Was it wrong to put my dog to sleep?

What a very sad and tragic story. You must have so much compassion and an enormous heart. No one can give you the answer you may wish to hear. Fact is, from what you explain, you know deep within your heart whether or not what you decided was the wisest decision. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says. The question is, what life would this dog be offered, had you returned him to the kennel? How many 2nd chances do you give to a dog or a human, carrying so much pain and confusion? What choices did you have?

For what it is worth, I think you are extremely brave and courageous. I would be inclined to award your entire family with exceptional humility and gratitude, including those who lost their lives in your efforts to save such a damaged life. You are most deserving of receiving the unconditional love from the unseen source that is ABSOLUTE! Do not worry and remember death is but a transition towards our next evolution.

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO

It sounds like you did everything you could have. Finding a "rescue" is what the kennel did when you got her. I have a horse/dog rescue in WV with 7 horses, 1 donkey and 6 dogs at this time. I have spent two years on a female German Sheperd that acted the same. She never got over the damage that was done in her early life. Some dogs are just not safe under any conditions. You did all the right things and gave plenty of chances for it to come around. Passing the problem to another is not a solution. I know it is hard to give up on her, especially when you have put so much work, time, money and your heart into this but you did the right thing. Feel good about giving the dog some love and compassion before it left this earth.

I have two kids of my own, and have had to rehome a couple of dogs due to agression with them. Personally, I do think it would have been better to find a Great Dane rescue for her, or to have done some research on the breed before you rescued her, and you should have taken her background into consideration before bringing her home. I also think you should have done so after the first dog was killed, and that she should have been separated from your other dogs before she could harm one of them, which, I know, is easier said then done. But, you did what you thought was best for your family. Also, you gave that dog a better chance then a lot of people would have, so you really did do the best you could given the situation.

Either way, what's done is done, and you can't change it now. You did what you thought was best for the dog and your family. The saftey of your kids should always come first and foremost, which is what you did. Also, even if you HAD found a G.D. rescue for her, she may have been too far gone, and they may have putten her to sleep anyway, so, as I said, you really did do what was probably best for the dog and your family, as hard as it may have been. Don't beat yourself up about it, and just remember that you gave her a better shot then a lot of people would have. While I do think her issues could have been worked with, not everyone is equipped to work with her issues, and at least you tried.

For the record, that whole "taste of blood" thing is complete BS. Getting the taste of blood does little to nothing to a dog's personality. Dogs are fed a raw diet on a daily basis and are not unstable monsters like some people think. It doesn't make them want to kill again, etc...

I think that is a terrible reason to put a dog to sleep. Sick and hurt and suffering everyday with no hope is a fine reason but not if someone is bored. That person should rather just try to rekindle the fun. After all, everything gets boring once in a while but you can always try to have more fun again rather than replacing it. Besides, dogs are not toys.

I think as long as you tried to find her a home that could help her and it seems like you tried to train her or get her proper training then you were left with no other options. A reputable breeder would not have that many animals. That is just sad. She was neglected for 2 years. That will make any poor animal crazy. Luckily our Dane we rescued wasn't like that, but he definately had the potential.

I know it was a tough decision for you, but I think in the long run you did the right thing. She's much happier now.

I am a total dog person (have three right now) and I feel you made the right choice. No, it was not wrong to put her down. Anytime a dog viciously attacks a human or another dog/cat (or kills it) it means this animal has very serious social issues and will only end up killing or attacking again. This animal now has a taste for blood, and is a real danger to all around it - animals and people...if you watch the news, anytime a dog attacks someone/something they end up putting it to sleep. You have small children, and their safety comes first.

Absolutely NOT. If you couldn't place her and couldn't handle her, you did all of us dog lovers a good service. There are SO many available wonderful dogs out there that no one has to put up with one with so many problems. But the most compelling reason is your babies; you cannot affort to have a unpredictable dog around them. I had a fear agressive dog for years and was always fearful around other people's children (I had none at the time). If I had had children I would have gotten rid of the dog, not that I am cold hearted, but people come first and I want children to love dogs, not be afraid of them because of bad experiences.

The only other option for peace of mind is to keep her muzzled.

I guess if the dog had killed two dogs and attacked another then it was a danger to animals and humans however it was a bad decision to get the dog in the first place if you were unable to give it the attention and training it needed.

Whats done is done. With two children under 3 i wouldn't advise that you get anymore dogs until you have more time on your hands. I'm sure having 2 children and 4 (or more) dogs isn't cheap either!

I understand your worry and guilt, but as long as you know you did everything in your power to get her a different home, or make her comfortable in yours, then you have nothing to worry about. It's a very sad story, but she did kill other dogs, there's no telling what damage she could have done had she lived. Lick you said you had small children, and someone else taken her in, she could have hurt someone Else's kids. You did the best you could in a bad situation, unfortunately for the Dane, her emotional neglect lead to her death, it's not her fault, but sometimes those things just have to be done. i so sorry, I'm sure that was very difficult for you.

Hello in this world we have to make all sorts of choices and it does not matter what we think it matters what you think and what you thought was right, and from everything you went through sounds like you made the right decision. I know myself its hard to put a animal down but you will go on the days will get better, take care and god bless you and your family.