Should I put my Chow Chow to sleep? Advice please!?

Question

My Chow is 3 1/2 years old and I love her very much. She was originally my exgirlfriend's dog and I adopted her fully about a year ago. As great as this dog has been to me, she's extremely aggressive to strangers and even my family. She has bit family members of my ex girlfriend and myself when we have caught her eating human food. I have learned to keep food completely away from her. I have also been to an obedience school with her and she is somewhat obedient, but still does what she wants most of the time. I have been able to live with her based on all this up until now. My Chow loves my new girlfriend of 8 months who is one of the few people she will be nice to. Recently though, my Chow bit my girlfriend for absolutely no reason. The Chow was sleeping near the fridge and my girlfriend closed the fridge door gently. This woke the dog up and after letting out a whimper, she attacked my gf without even making a sound. I'm absolutely torn and am considering putting her to sleep.

Answer 1

I used to be one of the people that blamed the upbringing of a dog or the environment and always thought it could be trained. That was until my friends 12 year old German Shepard that had been their family pet completely bit off her face (like the lady in France) and tried to kill her. It is 5 years later and my friend is still trying to put her life back together, but is in counseling and suicidal even though she is together enough at this point now that she can go in public without feeling like a sideshow attraction. Ultimately are you willing to sacrifice the life or well being of your family if this dog can not change, and are you willing to wait and find out? I believe that people should only have small animals in the home.

Answer 2

I think it's a case of maybe too much affection at the wrong times. Does she get daily walks and exercise? It also seems to be a bad case of food possession. She doesn't see you as a leader, but a mere provider of food and affection.

Chows are notoriously dominant and aggressive when they aren't properly trained, and it takes daily training for them because they are bright animals and need the mental stimulation. If you can, try watching the Dog Whisperer, and more strict training. If you have the time, and it will take a lot of time, training & perhaps crate training when you have company will help.

I think you should give it a shot, because I don't see her as a lost cause, & there are more things you can try before considering euthanasia. Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, I would first take her to a vet to ensure that she is healthy and that there is not a health problem - like eyelashes that are growing curled into the dogs eye or other painful disorder.
Next, I would take her to an obedience trainer! Preferably one experienced with Chow Chows. Cesar Milan is wonderful. . .
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Wow tough question with no "real" easy simple answer. you are the dogs owner...the dogs family...you know this dog better than anyone...there will be people that say that a trainer must be called in and the dog CAN be rehomed or "rewired"...i am not sure that i believe that...but some say it's true...Are you willing to live with the chance and the fact that this dog could cause another human being harm? Maybe your girlfriend...maybe a child that you have down the road...? If you "give her to a rescue...you are asking someone else to take over the problem...are you willing to take the chance that you might have put someone else or someonelses child in danger? too many people get talked into "giving" the dog to rescue...and then the rescue spends all of this time and money on retraining this dog...and putting the volunteers in danger of getting harmed...to end up...never placing the dog..and other dogs have to get passed over by the rescue because they are filled with the dogs that they can't adopt out...
it's your call...you know the dog...if you have tried the training? Are you willing to take the chance? There are some programs that take "problem" dogs and have inmates "rehabilitate them"...maybe you could look into that...but again..your call...Good luck!

Answer 5

crate, crate crate! When sleeping and when anyone is eating. And, I know this is "old school" and I know this sounds cruel, but it is better than being euth. and it will buy her some time while you try a new training program.
http://www.morrco.com/dogmuzzles1.html

Good luck, I really feel awful for you, I know this is a heart wrenching decision. If this plus more obedience does not work, or if she ever threatens a child, then you know what you have to do. So sorry, but I have been there myself and it is tough to be in this situation. But, when you get to the point where you feel that she is a "loaded gun" just waiting to go off on someone, then you know it is time. Good luck and Blessings, dd

Answer 6

I'd recommend you read Jan Fennel's "The Dog Listener". Cover to cover.

Does the dog attack or nip? If it's a nip, the dog probably believes it is in charge and is trying to assert itself by telling off visitors to your home and your girlfriend. It doesn't know it is doing wrong and needs showing differently. It needs to know that YOU are boss.

Alternatively, have you asked advice at the obedience school?

Genuine attacks are pretty scary though - you might not want to take the risk of any further damage, and in that case it might be better all round to euthanise.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 7

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this!! It is always hard to put down an animal in your family. I don't think you should put her to sleep, she is a protective dog and you just need to learn what she'll put up with. She may not be a people person, and at night you may need to kennel her up. I hope she calms down for you.

Answer 8

I know this may sound a little extreme, but you should call the Dog Whisperer, his name is Caesar Milan, you can find him on the National Geographic channel, he has a show on there, he also has his own website. He is ABSOLUTELY amazing, you should see the awesome stuff he does. He has rehabilitated tons of aggressive dogs, including those who had previously been fighting dogs. This guy is really cool. If you cant contact him, he has a list on his website of canine professionals around the U.S. Good Luck, i hope this helps you. All dogs can be rehabilitated.

Answer 9

bypass to the vet in the present day. Your dogs is in discomfort. Chow chows are a primitive (previous) breed of dogs. they're properly-known for aggression--yet usually in ordinary terms to different (small) animals. that is unusual for a dogs that youthful to chew aggressively. He ought to have found out chew inhibition by utilising now, although. He ought to have been truly aggressive to have you ever thinking of putting him down. a chum on the dogs park as quickly as advised me that she shampooed her dogs utilising a dogs shampoo and it truly aggravated his dermis, inflicting the exterior to be warm. curiously oils contained in the shampoo have been burning his dermis and he or she became recommended to bathe him with dish cleansing soap while you evaluate that's the two basic and anti-oil. My factor is, whether the vet gave you something, it may no longer artwork on your dogs. no person right here on Yahoo could have the ability that can assist you or diagnose for this actual concern. sturdy success!

Answer 10

Having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, but if your dog knows a few basic commands, it can be helpful when tackling problem behaviors — existing ones or those that may develop in the future. Learn here https://tr.im/4p1q5

So where do you start with dog obedience training? You could take a class, but it’s not necessary; you can do it yourself. In fact, with the right attitude, it can be fun for both you and your dog!
Step 1 : Sit
This is one of the easiest dog obedience commands to teach, so it’s a good one to start with.
• Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
• Move your hand up, allowing his head to follow the treat and causing his bottom to lower.
• Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has it mastered. Then ask your dog to sit before mealtime, when leaving for walks, and during other situations where you’d like him calm and seated.
Step 2 : Come
This command can help keep a dog out of trouble, bringing him back to you if you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open.
• Put a leash and collar on your dog.
• Go down to his level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.
• When he gets to you, reward him with affection and a treat.
Once he’s mastered it with the leash, remove it — and practice the command in a safe, enclosed area.
Step 3 : Down
This can be one of the more difficult commands in dog obedience training. Why? Because the position is a submissive posture. You can help by keeping training positive and relaxed, particularly with fearful or anxious dogs.
• Find a particularly good smelling treat, and hold it in your closed fist.
• Hold your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor, so he follows.
• Then slide your hand along the ground in front of him to encourage his body to follow his head.
• Once he’s in the down position, say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat it every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges toward your hand, say “No” and take your hand away. Don’t push him into a down position, and encourage every step your dog takes toward the right position. After all, he’s working hard to figure it out!