Behavioral Euthanasia
Behavioral Euthanasia Resources
General BE Resources
Losing Lulu (website)
Losing Lulu (Facebook Group) Behavioral Euthanasia grief support group
Harsh Truths and Difficult Choices
No, It’s Not All How They’re Raised
Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center Behavioral Euthanasia Guide
Behavioral Euthanasia: Forgiving Yourself for Not Walking on Water
When Love Means Letting Go (Podcast Episode)
When Should an Aggressive Dog Be Euthanized?
Shelter-Specific Resources
https://www.aspcapro.org/animal-shelter-pathway-planning
The Perils of Placing Marginal Dogs
Consulting- Trish McMillan, Shelter Behavior Hub
Short Course: Approaching the Hardest Choice
Behavioral Euthanasia Process and Preparation
“Chill” protocol for pre-visit pharmaceuticals
Lap of Love Tips and Tricks for Behavioral Euthanasia Appointments
Alternative routes for pre-euthanasia sedation
Sleeping Beauty; Pre-sedation protocols
The Final Gift: Ensuring a Peaceful Behavioural Euthanasia
Citations and References
Hitchcock, M., Workman, M.K., Guthrie, A.P., Ruple, A., Feuerbacher, E.N. Factors associated with behavioral euthanasia in pet dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024). https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1387076
Other citations:
Anderson, K. H., Yao, Y., Perry, P. J., Albright, J. D., & Houpt, K. A. (2022). Case Distribution, Sources, and Breeds of Dogs Presenting to a Veterinary Behavior Clinic in the United States from 1997 to 2017. Animals, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050576
Bamberger, M., & Houpt, K. A. (2006). Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in dogs: 1,644 Cases (1991-2001). In Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (Vol. 229, Issue 10). https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.229.10.1591
Bennett, P. C., & Rohlf, V. I. (2007). Owner-companion dog interactions: Relationships between demographic variables, potentially problematic behaviours, training engagement and shared activities. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 102(1–2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.03.009
Blackshaw, J. K. (1991). An overview of types of aggressive behaviour in dogs and methods of treatment. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 30(3–4). https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1591(91)90140-S
Borchelt, P. L. (1983). Aggressive behavior of dogs kept as companion animals: Classification and influence of sex, reproductive status and breed. Applied Animal Ethology, 10(1–2). https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3762(83)90111-6
Boyd, C., Jarvis, S., McGreevy, P. D., Heath, S., Church, D. B., Brodbelt, D. C., & O’Neill, D. G. (2018). Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Animal Welfare, 27(3). https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.27.3.251
Buller, K., & Ballantyne, K. C. (2020). Living with and loving a pet with behavioral problems: Pet owners’ experiences. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2020.04.003
Coe, J. B., Young, I., Lambert, K., Dysart, L., Nogueira Borden, L., & Rajić, A. (2014). A Scoping Review of Published Research on the Relinquishment of Companion Animals. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2014.899910
Col, R., Day, C., & Phillips, C. J. C. (2016). An epidemiological analysis of dog behavior problems presented to an Australian behavior clinic, with associated risk factors. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.07.001
Didehban, N., Pourmahdi Borujeni, M., Avizeh, R., & Mosallanejad, B. (2020). Problematic behaviors in companion dogs: A survey of their prevalence and associated factors. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2020.06.003
Edney, A. T. B. (1998). Reasons for the euthanasia of dogs and cats. Veterinary Record, 143(4). https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.143.4.114
Gorodetsky, E. (1997). Epidemiology of dog and cat euthanasia across Canadian prairie provinces. The Canadian
Veterinary Journal. La Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne, 38(10).
Grigg, E. K. (2019). Helping Clients Facing Behavior Problems in Their Companion Animals. In Clinician’s Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-812962-3.00016-2
Grigg, E. K., & Donaldson, T. M. C. (2019). Helping clients cope with grief associated with euthanasia for behavior problems. In Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429505201-15
Guy, N. C., Luescher, U. A., Dohoo, S. E., Spangler, E., Miller, J. B., Dohoo, I. R., & Bate, L. A. (2001a). A case series of biting dogs: Characteristics of the dogs, their behaviour, and their victims. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 74(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00155-1
Guy, N. C., Luescher, U. A., Dohoo, S. E., Spangler, E., Miller, J. B., Dohoo, I. R., & Bate, L. A. (2001b). Demographic and aggressive characteristics of dogs in a general veterinary caseload. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 74(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00153-8
Haug, L. (2011a, November 1). Treat or euthanize? Putting it all together: Prognostic indicators. DVM 360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/treat-or-euthanize-putting-it-all-together-prognostic-indicators
Haug, L. (2011b, October 31). Treat or euthanize? Helping owners make critical decisions regarding pets with behavior problems. DVM 360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/treat-or-euthanize-helping-owners-make-critical-decisions-regarding-pets-with-behavior-problems
Kuntz, K., Ballantyne, K. C., Cousins, E., & Spitznagel, M. B. (2023). Assessment of Caregiver Burden in Owners of Dogs with Behavioral Problems and Factors Related to its Presence. Journal of Veterinary Behavior (64-65), 41-46.
O’Neill, D. G., Church, D. B., McGreevy, P. D., Thomson, P. C., & Brodbelt, D. C. (2013). Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England. Veterinary Journal, 198(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.020
Pegram, C., Gray, C., Packer, R. M. A., Richards, Y., Church, D. B., Brodbelt, D. C., & O’Neill, D. G. (2021). Proportion and risk factors for death by euthanasia in dogs in the UK. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88342-0
Pugliese, M., Falcone, A., Alibrandi, A., Zirilli, A., & Passantino, A. (2022). Risk factors regarding dog euthanasia and causes of death at a veterinary teaching hospital in Italy: Preliminary results. Veterinary Sciences, 9(10), 554. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100554
Reisner, I. R., Erb, H. N., & Houpt, K. A. (1994). Risk factors for behavior-related euthanasia among dominant-aggressive dogs: 110 cases (1989-1992). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 205(6).
Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Tiira, K., Araujo, C., & Lohi, H. (2020). Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z
Siracusa, C., Provoost, L., & Reisner, I. R. (2017). Dog- and owner-related risk factors for consideration of euthanasia or rehoming before a referral behavioral consultation and for euthanizing or rehoming the dog after the consultation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.09.007
Stead, A. C. (1982). Euthanasia in the dog and cat. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1982.tb01633.x
Takeuchi, Y., Ogata, N., Houpt, K. A., & Scarlett, J. M. (2001). Differences in background and outcome of three behavior problems of dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 70(4), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00156-8
Yu, Y., Wilson, B., Masters, S., van Rooy, D., & McGreevy, P. D. (2021). Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged three years under attending primary-care veterinary practices in Australia. Animals, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020493