Should I have the dog put down?

[Jessika]

IMO if one of my *true* friends had a dog with behavioral problems, they would take my advice to heart and do something about it and would NOT guilt me about any decision they CHOSE to make. Then again, all of my close friends are all wonderful, selfless people and if they had a problem dog like that they would seek my help and advice and they WOULD get training and they would completely understand why I could not visit them until the dog has been worked with, especially if I had a child around!!

If your friend doesn't want to be complaint, then that is her prerogative and her decision. But DO NOT feel bad about any decision SHE decides to make. This is not your decision. If you feel scared and/or threatened by this dog and she won't do anything about it then it's sad but in all honesty I would feel it be my duty to society (and the safety of everyone living around her and in the general public) to report her to animal control. Maybe that will give her a dose of reality and she will take it to training or something.

It's a shame her husband is in Iraq, and bless his heart for fighting for our freedom and our country, but that doesn't negate the fact that this dog *seemingly* hasn't been properly taken care of (yes, in my opinion basic training is a factor in properly caring for your dog) and she really needs to do something about it.

How does the dog behave around her?

EDIT: And as far as worrying about the husband being mad at you... let him. You are not forcing your friend to do anything. If she chooses to get training, good for her. If she chooses to have the dog put down then SHE chose to put the dog down, NOT you. Don't guilt yourself over this.

Just lay low, explain to her you simply can not be around, especially with your child, until she gets the dog some training or rehomes him with someone who can give him more time and training that he deserves.

Have her children been bit? That would terrify me, I missed that part at first... if the dog bit your child and other strangers, what makes her think the dog won't do some serious damage to her own children?

[pitc9]

If this is not the first time they've had a dog that's had to be put down for behavioral problems...it should be obvious to them that they need to take a step back and learn how to raise a dog. The saddest thing about it that the dog and the dogs in the past will or already have paid with their life for the lack of discipline and absence of training their owners have failed to provide them with.

From what you've said... I can only assume the bites have not been too serious. Your friend needs to realize that all it would take is one bite with the wrong person and she can be sued and could lose everything, not just the dog!!

Find names of animal behaviorist in her area, and HAND them to her. Don't rely on her to look up names and phone numbers. Let her know that you are serious and you #1 don't want anyone to be bitten again #2 worry about what could happen next time. Let her know that you're looking out for her own good as well as your own and your son's!!!

[Catty1]

It might not hurt to call AC and let them know that this is one of many dogs these people have owned that have had problems, and some had to be PTS.

With that kind of track record - it's the people, not the dogs.

Poor puppies.

Read this thread and show it to your friend - if you think it will help: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=141627

[Pawsitive Thinking]

The fact that they have had other dogs put down for so many reasons makes it blindingly obvious that these people should not own dogs!

I would suggest that your friend surrenders the dog to a rehoming centre where it can get the training and attention it so obviously needs.

If the husband plays rough with the dog then it thinks that is how it can play with everyone - not matter who they are.

Poor dog - encourage your friend to get it re-homed with people who know what they are doing

[shepgirl]

Didn't realize they had other dogs PTS. If that's the case I agree that it's the owners and not the dogs that are at fault.

[chocolatepuppy]

With that kind of track record - it's the people, not the dogs.

I agree. I think the dog should be rehomed with someone who knows how to train a dog. Shame on these people for killing off dog after dog and not even trying to train them properly! They should not have a dog!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Any updates on this poor, confused dog?