Knowing When to Say Goodbye: When Behavioral Euthanasia is the Right Choice For Your Dog

Written By Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA

If your dog is exhibiting aggressive behaviors that aren’t improving with training, you may be wondering if behavioral euthanasia is the right choice. It's a difficult decision to make, but it's important to remember that you are not alone. Many dog owners have found themselves in the same situation, and there is no easy answer. In this blog post, we'll explore the topic of behavioral euthanasia in dogs and offer some guidance on when it may be the right choice.

What Is Behavioral Euthanasia?

Behavioral euthanasia is the process of medically and humanely putting a dog down that exhibits aggressive behaviors that cannot be thoroughly and safely addressed through training or behavioral medications. No matter how much effort is put into the dog’s behavioral health, behavioral improvements are just not occurring, not occurring fast enough, or the dog is so unpredictable, that the dog cannot be deemed a safe member of their owner’s household. In many cases, these behaviors are a result of genetics, lack of socialization, untreatable medical conditions, or abuse/neglect during the dog's formative years. Unfortunately, once these behaviors are entrenched in these types of dogs, they are extremely difficult—if not impossible—to change.

That's why, in some cases, the only humane and safe option is to euthanize the dog. It may seem like a cruel decision, but it's important to remember that behavioral euthanasia is not about punishment; it's about relieving the dog's suffering and providing a safe home for yourself and your family members. A dog that is constantly aggressive is not living a happy or fulfilling life and can have a poor quality of life if they cannot safely be social, go outside, or receive proper medical care or grooming due to their behaviors.

When to Euthanize a Dog Due to Behavior Issues

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to euthanize your dog due to behavior issues, like aggression. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself (and a certified dog behavior consultant, a vet behaviorist, and/or your vet) if the aggressive behavior is something that can be helped with training. Are you willing to put the time and effort into attempting to train your dog? If the answer is no, then you need to consider whether or not the aggression is a danger to yourself, your family, or others. If the answer is yes, then you should strongly consider behavioral euthanasia.

While people do commonly want to rehome their aggressive dog to a more experienced home or one without the dog’s triggers present before considering euthanasia, you should be upfront about your dog’s behavior with the adopter and even consider consulting an attorney beforehand about your liability should you rehome an aggressive dog and the dog possibly hurt or injure the new owner. We have a webinar coming up for dog owners and trainers called Dog Bite Law 101 being presented by a practicing attorney, which could assist you in understanding some of the legalities of owning a dog that bites or shows aggressive behaviors.

Another factor to consider is the quality of life of your dog. If the aggressive behavior is preventing your dog from enjoying life and being a part of the family, then it may be time to consider euthanasia. Additionally, if the aggression is causing physical pain or suffering for your dog, like self-harm or an untreatable medical condition, that is also a sign that it may be time to let them go.

Some Considerations When Making Your Choice:

There is no easy answer when it comes to deciding whether or not to put your dog down. However, here are some factors you may want to consider:

- The severity of your dog's aggression: Is your dog's aggression manageable with medication and/or behavior modification/dog training? Or does your dog pose a serious threat to yourself, your family, and/or other animals?

- The quality of your dog's life: Is your dog happy and healthy despite his aggression? Or is his aggression impacting his quality of life?

- Your ability to protect others from your dog: Can you keep your dog away from situations where he is likely to be aggressive? Or does his aggression make it impossible for you to protect those around him?

- Your financial resources: Are you able to afford the medication and/or training necessary to manage your dog's aggression? Or would continuing your dog’s care put you in a financial crisis that would be difficult for you to recover from?

- Your emotional resources: Are you emotionally prepared to deal with your dog's aggression on a daily basis? Or would dealing with his aggression be too much for you and/or your family members to handle?

These are just some of the factors you'll need to take into account when making your decision. There is no right or wrong answer; ultimately, it comes down to what you feel is best for both you and your pet.

If you're struggling with the decision of whether or not to put your dog down, we recommend talking to your veterinarian and/or a behavioral specialist like a certified dog behavior consultant who can offer additional guidance and support. I am available to consult with owners struggling to make this choice, as a dog behavior consultant, and to discuss their possible options for behavior modification for their dog going forward. Please contact me here, should you need help with this heartbreaking issue in Jackson, MS metro area or worldwide for virtual services.

Making the decision to put down a pet is never easy. However, in some cases, it may be the most humane thing you can do for both yourself and your pet. If you are considering this option for your dog, it's important to consult with professionals and think about what is best for your pet and your family. Ultimately, only you can decide whether or not behavioral euthanasia is the right choice for your family.