Puppy Forum and Dog Forums banner

Aggressive Toy Dog? Medicate, Adopt or Put Down

601 views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  WonderBreadDots 
#1 ·
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!
 
See less See more
#3 ·
Agree with the above.

Look, you can't medicate a dog into compliance. Resource guarding like you describe is treatable, and Prozac might help if he's overall an anxious dog, but there's no magic bullet for behavioral problems. Someone will need to spend a lot of time and effort teaching this dog better ways to behave, and they're going to have to use positive methods, not Cesar Milan nonsense.
 
#6 ·
Well, if you want to medicate the dog, you will need to take the dog to the vet and the vet can prescribe medications. Honestly, you will have a hard time placing the dog you described with anyone other than family or friends. A trainer who worked with the dog would be the best resource for what to do next about placement.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top