Time to say goodbye

[Shamas mom]

Someone broke down my fence on Friday night. shamas attacked a neighborhood puppy. This is not his first incident. It's been decided that he's too much of a risk to the neighbourhood......we cannot control everything.


we have worked with him, trained him, given him the best life we can. but we cannot control people breaking down our fence. We cannot control people coming over and not securing our front door. We can't control the X factors

I have a 3pm vet appointment for him, now that the health unit has confirmed that he's not required to be quarantined. He'll be given a full work-up and treated for any pain that may have triggered the attack. I noticed Sunday that his Hernia is blown up and his lump, the status of which was "wait and watch" is tripled in size. He's not squatting for his full poop. Obviously he's uncomfortable.......but that doesn't excuse him attacking a random retreiver. Not with his priors.

I intend to put him on pain meds for his last days....I don't want him to suffer for the last time that I have with him. He's been a good dog...INSIDE the house. He's come a long way in his training.......but we have a neighborhood FULL of new puppies, and a dog that given the opportunity will attack.

I'm heartbroken

 

[M.F.]

Oh, @Shamas mom , I am heartbroken for you.

 

[Beanwood]

I am so very sorry.

I noticed Sunday that his Hernia is blown up and his lump, the status of which was "wait and watch" is tripled in size. He's not squatting for his full poop. Obviously he's uncomfortable.......but that doesn't excuse him attacking a random retreiver. Not with his priors.

It is obvious he is uncomfortable and we know pain is the main driver for maladaptive behaviour. What does your vet say? You really could do with someone qualified on your side right now.

I am absolutely devastated for you. Can you get in contact with a canine behaviourist? I know a couple in Canada, I could ask for you?

 

[Stacia]

I am so sad and sorry this happened, it could happen to anyone, but I understand with Shama's history it might seem worse. @Beanwood is quite right when she says pain is a maladaptive behaviour, we snap when we are in pain. I feel deeply for you for the situation you are in now, you have worked so hard with him.

 

[kateincornwall]

I am so very sorry xxx

 

[Shamas mom]

I am so very sorry.



It is obvious he is uncomfortable and we know pain is the main driver for maladaptive behaviour. What does your vet say? You really could do with someone qualified on your side right now.

I am absolutely devastated for you. Can you get in contact with a canine behaviourist? I know a couple in Canada, I could ask for you?

He's obviously "off"

The problem is, he's worked with behavioralists....we've worked with him for years. His first incident was the day after we got him. Now it seems like his eyesight's affected, he's in pain, and he's showing signs of dementia. All that training means nothing if he doesn't remember it....he was trained to turn and walk away when he sees another dog. Not charge in and attack it on sight. That's something he'd have done 5 years ago, and DID do before training began

I plan to run a full work-up. Make him as comfortable as possible in the time we have left. Find out if there's something affecting his brain? He goes in at 3

 

[Shaz82]

So sorry for you, I hope you can make his last days comfortable if that is what has to be done. x

 

[Jacqui-S]

How awful for you. I am so sorry this has happened. I hope for other options for you, but am realistic you wouldn't have posted if you hadn't already tried or considered them.
You have been a wonderful caring mom to Shamas. Feel proud of that.

 

[Beanwood]

All that training means nothing if he doesn't remember it....he was trained to turn and walk away when he sees another dog. Not charge in and attack it on sight. That's something he'd have done 5 years ago, and DID do before training began

@Shamas mom - this is nothing to do with training, nor remembering training. This is about how Shamas feels, in other words his emotional state. Dogs in pain react abnormally. We need to work harder at helping them feel safe and protected.

Pain relief will help enormously.

 

[Anne123]

 

[HAH]

This must be an incredibly stressful time @Shamas mom , I'm sorry you and Shamas are going through this. I'm not clear on what's actually happened though - have you been told you have to have Shamas put down? Is there no right of appeal?

As Beanwood says, this is not to do with training, it's to do with his emotional reactions in a state of pain. You've said

Now it seems like his eyesight's affected, he's in pain, and he's showing signs of dementia.

So these things should be addressed before long term or terminal solutions are imposed on you. The fact you and Shamas have worked with behaviourists before does not mean you've exhausted all options, it just means you understand the value of behaviourists. I'm concerned that you sound like a decision has been made already, without giving a chance to address Shamas' most pressing issues of pain relief.

 

[Natalie]

Oh I'm so sorry @Shamas mom, this must be an incredibly difficult time for you and your family.

 

[Atemas]

Oh @Shamas mom, I don’t know what to say. I’m so very sorry and know you will make the right decisions. Many

 

[Cath]

I am so, so sorry for you

 

[Ashley]

This is very sad news - when you say someone broke down your fence, did Shamas get out or did the dog come onto your property? Hopefully the vet can help with any pain he may be in and discuss things with you.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I'm ever so sorry. Hugs to you all

 

[jazzmynn]

Sending you massive hugs…

 

[Shamas mom]

This must be an incredibly stressful time @Shamas mom , I'm sorry you and Shamas are going through this. I'm not clear on what's actually happened though - have you been told you have to have Shamas put down? Is there no right of appeal?

As Beanwood says, this is not to do with training, it's to do with his emotional reactions in a state of pain. You've said

So these things should be addressed before long term or terminal solutions are imposed on you. The fact you and Shamas have worked with behaviourists before does not mean you've exhausted all options, it just means you understand the value of behaviourists. I'm concerned that you sound like a decision has been made already, without giving a chance to address Shamas' most pressing issues of pain relief.

Unfortunately because of his priors, the decision is basically made. We were lucky he didn't also bite the handler. Last time he bit the handler too. Whatever the base reasons.....fear, pain, illness....we have to look at the big picture. We can't guarantee that we can prevent another attack. Whether it's a broken fence, a leash clip let's loose(happened) or a visitor not closing the inside door like last time.....things outside of our control can happen. And we have a time bomb in the form of a terrified dog.

The city has a 3strikes policy. So do we. Just because the other attacks weren't recorded doesn't mean they didn't happen

We intend to make his remaining time as comfortable as possible because we love him. When we say goodbye it will be in his back yard surrounded by his family.

When the bite investigators find out about his priors....chances are they'll take him on the spot and do it at the pound. Better we say goodbye here, and bury him in the yard like the member of the family that he is

 

[JES72]

I am so sorry. Big hugs.

 

[Jen]

I’m so sorry. Sending you so much love