How do you know when it is time to put down your dog?

Sounds like it is time

You just know when it's time. I think you know it in your head that it's probably the best thing to do, but it's difficult to silence your heart and let go. Try to think about it from the dog's perspective, he's spent his entire life loving you unconditionally. The most loving thing you can do for him at this stage in his life is to relieve him of his pain.

I'm so sorry. I'm actually getting choked up just thinking about it. I think you know the answer to your question, spacewrangler. Please keep us updated and I promise I'll raise a glass to your furry little guy.

Went through this two weeks ago with our Weimaraner. It is hard to make the call. When the vet said the old boy would be in constant pain, which would get progressively worse, I knew it was time.

Sorry your family will have to go through this. I do have any words that will ease the pain of your loss.

My springer spaniel Eli was let go about seven years ago and I still think about him from time to time. He was my best friend from age eight to twenty two. He had suffered his whole life from horrific allergies, but they were usually somewhat controlled by meds. His last year he took a rapid turn for the worse, and not only was he losing all his fur and his energy, he tore ligaments in both his hind legs. We fixed the first one with surgery, but it took him months to be able to stand up on his own. It was one of the most painful things I've ever had to watch. When the second one tore we knew not to repeat the same mistake. The surgery caused him infinitely more pain than the tear. He eventually got to the point where we just knew we had to end his suffering.

Some people might never understand how I feel but this was one of the most difficult things I've ever gone through, and just typing this out has me literally sitting here at my computer crying like a baby. I can barely get the words out I'm sobbing so hard. I don't give a RIP about anyone who thinks that animals aren't worth this kind of emotional investment. I don't want to know you and I sure as shite don't ever want to think like you.

I have a five year old Basenji mix now, Java, and he is my new best friend. I care for that dog more than I can even express. I will not make the mistakes with him that I made with Eli.

Condolences, that is a rough decision to make. We had to put our family dog down this year. Thankfully my cousin is a vet, and had been around him his entire life, so we had a little extra assistance.

Unfortunately, it does sound like its time.

As others have said, you know when it's time. Dogs have a great ability to power through suffering/pain but when you can tell there is more suffering than joy, then it's time. When the bad days out number the good, it's time.

A year and a half ago, my 13 year old yellow lab got diagnosed with bone cancer in her leg. That dog was basically my child. Vet gave her 3 months. She last 9 months and even though she had a tennis ball size tumor on her leg, she was still running around wagging her tail toward the end. It was almost a miracle but dogs have a habit of playing through pain. Eventually it created a wound that led to a lot of bleeding and we really had no choice. Watching her fade away was one of the toughest things I've ever had to do even though I knew it was the right choice. I'm still not over it.

I feel for you man.

A little over a year ago now, my 5 yo lab/weim mix was diagnosed with cancer that had spread all throughout his lymph nodes and he was given 3 months. He really seemed like he was doing well for 2.9 of them. Still got super pumped when I got home, good appetite, went on walks, etc. Only problem was due to the pressure on his bladder is he would pee inside when he never used to. Overall not too bad.

I came back from work one day and he met me at the door really slowly. It became pretty obvious to me something bad had happened while I was gone, maybe some sort of seizure. Could barely walk, no excitement, just really wasn't himself at all. It was the absolute worst because I had no idea how long he had been like that or what had happened. It was late when I got back so it was too late to do anything so I had to do the best I could with him that night and try and make him comfortable. The next day, I had to take him down to my parents house three hours south of Atlanta and we had our family vet put him down.

I know your circumstances different and your dog doesn't have any terminal illness other than a good long life. I got a golden when I was 4 and he lived about 13 years. I say all this because I just remember how terrible I felt and still feel that I let it get to that point. I never did the "big day" for him. I wanted to act like nothing was happening and expected some kind of slow decline. I still don't know when the "right" time is, I think it is still a personal decision, but I know I personally can't let it get to that point again because it devastated me and I felt like a POS. Still feel guilty because he was my best friend.

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I still don't know when the "right" time is, I think it is still a personal decision, but I know I personally can't let it get to that point again because it devastated me and I felt like a POS. Still feel guilty because he was my best friend.

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This is exactly how I feel. Never again - I just can't do it to another dog. Or to myself.

I feel like a piece of shite when I think about how selfish I was, even though I told myself I was taking care of him.

Yeah, stay in the room with them even if it's tough. You owe it to them for sticking by your side.

We did it at the vet. Carrying her out of the house and riding in the back seat with her as our other dog looked out the window of the house was heartbreaking. Watching the vet make the injection was heartbreaking. Leaving the room knowing I'd never see that face again was heartbreaking. However that heartbreak was still worth it because of the joy she brought me. I'd hate to know that she was with a stranger in her last moments.