Labrador that kills

[Deleted member 995608]

I have three labs (2 males/1 female)

My males are older 9/10 years old but have never been killers per se. I bird hunted with both of them.

My female on the other hand can be aggressive. She constantly hunts, killing every ground squirrel, rabbit etc that enters the 1/8 acre I have fenced off for them. I didn't care much until my lil girls Nigerian goat had a baby.

My female lab was obsessed with the kid from day one. Never left the fence line and would quietly wine for hours on end. We all thought it was some sort of motherly thing. One day I let her in the paddock and she went right for the kid and grabbed it by the throat and tried to kill it. I put my lab on an e-collar for a few weeks in order to keep her away from the fence.

This last Friday, we loaded up and left for our beach house for a few days. Monday morning, I get a call from the family that occasionally runs our business for us to let us know that my female had yet gotten ahold of the the adolescent goat again. I don't know how she got access, nor do they.

Anyway, my ***** did her damage. She ripped out a good sized chunk of the goats hind quarters and severely punctured the throat area. To make a long story short, the goat made it through the night but I ultimately had to take of business this morning.

I know... . It's a goat. But it was my little girls goat. My daughter played with this little s*** everyday and it just killed me having to put it down. I put Autumn on the bus this morning and she thought all was good. Trying to explain to a 6 year old what dad had to do sucked.

Now I got make a decision about the dog. She's good, doesn't fight with my males nor does she bother the two stupid cats my wife has to have. But I have to accept that she does kill other critters without command.

We have two lambs and another goat out for breeding right now. I can only imagine the anxiety my female lab will bring once our critters give birth. I'm afraid it's going to be a re accruing problem.

I know what needs to be done. This is more of a venting than anything else. Today was the first time I think I broke my little girls heart.

 

[Wayne M.]

It's amazing how canines can be trained to live and act under circumstances. Sometimes we don't find out what a dog is made of right away. I know (knew) of about 4 or 5 labs in my life and they were all domesticated or working/ service/ therapy dogs. I understand why they are called retrievers and that was their original job, and even with that, if I understood properly, not to maim. Typically labs have an awesome temperament but I know they (any dog) can be rambunctious when they are young. You didn't say how old the she lab is, but perhaps she's out of the mold. A friend has a pair of dachshunds, both male. One is a big mush, and the other must have lineage going back to Hitler himself. He's an enforcer and acts like a dog 3X his size. Never known to actually attack, but I don't trust him.
When I was young, my Mother bred and showed Poodles. One time she got involved with German Shepards. One of her first tries was a female who wound up trapping my Dad in his lazy boy one Sunday afternoon. I was too young to give full account, but after that the dog was GONE. I know she became part of the NYPD K9 unit.
I guess the warning signs were seen with the she Lab. At least she didn't trap you in your recliner- yet.

 

[MChrist]

You know what they say: When you ask for an opinion, you probably already know the answer but don't want to hear it. A dog that wants to kill is a dog that can't be trusted anymore. I'm sorry.

 

[p-Bar]

I think part of the problem is you have a pack of dogs when this happens they get more aggressive yes even Labs. I had a half choc Lab half Aussie probably best dog ever was not a good retriever though. She went after everything on my 1. 75 ac. too rats, rabbits, skunks, coons. We had gotten some baby chick chickens to raise for eggs and when we had them in the house I would pick up the chicks and put them in the dogs face and would say "nice" would do this day after day . When the birds were old enough they went outside (they would free range the property during the day) My dog would never mess with them in fact the chickens would go after her . Bottom line you have a pack and they are acting accordingly

 

[seafish]

A guy I know had a single female black lab that was aggressive towards other dogs. He did not deal with it well, pretending instead that she was OK, since she was OK with him and people. One time, while he was on vacation with his girlfriend, he left the dog with his girlfriends family to care for. The dog killed one the families smaller dogs while they were gone. Also, I know from my own expereince with two mutts, that once a dog gets a taste for blood (deer in this case cases) they will hunt forever, you jsut can't break them from that taste they have had which brings out he feral in them. Of course, a pack of dogs easily makes the behavior worse.

 

[JJPage]

JHawes

I owned a female Irish Setter that I was very fond of, unfortunately she possessed the same behavior your female Lab is portraying. There are many good dogs out there that deserve your guidance and care, I'm glad you understand what has to be done. Jess

 

[EMAC2]

You know what they say: When you ask for an opinion, you probably already know the answer but don't want to hear it. A dog that wants to kill is a dog that can't be trusted anymore. I'm sorry.

I agree as well. It is sad, but it needs to be done. My son was mauled by a lab - it had injured two other people before and the owner kept it. The dog was trying to kill my son when it was stopped by brute force. Make no mistake; it will happen again... ... ... .



The dog went for his side first (twice, around the liver), then went for his groin (punctured his thigh in one area immediately adjacent to his crotch), and then jumped toward his neck (got the arm instead).

 

[Wayne M.]

So, what makes up a pack? more than 2? EMAC2, sorry to hear what happened.

 

[BarryG]

We had a aussie sheperd mix that was a great dog until one day at a dog park it snatched a little dog by the neck. Fortunately I was right there to pull her right off. after having her two years that was the first time she had ever done anything like that. Honestly didnt think much about it but kept my eye on her and nothing to note. Then approx six monthls later wife was walking the dog on the leash with the daughter who was pushing the stroller with the granddaughter in it and another little yappy dog on leash came up making all kinds of noise and our dog tore the leash out of my wifes hand and tore into it big time. Vet thought she was perhaps protecting the baby from a percieved threat but not so sure after the episode several months earlier. In any case the other owner sued us for vet bills hospital bills for her husband who got bit while trying to get them apart, mental counseling for herself and pay for lost time from work. Ended up costing us about 10 grand. Wife got suspended sentence for what I am not sure to this day, as long as she didnt get in any trouble for a year it would be wiped off the record. My wife has never been in trouble in her life outside of a speeding ticket once. Judge told us 5 sided pen in the yard even though it is fenced, outside of the pen it must be muzzled at all times and if it were to happen again we would be liable for a whole lot more since we now knowingly had a dangerous animal. Needless to say I put her down. I like dogs and all that but wasnt about to put my families financial future in the mouth of a dog.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My labs DIDN'T act in a pack. It was Fallon, my female and acted alone. My males could care less about the flock. I've had them in the paddocks before and the only thing on their mind is to eat as much crap that they can possible lap up.

I know what needs to be done and it will happen in the next few weeks. I felt like the lowest dude on earth yesterday and needed to vent.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Barry, I'm sorry to say this but the reason your wife got hammered is because of the socialist state that you reside in.

JHawes, sucks when you KNOW what has to be done. All part of being a responsible dog owner.

 

[NIsaacs]

I know what needs to be done and it will happen in the next few weeks.

Don't wait, it might be a child next.



Nick

 

[MarkEkberg]

You have made the decision. It sucks. Make sure everyone is involved or you will kick yourself for it later.

When I was 17 my folks put my down down that I had since I was 4. The did it when I was at work one day. never gave me the chance to say goodbye. I have never forgiven them for that and I am now 41.

Just went through putting a dog down in April (for different reasons). My three year old went with us. She loved that dog.

 

[Killgore]

It is a bummer! I can't ever remember not having a dog. In fact, there is one under my feet as I type this post. The consensus among dogs is that they really don't like goats. Why? You'll have to ask the dogs, and most refuse to discuss the matter.



I had a very large billy that wasn't easily intimidated. A pack of four large dogs came down the road and crossed through the fence and started circling old Pete. I grabbed my rifle next to the back door and stepped out on the deck. As I raised my gun, the dogs charged and Pete took off. My police horse Sparks, who was quite well known and respected by the race fans in the North Campground at Talladega, thundered across the pasture kicking and bitting. I was close enough to see the shock, dismay and then terror on their faces as they flew through the fence with their tails between their legs. Pete and Sparks remained inseparable for years until the day they passed on.



But unfortunately, according to my brother-in-law who was a vet and also raised goats, some dogs just don't like goats for their own personal reasons. Sorry.



Ed

 

[JR]

You have made the decision. It sucks. Make sure everyone is involved or you will kick yourself for it later.

When I was 17 my folks put my down down that I had since I was 4. The did it when I was at work one day. never gave me the chance to say goodbye. I have never forgiven them for that and I am now 41.

Just went through putting a dog down in April (for different reasons). My three year old went with us. She loved that dog.

My old man did the same to Me. Grizzly was a large German Shepard my dad brought home when I was in first or second grade. He did not get along with other dogs or very many people but for some reason he took a liking to me and followed me everywhere. He would run beside me on my bicycle when I would ride down the road to my friends house. He went everywhere with me. When I was in school in 11th grade dad had the vet come by and take him away. Just like that no good byes, no warnings. He thought it would be easier on me. How wrong he was.


Mr. Hawes, my condolences on your decision. I'ts never easy for any reason to have to put a family member out. I've gota 13 year old black lab laying at my feet at this moment. He has been here longer than either of my children. I'm sure gonna miss my pal when he goes, we've had a lifetime of good memories together.

 

[Wingate]

OP, how old is the female? Is she fixed?
If shes been killing for very long, its probably too late for her to be around children or docile animals. She may have a life on a farm thats only running cows and/or horses as they will put her in her place if she gets too close.
Sometimes, having one fixed will calm some behavioral issues such as aggression. If you cannot find a place for her to go, I would put her down.

 

[Dl5treez]

Either find her a new home, stop raising goats, or put the dog down.

There may very well be a great home for her just around the corner, hard to say. But, she's always gonna probably want to kill things smaller than her.