What should I do for the best ?

Question

I have an AKITA puppy he is 10 months old,and both his back legs have defects and is getting quite grumpy.

I have 2 young children they had a friend over at the weekend and he bit her in the face and drew blood for no reason at all it was frightning to see.

He is a wonderfull dog though and has always been good with my kids.

Should I re-home him or have him put down at the vets, what should I do for the best ?.

Answer 1

Please don't put him down... please. I understand that sadly a new home is called for but he can be rehabilitated if you find him the right one. My own dog was found in a sanctuary, growling and barking aggressively at everyone, especially men. Within 5 minutes though, he was laying on his back in his kennel, letting me tickle his belly through the bars. The sanctuary owner was astounded... this was a dog who had been abused and had real issues with people yet he responded to me. She thought that he would be in kennels for life as he was so unapproachable.

I'd only gone to the sanctuary for a fete.... I had two dogs already.

Three weeks later, Max came home with me! He lives with my 2 kids (aged then 9 and 10), cats and a ferret as well as my other dog (sadly I lost my GSD last year). He is perfect... but could so easily have been condemned to death.

Find a shelter which will understand the problem and is willing to find a vetted, experienced, adult home for your dog. If his legs give him pain, he will need extra special medical and loving treatment... it's not his fault it hurts.

Please whatever you do, don't let him die. Wish you were in the UK and I'd take him for you... but I know there are others out there like me, so please find a shelter who will understand. Mail me at [e-mail] if I can help further.

Thinking of you,

Miranda x

Answer 2

You are the only person that can really answer this question. The first things to consider are what are the cause of the problems with his back legs... is it an inherited condition that is untreatable? Is it a condition that can be improved with medication/exercises?
If the condition is treatable then talk to your vet about what it will involve, the cost, how it will improve your dogs life and for how long.
If your dog is in pain then this will effect his personality and being around smaller children is probably not a good idea. He seems very young to be developing this kind of worrying behaviour; if the behaviour is not down to pain/discomfort there are intensive training courses you can attend/send him to which will help with any issues, however you have to decide whether you are happy keeping him around not only your children but other peoples whilst he is in the unpredictable stage.
I would suggest first call is to the vets to talk through the options with them. If they can offer a good long term prognosis for his condition then you will have to decide whether you can trust him or if he would be happier in a different household where he cannot hurt himself or others.
Good luck - this sounds like a difficult decision to have to make but just keep in your mind whatever you decide must be best for the dog and for you and your family.

Answer 3

I am an animal behaviourist and do all i can to stop dogs being unduly put to sleep, but even i think it is time to seriously consider having your dog put down, if he is only 10 months old and is already having leg trouble think what it will be like when he is fully grown, Akita's are large, heavy dogs.
as a breed they have been used of everything from guard dogs to fighting dogs, apparently they even use them in the Japanese army and police. this tells me that if your dog ever bits again the person or child on the end of the bit may not just lose a little blood, they are large, and potentially deadly dogs, especially if they are in pain.
At least i think it would be a good idea if you make sure he is re-homed somewhere he is never likely to see small people.

Answer 4

You cannot rehome a dog that has bitten. It is very difficult for you but I think you should discuss this with your vet. Have you been in touch with your dog's breeder. If they are responsible breeders, they should take the dog back or, if they think it is not suitable will advise you to have him put to sleep. If he did not come from a responsible breeder then I'm afraid it is likely that he has a dodgy temperament, something that cannot be tolerated in a powerful dog like an Akita. It will be a heart breaking decision for you but you have to do the responsible thing. If another child was badly injured you would never forgive yourself.
You could contact Akita Rescue and see if they have any advise - but you MUST tell them that he has bitten.

Answer 5

Consult your vet about this. I agree that being in pain will cause any animal to become defensive. Also, kids are notoriously obnoxious with dogs. It could be that the guest provoked the dog, who is already distressed.

Talk to the vet, talk to the child who was bitten, Find out what precipitated the incident-make sure you tell the kid you won't be angry or whatever, but that if the dog attacked without provocation, he may need to be put down. Once the kid recognizes the gravity of the situation, he will be more likley to be honest.

Good luck to you & your dog.

Answer 6

If one of your kids was bitten on the face by someone elses dog, what would you say should happen to that dog - especially if it turns out your kid wasn't teasing the dog and the bite was for no reason.
There comes a point where we can't do anything more for a dog. You can't rehome him, he is in pain from a long term health problem and bites children.
Who would want him?
Sometimes having your pet put down is the last thing you can do for them. Its not pleasant but its part of the responsibility of owning a pet.

Answer 7

Sorry, but for a 10 month old to be in enough pain to start biting? It cant be trusted around anyone. Your kids will be kids and accidents happen. What would the dog do if one fell on it while playing. Hip problems don't show in the majority of dogs until two years of age. This poor dog is in for a life of agoney. Just my opinion but, I would put it down for its own good. Next time pick a dog that has been researched and documented family history of defects.

Answer 8

I feel for you and your family its really hard as you love your dog but you also have to think of whats best for your kids. As you have explained the dog has problems with his back legs if the problem can not be resolved by the vet then I would suggest theta you put the dog to sleep as he is suffering and well he has started letting you know this in a dangerous way by attacking one of your kids friends. Which also bring into question what the the friends parents say about the attack? They would be well within there rights to report the dog as dangerous. It really comes down as to what is best for the dog and the safety of your kids. I wish you all the best with this difficult decision.

Answer 9

Firstly, can the defects in the legs be fixed? If they can and they are making him grumpy, you should get them fixed.
When he bit the friend's face, are you sure it was for no reason? Dogs who are in pain and are poked WILL bite, it is not a sign of their being bad.
If the friend had (accidentaly or purposely) hurt the dog in any way, if he was in pain he would bite her.
If the dog has always been good with your kids chances are it's not a bad bad dog...
I don't know the whole thing but it sounds like you could investigate more maybe, and try and help him out...
Good luck with your dog.

Answer 10

hi i just wanted to tell you about a st. Bernard i had. he to was great with my family but no one else he started this behavior around 6 months. i had him neutered upon the advice of my vet, it did not help he kept getting worse. he got to the point that i would say no and he would drag me going after strangers, neighbors, even children so my vet told me about a friend of his that had an Akita that did the same things as my saint ultimately ending with the death of the woman's 3 year old daughter. SO YES MY ADVICE IS GET HIM VET CHECKED AND IF THERE IS NOTHING MEDICALLY WRONG WITH HE PUT HIM TO SLEEP NOW BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE

Answer 11

The trouble with rehoming him is that you will be just passing on a problem,you must seek advice from your vet,who will be able to tell you if your dog would do better on medication,or under these circumstances need to be destroyed,
if he was my dog I would not allow him to continue on and in pain,not only would you be putting other people at risk,but the dog will suffer,sorry,its probably not really what you want to hear
good luck Wendy