Hardest thing I've had to do

[Wes]

I've got to put my dog down (probably tomorrow). He's been a great dog, but he has snapped at and bitten a few hands over the past few years. Last night he nailed my wife in the face. It's only by the Grace of God that he didn't get her in the eye. He punctured an eye lid and scraped up her face a bit, but her eye was unaffected. Not sure what happened other than my wife said that she was trying to keep him from jumping off an ottoman.

I've talked to my vet, and to my breeder and they all say that the only thing I can do is have him put to sleep. He's been my buddy, my companion, and my shadow for the past 7 years. I hate having to do this to him, but I don't have a choice. I cannot have an animal in the house that can do this kind of stuff.

I'm gonna miss Riley. *sniff*

[jtillery]

Then why dont you try to find a home from him instead of killing your buddy, your companion, your shadow. If this is how you treat your friends, I would hate to see what you do to something or someone you really dont like.

[gbux61]

So he can bite someone else?

[Rson]

below

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by jtillery

Then why dont you try to find a home from him instead of killing your buddy, your companion, your shadow. If this is how you treat your friends, I would hate to see what you do to something or someone you really dont like.

Wow, that is not nice at all. Have you stopped to think there may be a reason he is putting down his buddy? Giving him to another family would only be endangering that family. These weiner dogs are known to do this, unfortunately. They don't all do it, but it isn't something you can train out of them. If he thought there was a way around it, don't you think he would do it??

[celticmama36]

Wes, I am so very sorry. :( We lost our precious 18 year old German Shepher-Chow a year ago, and it still hurts. I know the circumstances are different, but pain and loss are still pain and loss, and my heart hurts for you and your family. I pray that your wife will recover just fine from her injuries and that your hearts will be comforted in time. Again, I am so sorry.

[angiem357]

Please, please, please consider turning him over to a Dachshund rescue! They will probably even come pick him up from you. If you're honest with them about his aggressive behavior, they will be able to devote the hours and hours and possibly years it will take to rehab his behavior.

I rescued an Australian Shepherd that had killed several dogs and puppies. It took me over 7 years to get her friendly enough to be around other dogs, but it was SO worth it. If you can't do it, please give someone else the chance to. Contact me via PM or angiem357@gmail.com if you want some assistance locating a group.

This is my miracle dog. Her name's Holley, like the carburetor. She's about 11 now and just had laryngeal paralysis surgery that was amazingly successful.

[carrbowl]

Wes, I know you have thought long and hard about this. You aren't doing this because you want to, you are doing this because it is the right thing to do. I'm sorry you have to do it...I'll be thinking of you...

[JohnT]

A lot of times, the right thing to do is the hard thing to do. Having a pet put down is never easy (been there, done that), but we have to keep our priorities in proper perspective, and I respect your well thought-out decision. I know it was hard coming to this conclusion (the rescue suggestion might be worth looking into though). For what it's worth, there's no way I would have an animal in my house that bites my precious family members either. People come first in my world.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by jtillery

Then why dont you try to find a home from him instead of killing your buddy, your companion, your shadow. If this is how you treat your friends, I would hate to see what you do to something or someone you really dont like.

You got a big set on ya for someone with 21 posts that doesn't know Wes.

Why don't you go post something useful and if possible, intelligent because you've done neither here.

Joe

[RadarPing]

While I'm no way an expert in dog training, from what I understand from Cesar Millan and from Don Sullivan this type of aggressive behavior is dominance based and can be corrected with re-education. I just got two Aussie pups and ordered Don Sullivan's DVD training series "The Perfect Dog".

What it teaches you is that dogs do not think like people regardless of how people treat them. My understanding is that this kind of behavior is because the dog feels as though he/she is higher in the pecking order than the human.

I'm not pushing the product but may be a last ditch effort before having to do something this drastic.

[jtillery]

I still stand by what I said regardless of some you yalls opinion. It might have come off a little gruff. So Ill tone it down. When you take an animal into your home, you also the responsibility for it, good and bad. The animal is in good health, this isnt a quality of life issue for it. At least put forth some effort for the animal you claim as a friend and companion. Two good choices available are the dog training or finding a shelter, the orginal post mentioned neither, the dog was just going to be put down. I realize you got a responsibility to family and dont want to see them hurt, I respect that, but just to kill it without trying any alternative methods seems cruel to me without exhausting every option available.

[Debbi]

Hey, Wes! So very sorry to hear what is happening with Riley. I know he is a very valued member of your family and this is not something that you have taken lightly. I do hope you might be able to find other options but I also realize that your wife and son come first. Best of luck to you and God bless!

[ChristopherCoy]

Sounds more like a training issue to me, and you've allowed the dog to become dominant in your 'pack.' Try some behavioral training classes with a professional trainer.

And if its not a training issue, have you had the dog thoroughly checked out by a reputable veterinarian? The dog could have internal health issues that may be causing pain.

ChristopherCoy added 1 Minutes and 7 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by jtillery

i Realize You Got A Responsibility To Family And Dont Want To See Them Hurt, I Respect That, But Just To Kill It Without Trying Any Alternative Methods Seems Cruel To Me Without Exhausting Every Option Available.

+1

ChristopherCoy added 9 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Try these...

http://www.ddrtx.org/
http://www.atdr.org/
http://www.dfwdachshund.com/rescue/

[Wes]

First of all, thank you for the kind words to those of you that offered them.

For the record, the first thing I did was contact the DFW Dachshund Rescue. They clearly state on their website that their goal is to place dogs with other families, therefore they will not take one in that is this aggressive. E-mails with them backs this up. The local pound won't take him for the same reason. Could I just drop him off there and not tell them why? Sure, but integrity demands that I tell them the truth, and the truth is that they will not place what they consider to be a "vicious dog" with anyone. I talked to the breeder that I bought him from and explained the situation thoroughly, including everything that's been done up to this point. Her conclusion - she would take him back, but would be putting him to sleep. Given all that we've done up to this point she doesn't see any other option. One of my closest personal friends is a Veterinarian and she comes to the same conclusion. He's been through several obedience classes, and not just the "Pets Mart" kind. I spent over $1k to send him to a professional obedience trainer - a "doggy boot camp", if you will. I've spent countless hours reinforcing the things at home that he's been taught.

Chris - I have established dominance over this dog. Unfortunately, he doesn't see my wife, son, or anyone else in the same light. Like I said in my OP, this isn't the first time he's bit. This was just the worst, and we got lucky that he didn't take out her eye.

Jerry - Do you want him? Would you bring a dog with his history into your house and allow him around your wife, kids, etc? Your words are downright cruel and insensitive. The assumptions that you've made, and the conclusions you've drawn based upon those assumptions speak volumes about your character and integrity (or lack thereof). I'll thank you to never interact with me on this board again. Period.