Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

San
Lv 6
San asked in PetsDogs · 10 years ago

My dog attacked another dog, should I put her to sleep?

I feel very bad this was all my fault. I got her out of her kennel without the leash to bring her in the house to eat. She seen another dog and ran across the street and attacked him. She is a lab. she attacked a pug. I got a few bites on my finger from getting in the middle of it, and a broken finger. This was with the neighbor dog. I have told them many times how sorry I am, they said it was ok. I am very lucky for that. I am not sure what dog bit me, but that really doesn't matter now. Their dog has 2 bite marks on his head. I have 2 kids, she very protective of us. I just know how bad it was of her to attack another dog.

13 Answers

Relevance
  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I would STRONGLY contact a pet behaviorist about your dog's issues. My previous dog did a similar thing to a neighbors dog and like you, we were also lucky the neighbor was understanding. A pet behaviorist can evaluate your dog and see if there are underlying issues and help you to correct them. It's unfortunate that this happened, but you need to take corrective action immediately. Putting the dog to sleep is not fair for the dog & probably won't lessen your guilt. Good luck! Thankfully for us pet owners there are great resources out there to bridge the gap between canine and human behaviors.

  • 10 years ago

    I don't think you should put the dog down. Work with your vet and make sure everything is OK health wise. And, try some obedience and training classes. And, always keep your dog on a leash for his protection and other dogs, kids, etc. Labs are high energy dogs but very smart and easy to train. Don't give up on him. Try all other options first. Hope this helps you!

    Source(s): Experience, dog training and ownership 15 yrs, former vet tech
  • jtexas
    Lv 7
    10 years ago

    it's pretty bad, but not putting-to-sleep bad. especially if the pug got no worse than a couple bite marks and the other family isn't alarmed.

    even the sweetest family pet might or might have a dog agression problem. Could be due to "family of origin" issues.

    now you know she's prone to that, you have to decide whether you want to be responsible for keeping her out of contact with other dogs.

    it's possible that, with professional help, she can be retrained.

    No matter which dog bit you, it doesn't mean they are agressive to humans or to you in particular. Any dog engaged in a fight like those two were, is likely to bite whatever gets in the way. They didn't even know about biting you, so I wouldn't blame the dog for that, or draw any conclusions from it.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    10 years ago

    Labs are typically good natured. I wouldn't put her down right away especially if this is a first occurrence. If you notice that she tends to have an aggressive nature then that is something to take into consideration. I would try taking her to training/obedience classes that have other dogs and try socializing her. Depending on how old she is though, this aggressive behavior may not be reversible. You were very lucky that your neighbors are nice because if this happens again, the people could sue

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • ?
    Lv 7
    10 years ago

    Human aggression and animal aggression (dogs/cats/wildlife) are rarely in the same category.

    You got bit because you got in the middle of a dog fight. It doesn't matter which one bit you. When you try and break up a dog fight the wrong way you will get hurt.

    I suggest you be more vigilant. You now know your dog is animal aggressive. Keep it under complete control at all times.

    As far as your children? If this dog is good with your kids and has never shown the first sign of aggression? Then don't worry about it. And I certainly would not put the dog down.

  • Me
    Lv 5
    10 years ago

    Well leaving a dog in a kennel all day (especially an active breed like a lab) often results in aggression. Don't put her to sleep. That's the lazy, easy way out. Train and socialize your dog and more importantly, make her a member of the family instead of leaving her out in a kennel all day long.

  • 10 years ago

    Im sure your neighbour doesn't want her put down, they have a dog so they know how it feels. Just accept it happened and forget about it. If it happens again then thats when you need to take serious action. Once is a mistake, twice is bad, three times means your gonner really have to think seriously.

  • 10 years ago

    I don't think putting her down is warranted. You just have to be extra vigilant when you bring her in and keep a leash on at all times. Was the other dog loose also?? Or was he leashed??

  • yecart
    Lv 4
    10 years ago

    No don't put her down...Buy a mussle for certain situations.You now know what she's capable of,be very careful that she doesn't get in those situations again.Use your muzzle if your worried when she's out.I'd offer to pay the vet bill if there was one.Best wishes...

  • 10 years ago

    shes a DOG, they do that. And it was your fault, why would you put her to sleep? You forgot the leash? dont put her to sleep about something that was your fault. I understand she did attack the dog, but dogs do that & she probably thought another dog was in her territory.

    Source(s): having a german shepard, husky & a 200lb english mastive(:
Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.