Should socialized or abused dogs be put to sleep?

Question

I read somebody's post and she said that it's best to put a 'scared' or abused dog to sleep and put them out of their misery. That is disguisting, she is supposed to be a dog trainer! Are we just supposed to put small children who were abused, to sleep, too?

I have a four month old pup and she wasn't socialized properly when I bought her at three months. I didn't know her former owners, they pretty much pawned her off on me and made me guarantee I wouldn't give her back. Well, once I saw the sweet thing I felt bad for her and knew I could help her so I bought her.

Needless to say, it's been almost a month and she is loyal and trusting to me and my fiance! She still doesn't go near other people but that's okay.

My question is, do we put the less fortunate and unsocialized dogs to sleep? Are they just prize cattle, where only the 'best in show' survive? I don't care if a dog is purebred or not because it's the mutts and the unfortunate ones who need saving from people like me.

Answer 1

the dumb b-itch who said that is the one who needs to be put to sleep. Almost every dog I ever had was mistreated or abused. A little TLC will change them right now. She knows nothing about animals.

Answer 2

I honestly believe that all dogs can be saved, it just takes the right person to save them. And just because a dog trainer said it - doesn't make it true, believe me - it doesn't take much to be a cerified dog trainer. All you need is to pass some tests and put in enough hours of volunteering, I used to work as a foster home for dogs and considered becoming a trainer for a while. To become a GOOD trainer requires something different - you have to have strong intuition, and be able to command and lead dogs. It's a very hard thing to do, and the best know how to train even the worst dogs.
Both of my dogs are rescues - and both have some behaviour problems. My lab mix (who was half starved when I got her), is the most hyperactive dog you can find, she is very stubborn and she used to growl at me when she didn't want to do something, she bit me once when I was taking her a bath, and she used to be extremely shy around strangers. I did as much reading as I could on animal behaviour, took her to classes and now the only bad trait she has is the hyperactivity.
My eskimo (adopted when he was 6) had been abused and severely neglected, half his body was bald and his feet were badly cut and scarred. After a couple of baths, and some TLC he is now the best and most beautiful dog I have ever owned.
You are right, people are quik to throw dogs away as if they are garbage. I believe all animals have the right to a happy, full life. Unfortunately, in this pretentious world of vanity, brand name jeans and brand name dogs - there is no tolerance for imperfection. If a child is too hyper they force Ritalin down his throat, if a dog it too hyper they kill it.
Keep caring - it does not go unnoticed!

Answer 3

Though I don't agree with euthenizing animals for these or similar reasons, I do understand it.

Take into consideration that one female dog and all her puppies can have up to 67 thousand more dogs within 5 years. There are over 3 million unsterilized dogs in this country alone. To try and save all the dogs that are in need of being saved is impossible, no matter how hard we want to save them all. Usually, the more abused and neglected dogs are harder to train to be these loyal and trusting pets than one that did not go through such hardships. Like I said, though I understand why euthenizing such animals is done--I don't neccessarily agree with it.

For example, my 3 year old wolf-dog. We adopted her from a local animal shelter when she was 4 months old. She was so deathly afraid of people she would pee when you got too close to her. She was extremely bone and food aggressive, not leash trained, crate trained or housebroke. When we decided she was the one we wanted, the animal control officer did everything in her power to convince us otherwise. She actually told me that this dog was better off dead and it was probably safer for the other "more obedient" dogs in the town. We disregarded her opinion and adopted the dog anyway.

It has been hard work and a very emotional battle but she has become the absolutely perfect pet that I've ever owned and I would not trade her for anything or anyone in this world. The things she has done for me and my family are beyond words and I am thankful she is with us today. Though she is still very food aggressive we have worked out a system for feeding and regardless of this aggresion I am still able to foster other dogs.

So do I agree with euthenizing unsocialized and abused animals? Absolutely not. But when you spend 24 hours a day working with these animals and seeing what some of them go through you quickly learn to accept it.

Answer 4

I think it is wrong to put down a good dog. I think the only way that they should be put down, is 1 if they are ill and can not be brought back, and are suffering and 2) if they have attacked someone for no reason and hurt them badly. There are people out there that don't want to buy purebred dogs, or can't afford it. People out there are always saying that if it is not purebred, and showed that it should be fixed. Well, not all people can afford to show, nor do they want that type of dogs. yeah I agree that the population is getting overwhelming, and that kennels are getting full, but if more people take responsibility for their dogs, and not let them get bred, then that would help. Putting down mans best friend is not the answer.

Answer 5

I can't believe anyone would feel that way.

My most recent dog was a stray. He was afraid of everything, and still is. He's good with me and my husband and the other 3 dogs and 2 cats. He's afraid of the car and gets car sick. So, when he needs to go for a ride to the vet, I put down a towel, so if he pukes, it get on the towel -- big deal. It's still difficult to get him IN the car.

He has never snapped or growled or in any way ever acted mean or aggressive to anyone (just one of the cats, at first). He's a sweet loving guy, and it would sicken me to think someone would want to kill him, just because he isn't overly social or because he's a little apprehensive.

Overall, he's a great dog. I work with him, and expose him to new people, but I don't push it. He's slowly coming out of his shell.

Most, and I say "most" dogs can be worked with and "cured". I do not agree that all dogs can be saved, but let's give them a chance.

Like you, I don't care if my dogs are pure or not (two are, two aren't), but that makes no difference to me. They were all rescues. And I love them all equally, for being themselves and for their uniqueness.

Answer 6

I have an abused dog. She is 7 - 8 year old toy poodle. She's toothless.. and oh my, she gets in her moods and will actually snap her gums down on my fingers HARD! I adore her.. in her best moments, she's sweeter than pure honey. Every now and then I can see something in her eyes that makes me just wonder what these people did to her.
You might consider, please, having your dog take obedience training.. both of you will enjoy it! It will help your dog become more social.. and that is a very good thing.

Some dogs, because of the abuse, can never be trusted.. and that is so unfortunate. How can people do this to another living thing.. especially someone that gives us their full heart and love.

Answer 7

What ever trainer posted that...is one lazy a$$ trainer. I think she should be burnt at the stake like a witch. I don't think any dog should ever be put to sleep. No matter what the reason. Or course if the dog is in terrible agony, then I can see that or any other matter at the moment. But who in the world are we to decide what animal lives or dies. It's our own fault in the first place, that there's so many dogs, and ones that are mistreated. I say we just shoot the B I A T C H !!!!

Answer 8

Certainly not. However, if a rescue or shelter has to choose between saving dogs with a solid temperment and a dog with socialization problems, it should be an easy choose to take the dog with solid temperment. While many troubled dogs can be saved with time and effort, there's only so much time and effort to go around.

Sometimes tough decisions have to be made. Since I didn't see the original post, I don't know whether I agree or disagree with the poster in question.

Answer 9

Most dogs that are shy or fearful can be rehabilitated. If the dog is not manifesting any aggression and simply shy or timid the dog can lead healthy life with a sensitive companion.If the dog shows aggression than the rehabilitation process may be more complex. Killing a dog for being timid is not a profoundly disturbing thought.

Answer 10

Thank you for taking the puppy.

I think if abused or unwanted animals can find a home like yours they should be given a chance.

Any cat or dog can be trained. Anyone who doesn't have the love or patience to train and take care of a pet shouldn't have one.

Make sure to spay or neuter your pet so there are less abandoned animals.