It is the kind of heartbreak no dog owner ever wants to experience: holding a beloved pet in their final moments, not because of illness or age but because coexisting has become dangerous. For Tom and Zay, it came on a rainy June morning in 2024, after years of trying to manage their Wheaten Terrier, Mr Pickles. Adopted as a puppy during the Covid lockdown, he had gone from a clumsy, adored companion to a dog whose sudden, unstoppable rage had left them bruised, bruised, and in constant fear.
They weren’t alone. Briony and Harry’s rescue dog Neo too had started life as a happy addition to their family. But as he matured, in grew his lunges, nips, and possessiveness – including a move to try to attack their new baby. All four couples tried everything: multiple trainers, meds, changes in the environment. And still, the aggression continued. Rehoming wasn’t an option; the homes these dogs would require were so unusual they were called “unicorn” situations.
The Royal Veterinary College reports that in one year, 91.5% of dog deaths involved euthanasia, and “undesirable behaviour” is now one of the top reasons, especially in dogs under three. Most people don’t anticipate that when they get their puppy, that in three years they might put it to sleep because they’re aggressive, says Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour. “It’s unthinkable for the average owner, but it’s wildly common.”
The lockdown puppy boom had some very concerning fallout. Studies showed that puppies born during lockdown tended to miss crucial windows of socialization and, as adults, were more likely to develop fear, anxiety, and aggression problems. An Italian study has just found that these “puppy lockdown” dogs scored a lot higher for fear and aggression traits than dogs born once restrictions had been lifted. Without early socialization to humans, other animals, and new environments, many never learned how to cope with everyday stressors.
Recognizing the various warning signals of stress like lip licking, yawning, ears pinned back, or a tucked tail can mean life. As Dr Packer tells us, dogs will hardly ever bite “out of the blue.” They express discomfort far ahead of anything getting out of hand, but if those cues are punished or dismissed, they will figure that biting is the only means of making a threat disappear.
This is where training methods come into huge importance. The industry is not regulated, and methods are all over the map. Some trainers continue to advocate for aversive aids such as shock or prong collars, but science makes it clear: these tools add stress and can exacerbate aggression. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior explains, “There is no role for aversive training in behavior modification plans.” Indeed, a major welfare study found that dogs trained using aversive techniques displayed more frequent stress behaviours and higher cortisol levels than dogs trained with reward-based methods.
It is important to select a competent, ethical trainer. Look for qualifications from established bodies; ask about their methodology, ensuring they use positive reinforcement rewards for desired behaviors (with treats, toys, or praise) and management of the environment to avoid unwanted ones being rewarded. According to behaviorist Jade Nicholas, punishment does not resolve issues-it makes them worse.
For owners in trouble already, professional help has to start with a vet examination to rule out pain or illness and then referral to a qualified behaviourist. The sooner intervention starts, the better: the longer a behaviour has been practised, the more challenging it is to reverse. And while nothing can be “cured” in every case, there are many that can be safely controlled with the right mix of training, environmental modification, and sometimes medication.
The psychological burden of living with an aggressive dog is huge. Owners in the RVC’s pandemic puppy study experiencing multiple types of aggression reported feeling less emotionally attached to their animals and more stressed by ownership. That stress and fatigue can wear down the human-animal bond, making the sad choice of euthanasia more likely.
But there is hope in prevention: pre-planning for the lifetime requirements of a dog before adoption, early and continued socialization, and making an investment in humane, science-based training can go a long way toward the prevention of serious behavior problems. As RVC’s Dr Dan O’Neill says, Spend months or years planning how and where to get your new and well-socialised dog and follow this with patient and positive training it may not be rocket science but it is very good dog welfare science.
For Tom, Zay, Briony and Harry, those last few days with Mr Pickles and Neo were spent surrounded by love – beach walks, green fields, favourite treats. They decided to let their dogs go quietly, holding on to the times when they were just happy together. Yet however profound their own loss, both couples tell their tales in the hope others will never be in the same position.
