My Roxie PTS

[marya]

I am so very sad. My dog Roxie was PTS on Saturday, November 17th. She had bitten my husband for the 3rd time. (she had bitten me twice) She was almost 3 1/2. She had foodbowl aggression so we fed her in the powder room so that was going well. However, she had developed a problem towards other dogs, not all of them, just some of them. She started snarling and lunging towards a dog last week, and it was all I could do to pull her off. It was a surprise as I didn't see the dog get out of the car. We had been using a trainer, and I thought things were going better with management but .... On Friday while I was out, my husband was petting her, and she was licking his hand and nuzzling it and all of a sudden she bit his hand twice. She had done this in April when he was petting her chest. I was sitting across and I could see that she was enjoying it and then bam all of a sudden. After she bit she would go under the bed. It was like she knew but could not help herself.

He was afraid to ever pet her in the house. She did not like body handling. We were petting her and giving a treat, and it seemed to be going well.

We had gotten her from the humane society when she was 8 weeks old, so its not like she got issues from somewhere else. She was a rottie mix but looked 99% Rottie, just a little bit more slender. Last Friday after the bite, my husband said we could not keep her, and we could not bring a biting dog to the humane society. It was just about implied that it was him or the dog. He said he was afraid of her, and that her fear aggression was escalating, and that the management was not working enough for neighbors, other dogs and us to be safe. We couldn't return her to the humane society for fear they would adopt her out, and I was so beaten down that I did not fight it. The vet said that meds might not work, and that we would always have the management problem. This was our first dog, and all we were doing was worrying about who was coming by, what dog, etc.

She had also gotten quite reactive in the car towards dogs, people and bicyclists. It was like she relished getting pumped up. My daughters had also said we had done all we could do and that she probably was not "right". No one else was fighting for Roxie, only me, and I guess I gave up. Its too late now to bring her back, and I don't know if I can bear another dog. I know I have such guilt over this. I put my heart and soul into her care and training for over 3 1/2 years. Can it be that some dogs are too fear aggressive to be helped enough not to bite?


My heart is sick over this. I have been crying for a week. Sometimes I wish I chose to leave with the dog

[poohbearsmom]

Just as some people aren't 'wired right', the same goes for some dogs. Know that you did the right thing for her, and every human she was coming in contact with. A dog like this is a huge liability all the way around.

I'm very sorry for your loss, and the turmoil surrounding the situation... I truly understand what you're going through. It's never easy putting down a dog, but for some reason it's especially difficult when they look healthy on the outside... just remember, a dog should be a joy to live with, not a constant struggle filled with fear, and maybe that will help you get through this.

Godspeed Roxie.

[Zara]

I'm so so very sorry for your loss. I know you must still feel very emotional about this, but know you did the right thing. Like poobearsmom said, like people, sometimes the wiring isn't there and many who breed this dog do so just for money and not to perpetuate good traits seen in the dog's parents. I know you loved her so very very much, yet know that she loves you, too (still), and realize that you are a good owner to understand when it is time to let go. Like Pooh said, "a dog should be a joy to live with, not a struggle." Rotties are people dogs and is loyal to all in a household or in their pack. When that aggression starts to rear its head against the owner, that's a sure sign of poor breeding, which has nothing, NOTHING to do with you, it's totally on the breeder. My guess is that you got the dog from an irresponsible breeder (via some media like a pound or a merchant) that didn't care what the dog was bred with, but saw dollar signs. Nonetheless, you did all you could do and you demonstrate the best type of an owner for this breed: a responsible rottie owner with love in their hearts.

I hope you find a beautiful baby rottie again and give it all the love and tenderness you gave your rottie that passed. Continue to be blessed.

[hokisteph5]

I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a pet, no matter the circumstance, is never easy.

I now think my late beagle (bought as a family dog when I was a teen) was partially poorly bred and partially poorly trained. Regardless, though, he had bitten me, my brother, and my mom multiple times. Training probably would've helped, neutering when he was 3 did curb a lot of his aggressiveness, but like poohbearsmom said living with a dog should be a joy.

My beagle lived to be 13 years old and I still miss him, but his legacy has become that he made me rethink what I wanted from a dog. Before I adopted Samson two years ago I came to realize that no matter which dog I adopted, it would be in training. I didn't know why my beagle was a biter, but I did know I refused to live in fear of another dog.

I now sometimes worry about failing Samson or Gretchen because owning a Rottweiler is a big responsibility, but I don't fear either of them.

[marya]

Thank you for your sweet posts. I am still so sick at heart. Today, for the first time I was able to walk through the greenway near our house with my husband -- just the two of us, and it was so said. Dear Poobearsmom. Thank you so much for reading my post. There was so much more there, more good times and unfortunately other bad times. We could not give her rawhide as she was so aggressive with it and so much more. I thought she would be our first and last dog, but it was not to be. How long before the ache and guilt go away? My husband is dealing with it so much better. I think its because she bit him last. Last night I read a lot more of the posts, and she probably was trying to exert her dominance over my husband. She had bitten me once, snapped once but she had bitten him 3 times (puncture wounds on the hands) and some snap warnings. When she was good she was very good. But then she would freeze up. And to Hokisteph, I am so afraid of the next dog, and for now I don't think I can handle another Rottie -- full or mix. I am not a small dog person, but larger dogs carry so much more responsibility. The bites are more, handling not easy, and I am 62 and my husband is 66.

[Gunsey'sMom]

I am so sorry. Please know that your sweet Roxie is resting peacefully now, and is not afraid anymore. You were strong enough to make a decision to release her from a life that was a struggle. I know it really doesnt make it any easier...And the decisions that are the "right" or "best" are usually the hardest ones we ever have to make. But just think of the gift you have given her by setting her free, and being strong enough to do it. I cant say I can relate to your situation, so I cant even imagine the hurt you are going through, but I do thank you for stepping up and being responsible for Roxie.

Like Pooh said- some dogs are just not wired right and its not your fault for that. You did not take the easy way out- this was the hard thing to do, so dont feel guilty for it.

[Debbie Ervin]

I am very sorry about Roxie. She had something going on with her and it couldn't be curied. You did a couragous thing for her. I myself had never delt with this, but I know my Ceasars dad had to be PTS for bitting more then once. God Bless you and Roxie

[royalarrival]

I can relate to this.

I rescued a lab from a irresponsible owner. The lab had major hair loss w/ear infection so bad. Puss, bleeding and inflamed consumed this dog. The owners have a history of multiple dogs (pups mostly). Breeds were different and discarded for different reasons. It was always the dogs fault. I helped in the past to place some of their dogs. They wanted a calm dog. They bought a lab w/papers from a PO. PO stated the history that the lab was distructive and had a chronic ear problem requiring daily meds to control. The PO bought the dog from another PO that recently moved into the state and realized he couldn't keep the dog. That PO purchase the dog from a pet store. Jump to when I came involved. THe current PO stated they took the dog to vet but they could not get the meds in and were trying over the counter meds. They asked my opinion on what to do. The physical state of the dog was screaming "needs vet care". I told them the dog needs vet care. About a month later my husband went over there and came home upset. The dog was in worse condition and the PO stated they were going to drop it off somewhere. They couldn't handle the bloody mess. The PO stated to me on phone he thought of shooting it. In end I gain access to the dog, got it vet care and contacted the humane officer. The PO was charge with abuse. The dog had mange on top of chronic ear infections. He recovered and looked healthy w/daily meds and proper diet. I didn't have a problem w/destruction. He counter surfed, but nothing major. We contacted a rescue to help me place him in a loving home. He went on a 3 week trial. The dog had major behavior issues that I (first hand) didn't experience in the home. Extremely distructive! Seperation anxiety disorder to the extreme. He came back to me and nothing. Then we moved! All hell broke loose. He first started showing dog aggression w/my Rottie. Then he started showing human aggression w/ my husband and I. He would pee on the children's bed while sleeping. We took him to the vet to find medical reason. He was physically fine. We started modification training. His temperment became unpredictable. He was definitely not adoptable! Working with my vet, we felt the kindness thing to do was to euthanize. The vet said "he is not wired right and is mentally suffering". It was a hard decision! I definitely learned from this experience. This dog should have never been born. It was poor breeding from a puppy mill. Why was he fine at my original home? I don't know. I do know that I could not morally adopt this dog out. He would have continued that vicious cycle of multiple homes and end up in shelters. The risk of him biting someone was high. It wasn't his fault. He was the product of our greedy world.

[royalarrival]

I didn't state this in earlier post.

I truely sorry about the loss of your Roxy. Please know she is no longer suffering.
I know it was a hard decision. You did the responsible act of kindness to end her suffering.

[marya]

Thanks to all for the kind words. I am so glad people are writing. Its so hard to talk with anyone about this. My husband was the one bitten, and he is moving on more than I am. She was with us 3-1/2 years, and my daily companion. Roxie was not full Rottie but she looked 99% Rottie (the humane society said maybe Rottie and Lab). I guess even mixes can have mental problems. It was so hard to know when to give up the training and trying of new things. I would have kept going a little longer had I known how bad I feel now. I do feel so guilty because I couldn't make it better, couldn't stop the biting. It wasn't that many bites over 3-1/2 years but the unpredictability of them was the hardest. We had just been saying that she hadn't bitten or snapped since April. Its hard when a dog seems to not like any body handling, and is so reactive to everything around it. Its worse when most of the time your dog is good, obeys those commands, and has those sweet eyes looking at you, but then when the management problems come, and those lips are bared back and a snarl and a bite come (to my husband), its scary as hell. He was shaking in his shoes and thankful that only his hand was bitten. I am so afraid now to get another dog. This has been such a sad experience. I am waiting for the call to pick up her remains. I would like to talk to the vet about it also. I am far from over this. Thanks to all who cared enough to share your thoughts.

[mikimm]

Marya, what a sad story. I'm so sorry that you had to experience this with Roxy. You should know that the biting behavior that you described is not typical of Rottweiler behavior or even big dog behavior. It sounds like it was really scary, and Roxy was suffering with it too (hiding after). As the others said, something was wrong in her brain and you did the couragous and compassionate thing to set her free.

Don't be afraid to give your heart to another dog because of what you went through with Roxy. But take the time you need to grieve. Make a sweet memorial for Roxy (I visit and talk to my dogs on the mantle and it helps me feel better). Remind yourself of all of the good times and love that you shared. And be gentle with yourself, you did right by this dog and gave her love and a wonderful home.

Hugs,
Miki

[marya]

Dear Mikimm,
Thank you for taking the time to console me, although I am unconsolable at this time. I need to look at her picture, but then when I do I am so sad. Right now I would take her back because of the pain I feel. I keep thinking that the biting could be fixed. My husband is not of the same about this so its so very sad.

Thanks for writing. It helps a lot.

[rottgirl]

Marya

I am so sorry for your loss of Roxie. Take comfort in knowing you freed her from the evil demons she lived with. She now at the bridge and demon free.

Sometimes doing the 'right thing' hurts like hell.

Take care,

Michele

[LUVMYROTTNBOY]

Marya

I’m truly so sorry for your loss. You made the right decision.

I have put two dogs down due to aggression. Sara (petstore dog) was dangerous from the start due to poor breeding and 6mo in a cage in a pet store. She was small 13lbs as an adult. She was always aggressive with strangers. Most of her bites were superficial, and toward the legs/feet but she did sometimes manage to jump up toward the face and snap. She scared everyone that came in contact with her. I tried to train/socialize her but eventually had to keep her away from everyone. **I did try meds with her, and no success, could not overcome her bad breeding or 6mo stay at the petstore. The day she bit me on the hand, and drew blood as she was trying to get loose from my hold is the day she sealed her fate with me. (Sara was 10yrs old at this point.)

If I had the guts earlier in her life I would have released her much sooner as she was dangerous to others. I was selfish in my choice to keep her. She was a fear biter, she was scared of strangers and strange things (New TV, etc.) If she had bitten a child or anyone really and done damage I would have been mortified. Sara was small, and otherwise healthy dog with a good 6-8yrs left for her breeds avg life span.

I had to return a lovely rottie boy I had adopted from a shelter/rescue group he was PTS by the rescue due to his behavior issues. He showed behavioral problems the minute we brought him home, he had spent his time with the rescue in a vet clinic cage, and had never even wore a dog collar. He was abandoned at the vet clinic by previous owners. He was nice one minute and just fearful, scared and did pre-emptive attacks, biting me to the point I could not remove his mouth from my leg/arm ….my husband had to pry him off of me several times Not a puppy bite. He was evaluated by many people and sent to rottweiler rescue evaluator and failed all temperament tests. He was PTS and I have his remains. Handsome, large, healthy looking boy, PTS due to temperament. Heartbreaking.

The more I read, hear and see stories about dog bites the more I know I did right in making these choices of putting Sara to sleep and returning the puppy (per contract) to the rescue. Sorry to be so wordy but as you can see you are not alone. It will take time for you to heal from this. I know you did the right thing.

[poohbearsmom]

I guess even mixes can have mental problems......

Right now I would take her back because of the pain I feel. I keep thinking that the biting could be fixed.

Always remember, mixes will be genetically what their parents gave them..... they might be purebred 10x removed, but the genetic temperament that they're given is what they're given... it matters not if they have papers or simple "humble" beginnings... a dog is a dog first, and it's breed second.

Again, I'm sorry for the experience you've endured... just know that others have preceded you, and unfortunately, will follow you.... I hope that you gain an education from this as I did from similar circumstances.

Peace be with you.