Should Dog Trainers Make the Suggestion to Euthanize a Dog for Behavioral Reasons?

Behavioral euthanasia is a hot topic, but there's a boundary on who should suggest it.

This topic has come up frequently enough recently that I've decided to make a post on it. The answer is:

Absolutely NOT.

If you do not own the dog, then it is NOT your choice to make or even suggest! If a dog trainer suggests death as an option, run, don't walk away.

So what is a dog trainer suppose to do in that situation you ask? As a professional, the trainer should be giving you an evaluation of your dog's behaviors. This includes: poor prognostic indicators, good prognostic indicators, an objective assessment of your dog's behavior during your appointment(s), as well as a list of recommendations of what the dog needs in order to progress forward with his or her life. Note that I said the trainer should be giving you an OBJECTIVE assessment. That means telling you what the dog is doing and what the dog's body language is saying. This should not include subjective terms, labels, or projections of feelings/emotions/personalities from the trainer's head, onto the dog. I cannot tell you how often I read the "assessments" of other dog trainers who basically portray their own personal belief systems and views onto the dog. This only does the dog and the family a huge disservice. And it's always the dog who loses in the end.

Then, it is up to the owner to decide. Not the trainer! Whether that owner be an individual, a family, a shelter, a rescue, or whatever. It's up to them. So what if the owner is thinking about euthanasia and asks for the dog trainer's opinion? We can say, "If I were in this position with my own dog, I would choose xyz because..." but never "You should euthanize." I can agree with a client's decision and let them know they are not making a wrong choice either way if I choose to. But I will not tell them what they should do when it comes to death. See the difference? It's huge. No one really knows what it is like for that owner or family or shelter or rescue to live with that dog on a daily basis except for them. And no one really knows what their environmental limitations are except for them. Finally, no one really knows the extent of their resources either, except for them. That's why it is so important that THEY are the ones to make the decision. Not the dog trainer.

In addition, any dog trainer who is not comfortable working with severe behavior problems, needs to refer to a qualified professional who IS. I have so many clients come to me (thankfully) after someone else recommended euthanasia simply because that person was not qualified to be working with severe behavioral cases. This is a HUGE problem that needs to end. Again, it's the dogs who lose out the most.

So please, if you ask for an assessment from any dog trainer, keep these main points in mind. If you know of anyone getting a behavioral assessment who may be thinking about euthanasia, educate that person so they are prepared. Ask that dog trainer what their assessments consistent of. If it's not the above mentioned, move on. It may save a dog's life and an owner's heartbreak.