I need help!!!!?

Question

My dog Cocoa is acting wierd.We took him to a doctor and he said Cocoa see's us differently.He looks at us like my dad is the leader of our little pack.Next my mom thenn my brother then me themn my other brother.He has been attacking all of us because he wants to be the leader of the pack.

The doc said we should......put him to sleep.But I don't think I can do it.Is there any other way?

O my gosh!My parent just took Cocoa to his last car irde to the vet!He is gone now.I can't take it.He is ten and is a mix of a boxer and choclate lab.I can't live without him.He was in perfect condition!I had him since I was young!

Don't you know if I show him who is boss he will kill me!.He's gone anyway.I'm crying at this very moment**.

Answer 1

Rachel,

I am so sorry for you loss. When you calm down a bit (I know its hard to think rationally when you're in a state of emotional crisis) I'd like you to tell us more about Cocoa ... because what the vet has recommended seems too far off-base for the details you have given us. There may have been plenty of other options, all of them quite eeffective, even for the 10 year old All-American.

Perhaps later today, the three of you can write us a bit more about Cocoa ... just so that we can help you not have to go through this type of thing with your next dog.

Answer 2

An aggressive dog does not need to be put to sleep. First start some proper training with a professional, next try some relaxation techniques with him, it might sound crazy but at the rescue I used to work we never put a healthy dog down so we tried everything at some point, doggy massage and aromatherapy both work wonders, even if you feel very daft doing it, thirdly, find a new vet who can diagnose if there is a medical problem causing issues, arthritis, bone problems, and hormone issues, among others can all cause a placid dog to turn aggressive.
Lastly, if you haven't already, get the dog neutered, it won't solve the issue, but it will calm him down some.

Answer 3

This is VERY simple. Show the dog who is leader of the pack. this happend with my dog when she turned a year old. When you take him on walks , YOU walk through the door first. Then once you have been doing that ALWAYS eat before your dog. In the wild, the leaders always ate first. Since your dad is the leader you say, when the dog bites you, have your dad come over and tell the dog no in a strick voice. If your dads not around, roll the dog over and growl at it. If its a small dog. Pick it up and hold it infront of you and yell no. NEVER SMAKE OR HIT THE DOG! this could make it worse.

Answer 4

This decision is up to your parents. A dog trainer who is experienced with aggressive dogs may be able to help, but that will require an investment of money and time -- rehabilitating a dog is a gradual process that requires much patience as well as the participation of the whole family.

If your family cannot keep the dog, do NOT pass along the problem to another family!! A rescue group may be able to help, but be HONEST about the dog's aggression problem. Do not put others at risk.

Answer 5

if ur vet is really a good vet, he wouldnt say that. get the dog to obedience classes. take long walkes with him, this will get him tired and will distract him. play with him, and if he atacks somebody again, punish him. the punish should be a sharp and hard"NO!". do not hit ur dog, unless in extreme conditions. there are many things u can do to help ur dog without putting him to sleep, especially if he is young. but keep one thing inmind, if the dog is a big breed, and if there can be a posibility that him by wanting to be the leader of the pack he harms somebody in serious ways, then im affraid there will be no other way. good luck!

Answer 6

Ok I would suggest not putting him to sleep at all old dogs can be taught new tricks.

if You see him growling or his nape ,neck fur, is up. Take an old newspaper or magazine and tape one end of it. With scissors cut down to the tape. Now hit close to him or his butt, no its won't hurt. the loud noise will startle his. Make low growling noises when your with your parents because he looks at them as alpha. Don't let him play too rough as soon as teeth come into play call your father and have your dad or you pin him down all the while talking loud and angry. Making a dog omega,lowest position, is hard but it will help. never let him eat from the table, hit his butt with the newspaper thing. give him food after you have eaten. make him wait for his food. Start using vinager in a spray bottle to deture him from acting dominent; urinating, mounting, growling. If all this does not help look up a trainer dealing with troubled dogs or aggresive dogs and consult him.

Answer 7

if he is acting aggressive enough for the vet to advise you to put him down, then you should do it. It is very unsafe to have a dog that is attacking your family, and he could seriously injure someone. Our family put down a stray because he was starting to snarl at my younger brothers, and my dad wasn't going to take a chance of him attacking us. It's hard to do, but is the safe thing to do. Some dogs are just dangerous.

Answer 8

You didn't mention the breed, how old the dog is, or when you got him. Obedience training might work - but if the dog was adopted from a pound, he might have had really bad previous owners who abused him or made him vicious. Obedience training is worth a try, though.

Answer 9

the first question is... how old is Cocoa?

if he is an older dog, he may have a form of senility.

if he is a younger dog... i am not sure. I would need to know more about this one.

Answer 10

You might see what Cesar Milan has to say about it. But I think your vet is right: It's either the dog or you.

I'm sorry I don't have any better news for you, Rachel.