Should I put down my 3 year old Maltese dog? He is sick and aggresive. No time for him. I need advice!?

Question

I have had this boy Maltese now sinse he was 6 weeks old. He is very bad temoerament, very mean and doesn't listen to me, is not trained nor house breken. He is agresive to my 5 year old Crested Chinese and doesn't like to be with her.

He needs too much grooming, is too hyper, has a skin problem - requiring constant medicaton that costs $60 per 2 weeks. He also has very bad teeth and always gets a luxating patella. He takes up too much of my time and I can't handle him. He is very embarrassing when I take him outside because he poops everywhere, lashes out at other people and other dogs and he always tries to bite the vet and his groomer so they need to muzzle him which causes me majore emassment.

I ahve been thinking about putting him down. I dont want to give him to a shelter or rescue unless they give me back the $1300 I paid for him at the pet store. I have only recntly noticed that I don't love him. I feed him Purina while I feed Mia Innova. I don't even cuddle or kiss him.

I don't give him any good toys, just a small Kong toy and a plush toy. I let him sleep either outside my bedroom or down stairs while I let Mia on my bed.

I know this is cruel. That is why I need someone to guide me in the right direction. I have never hurt Toni but I feel as though he just doesn't deserve my love anymore because he is so mean and un-behaved.

Mia is so nice and greets out visitors with a lick. Toni greets visitors with a snarl and a growl.

He also needs too much exercise and play time. Mia is happy with a few walks for 20 mins each weeks. Toni wants to be played with everyday for hours and then he wants to go for long walks - this is on one of his good days.

He is very temperamental and has good days and bad days. He often has mood swings and will refuse to eat ANYTHING (including dog treats and human food) for days on end.

Should I put Toni down?

Answer 1

The best thing you can do for this dog is surrender it to a reputable rescue immediately. What you are describing is animal neglect.

You just will have to cut your losses for the rediculous amount you paid for him from a pet store where he came from a puppy mill. Your unkind treatment to him only adds to his demeanor and reinforces the treatment he has always had.

Answer 2

I once had an elderly lady for a friend. She had a wonderful little dog. A mix of some sort. She had the dog trained well and it behaved very well. Learn here https://tr.im/qadDG

She kept an uncovered candy dish on her coffee table with candy in it. The dog was forbidden to eat the candy. When she was in the room observing the dog he did not even appear to notice the candy. One day while she was in her dinning room she happened to look in a mirror and could see her dog in the living room. He did not know he was being watched. For several minutes he was sitting in front of the candy bowl staring at the candy. Finally he reached in and took one. He placed it on the table and stared at it, he woofed at it. He stared some more, licked his chops and PUT IT BACK in the bowl and walked away. Did he want the candy, oh yeah. Did he eat it? Nope. They can be trained that well but most, I'll admit, are not trained that well. When I was a young boy, maybe 5 years old. We had a german shepherd. He was very well trained also. My mom could leave food unattended on the table, no problem. She would open the oven door and set a pan roast beef or roast chicken on the door to cool. No problem. He would not touch it, watched or not. But butter? Whole other story. You leave a stick of butter anywhere he could reach and it was gone. He was a large shepherd so there were not many places he could not reach. Really, I think the number of dogs trained to the point they will leave food alone when not being supervised is very small indeed.
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Now if we are talking obedience training, not food grubbing, that is a different story. Way back when I was first learning obedience training one of the final exercises was to put our dogs in a down/stay and not only leave the room but leave the building for 15 minutes. The only person that stayed was our trainer, not the owners. Most of the dogs in my class did not break their stay, which would be an automatic fail. I'm happy to report my dog was one of the ones that passed.

Answer 3

I would not put him down. How old is the dog? You didn't say what kind of skin problem he has. Are you sure he doesn't have a bad thryoid? Why isn't the dog house trained? I would try to find the dog a good home. Sometimes people get turned off when their new pet doesn't act like they expect and its just a matter of finding the right person to adopt the animal. I would also give the animal love anyway and keep working on training. It will be easier to adopt him out.

Answer 4

I am so shocked at what I am reading. There is often a lot of work that goes in to having a pet. Not every one of them is the same which explains the differences between your Maltese and Mia. Personally I would seek professional training for him or turn him over to a rescue group. You stated that you didn't want to do that unless the group gave you $1300.00 back. That most likely isn't going to happen. Look at it this way, if you put him to sleep you wont get your money back either. Don't you believe he deserves the chance for a great life? Most dogs aren't naturally well behaved they are trained that way. Reconsider.

Answer 5

My heart hurts for what I read and for you both! You are not a match... I am a real fur baby Momma, I have bred Shih Tzus since the 80's. Only occasionally... My babies are sold and care for before they are of a proper age to leave the nest! I am only telling you this because I am so fussy about my babies and their new homes! No one can just hand me money and walk off with one of mine! Nope! They need to visit many times I continue to interview them many times. After all this is for a life they will commit to for years to come. I seldom have a problem this way and when anything comes up that a person has a problem I take my pup back and tell the person not to worry (it is not a match) I don't blame the person or the pup... It is not a match! No guilt just return pup.
There are many reasons for this to happen and it is usually the person who has changed their mind has no skills to train a pup or time. I saw many red flags as I read your post I am sad to read you would rather put the pup down rather than try another home or solution because of what you paid for the pup? Do we total a car if we get a lemon? I am not going to say criticizing things to you.... However, There is no way you are going to be able to help this pup now with your feelings of resentment and lack of love... It seems pretty much over as far as having a good relationship ever again. The time required now to help the pup would be intense and long.... Especially if you have no time as is and there is such different treatment given to your two pups! It will only grow worse for the household. Especially the problem pup. So many people pick a pup on their cute looks and know nothing of the breed and their habits... You don't buy a beagle and expect to have a beautiful garden! They are born diggers!!! Not a match... The dog is not bad!!! It is their nature. I would offer that you never ever buy a dog from a pet store!!!! It is there because it comes from a puppy mill and all about the dollar!!! They come from out of state usually.... The back round and breeding is not known! They often have many health problems because of this. It is cruel to the animal. Buy from a local breeder so you have a resource to turn to when a problem come up. Even returning the pup in a particular time frame if needed.
Please please do the responsiable thing and see if you can find a rescue for this breed. Not the pound because they do not have time to retrain her... She could not go to a new family with the state she is in now. Ther is hope for her with the right training and attention. Death is not the answere! The money spent is sometimes the cost of learning... That is not the pups fault either! Any pup needs intense training when you bring them home just like children... If children do not get it they act out... This fur baby is acting out. I pray for the right decision to be made for her good and long life with someone else who is invested in her training and care. Good Blessings Karen

Answer 6

Trish, Please give this little boy a chance & give him to a Maltese or Small dog Rescue group. All you need to do is call your veternarian & ask for the contact information.

There are several reason why he is having so many behavioral and health problems. I have been able to change skin, ear & dental issues by putting my guys on a raw diet. Not all of my babies have food alergies, but it shows up mainly in the ear & skin infections. Charlie, my 6 yr old Terrier mix came to me as a rescue with many behavioral problems that I had no idea about. After 2 yrs of intense & consistent training and love, he is a joy to have around. We still have a problem of trying to go after skate boards, bicycles & noises vehicles, but we're getting better. He was on medication for constant skin problems but once I switched him from dry dog food to a raw meat/veggie diet, his skin and hair have been perfect.

Some pets have also had very alergic reactions to some of the vacinations. One of my little Pomeranians broke out in hives when she got the rabies vac. She also had been purchased from a pet store & by the time I got her, she had no hair on the bottom half of her body and the rest was pretty sparse. Her skin & hair problem turned out to be an alergy to the "lawn care" chemicals that her previous owners used. Within weeks at our home, she had a beautiful shiny coat of red hair. She also had a problem with luxating patellas (all 4 knees) but with a healthy diet and an alternative health program she did just fine. vaccinations have also been proved to cause behavioral problems. What does your vet say about the skin problems? Thyroid problems cause all kinds of issues as well.

I wish I knew if you were in my state, it breaks my heart to know that the problems you're having with this little guy is causing so much pain for both of you. I would take him in a minute. No one will give you the money you paid for him. If I were you, I'd just want to find someone who could give him the love and attention he needs and again have peace in your home. Please give him the chance to be the loving, wonderful companion pet he can be for someone else.

Answer 7

I have to say i am upset with what you have said. You took on the responsibility of a pet , weather you like it or not it is your responsibility. To kill an animal because you do not like it is horrible. There is likely a reason why the animal is acting this way and you should put some time in to finding out what that is. If you do not have the desire to do this the animal would be better off in a new home where someone who is aware of its limitations would be willing to nurture it through these setbacks. A life is a life and is not disposable .

Answer 8

You won't give him to a rescue shelter unless they give you $1300???? They didn't sell you the dog and they are a non-profit organization trying to help people like you.

Please contact an appropriate "no kill" shelter and hope that they can give the animal a better environment in which to live. The dog's poor behavior is not your fault, but you are both clearly not happy with the status quo. If you do this, uou will be happier and so will the dog.

Answer 9

The kindest thing you can do for both your Maltese and yourself is to contact a rescue group and surrender him to them. A rescue or shelter can not afford to pay you to accept your dog into rescue, however, you should make a substantial donation to them. He will need a dental (you said his teeth are a mess), vetted and socialized. They will have expenses associated with getting him healthy and socialized and you should help off set those. From your description, he needs surgery on one or both of his knees and a rescue can solicit donations, hold fundraisers, etc and find the money to help him. You are miserable and don't seem to like the dog, the Maltese is borderline abused, he needs a home where someone will actually train him and teach him manners. Please contact a rescue and surrender him.

Answer 10

I'm amazed at your attitude toward this dog. Please do the dog a favor RELEASE HIM TO A RESCUE!! Every animal deserves to be treated in a loving and healthy matter. You have readily admitted that you cannot or will not provide this for him. You have just described animal neglect and depending on the state you live in, you could be criminally charged. There are many breed specify rescues that could help you, but you need to be willing to release him. Just realize that you have made a costly mistake and learn from it. Next time research the breed as well as the breeder.