The worst happened

[Arizahn]

/cryShadow attacked Abbie and Loki today.

They were outside in the back garden together. We heard Abbie scratching to get in and I went to open the door. Loki and Shadow ran straight in as usual, Abbie sat down to be petted first. I petted her and turned to go in with her.
Shadow came running back outside and threw herself at Abbie, growling and snapping. She nearly tumbled her off her feet.

I yelled at Shadow to "leave it", but she totally ignored me. By now she was chasing Abbie up the garden. Abbie was terrified. I yelled for my OH to come out and help me with Shadow.
Loki came racing out ahead of him, and threw himself between Abbie and Shadow. Shadow then attacked him, but he jumped out of the way and ran back to me.

My OH had to grab Shadow and physically drag her into the house. I went and got Abbie. Shadow is currently shut in the kitchen behind the dog gate. The other two are in the living room with us.

We have some friends over and they were horrified by how vicious Shadow was being - they could hear her from indoors. One of them has known us since Shadow was a puppy. They have seen all the training and other stuff that we have done to try and help her. They think she has had all the chances that she deserves.

I am sorry, but my OH and I agree. She is nine and a half, and she was at the point six months ago when we considered PTS for safety. We changed her diet and thought it had helped. Today came out of the blue. She was worse than ever.

If anyone has advice it would be welcome. We are going to talk to the vet tomorrow - her regular vet is closed on a Sunday - so that will be decision day either way. We are not willing to put up with this any more. We have tried for nine and a half years. Every other puppy from her litter was put down before they were a year old, and her mum was also PTS for attacking a child and biting them badly on the arm. The child in question was the owner's child and was sitting doing their homework at the time.

I am sorry. I just won't risk her hurting our other pets, or a human either. If you have advice, please let me know. If you want to try and help her yourself, please let me know. I do not think that anyone would take her on with these issues. I would be afraid to rehome her in case she hurt someone. I do not even think the Dog's Trust would take her.

I am afraid of my own dog. She is sitting whining quietly, and I have to go and sit with her and comfort her for a while. I can't risk bringing her in here in case she goes strange again.

[Hollythebc]

I'm sorry this happened, i hope Loki and Abbie were both ok i'm guessing Ben stayed out of it, you know i've been there, i know it is so hard, i did what i had to do for Holly's safely, and both of my nephews, and my family too really, the breaking point came when she attacked Holly and would not stop, like you this was the worse i had seen Bella, i honestly can say she would of killed Holly, and it was not fair on Holly, and it's not fair on Loki, Abbie or Ben, Shadow sounds just like Bella, flips for no reason what so ever, there was a thread after rage sydrome somewhere, sounds like Bella and maybe Shadow too, it's so sad about all those other puppies too, i never met Bella's parents, how stupid was i, learnt my lesson though, all i can say is you have to do what you think is right in the end, sorry you have to make such a choice, really is a horrible thing to go through.

[Tassle]

It is not sensible to give or take advice on a problem like this via any person who has not seen the dog or situation.

General advice can be given but not really specific to your situation - you should get someone in if you feel like it is something you want to work with.

It sounds to me like this is not a route you wish to go down, in which case pts would be the only route I could see. IMO it is not fair to rehome a problem like this on.

[jossiemarie]

Awww I can't imagine how hard this must be for you but it sounds as if you have tried really hard to correct shadows problems. I think only you can know what is best, as you know how bad shadow can be.
if you think PTS is best, then you are probably right.
(((((((hugs))))))))) and good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Arizahn]

We have had people in. We have been working on it from when she was about six months old. We will ask the vet to assess her tomorrow. Maybe he can recommend someone to come out to see her.

I have let her into the living room with us and she is ignoring us all. She is sitting staring out the front window. She is growling at everyone who goes past outside - we have a front garden so our house is about twenty feet away from the street.

Trying to get her to settle

[only-borders]

I know first hand how stressful this can be on the whole house.

I do agree with Hannah, unless someone is there when the aggression starts no one can advise you.

Whatever decision you make take peace in knowing you have tried long and hard and did not give up on her.

IMO any dog going through this can not be living a happy life. I will not believe they want to be mean.

I support any decision you make.

[Arizahn]

She has finally calmed down and is curled up beside me on the sofa. She is awake but sort of dozing.

I don't think she is happy either. She seems so tense and wary. All her muscles are tensed up.

In the time it took to type this, she got up again and went back to growling at the window.

[Arizahn]

Well, I got her back beside me. She is still really tense and her pupils are dilated. Her breathing is normal, but her heart rate is slower than usual.

I think we will go to the emergency vet tonight. Really worried. OH is getting the number now.

[GreensMom]

I am so sorry for all of you going through this.

[cyman1964uk]

What a dreadful situation. Wish I could offer some help here, but am afraid I can't. So sorry you are in this awful position.

[Vicks]

I think you should remember what your dad said to you, about how you've never given up on her and have given her the best chances in life, whatever you have to do now will be done out of love for your whole family including her.

Heartbreaking, no matter which way you look at it though, thinking of you and Shadow *hugs*

[Fergus10]

Arizahn, I do not know any of Shadow's past. I must have joined after the last time you wrote about her or missed your threads but from what you've said I think you and your partner deserve a medal. You've given her a chance, hell you've given her a life. It may have to be cut short and whatever you decide I can't think of anyone on here who wouldn't stand by your decision but you've given her more then anyone else would have.

As Tassle said unless people have seen her I don't think anyone should make the decision for you. Don't feel bad if you have to put her to sleep, feel proud you got her this far.

[Arizahn]

Thank you all.
The emergency vet could find nothing physically wrong with her when they examined her. She is back to normal at the moment. Sleeping peacefully beside me on the sofa. Her heart rate is normal again.
We are going to our usual vet tomorrow. I will ask him to run every test there is. If need be, he can keep her in for x-rays, etc. I will use her muzzle on walks and keep her separated from the others when we are not home to supervise them.
I feel sick. I am concerned that she has been having seizure type events. But if this is so, then maybe there is medication that could help her.

[izzysmom]

If this is some sort of neurological disorder, hopefully the vet will be able to find out exactly what. But no matter the outcome, remember that Shadow may not have enjoyed a life beyond that of puppyhood if not for you and your OH. I'm so sorry that you're going through this...it must be extremely difficult on you both.

I wish I could do more, but all I can offer you is a cyber-((HUG)) and prayers....

[bcmama]

So sorry to hear this happened, hope the other two are alright! I know you will make the best decision for her, and that you ave given her the best chance anyone ever could have.