get rid of, put to sleep, or keep?

Question

I have a 2 yr old black lab who ever since I bought her @ 3mths old has been the sweetest nicest dog you can imagine, easy to train and just a pleasure to have around. well about 4 weeks ago i bought a dacshund puppy( he's 3 months now) tonite my lab bit the puppy over a bone, the wound bled everywhere and required a visit to the animal hospital...the vet told me my options for the lab would be to get rid of it, put it to sleep, or keep it BUT i had to keep the two dogs seperated indeffinately.....what would you do in my situation??

Answer 1

I would get rid of the doxie. The lab will not bite people. The doxie will be alot more prone to that. You know the lab's temperament because you said she is sweet. You know her training. You know what you have with her. And I know what a doxie is like. I would keep the lab any day. You had no problems with her before. Why get rid of her? Sell the doxie.

Answer 2

If your vet recommended to put your lab to sleep find another vet first of all, he sounds heartless. We've been thru similar situations over the years, and the separation bit is very frustrating and difficult. This could have been a one time fluke where the lab wanted to let your dachshund know he/she is the alpha leader, not the dachshund. I think it went to far but that is one possibility. Is the lab jealous of the dacshund maybe getting more attention? We have a Yorkie that we adopted when he was 2 1/2 years old, he lived with a family and was the only dog and was crated a lot. We brought him into our home w/ 3 Yorkies and a Maltese at that time, all males. Things where fine to start but later trouble started because I believe the new Yorkie didn't understand pack mentality where there is an alpha leader. When we'd let them outside, the newer Yorkie would rush to the front, a sign of disrespect for the alpha dog, our alpha dog would then stalk him the whole time outside, trying to let him know not to do that. When I walked the alpha dog once, we got home and I removed the baby gate to let him into our dining room, the new Yorkie rushed over and attacked him for no reason. I immediatly pulled them apart and turned and held the new Yorkie upside down on his back till he settled down hopefully making him think the other had overpowered him and not to try it again, it didn't work. It didn't take to many incidents before we gated them apart, our alpha Yorkie and Maltese where older and didn't need this BS as they where sick shortly after as well from kidney and liver problems. They have since both passed and now we just have the new Yorkie and a smaller older one that bosses him all around but their best buddies. Try and find a dog behaviourist and see what they have to say but keep a very close eye on the lab when the dacshund is nearby. Sometimes their mentality is frustrating trying to figure out, we see them as our kids and members of the family so when something like this happens it's a big shock and disapointment. I hope this was of some help and hope the little one recovers fast without any serious injury. Good luck.
Edit: I fully agree with the above posts not to give them bones together, separate them to do this, same can be said w/ toys. I still have the puncture scar on my hand the last time their toys caused trouble between them.

Answer 3

Oh wow that is a hard one. I know labs are some of the best dogs, and usually get along with other animals if the grow up together. But bringing in a new pup, and training it. She probably felt like you weren't spending enough time with her. Trying to give away a dog that has bit, even if it was another dog is not a good idea. Putting her to sleep isn't a fair option either. You were hers first. She was just putting her foot down.
I doubt she meant to cause such harm to your other dog. unless it was an all out brawl. But I would keep her, and try to find a way to let her get use to the puppy. I think its kind of like the new baby syndrome. She's no longer the baby, and she is having a fit about the whole matter. Make sure the puppy stays away from her special toys and things. Spend the same amount of time with her as you do the puppy. Ease the puppy back into her life. try putting the puppy on one side of a closed door, and her on the other every now and then. So they can smell each other with out a fight. Just so she knows that the puppy is still there. Dogs are strange. Their like little people, but can really do some damage when they throw a fit. Labs are really a one family kind of dog. If you gave her away.... well I think you would break her heart. If you put her to sleep.... It would break yours. If all else fails.. I would find the puppy a good home. Older dogs end up in the pound. Everybody Loves Puppies... and he's young enough that it wouldn't confuse him as much. Good luck I hope things work out. Ki75wolf2000

Answer 4

Your Dacshund puppy has learned a very valuable lesson. I do not think that you have to go to the drastic measure of getting rid of your Lab or putting it to sleep. Keep the two dogs separate while the puppy heals. The puppy will probably never attempt to go near the Lab when it has a bone again, but in the future just try to avoid the situation before it happens. Do not let the two animals eat together. The Lab was defending what it considered his. The Lab is the dominant dog, He was teaching the puppy.. Putting the puppy in his place and securing his own place in the family as the top dog. Just be aware of what can happen and take measures not to let it happen again

Answer 5

I'd get a new vet !!!!!! How dare he even suggest putting down a perfectly healthy 2yr. old animal it would make me wonder if he's a animal lover or not. I've know serverak people with food or toy aggressive dogs and they always managed to make it wotk (but theirs were more the same size) Honestly how could you even consider giving up your lad for a younger cuter puppy that's some kinda loyalty on your part, read any book on canine pack behaivior and it just so happens there's a heiarchy in their society and in your house and the rules go oldest eat first and puppies need to learn their place had you gotten a puppy of relative size to the lab (say another lab, pointer, collie , dobie) what your lab did wouldn't have so greatly affected it but you chose to get a toy not considering how that will affect their relationship now had the lab been the puppy and the doxy been 2 and snapped you wouldn't even be considering giving up either one. My professional advice is if this only happens over food treats or toys ony give those items to them when separated or in their crates. In the mean time acceptance takes time and your lab is going to discipline that pup until she's well behaved so always have someone with the doxy when she's in the room and she's a puppy so crate train her when you can't be ther . Your lab will need extra attention now to let her know she's still cared for and loved. Please don't put her to sleep ot in a shelter I ran a no kill shelter in FL, and you have no I dea what we think of people who leave the loyal for the new cute little things. How would you like it if when your forty you husband leaves you for a twenty year old ,...think about it is all I'm saying and reconsider Vets who allow the the death of sweet and healthy animals.

Answer 6

The lab might be feeling a bit put out with this new interloper in the house. Thats not to say I approve of biting, but there are options for you to try prior to any drastic measure (definitely NOT putting your old friend down for defending his turf)
If they fought over a bone, make sure each has their own. Reward positive behavior. Show personal attention to each dog equally. Your lab may feel left out if the new dog is getting all of your attention. Even children act out sometimes when a new baby is brought into the home. Worse case scenario find a new home for the puppy (your lab has been with you for 2 years now and has really not done anything wrong from what you mentioned) It would be easier to find a new home for the 3 month old puppy than for a two year old adult dog. Purposefully KILLING your friend because you are tired of it is not cool so euthanizing would be out in my book.

Answer 7

First off, don't even consider putting the lab down. There are rescues that would be more than happy to take him.
That said, the lab has dominance issues. You need to enforce the idea that you are the pack leader not him. A certain amount of correction is normal but correcting to the point where he drew blood is not a correction, thats aggression and cannot be tolerated. I'd say find a good animal behaviorist that is willing to work with you on good pack behavior. Work with him on the bone even. Claim the bone when he is chewing on it, make him back down. You can do this by putting your foot (with shoe on) over the bone and using your body to claim the space. You can get the two to live together but it will take work.

Answer 8

I have to say I am shocked by what your vet told you. You need to find a new vet, because this one hasn't a clue about dog behavior. First of all, most adult dogs don't tolerate puppies very well. Puppies, after all, have no manners, and have learned no acceptable dog behavior as yet. Your lab was simply teaching your puppy its place. This could go on for awhile, until your puppy learns how to socialize with other dogs and has found his place in your "pack".
I would, however, suggest you lay off the bones for awhile, and a puppy doesn't need to be chewing on bones until his adult teeth come in anyway.
You may have to always supervise your dogs when they have treats in the future, if neither of your dogs want to say"Uncle" about it. This is clearly a dominance issue. Dachshunds are notorious for not giving up, even when they are smaller.
All in all, this was just a sorry mishap that could be prevented in future by supervising your dogs. There is absolutely no reason to kill your dog or get rid of it unless it becomes aggressive in other ways.

Answer 9

First of all make sure the lab gets the same attention as the puppy. ALWAYS give them bones and treats together at the same time, do not expect them to share or let one have a treat without the other. I have two dogs one big one small and they fight over treats so we be sure to let each one know they are getting their fair share. Labs don't generally bit anyone or anything so it could have been a complete accident. She may have intended to nip to guard her territory or treat and accidental bitten the little dog. For now pay extra attention the lab, go on special outings, walks etc... so it understands that it is loved not being replaced.

Answer 10

The lab was there first. It was his home & you brought another dog into his territory. To be fair you should find a good/loving home for the dacshund. I couldn't imagine getting rid of a dog I have had for two years. This situation is not the lab's fault. There are many dogs that do not do well with two dogs being in the same home!! No way would I trade my companion of two years for another dog!!!

Answer 11

Keep him, dogs are not aggressive naturally it usually occurs because of us. Food aggression is natural but can be fixed. I have rescued, fostered and owned many aggressive and dangerous dogs. Most would have been put to sleep but I started to work with Behavior Specialist like Cesar Milan. Not so much as obedience trainers but Behavior Specialist. Since then I have not put one dog down, they were all turned around and adopted into good homes. Watch The Dog Whisperer or get in contact with a Behavior Specialist they can do miracles just by understanding dog behavior. Do Not give up on your dog. Bringing a new dog into a household is a huge adjustment for any dog. It takes time and work but it will be okay.