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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:15:42 PM EST
My dog is old and needs to be put down soon, I live in the city. I would much rather do it myself then take it to the pound and have its last moments being scared. What is the best way to do this? I have no experience with doing something like this. Would a .22 close range be my best choice? Thanks for the help...
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:17:06 PM EST
[#1]
Yes. 22 in the ear, or between the eyes, up one inch. I for one, commend you for doing it yourself, but you'd better put your flame suit on.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:18:14 PM EST
[#2]
Just make sure you can deal with such a thing. It's very much akin to zapping a best friend because he's old. Good luck to ya.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:19:21 PM EST
[#3]
this won't be good.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:21:34 PM EST
[#4]
I don't have a problem with doing it yourself but, I've been told that some vets will make a house call to help you out.
Hope you have your flame suit on. ETA- Do you have a neighbor or friend that could help you out? |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:22:57 PM EST
[#5]
It sucks to have to put our dogs down. I'm wondering if perhaps you could give it some type of sedative first to make it sleep and then do the finishing work.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:23:38 PM EST
[#6]
Pre-dig a hole.
Put an open can of tuna in the hole. Take your buddy for a walk, and as he is enjoying the tuna shoot him where the spinal cord enters the skull, contact shot. Lights out, no pain, while enjoying a special treat with his master. Best possible end in the world. Fill the hole and cry a little if you need to. Do not freak out and miss. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:23:46 PM EST
[#7]
Yeah. 22. It's more humane than the chemicals the vet would use, according to those nuts at PETA.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:24:23 PM EST
[#8]
I can vividly remember one of the only times I saw my father cry.
I had gone out to see "Macho" in his kennel. He was very old. I lifted up an ear and saw that they were full of maggots and Macho wasn't able to move. My dad got the .22 and ended his suffering. Macho was one of the best duck dogs I had EVER hunted with. Just thinking about it now makes me tear up. Man, was he a great dog. 
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:24:42 PM EST
[#9]
A benadryl in hamburger works. Seriously. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:25:09 PM EST
[#10]
There is no reason to flame this guy. His concerns are valid about the dogs last few moments being terrified at the vets office. I put down my dog two years ago. I had that dog for 16 years and putting her down was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Make sure you can handle the emotions after you pull the trigger before you decide on this option.
ETA: As I result I have not shot the gun I used to put her down since. I honestly don't even like to handle it. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:25:42 PM EST
[#11]
Vets will come to your house and put it down peacefully if you wish.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:26:19 PM EST
[#12]
Dude... you might want to reconsider this very carefully. It's not likely to be as quick as you think, and do you really want your last mental image of your beloved pet to be that of him laying there with a GSW?
There are vets that will come to your house and perfrom their services... I'm looking into it for my 19-year old cat (I know, ARF hates cats). You might want to look into this... Sorry to hear about your dog. I know how it feels.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:27:45 PM EST
[#13]
Yup. We had to put our cat down due to cancer this year. He was gone in between one breath and the next. Went to sleep and never woke up. If you fuck up with the pistol, you'll really regret it. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:29:37 PM EST
[#14]
I'd use something a bit heavier than a .22, have in fact. I'd worry more about putting the dog down clean than any potential mess...shotgun/00 would be my choice.
Take the dog somewhere nice, play with it, dig a hole, give dog his favorite treat, put a round through the brain before he finishes. I went ahead and planned on a second shot going in, wasn't needed but something semi auto might be the best choice. You don't want to be working a bolt while your friend is flopping around you know? A Saiga 12 is perfect for the job. It will most likely twitch, it will tear your heart out. Good luck. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:31:35 PM EST
[#15]
okay, here's the only good answer.
grill your dog some steak, salmon, chicken, ect... and just let him eat until he can't take anymore. dogs love to be overfull, and it'll make him real happy. make a little mashed potatoes and ask the vet what amount of painkiller would be good to just relax him but not make him sick. wait until the dog is snuggled up in his favorite chair/ect. and he's real comfortable and let the vet do the injection. the most cruel thing you can do is make your best friend shiver in fear in a cold sterile vet office and be stabbed by some stranger. and don't shoot it in the head. what if you chicken out at the last minute and miss the sweet-spot and he suffers the worst pain he's ever felt? that would be fucking traumatic |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:32:36 PM EST
[#16]
I have .22, 9mm, and .357 mag... I think a rifle will be to much. I would not like to see half his face missing. It is a bulldog, i believe they do have very thick skulls. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:33:06 PM EST
[#17]
I have done this, and I don't really recommend it. I've told this story before, but here goes...
I had a dog that needed to be put down. I was living in Alaska. I was broke. I was heartbroken before I even began the final process. Big Mistake #1. I dug the hole while the dog watched. This took a while, as the dog was not exactly small. After the hole was ready, I got my shotgun, stuffed two shells in the tube (just in case) and went back to the hole with the dog. I didn't really plan it, but the dog sat down right next to the hole with her back to the hole and looking right at me. I chambered a shell and put the muzzle about 6" from her skull. She was looking right at me. I pulled the trigger. A 1/2 hole appeared in the dogs skull. The dog fell/was blown in to the hole. As she hit the bottom of the hole she exhaled for the last time and went limp. I don't think a single shot (birdshot, FWIW) exited her body. I carried the shotgun back into the house after emptying it. I walked back out to the hole and covered the dog. One of the worst days of my life, by far. I'd advise you to make damned sure that you really want to do this yourself. There are probably better ways. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:36:00 PM EST
[#18]
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:36:25 PM EST
[#19]
I think this is the only answer out there. If you're hurting for money, talking to the vet may draw some sympathy. I'd go with the quoted for my buddy. The only way I'd shoot him is if he was attacking a child, which is highly unlikely. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:38:50 PM EST
[#20]
meh, I still feel like evil shit for putting my dog down at the vets, I gave the dog a big scoop of peanut butter first, dog liked peanut butter.  Sorry to hear about your dog, most dogs are worth far more than alot of people... |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:39:21 PM EST
[#21]
I've done it. I won't do it again if I can help it.
Thank God my best buddy came over right after I pulled the trigger and offered to bury him for me. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:39:54 PM EST
[#22]
+1 to this.. No flame here.. He is your family, not a farm animal (truly a major difference when putting a food animal down)When you have options other than a bullet. Take him to a vet or have a vet come to you. He should die in your arms or lap this is where he will be most comfortable. Bullet to the head does not necessarily mean DRT you may have to follow up with several more shots. Are you prepared to do/deal with this? I've trapped alot of coyotes and foxes in my youth and used my Colt woodsmen to down them not all were DRT. Same with getting a goat ready for the BBQ pit they make a gutteral sound with a 22 thru the brain ear to ear. Something to really think about.. Peace ST~ |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:41:39 PM EST
[#23]
We had our vet come out to our house to put down our yellow lab, she was my best friend
She had some condition where the sac around the heart would fill up with fluid and put pressure on the heart, would have to be drained every couple weeks. She was 7 years old.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:42:29 PM EST
[#24]
I don't think I would like to see some of the things that can happen with a GSW.. To a pet that is...
Possibility of a LARGE amount of blood exiting the GSW.. The first few pumps can be pretty powerful.. The twitching and uncontrolled muscle movements that come with a damaged CNS... Hunting, varminting, and culling no problem... A pet.. No way. Have the vet come over. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:44:10 PM EST
[#25]
I highly recommend having your vet, or a vet come out and do this. We had our vet come out, accually it was our equine vet, and she was put down in her favorite spot to sleep. I dug the hole earlier in the day, and we put her in there with her blanket and ball-her favorite toy. It was very hard to see it, but much better than doing it myself. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:44:28 PM EST
[#26]
I've done it multiple times, and guess what, their last moments they are scared no matter how you do it. they know somethings up, I can promise you that.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:45:18 PM EST
[#27]
To much gun would be way better then wounding him.
I shot my last dog with a shotgun but your right when you said it doesn't look good |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:48:56 PM EST
[#28]
If you do it, don't tell anyone. I think it's a serious offense now-adays.
 My dad had to put down one of our dogs. The vet suggested that the entire family take some sort of therapy afterwards. 
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:50:13 PM EST
[#29]
Good luck, a .22 will do it but its no fun. I took my old boy to the vet, left him in the car and held him when the vet did the deed. I'm a coward. I tried to be brave. My vet [whom I'm very close too] kept looking at me to see how I'm doing and I finally started bawling and told him I'm not as tough as I look and he hugged me and told me I was just fine.
Anyway, give your old dogger a hug for me. Its sad to see them go. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:55:28 PM EST
[#30]
you'd be better served by taking you dog to the vet and be with him from beginning to end.
ive done it. I sat with my dogs during the entire procedure start to finish and made sure they were not scared or in pain as they slipped away. I love my dogs far too much to do it any other way |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:56:34 PM EST
[#31]
Do the right thing and get it put to sleep properly by a vet.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:57:27 PM EST
[#32]
I had to put down my basset hound last October. I still miss her and it's making me cry just typing this out and thinking about it. My last sight of her twitching and the noise it made as her nails slid on the ground is still stuck in my head. I hate it. I hate the fact that it springs into my mind when I think of my little girl. I hate the fact that when I look at a picture of her I think of what I had to do. I've put down pets for other people and never thought twice about it and slept fine that night. Think long and hard about the effect that shooting somebody that you love very much will have on you in the long term. Give some thought to having a buddy do it for you. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 7:57:47 PM EST
[#33]
If bringing the Vet over is an option financially, I believe it to be a good one. If you can avoid having to shoot your dog it will be better for you emotionally then and in the future.
If shooting is the best option, please make sure you use enough gun, as mentioned earlier. I personally put down a mixed breed lab and utilized my Beretta with a Hydrashok, 147gr 9mm. It was a head shot and done in the evening so I didn't have to see much blood. Sorry to detail it too much, but these are things you'll eventually remember and limiting blood and potential suffering were factors I considered. While some recommend a shot to the torso, I'd still suggest the head. Its quicker in several respects, which I won't detail. No doubt this is a difficult time for you and your family. If possible, I sincerely recommend a Vet experienced in these matters. Its also reassuring having a professional there to validate your decision. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:08:28 PM EST
[#34]
i cant quote this enough |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:15:10 PM EST
[#35]
You care about the poor dog? Pay a few bucks and have a vet do it right. How will you ever sleep again if you fuck it up, and the poor thing looks back at you in agony, bewilderment, and betrayal? |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:19:07 PM EST
[#36]
I wouldnt have the balls to do it myself. In addition, if you were old and feeble, would you want someone to "take you out back"? Give the dog some good food and let him do as he wishes.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:19:52 PM EST
[#37]
+1. Recommend this. If something were to happen and you didn't have a good first shot it would ruin you. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:21:29 PM EST
[#38]
I offer sympathy to you. This sucks big time. Last time I had a dog put down I was in the 6th grade, I still remember that night, like I said it sucked.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:22:02 PM EST
[#39]
What about carbon monoxide? This will likely get me flamed but what if i left my dog in the garage with a steak, her bed, and favorite toy, with a car running inside. Doesn't carbon monoxide just make you fall asleep and never wake up?
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:25:49 PM EST
[#40]
yup...my Corgi got the shakes when the Vet got the needle ready... |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:27:38 PM EST
[#41]
I've done it myself because I felt that I couldn't let someone else do it.
So I dug a hole, gave him a nice meal, walked him out into the woods and when he was looking away I hit him in the base of the neck where the brain meets the spinal cord. (Used a .45) I think he knew what was going to happen, but he just looked away because he probably knew I couldn't do it with him looking at me. He fell right over, I picked him up and put him in the hole and filled it in. I will never do this again. It is nerve racking. If I had missed a little bit, he would have suffered terribly. On top of no longer having my dog, I also just killed him. It was out of love and mercy, but I killed him. If you really want to do it. Make sure you don't miss, dig the hole first and dig it deep, you don't want anything digging up your beloved pet. A handgun is fine to use, but don't use anything too small, the potential for him to suffer is too great and you don't want to over do it. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:30:48 PM EST
[#42]
If you think you can do it, go for it. Ive had to experience it a couple times and just thinkin about makes you all sad and such. But it has to be done sometimes.
On a second note, when a dog attacks you and you shoot it, there is no regret  I would use something bigger than 22. Some dogs are alot tougher than you think. Had to put down a dauchsund for a neighbor, dug hole, sat it inside. POP with 22 right in the top of the head. It just sat there and looked at me. POP again, fell over.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:36:29 PM EST
[#43]
This is your choice to make and to live with. I like other posters here have done this, I use to live in the southern Indiana State Forrest and people were constantly dropping dogs out there. They would eventually start hanging around the house and my dad would have none of it. It was always my duty wich sucked. Now that I am older there is absolutley no way that I could take this course of action again. It does not matter the cost, I know there are vets that will do what the above posters suggested, I have already looked in to this for our Lab who is blind and mostly deaf.
I ask myself this question "If given the choice how would I want to go? bullet in the head or that nice warm stoned feeling and then night night." Just my .02 |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:38:58 PM EST
[#44]
Dont shoot your dog. If you truly care for it, the image will haunt you. Dont make your last moments with your friend loud and bloody.
Others have said it, vets make house calls for this and many will do it very affordably and it will be much more peaceful for both of you. Either way, I dont envy your task. My 5 year old American Bull Dog is my best buddy.....I know the day will come when Im stuck with the same situation, Im not looking forward to it. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:46:50 PM EST
[#45]
have a vet come to your house man... don't shoot it
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:48:05 PM EST
[#46]
I did it one time had to shoot twice and she seemed to know what i was doing when i set her out ,she deserved better than that it was brutal but had to be done she was suffering from cancer, i think about it often this was in 1984 take her to the vet.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:51:17 PM EST
[#47]
I would bet that a larger handgun round like .45 is a good alternative to going to a rifle caliber. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:51:23 PM EST
[#48]
Call the vet. I had a pup that got hit by a car, and was in really bad shape. Borrowed a shotgun from a guy to finish off the dog in the planter alongside the road, as he was in incredible pain. The shotgun did the job (a little too well), and I wouldn't recommend it. Had the vet do the next one, and it was much better. I did make her give him a sedative before giving the kill shot, in order to make sure he just drifted off. I will do it the same next time, and won't shoot another one of my dogs.
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Posted: 9/16/2008 8:56:42 PM EST
[#49]
This may or may not be true, depending on the individual. I for sure would not reccomend this to the faint of heart. That being said, I cared for my dogs very much, and it wasn't easy to put them down, but I saw the situation as what was best for them. The pain I felt was not near the pain they felt during their last few months. I actually found some satisfaction in putting my dogs down myself. Thats not to say I'm some sick individual, its just that I was their caretaker, I was their friend, I was their work partner, I saw it only fit that I put them down instead of a stranger. |
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Posted: 9/16/2008 9:38:06 PM EST
[#50]
Not flaming you here, but CO poisoning is very, very unreliable. NO COMPARISONS ARE BEING MADE HERE... but history tells us that the Nazis tried this to kill their concentration camp victims, and the practice was quickly abandoned since it was so unreliable. |
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