The Harlster

Hi I recently put up a post about my Beagle x Spaniel having severe mental health issues and how hard it is for me. I just want to say thank you to everyone that replied, but for some reason I cannot reply to your posts, which is why I have made a new one. I am very new to this Forum and maybe it is me that is doing something wrong, but I cannot see where I can reply to anyone.

Hi Scratch, Thank you for your reply. I have had Harley vet checked for pain and there is no pain suggested anywhere in his body. He has had blood tests and scans and there is nothing apparent physically wrong with him. That is what is making this decision so hard.

Hi Rebanne, How old was your doggie, when you had to have her put down? I am not saying that makes it an easier. It is just that my little man is only 10 months old. I was up all night again with him last night with his weird nocturnal wanderings and chewing stuff up. This is such a hard decision.

Hi, I think I probably need people to talk with to help me put things into perspective. I have a 10 month old Beagle x who I have had from 8 weeks of age. I sensed when I first got him that something wasn't quite right. I know puppies are rough players and nip, but this was next level and he wasn't a cuddly, loving puppy. He didn't sleep anymore than about 8 hours in a 24 hour period. I was hoping some training would sort some of his issues, so at 12 weeks we entered a 5 week basic training course. He learnt a lot, but his behaviour didn't improve and he wouldn't sleep. It wasn't just the fact that he didn't sleep he would pace the house all night, scratching on doors, going outside and finding things to bring inside to chew up and all of this at 1 or 2, 3 or 4 am. He also has this weird behaviour where he will lurch at me and bite, for no apparent reason, no warning and therefore no prediction that it is going to happen. If he is doing something wrong (like chewing chunks out of my coffee table) and I try to distract him or stop him from doing that he will lurch at me and try to bite. I have taken him to several vets and he has been placed on medications for anxiety. I tried another trainer behaviourist who gave me positive reinforcement and distraction training methods to use on him. The medication and training has not made a scrap of difference. He is unpredictable, has nocturnal wanderings and is very destructive. I recently took him back to the vet who had a good long chat with me and also referred me to a Vet Behaviourist (animal psychiatrist). I praise that vet for her kindness and empathy, but most of all honesty. She said that I have done an amazing job with my dog he is well trained despite his mental health issues which are very complex. She felt that there is no cure for this and it will not be just a 3 or even 5 year thing, it will be a lifelong battle. I need to consider euthenasia as an option as his mind is very active and troubled and he cannot stop this behaviour, nor can he help it. I spoke with the animal psychiatrist who more or less said the same thing, she also said it is nothing I have done, that it is most likely hereditary or something has happened to him at birth or with the litter. What is also very worrying is he launched at my 2.5 year old granddaughters face yesterday. Despite all of this he is a gorgeous dog who sometimes is quite normal and he loves his walks. I am really lost as to what to do for the best. It is really strange that a few years ago I had a dog with Cancer that I had to have put to sleep and although it was heart wrenching I didn't question that decision because he was suffering. Why am I questioning putting this dog to sleep? Mental Health Issues are still an illness, but I can't make the difficult decision to have him put to rest. Please help. Is there anyone out there in a similar situation? I really do not know what to do. I love him so much.