[balmytigeress]

Hi all,

I'm trying to come up with something to help my sister. She and her husband have four dogs, one is Sunday, a female beagle/chihuahua, maybe 3 yrs old, not spayed, that has become aggressive with the chi minpin, Beauty, that is about the same age, also not spayed. Beauty was the first dog, then Sunday. A few months ago they got an irish elkhound puppy (for the husband's son who does not live with them - not neutered), and recently a purebred chihuahua puppy (not spayed). They live in a trailer and the dogs don't get to go outside very often. Not ideal, and possibly causes of the conflict. Maybe 6 weeks ago Sunday and Beauty fought and Sunday injured Beauty on the jaw. Now they are looking for a new home for Sunday. The vet suggested euthanasia for Sunday.

That would be so sad. I think this girl could be ok if she had a home where she got plenty of exercise and did not live with 3 other dogs in a small space with owners that frequently yell at each other and have stooped to physical discipline that does not seem fair and appropriate. One time she started a fight with Beauty and Sunday looked like she was getting aggressive back when she was thrown down, scruffed, smacked on the haunches several times, and screamed at. I don't think it was appropriate discipline, and I know this was not the first time. The couple is very stressed out, working 7 days/week for most of the daylight hours almost year around, with medical debts and no insurance. They get home and these dogs are getting into more frequent fights. There has got to be a better way to handle this dog, but I don't think they can handle it. There is so much drama involved. There is no way they can train her out of this. They aren't at the house enough and between my sister and her husband there won't be enough consistency, it just isn't going to happen.

The husband is wishy washy about finding her another home because sometimes she is fine, but Sunday is not fitting into the pack. I visited for several days, I saw her attack for no reason that is clear to me (although I think she did have a reason, something like jealousy), and I saw her give a warning growl that Beauty did not respect, or Beauty would start it by growling at her, staring and flattening her head and neck into a line and not backing down.

My sister said something about Sunday have some pyometra. Her husband doesn't want their animals fixed, something about experiencing life blah blah. One of thooose people. Vet seemed to think there is nothing physically bothering her, but I don't know, if she really has some pyometra (sometimes? I don't know how it works) maybe she is uncomfortable. That would make anyone irritable. If spaying might help her attitude, why aren't they saving up for that?

For something like this, when is euthanasia the right thing to do?
Anyone know of a rescue that might take her? What are the criteria for them to accept a dog? How do you even go about finding a home for a dog like this?

[Yogi]

I can assure you as a breeder, at their age and intact they are seeking dominance and is common. Having them spayed would resolve much of the problem. As for euthanasia, simply a stupid idea as this is not the dogs fault but that of the owner to not recognize the problem and obviously shows little understanding of dogs in general. You don't have a dog for the sake of having one and these people definitely exhibit why. Get the girls spayed if they wish to keep them to resolve this or check online for dog rescues in your state and area. Good luck.

[cigwyllt]

Your post is really sad. I feel for those poor dogs and for you as you are obviously aware of what needs to be done but powerless to help. Obviously finance is an issue for your sister. Would you be able to help with the cost of spaying? With an entire dog and three bitches the household sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.