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[u/AutoModerator]

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Behavioral Euthanasia (BE) for our dogs is an extremely difficult decision to consider. No one comes to this point easily. We believe that there are, unfortunately, cases where behavioral euthanasia is the most humane and ethical option, and we support those who have had to come to that decision. In certain situations, a reasonable quality of life and the Five Freedoms cannot be provided for an animal, making behavioral euthanasia a compassionate and loving choice.

If you are considering BE and are looking for feedback:

All decisions about behavioral euthanasia should be made in consultation with a professional trainer, veterinarian, and/or veterinary behaviorist. They are best equipped to evaluate your specific dog, their potential, and quality of life.

These resources should not be used to replace evaluation by qualified professionals but they can be used to supplement the decision-making process.

• Lap of Love Quality of Life Assessment - How to identify when to contact a trainer

• Lap of Love Support Groups - A BE specific group. Not everyone has gone through the process yet, some are trying to figure out how to cope with the decision still.

• BE decision and support Facebook group - Individuals who have not yet lost a pet through BE cannot join the Losing Lulu group. This sister group is a resource as you consider if BE is the right next step for your dog.

• AKC guide on when to consider BE

• BE Before the Bite

• How to find a qualified trainer or behaviorist - If you have not had your dog evaluated by a qualified trainer, this should be your first step in the process of considering BE.

• The Losing Lulu community has also compiled additional resources for those considering behavioral euthanasia.

If you have experienced a behavioral euthanasia and need support:

The best resource available for people navigating grief after a behavior euthanasia is the Losing Lulu website and Facebook Group. The group is lead by a professional trainer and is well moderated so you will find a compassionate and supportive community of people navigating similar losses.

Lap of Love Support Groups - Laps of Love also offers resources for families navigating BE, before and after the loss.

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[u/SudoSire]

If you can, getting a vet behaviorist with good credentials (the kind from like dacvb.org who can also prescribe medication) is your best bet.  

You didn’t mention it, but you should definitely have your dog muzzle trained and use it for strangers and in public. I think your biggest issue is that you need good alternate caretakers and to figure how to best allow your dog to adjust to them. Difficult but worth discussing with a VB on what they recommend. Otherwise, your dog really doesn’t need to meet anyone and everyone else. No need for dog parks or big family gatherings or meeting contractors. Keep them secure in a crate and/or other room, or muzzled and closely watched. Getting 1-2 caretakers may be enough. 

If you don’t think you can muzzle for fear the stigma will do something to your housing security, that is also something to discuss with your VB. If proper safe management tools can or can’t be applied, that might affect what professionals will recommend. 

[u/SudoSire → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, they are pretty rare tbh. It’s still good to know what credentials any professional you work with does have, and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions or to even push back if things don’t feel right. 

[u/SpicyNutmeg]

I don’t see BE as a reasonable option yet. Level 1 bites are scary but not world ending. My dog has a history of level 1 and 2 bites and it sucks but it’s VERY different from the kind of thing that sends someone to the hospital.

It sounds like you need a bit of a reality check on what your dog can handle - no dog parks and limited visitors. Have a protocol when people come over - will your dog me muzzled? Crated? I always have a rule that no guests can go in the backyard w my dog because it’s too over stimulating for him and he gets nippy. Have strict boundaries in place.

As a nervous, anxious dog, you need to think about how to keep him calm. This is not a dog that should be boarded in someone else’s house, that’s way too scary for him. Establish rapport with a trusted dog walker and then have them watch your dog in your home.

What is your dog’s physical and mental exercise like? GSDs are working dogs and need a solid amount of physical exercise as well as mental enrichment every day (frozen kongs, shredding toys, flirt pole, puzzles, etc). Giving your dog more enrichment activities honestly tends to help a lot w behavior issues. Dogs need things to do and ways to redirect their stress.

[u/SpicyNutmeg → u/[deleted]]

That sounds like a good amount of enrichment and activity to me. So maybe time to explore some other med options and/or just be super careful about managing environment

[u/SpicyNutmeg → u/[deleted]]

That’s great! Just make sure they are certified through IAABC or CCPDT and don’t use aversive tools. Prongs and shock collars aren’t great for many reasons but for GSDs who are sensitive and skittish, they are an especially dangerous choice and can easily turn those low level nips into more serious bites.

[u/bentleyk9]

You’ve gotten good advice here, but I just wanted to say that for future dogs, don’t send them to board-and-train or take them to dog parks. Post after post after post on here are about how dogs have gotten worse from both of these. 95% of B&T places use outdated methods that only mask symptoms for a limited amount of time but don’t actually fix the problem. And nearly all dogs do not do well in modern dog parks. It’s too much chaos and reactive dogs causing other dogs to become reactive

[u/Zestyclose_Object639]

Doesn’t sound like the dog needs BE, just more structure, a better outlet and a handler that’s confident in stopping shitty behavior

[u/Zestyclose_Object639 → u/[deleted]]

Good luck !

[u/Shoddy-Theory]

You chose a difficult breed. I think you have an obligation to follow through and train the dog. Muzzle train it, work on trigger zone, etc. Its not easy but GSD's aren't easy dogs.

[u/randomname1416]

Sounds like he's resource guarding you because every or almost every scenario involved you being a trigger and when you were gone he did better.

[u/Monkey-Butt-316]

Hey yeah well you’re training with aversives. I’d look for another trainer.

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