8 year old rottie bites 3 year old girl

[onelovemanydogs]

I have had 2 Rotties and the first one was well trained and socialized, never had any trouble. She was spayed because of skin problems that we didn't want to pass on. We put her to sleep when she was only 4 years old because of thyroid cancer. About 1 year later we decided to get another Rottie, but had been advised (poorly) to get a mix breed to help avoid health problems. Irvine is 8 years old now, she has suffered from elbow and hip displaysia since she was 5 months old. We have been able to control her condition with glucosamine and dog aspirin. She has never been stable, she suffers from fearful aggression, and blames inanimate objects for her pain. We have strictly trained her, kenneled her and kept her separate from anyone that she was not completely comfortable with or that wasn't completely comfortable with her. I vowed when I got pregnant that she would never be alone with my daughter - I would not be one of those people on tv saying "but she was such a sweet dog". Over the last couple of years, a few things have happened. She has been caused direct physical pain by 3 different humans, each one received a nip (no broken skin or bruise, just teeth and growl). One was her Vet, one was my sister in law and one was a visiting 10 year old. All of these are people that she knew, but weren't people who she obviously considers part of her pack. We got a Sheppard/Lab mix (male) about 1 1/2 years ago (he was a puppy when we got him and as a rescue from a puppy farm suffers seizures, had parvo when we got him, has anorexia and suffers from malnutrition) she doesn't like other dogs, but is great with puppies and has completely bonded with Champ. She is dominant over him, though we do not allow her to dominate him in our presence, based on their behavior, I know she does when we are not around. She has always been submissive to me, but about 6 months ago, she challenged my husband - he likes to rough house with the dogs, but always dominates them afterward - this time she didn't take well to the domination and he had to foreably put her on the ground. After which he had no further problems with her. Over the past 3-9 months I have noticed that Irvine is limping more often and I have been increasing her medication. A couple of days ago, Irvine bit my little girl (3 years old). It was a nip (no broken skin or bruising but it was on the face. I immediately separated the dog (put her on the enclosed/locked dog run). My husband and I discussed the circumstances of the bite - Lexi (my daughter) went under the stairs where Irvine was laying and put her hand on Irvine's back. We decided (apparently not a good idea) to have Lexi work with her (as she has many times in the past) before feeding her. We were both present and Lexi was giving the command to lie down. Irvine completely ignored her and when Lexi lifted her hand above the dogs head, she lunged forward and bit her again (again only a nip). Irvine was immediately and severely corrected and put back out on the dog run where she has remained. We again assessed the reason for the bite and have noticed that we have been ignoring the signs of her illness advancing - her meds have been tripled in the last 3 months and we have been giving her pain meds every day for the last 6 months (before we only gave her them occasionally as needed). She has begun moving very slow and has all but stopped playing with champ. She will still bring you her ball, but won't play tug. She doesn't meet you at the door and sleeps alot more, you have to prod her to get up and go to the bathroom. It is a slow decline that doesn't scream out that the end is near, but I can't help but think that her biting my daughter is related to her being in increased pain. We have made the decision to put her down, the appointment is for Tuesday morning. I have a moral issue with euthanasia unless there is no other option. I love my dog, but I also know that her biting one of her pack that she had previously been submissive to is a warning sign. I just want to know if there is anything that we can do, or if it is just time.

[StephanieandToby]

Your old dog is in lots of pain and has bitten a child. (for whatever reason) You are doing the only thing you can do.

[Judi W]

Although I am sure the physical disability makes it worse, you have always known that she was unstable and had fear aggression but harbored her anyway. Now it is your child that is being bitten. To assure safety of people, she should be kept confined and now even from family members. I see no virtue in keeping a dog alive whose life is a torment.

[onelovemanydogs]

it is hard to think of her as old. thank you both for your replies. it brings me comfort to know that I am doing what is best for my dear friend, for that she has been. She listens to me when I am being unreasonable and always is on my side, she sits by me when I cry and leaves me alone when I'm grumpy, she never judges me and I have such respect for her. Until now, she has been wonderful with my little girl, no problems, always submissive and sweet (good dog carl). I know her potential and I know that this must be the end. Wow, I forgot how hard this is. Anyway, thanks again, you guys are awesome.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by onelovemanydogs

it is hard to think of her as old. thank you both for your replies. it brings me comfort to know that I am doing what is best for my dear friend, for that she has been. She listens to me when I am being unreasonable and always is on my side, she sits by me when I cry and leaves me alone when I'm grumpy, she never judges me and I have such respect for her. Until now, she has been wonderful with my little girl, no problems, always submissive and sweet (good dog carl). I know her potential and I know that this must be the end. Wow, I forgot how hard this is. Anyway, thanks again, you guys are awesome.

I lived with a fear aggressive grrrlie for 7 years. The moment that shot went into her veins was the FIRST peaceful moment I'd ever experienced with her. I liken this moment to that of demons being released from her. Sure there were times she was all right, even downright jubilent... but the demons were always there. This dog was my soulmate, if ever a dog could be... We really needed each other at the particular time in our lives that we met. It was sad, it was painful, but she couldn't be happy in this world, not in the true sense of the word. I do understand what you're going through.

I'm so sorry that this dog has caused harm to your baby. You're doing the right thing.

Peace be with you.

[onelovemanydogs]

We really needed each other at the particular time in our lives that we met. It was sad, it was painful, but she couldn't be happy in this world, in the true sense of the word. I do understand what you're going through.

Yes, you do understand, more than you know - I got Irvine 1 week before the weekend that my mother died and my husband deployed to Iraq. I was in the Airforce and had just gotten assigned close to home (about 1 hour away) so I knew no one and had yet to make any friends. I was there when my mother took her last breath and Irvine was there to comfort me in the weeks after. We would walk for hours around the base we lived on and I would dream that the butterflys we saw were my mother. We haven't been able to go on walks for years now (causes the old girl to much pain). I know it's time, I talked to my Sister in law tonight who said that she had noticed a sharp decline in Irvine the last time she came to visit, but hadn't wanted to say anything. Thank you for your kind words and I know you feel my pain as I do yours.

[fostermom]

I hesitated to offer this as I do not disagree with your decision to put your girl to sleep. I also understand the concerns over her nipping, quality of life, etc. I will just say that my son currently has our last family golden. Toby is now almost 13 and suffers from arthritis of the spine. Several months ago, he was in significant pain, curling up in a ball and wimpering, refusing to use his one rear leg (an x-ray revealed good hips...I believe the arthritic condition is impinging on the sciatic nerve). Toby was already on pain medication which was not helping. The vet has now altered his meds...he is now on a different med (rimadyl) PLUS muscle relaxant AND an opiate for his pain. Toby is much happier, eating well, is now using his rear leg and we think will be able to be with us a bit longer. Sometimes adjusting meds does help. But again, it is your decision as to whether it is worth trying and you are the best judge of her quality of life. It is always hard to be at this point in our dogs' lives....I am sure you will do what is best.

[Burnsway]

Fostermom this dog is biting. Biting for one reason.......Pain and for another because he has got away with it. I understand it is hard to say bye to our aging or sick pets and some meds may prolong that a bit longer for us but with a dog that is this uncomfortable and is adding a bite history to boot I would say that the op is doing the right thing by saying goodbye.

[probe1957]

Originally Posted by fostermom

I hesitated to offer this as I do not disagree with your decision to put your girl to sleep.

The dog is biting her child. I really don't understand what there is to ponder here. IMHO, she is absolutely doing the right thing.

[kywildcat581]

not sure what decision you will make but I will tell you this much.... if it were me and blitz in that situation - this thread would be in rainbow bridge - I see too many news articles in on here and on the web abut dog maulings and bits with familys that thought" they were the perfect pet - never a rpoblem"...

you know this is a problem with her.... time to spend a good seperated week with her and make it fun and reemberable - one way ticket to rainbow bridge... sorry you are in this situation - especially all of the care you have had for her over the years... but i will have to agree with the rest, your decision though.... best of luck with whichever one you make

[Judi W]

To speak quite bluntly, the time to put down an unstable and aggressive dog is before it bites someone, not afterwards.

[reddog21]

You are making the correct decision. Your dog is in pain,which will only get worse, and has bitten your child. It's time to accept that she be PTS for the peace of everyone concerned.

[onelovemanydogs]

In the end, the decision to put your dog down is a personal one. it is, however, one that requires thought, input, decisiveness and a certain amount of objectivity. I have found that some have been shocked that I would even consider PTS and others that are shocked I've kept her so long. Most have just simply agreed that it was in fact time. at 1230 on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 I lay next to my Irvine and heard her heart beat it's last. You all helped me through a very difficult time of coming to grips with what I already knew I had to do. Having read many of the threads on Rainbow bridge, there is one that sticks with me - Rotties are by nature aloof and dignified and they deserve to keep that even till the end. Irvine had become afraid of her own pack and nothing I could have done would have brought her back to the dog I remember - finding her a home without children, druging her even more, keeping her isolated - none of the many options we considered were in her best intrest, or for that matter, truly responsible. I believe that to own a breed such as ours, we must be held to a higher standard and we must hold ourselves up to that standard, for when we falter, tragedy ensues. I feel truly blessed to have shared my life with the many dogs that have been my friends, and I know that we will again have a Rottie, for the breed is unmatched in my book.

[cuppacoffee]

I'm sorry you lost your best friend. It took a lot of courage to do what you did. You might want to open a new thread in the Rainbow Bridge dedicated to your girl so that we can all learn more about her.
Kate

[Burnsway]

I too am very sorry for your loss. Putting a beloved pet down for whatever the reason, is probably one of the hardest decisions to make in life. Just know you did the right thing.