Behavioral euthanasia: When training failed my dog, I found a solution no one wants to talk about.
SlateLast Christmas morning, I patted my bed, inviting my newly adopted beagle, Bonnie, to jump up and cuddle. Not long afterward—my browser tabs still comprising dog behavior Reddit threads and news stories about Major Biden’s biting incidents—I came across Losing Lulu. “I think it is really hard to find a corner of the internet where people are not cruel, especially when you’re talking about high-stakes events like euthanizing an animal for behavior,” said McMillan, a certified dog behavior consultant with a master’s degree in animal behavior. Alexander often tells her clients, “You need to try everything that’s reasonable for you, not everything.” I thought if I loved Bonnie enough, trained her enough, helped her feel safe enough, she would get better. “Trying is hard, but I think to stop trying is much harder.” Some time after I said goodbye to Bonnie, I took a trip to my parents’ house in Massachusetts.
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