I need some serious help and guidance. I have a dog (she is mix, the vet thinks a lab and wiener dog mix- about 25lbs.) she is 7 years old and is getting more and more aggressive every day. I have a one year old little girl and basically every time she gets within 3 feet of her she growls at her. She has snapped at her when she got within 2 feet of her (thank God my husband was holding the baby). Isabelle has never done anything to her, and the dog luckily has not bitten her YET. She has also started growling at my husband and I, even our other dog (which they used to get along great). I do not want to wait until she bites one of us to get rid of her, because I do not want to get rid of her in anger but something has to be done. I am not going to give her the chance to hurt my family. To add more to the situation she has a bathroom issue. Every time that she had a BM she yelps like it causes great pain. This is the only time that she is in pain, but we have taken her to many vets for the issue. We had tried stool softeners, pumpkin, fiber all, pain pill, gotten x-rays, you name it we've done it. The only thing left is a colonoscopy to see if it is polops or a tumor (so the vet says). She has had this issue for over 5 years now, any now gets to the point were she will hold it until the last minute before she goes. So when she is holding the BM in she is twice as aggressive as usual. I don't want to take her somewhere that they will put her down, she is not that bad of a dog.
Does anyone know of somewhere that will take a dog like this? Possibly work with them to become less aggressive, and help her with the BM issue. My husband and I do not have the resources to spend that kind of money on her, but I want her to have a good home. I know this will be a hard transition for her as well as our other dog, but I don't want anyone to get hurt. Please help, any suggestions are appreciated.
I would aslo recommend opperation kindness ... they are wonderufl. And the first thing i thought of BEFORE reading about the bowl issues is there may be an illness bothering her. Please keep her kenneled and outside as much as possible until this is properly handeled, I would hate to read a follow up of a bite.
The aggression is likely because the dog in pain. As long as the medical issue continues, the dog's behavior will be bad. Steve Meyerdirk at Dove Creek animal hospital in Denton might be able to help.
I feel like her aggression may well have something to do with her bowel issues. Like many people, she becomes irritable due to such problem. However, I volunteer with a dog rescue and just yesterday we were talking about how one of the dogs we had placed in a home suddenly became very aggressive with their other dog and with the family. Turns out she had a tumor near her brain stem which completely accounted for her change in behavior and personality. Has she been checked for that? I wish you the best of luck with her.
E.,
I have been in your shoes. Unfortunatly I waited too long and my son was bitten. It was just a minor scratch on his cheek but it could have been so much worse and he has a scar.I never thought that she would bite but she just had a bad day. I agree with everyone that your dog is acting this way because she is in pain and getting older. I believe that your only option is to get rid of her. I know that it will be very hard because you care about her but you have to think of your family. Also, if it goes to far and she does bite, NO ONE will take her. Not even the humane societies! That will leave you with only one option and that will be to put her down. I hope that you can work something out that is best for everyone! Good luck.
I agree, Operation Kindness is the way to go. Your dog is probably ill, think about when you're sick how crabby you can be, then put a small child that the dog feels superior to in the mix and you have trouble.
Make a donation to Operation Kindness and turn the dog over.
We had some friends whos dog suddenly became aggressive too. The vet did a full work up and found a brain tumor that he said was causing the change in behavior. The dog was snapping at everyone in the family all of a sudden. They had him put down because the vet sad the tumor was inoperable and would cause death soon anyway. It may be a long shot but you may want to have it checked out. People with severe head trauma or brain tumors can have drastic personality changes and apparently dogs can too. Good luck and good for you for not just automatically wanting to get rid of the dog. They are part of the family too and should be treated with as much love and care as children are.
I worked for a vet for 7 years (before child) and it sounds like your dog is in pain, or uncomfortable. If I were you, I would get a second opinion and see what your options are. If it is something that is going to be a lifelong problem or an expensive one you can make your decision on what to do. Just ask your vet for her records, blood work, x-rays and a copy of her chart. Second options are very common in the veterinary industry so your vet should not get upset. I use Dr. Doolittle in Highland Village and she is great! Good Luck and let us know what happens!
Hi E.,
It really sounds like your dog is aggressive due to her pain. I completely agree with trying to find her a place where she could be taken care of and not worrying about her hurting your family. I think it's so great that you've considered what would be best for everyone. So many would have just gotten rid of her without making sure she had proper care. I am the official animal lover in our family and I have a really hard time getting rid of anything. In fact, I have rarely given anything away. I did have a similar situation with a different type of animal and I thought we could provide a great home for him. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would be way better than lots of places. My husband convinced me that we needed to find him a new home because I was very pregnant and he didn't want our baby to get hurt. It turns out that the home he got was amazing. He ended up with some truly amazing individuals that are still taking superior care of him and have much more time to spend with him than we did.
I think when we put them first and do what's best things work out for a reason. She needs someone who can give her what she needs, and that may be more individualized attention. We get so busy with our families that sometimes our animals get put on the back burner unintentionally. Her health issues really need to be top priority for her so she does not have the pain.
I really wish I was of more help, but I think you are definitely on the right track.
Have a great one!
A.
www.free2Bmom.com
Try Operation Kindness in Carrollton or the Flower Mound Humane Society. They could at least point you in the best direction even if they can't take your dog.
