a sofa beside you but if you touch him anytime while he is asleep or within a 1/2 hour of waking up , he will bite you.

We have paid for dog training, he bit the trainer. He is on prozac, he can't tolerate a higher dosage. We have spent thousands on training to no avail. He does love to play and is fun when he does not have crazy eyes.

He has almost every listed inbred behavior. We don't feel we can trust giving him to someone like an older couple, to get bitten, or if a family ends up with him, he does not even like children.

I am talking to the vet monday about this. It's just sad to arrive at this decision.

 

[rijndael]

I'm sorry to hear this. We lost our Boston last year.

 

[Zee09]

I'd find him a new home first
You'd be surprised how many people that could handle the challenge and as honest as you have been they know what they are getting into...

 

[GON]

We have come to the sad conclusion that we have to put our 4 year old Boston Terrier down for aggression. Its been a journey to try to help him, but he is getting worse. After our first terrier passed away from old age, we got another one. Unfortunately this dog appears inbred, not in appearance , but behavior.

Super aggressive, breaks typical small dog collars to get at other people or dogs. I have to find small dog collars that are metal clasp. He has bitten several people, the vet, the kennel staff, and his biting us is escalating. You can't walk with him, as he will focus and lunge at any other person or dog. Like in a campground setting.

He is sweet when he is, loves to play, and can be so much fun, but has a uncontrollable aggression streak that is somewhat unpredictable. If pulled or moved off of something he wants like deer poop, he turns and goes after your hands to bite. He sleeps on a sofa beside you but if you touch him anytime while he is asleep or within a 1/2 hour of waking up , he will bite you.

We have paid for dog training, he bit the trainer. He is on prozac, he can't tolerate a higher dosage. We have spent thousands on training to no avail. He does love to play and is fun when he does not have crazy eyes.

He has almost every listed inbred behavior. We don't feel we can trust giving him to someone like an older couple, to get bitten, or if a family ends up with him, he does not even like children.

I am talking to the vet monday about this. It's just sad to arrive at this decision.

Very hard decision, glad you are able to make the tough and sad decision. Doing what's right is not always popular. Prayers for your family and you.

 

[4wd]

We have come to the sad conclusion that we have to put our 4 year old Boston Terrier down for aggression. Its been a journey to try to help him, but he is getting worse. After our first terrier passed away from old age, we got another one. Unfortunately this dog appears inbred, not in appearance , but behavior.

Super aggressive, breaks typical small dog collars to get at other people or dogs. I have to find small dog collars that are metal clasp. He has bitten several people, the vet, the kennel staff, and his biting us is escalating. You can't walk with him, as he will focus and lunge at any other person or dog. Like in a campground setting.

He is sweet when he is, loves to play, and can be so much fun, but has a uncontrollable aggression streak that is somewhat unpredictable. If pulled or moved off of something he wants like deer poop, he turns and goes after your hands to bite. He sleeps on a sofa beside you but if you touch him anytime while he is asleep or within a 1/2 hour of waking up , he will bite you.

We have paid for dog training, he bit the trainer. He is on prozac, he can't tolerate a higher dosage. We have spent thousands on training to no avail. He does love to play and is fun when he does not have crazy eyes.

He has almost every listed inbred behavior. We don't feel we can trust giving him to someone like an older couple, to get bitten, or if a family ends up with him, he does not even like children.

I am talking to the vet monday about this. It's just sad to arrive at this decision.

Has the dog been fixed ?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Sorry about your dog's troubles... Such a difficult decision.

 

[spasm3]

Has the dog been fixed ?

Yes.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd find him a new home first
You'd be surprised how many people that could handle the challenge and as honest as you have been they know what they are getting into...

I agree, there are some people that would be up to that challenge and might be willing to try. A good friend had a similar situation with his dog years ago. He spoke with his Vet about putting the dog down after the dog bit and sent his father to the ER. His father knew the dog since he was a puppy. They found a home for the dog with a farmer and he lived quite a few years with the farmer and his wife before dying of old age. As long as you're honest and transparent regarding the problem it might be a good option.

Having said that medical issues like a brain tumor can cause aggression in which case the dog could be beyond finding another home.

 

[rijndael]

Did he get aggressive after neutering?

 

[DCDG]

We have come to the sad conclusion that we have to put our 4 year old Boston Terrier down for aggression. Its been a journey to try to help him, but he is getting worse. After our first terrier passed away from old age, we got another one. Unfortunately this dog appears inbred, not in appearance , but behavior.

Super aggressive, breaks typical small dog collars to get at other people or dogs. I have to find small dog collars that are metal clasp. He has bitten several people, the vet, the kennel staff, and his biting us is escalating. You can't walk with him, as he will focus and lunge at any other person or dog. Like in a campground setting.

He is sweet when he is, loves to play, and can be so much fun, but has a uncontrollable aggression streak that is somewhat unpredictable. If pulled or moved off of something he wants like deer poop, he turns and goes after your hands to bite. He sleeps on a sofa beside you but if you touch him anytime while he is asleep or within a 1/2 hour of waking up , he will bite you.

We have paid for dog training, he bit the trainer. He is on prozac, he can't tolerate a higher dosage. We have spent thousands on training to no avail. He does love to play and is fun when he does not have crazy eyes.

He has almost every listed inbred behavior. We don't feel we can trust giving him to someone like an older couple, to get bitten, or if a family ends up with him, he does not even like children.

I am talking to the vet monday about this. It's just sad to arrive at this decision.

Had the same problem with my first Boston butch no matter what we done for him super aggressive. Last straw my mothers boss was over for a visit bent over no where near the dog to fix her shoe lace he decided he needed to take a chunk out of her cheek. We brought him to a no kill shelter gave his history and entire story but I’m almost definite he was put down. He too we believed was a product of inbreeding.

 

[Lubener]

I would drop him off at the shelter and give him another chance. Perhaps another family and new environment can break him of those habits.

 

[spasm3]

Did he get aggressive after neutering?

No

 

[fat biker]

Tough call.
Correct Call.
Sorry for your loss.

We fostered a young male bully mix, Buck.
Buck was fine indoors.
Outdoors, he would charge at me, not responding to voice commands. The one time he charged at my knee, tearing my denim pants.
The next day he went back to the shelter.
I related his behavior to one of the trainers, showing her the torn jeans for emphasis.
The head trainer worked with him. The Senior Veterinarian evaluated him.

I asked our handler about the Buck Situation, she was evasive.
I told her I am a big boy, I can hear the truth.
Buck was euthanized.

The right call.

 

[97prizm]

We have come to the sad conclusion that we have to put our 4 year old Boston Terrier down for aggression. Its been a journey to try to help him, but he is getting worse. After our first terrier passed away from old age, we got another one. Unfortunately this dog appears inbred, not in appearance , but behavior.

Super aggressive, breaks typical small dog collars to get at other people or dogs. I have to find small dog collars that are metal clasp. He has bitten several people, the vet, the kennel staff, and his biting us is escalating. You can't walk with him, as he will focus and lunge at any other person or dog. Like in a campground setting.

He is sweet when he is, loves to play, and can be so much fun, but has a uncontrollable aggression streak that is somewhat unpredictable. If pulled or moved off of something he wants like deer poop, he turns and goes after your hands to bite. He sleeps on a sofa beside you but if you touch him anytime while he is asleep or within a 1/2 hour of waking up , he will bite you.

We have paid for dog training, he bit the trainer. He is on prozac, he can't tolerate a higher dosage. We have spent thousands on training to no avail. He does love to play and is fun when he does not have crazy eyes.

He has almost every listed inbred behavior. We don't feel we can trust giving him to someone like an older couple, to get bitten, or if a family ends up with him, he does not even like children.

I am talking to the vet monday about this. It's just sad to arrive at this decision.

There are people that rehabilitate aggressive dogs, have you not found anything? I work with a k9 trainer and part of his side job is training dogs, might be worth a shot.

 

[spasm3]

There are people that rehabilitate aggressive dogs, have you not found anything? I work with a k9 trainer and part of his side job is training dogs, might be worth a shot.

We spent almost 2k doing this. The trainer was bitten.

 

[JGmazda]

Instinctive, learned, or natural environmental behaviors - There are so many attributes that can lead to difficult behaviors. When animals don't behave the way we (humans) deem as acceptable, we often want to classify them as nonredeemable and broken. IMHO.... giving the dog another chance and another owner (environment) is the way to go. I understand there is biology involved, but in my experience with dogs, it's never too late to try re-homing.

 

[ripcord]

Sorry you've had to make this decision. There is no shame in your decision, but it's a tough one.

The idea that "there are no bad dogs" is as fallacious as there are no bad people.

 

[doitmyself]

What a difficult situation. No one should be judging you without "walking a mile in your moccasins". You have put a huge effort into resolving the challenge.

All of us keyboard veterinarians are searching for clues. Canine rage syndrome comes up a lot. I found this article of one specific instance that treatment worked (one data point): https://cvm.msu.edu/vetschool-tails...-always-problematic-but-when-is-it-pathologic.

My inclination is to try JGmazda's recommendation as a last resort before euthanasia. But again, who are we to judge the situation without going through what you already have? Sincerely wishing you the best in an impossible situation.

 

[ripcord]

You might consider one last "come to Jesus" approach. My dad had a Cocker Spaniel that started killing chickens. Grandpa had him on the chopping block and was going to kill him with a hatchet but heard my aunt crying around the corner so he relented and gave the dog another chance. The dog understood and never went near the coop again.

Maybe consider getting a shock collar and giving your dog a big zap whenever he snaps at anyone.

 

[spasm3]

Maybe consider getting a shock collar and giving your dog a big zap whenever he snaps at anyone.

We reluctantly also tried that.

Our adult son just came by to see him, knowing what we were debating. Out son has played with him many, many times.
He just got bit, it drew blood. That's about 6 people now bitten.

We're done.

The legal liability is also too great now.

My wife now feels better about this decision, even though it's her baby. As she has been bitten too.

Thanks for all the suggestions, advice, opinions and feelings shared.