Should I put my dog to sleep?

Question

I have a mixed breed male that is between 15 and 18 years old. I can tell that it is getting harder for him to get around and lately he has been making messes in the house no matter how many times a day I let him out. I'm going to try putting him in a cage when no one is around even though he has been house broken for years. Is it cruler to cage him up or have him put down?

Answer 1

i relay think that it would be so much kinder for the dog while he is not suffering to much to have the dog put to sleep it would be so much kinder for him you have to remember that he isn't going to get any better he is a good age for a dog and don't wait until he is so poorly that he is dragging his legs and cant walk and getting worse day by day Ive been there so if i was you i would let him go to sleep now and then he wont of suffered to much you have to think that its best for that dog and you don't leave him its going to be hard for you but its so much better for the dog take care of yourself and think of all the happy times you have had with the dog and all the love you have shared with him don't put him in a cage take him to the vets and do the kindest thing good luck in what ever you do to put a dog somewhere to which it is not use to is so cruel if he had been trained from a pup tp go in a cage and only for a short while it would be fine but not if he isnt use to it i think any one who leaves a dog in a cage for a long time is so cruel and shouldnt have a pet its ok while training for a short lenght but if left more than a few hours is so cruel good luck with what ever you do and god bless at the end of the day you have to go with your own mind

Answer 2

Trust me when I tell you that is is MUCH more cruel to make a dog (or a person, for that matter) live on when they have no further dignity left and people don't want to accept the fact that death is a part of life.

I have had to put down many dogs over the years and cried my eyes out every time. But I knew that it would have been much more selfish of me to keep my friend (dog) in pain and living in humiliation because they coud no longer control their bodily functions.

He's going to lose control in the cage, too. Would you want to be stuck in a cage with your won waste?

The process of putting them to sleep is a tiny little pin prick and then they literally relax to death. You can be there when it happens so that our long time friend doesn't go from this world alone.

It's very hard to do, but you will both be better off for it, believe me.

Answer 3

This is a tough time for you, and a very tough decision to make.

Ignore anyone who tells you that you're being too cruel by putting him in a cage. Healthy dogs sleep, on average, 18 hours a day. When you're gone, he'll most likely be sleeping, and he can do that in a cage just as well as anywhere else.

Also, if he has been well-trained and is making messes just because he can't hold it anymore, then he knows what he is doing. Every time he makes that mess, he thinks he did something bad and is afraid you'll be upset. By removing that possiblity, you're actually relieving some of the stress on him.

Remove the cage part from your decision. However, you should ask yourself if you are providing your doggie with a good, happy life. You don't elaborate on his illness. Is he just old, or is he suffering from an illness that causes him pain? If he is in pain, I think you should think about that when making your decision.

But if he is merely getting old, then your decision might be premature. Getting old sucks, for people as well as for dogs. But if he is still enjoying life, I think you should wait on putting him to sleep.

Answer 4

As hard as it may be the right thing to do is have him put to sleep. One of my girls was 19, she could hardly see or hear and she was totally disoriented. I carry her up and down the stairs for months. I told the vet I physically couldn't do it anymore. He told me to hang in there. She die at home. It was about 1 AM when she woke me to say good bye however it took about 3 hours for her to pass. She made these God awful noises and I didn't know if she was scared or in pain. It was the worst experience I ever had. I had nightmares for about a year. Caging the dog will only make him think he's being punished. It's all about QUALITY OF LIFE. Let him go in peace. My heart goes out to you. BOL

Answer 5

You've got a great friend and this is obviously an emotional decision. Check with your vet to see if there's a medical reason other than age that he's doing this. As much as I love my animals, the last thing I want to do is keep them around, suffering, just because I don't want to make a tough decision. He probably looks at the cage as punishment. I feel for you. I had to put my cat down because of severe respiratory problems and couldn't afford her expensive care. Call me a killer - but she would gasp for breath and breathing tx and pills weren't helping. I was right there and tearfully told her good-bye. She was purring as she closed her eyes. Pray about it and ask the Lord for peace in whatever decision you make. But make it for the benefit of the dog, not what others may think.

Answer 6

When the quality of life of you pet is compromised euthanasia is an option. I am not opposed to euthanasia, although a hard choice to make, sometimes it is the right one. As your dog ages we all know the end is inevitably near. 15-18 for any dog is an awesome age to live! Especially if you have given him most or all of that good life. I do not find it cruel at all to euthanize, only when its for the wrong reasons like I just got this dog and it wont house train so just put it to sleep and I'll get another dog. Yeah, there are people like that. Often times us humans prolong a dogs suffering for our own selfish reasons we call love or can't live without. Don't do that to your friend. Best wishes and always have fond memories!

Answer 7

I would never put an animal down just because he is messing the house.Just think if the shoe was on the other foot and you were messing the house,would you want your owner to put you down.It may be a little extra work for you,but in obtaining this pet,you should have thought about being a resonsible owner and what this name could eventually lead to.I had a Westie one time and Vet wanted to put down,but I said "NO" simply because I didn't feel like I was the one that gave him life to began with,and I certinally wasn't going to be the one to take a life either.This pet lived 10 years beyond that date of suggestion.So you see you never know what rewards may come in the future,as I had a long time to be with my pet.

Answer 8

It sounds like you are concerned about your dog. My advice would be to take him to the vet and have him checked over.Sometimes they just have some type of infection going on.a crate is not cruel but given the fact your dog was not trained this way ,maybe blocking off an area like laundry room or kitchen may be better.
I would never put down an animal unless they are in pain and suffering. Your vet can help you make a well informed decision.
Good luck to you and your pet.

Answer 9

That is a very old dog. Crating him won't help the accidents - they'll just happen in a small space with the dog.

Agree that the vet is in order - he may have an infection.

I also heard for the first time over the weekend that dogs and cats can experience senility. He just may have forgotten all his training. Do you have a small room where you can close him up and put paper down, rather than caging him?

I've had many dogs and ultimately had to have them all put to sleep in their old age. If your boy can't enjoy life any more and is in pain, it's time.

It is, as humans, the one thing we can do for our pets.

Answer 10

First of all, let me say, my sympathies are with you during this difficult time. If crating the dog keeps him from breaking training, then by all means, crate him. I do not think crating is cruel, if done correctly. My dogs are not kept in crates, but I have used them many times, during training, stressful times, parties and they themselves have chosent their crates, as a way of having quiet time or their own "cave" time. I have never used a crate for punishment. That is not what you should use a crate for, but if it helps for your dog to be crated to keep him from going at inappropiate times, and he actually isn't then still soiling himself or his crate, then by all means, crate him. I would advise you to have the vet check him to see if you can do something to give him more time, more comfort or if the vet can give medications to help. He may have something simple like a bladder/kidney infection (common as they get older) and sometimes mistaken for a dog "getting old", although yours certainly is up there. Putting a dog down should be used only if the dogs' suffering can't be relieved or his condition is such, that the time has come to consider that. Consulting with your vet after a thorough exam seems the least you can do before making that irreversable decision. One that should be an informed and thought out one. Do your friend a favor and take him for a good vet visit and listen to what the vet has to say and offer, and ask the hard questions. Sometimes we must say good bye to our old friends and its one last kindness we can do for them, by letting them go. But without knowing , its hard to say....do the right thing by your old friend and see the vet first, then decide. Good luck with your decision.