Sometimes they don’t even realize that’s what they’re doing. But I now believe strongly that some dogs - like Dodger - aren't wired correctly, and no amount of training or medication can fix broken wiring.įrom where I'm sitting, too many people make excuses for repeat offenders, no matter if the cause is medical or otherwise, rather than actually addressing the problem even if it’s escalating.
Some aggressive dogs can be helped by a good trainer or veterinary behaviorist, and that is where people should start to work with the dog getting professional help can make the needed difference. He taught me that euthanasia for a behavior problem relieves human suffering as much as animal suffering." Sherman taught me that euthanasia of a severely anxious animal is relief of suffering as much as euthanasia for a physical problem is relief of suffering.
"He taught me that some animals are wired wrong and cannot be fixed, just like some people. "I will never forget the sounds of his attack and my child screaming," she said. Oursler still struggles with the guilt of putting Sherman's needs above the safety of her children. Sherman was euthanized.Įight years later, Dr. It was his fourth bite and by far the most aggressive and unprovoked. Three months later, Sherman attacked her 8-year-old son's foot, leaving eight puncture wounds.
Oursler consulted with veterinary behaviorists who told her she could not cure Sherman, and that all she could do was improve his behavior and try not to put him in any situation where he could cause harm. Every time he had gotten in his former owner's way, she kicked him, and then she kicked him when she shoved him into the kennel. Teri Oursler brought home a 3-year-old rescued beagle. When I started talking to people about him, I realized that many friends have euthanized aggressive dogs, including one who owns a dog training school – and so did one of the training school’s co-owners. However, last winter I noticed he was much more anxious than he used to be. Exercise was never lacking, as we frequently went to fenced, off-leash dog parks. Being bitten by my own dog was a traumatizing event, a betrayal of trust by a beloved canine who’d always slept on my bed.ĭodger had been anxious enough when he arrived five years ago to wear down a path in the back yard within three days. I cried that night as I iced my face, wishing I could ice half of my body. Your body shakes, and your heart pounds as the instinctive fight-or-flight response is set off. For a short while, rational thought is gone. I thought his bite inhibition was back, and that as long as I didn't startle him, it would be okay.īeing attacked by someone you love is a visceral slam to your gut. When she arrived, she said, "I cannot guarantee he won't bite again."ĭodger seemed to be getting better and although he'd snapped at me a few times he hadn't broken skin. I called in a certified trainer, a woman highly experienced in dog aggression. He had a thorough medical work up, and went on the anti-anxiety medication clomipramine after no physical cause for his behavior change was found. Three months before that fateful night, my 42-pound, 9-year-old English setter had bitten me three times in two seconds he left six wounds on my forearm under a sweatshirt after I petted him on his back. I had been working with Dodger for months on his aggression. However, we would all be safer if more people euthanized dogs whose behavior cannot be improved after professional assistance. This choice - and it didn't feel like a choice, but something I had to do - is not one everyone would make, I know. I have no doubt that ending his life was the right thing to do. "If he were healthy, you wouldn't be here this morning," she said, and I knew she was right. The vet who euthanized him said I looked like I'd been in a bar fight. Had I hit my head on the top I could have broken my neck and become a quadriplegic like my mother had been. My head ended up in the bottom level of an open-sided end table. I pulled back and fell down half a flight of steep stairs.
He seemed fine, but a moment later he went for my face. I saw him watch me come up the stairs at 12:30 a.m. When my dog lunged at my face, I fell down the stairs.