A relative has a Shitzu type dog that has an aggressive side to eat. He is very protective of it's primary care giver, a senior man. He can be aggressive toward others and has bitten a neighbor and is currently under 10 day home quarantine.
I had previously suggested they look for a medicine, such as lithium to make the dog more docile and kind of "take the edge" off of it's aggressive nature.
Now they are concerned they could end up having to put the dog down. He's about a 6 YO Shitzu and is otherwise very loving and sweet dog.
1) what medication could be used in a case like this to continually add to food, for example, in order to continually alter the dogs personality and make him more gentle?
2) If they are forced to get rid of him (hopefully not forced to destroy him) how could we find someone, given he's a cute, loving dog to his primary care giver? He'd be fine, with one person, but doesn't do well attempting to socialize him with others. The dog currently lives in central Florida, area.
Any suggestions. Putting the dog down would break some people's hearts. I wish they had pursued the medication angle before this happened, as the dog has given warnings before that he could be aggressive and unpredictable around other people. But what medication to try? Or where to take him to re-adopt him?
Thanks!
I had previously suggested they look for a medicine, such as lithium to make the dog more docile and kind of "take the edge" off of it's aggressive nature.
Now they are concerned they could end up having to put the dog down. He's about a 6 YO Shitzu and is otherwise very loving and sweet dog.
1) what medication could be used in a case like this to continually add to food, for example, in order to continually alter the dogs personality and make him more gentle?
2) If they are forced to get rid of him (hopefully not forced to destroy him) how could we find someone, given he's a cute, loving dog to his primary care giver? He'd be fine, with one person, but doesn't do well attempting to socialize him with others. The dog currently lives in central Florida, area.
Any suggestions. Putting the dog down would break some people's hearts. I wish they had pursued the medication angle before this happened, as the dog has given warnings before that he could be aggressive and unpredictable around other people. But what medication to try? Or where to take him to re-adopt him?
Thanks!