Is euthanasia ever an option for behaviour problems?
http://www.kathysdogtraining.com.au
(A really great resource of articles by a professional in the canine industry)
n.b. as is obvious, euthanasia for behaviour options is a last resort and every other avenue, such as behaviour modification, vet assistance, should have been undertaken first and foremost.
It’s a tough decision to make, but euthanasia is an option you have to consider for behaviour problems
Providing a peaceful, pain-free and compassionate bereavement for a pet that has a questionable future is the most humane decision you can make, although one of the most difficult and emotional.
Pet owners can be faced with making the emotional decision of euthanasia due to their pet’s behavioural issues, namely serious aggression or anxiety disorders.
While many pets can safely and successfully respond to behaviour modification or re-homing, this article covers those individuals that are high-risk. There are instances where it is too dangerous for all involved to attempt to resolve certain behaviour problems.
Owners considering euthanasia face the loss of a strong emotional bond and raise an array of raw emotions including guilt, failure, shame, depression and anxiety.
If you’re in two minds about making this finite decision, you may choose to look into available options that may help you come to a peaceful resolution.
Keep in mind that like some medical problems, some behaviour problems don’t always have a simple solution. Decisions to euthanise are usually made when the situation is at a crucial stage.
Pet owners can be faced with making the emotional decision of euthanasia due to their pet’s behavioural issues, namely serious aggression or anxiety disorders.
While many pets can safely and successfully respond to behaviour modification or re-homing, this article covers those individuals that are high-risk. There are instances where it is too dangerous for all involved to attempt to resolve certain behaviour problems.
Owners considering euthanasia face the loss of a strong emotional bond and raise an array of raw emotions including guilt, failure, shame, depression and anxiety.
If you’re in two minds about making this finite decision, you may choose to look into available options that may help you come to a peaceful resolution.
Keep in mind that like some medical problems, some behaviour problems don’t always have a simple solution. Decisions to euthanise are usually made when the situation is at a crucial stage.
If you’re still fraught over making wthe decision about whether to work with your pet’s behaviour issue or choose to euthanase, the following factors may assist:
HIGH RISK
Do you have reason to believe that there is significant risk and/or evidence that your dog is going to seriously injure someone? Even with reasonable precautionary measures, behaviour modification and training, supervision and management, they’re not responding. Are they too aggressive to work with, place with someone else and pose a danger to people including children or other animals?
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Have you consulted with your veterinarian and experienced behaviour consultant? Have you applied safe measures to work with your pet, worked on the issue conscientiously and tried behavioural medications? Despite your best efforts, did you reach a conclusion that you still can’t trust your pet not to cause harm to either you, your family, other people or other animals?
BITE INHIBITION AND BITE THRESHOLD
These are two important points to consider. Bite inhibition is what level of injury is sustained when the pet does bite and bite threshold is how easily the pet triggers to use their mouth. Pets displaying frequent aggression but inflicting little or no damage have a better prognosis than those that don’t bite as frequently but inflict significant damage when they do bite.
OTHER SERIOUS BEHAVIOUR ISSUES
Does your dog have other serious inherent behavioural problems that impact their very wellbeing and quality of life? Despite seeking help from your veterinarian together with medical and behavioural support, is the extent of the problem still extreme? For example, is your pet self-injurious? Has behaviour modifi cation training combined with anti-anxiety medications not resulted in a satisfactory change with the dog? Consider your pet’s welfare if they’re living highly stressful lives.
REHOMING AS AN OPTION
What is likely to happen to your pet if you don’t choose euthanasia? Is it ethical to pass a serious problem on to someone else with the dog’s current issues? Can you sleep at night without a guilty conscience knowing that you have placed a pet in the community that is a danger to society?
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Have you genuinely tried to work at resolving the problem? Do you feel you have exhausted all possible options? Is the dog’s behaviour unpredictable and the triggers aren’t easily identifi able even with professional input? If there is tension in the household, boarding your pet at kennels can be useful to help guide your decision. You’ll either miss your dog greatly or you’ll experience reduced stress and anxiety.
Considering euthanasia as an option for a pet’s serious behavioural issue can be one of the most difficult to make. Generally these pets are otherwise fit and healthy individuals, making this decision all that more difficult with the catalyst being that the pet poses serious risk to others.
Responsible and caring pet owners are at times faced with making heart-rending decisions about the fate of their dog. Seek comfort in knowing that there is support to guide your decision, to help ease the pain, and it’s provided without criticism or being judgment.
Do you have reason to believe that there is significant risk and/or evidence that your dog is going to seriously injure someone? Even with reasonable precautionary measures, behaviour modification and training, supervision and management, they’re not responding. Are they too aggressive to work with, place with someone else and pose a danger to people including children or other animals?
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Have you consulted with your veterinarian and experienced behaviour consultant? Have you applied safe measures to work with your pet, worked on the issue conscientiously and tried behavioural medications? Despite your best efforts, did you reach a conclusion that you still can’t trust your pet not to cause harm to either you, your family, other people or other animals?
BITE INHIBITION AND BITE THRESHOLD
These are two important points to consider. Bite inhibition is what level of injury is sustained when the pet does bite and bite threshold is how easily the pet triggers to use their mouth. Pets displaying frequent aggression but inflicting little or no damage have a better prognosis than those that don’t bite as frequently but inflict significant damage when they do bite.
OTHER SERIOUS BEHAVIOUR ISSUES
Does your dog have other serious inherent behavioural problems that impact their very wellbeing and quality of life? Despite seeking help from your veterinarian together with medical and behavioural support, is the extent of the problem still extreme? For example, is your pet self-injurious? Has behaviour modifi cation training combined with anti-anxiety medications not resulted in a satisfactory change with the dog? Consider your pet’s welfare if they’re living highly stressful lives.
REHOMING AS AN OPTION
What is likely to happen to your pet if you don’t choose euthanasia? Is it ethical to pass a serious problem on to someone else with the dog’s current issues? Can you sleep at night without a guilty conscience knowing that you have placed a pet in the community that is a danger to society?
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Have you genuinely tried to work at resolving the problem? Do you feel you have exhausted all possible options? Is the dog’s behaviour unpredictable and the triggers aren’t easily identifi able even with professional input? If there is tension in the household, boarding your pet at kennels can be useful to help guide your decision. You’ll either miss your dog greatly or you’ll experience reduced stress and anxiety.
Considering euthanasia as an option for a pet’s serious behavioural issue can be one of the most difficult to make. Generally these pets are otherwise fit and healthy individuals, making this decision all that more difficult with the catalyst being that the pet poses serious risk to others.
Responsible and caring pet owners are at times faced with making heart-rending decisions about the fate of their dog. Seek comfort in knowing that there is support to guide your decision, to help ease the pain, and it’s provided without criticism or being judgment.
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