I would have the vet do it, preferably in your woods. I'm getting soft in my old age and don't think I could pull the trigger anymore.

Don't do it near where the other dogs live, they can smell death.

For the first of our Rottweilers to get cancer the vet came to the house. The vet knew what a great dog he was and had said when we were ready he could come over. All I had to do was stop by his office, and with tears in my eyes already I just said "it's time." He said he would be over after they closed for the day. He came by and gave the shot and the dog passed peacefully. We never even got a bill.

I have done it the other way too, myself, with a .22. It's not easy either way, but when they are suffering you owe it to them to make it stop.

Sorry to hear this I hope you find your peace but it’s never easy.

Never had to cross that bridge, not sure what to tell you, take to the vet and have them come out to the parking lot perhaps? Sorry you're having to deal with this.

Regardless of how good your shot it the twitching always makes you worried they are feeling something even though they are not. They always get 2 at different angled to the head and one to the chest quickly. The segmented .22 hp are nice they come apart and do their job nicely with out making a large mess. Had to put one of my step moms cats down yesterday and used them.

I just had cancer removed from my 8 year old Germany shepherd. I debated about spend so much on an old dog that was showing signs her hips were bothering her also and that the cancer likely has allready spread.

She is doing well now but I'm not looking forward to taking her for her last walk in the yard. Even considering taking her to the vet or having it done here but will likely do it myself here un pland when I decide its time if I'm home. If I'm gonna at work I will leave and come home or the wife will have the vet come. Only seems right for it to be by my hand though.

There is not easy way, your choice everyone has there own special way to treat these conditions. Yes very depressing thread. we've all been through this and it hurts. do what you feel is best......jk

I had to do it a couple times with dogs I loved.
Take the dog out for a walk like you are going hunting,
Then one 22mag to the back of the head and one to the heart when the dog goes down.-instant.
Tough emotionally for a while but the best thing to do.
It is your responsibility to accept in my opinion.

My vet came to my house twice. She put what looked like a i-v needle in the lower leg. Then the next day she came back, and while I was feeding Bo a special treat of raw elk burger she injected whatever it is they use into the i-v port.

I have done it both ways, even a few for other people, I always felt it was my responsibility to do it myself, do something they love and end it on a high note....but....it's hard, especially as I get older. My wife doesn't approve either.
All my dogs are gone now, my wife has a few Pekingese's and as they fail, we bring them to the vet. That's hard too...even though they do an excellent job. It wasn't always that way, Vet's now have upped their game.

There is no easy answer, it's a tough personal decision.

On a slightly different note, I notice with a pack of dogs that some notice and really miss their mates, I've lately let them visit and sniff the departed member, sort of like a dog wake. I think it helps the dogs, but who really knows?

Good luck with whatever you choose, there's no right or wrong.

I’ve had the vet both do it in my living room and at their office on my tailgate. Anyway you do it, it’s brutal and I’m sorry you have to do it. I can’t shoot a good dog and with the vets method, they just drifted off peacefully.

Not to make light of the situation, but one time I was visiting a guy that bear hunted with hounds. He had a fur hat hanging in his living room I couldn’t identify. He told me he had a Plott hound that was an absolute cull and he hated him. His buddy volunteered to do the dirty deed. Some months later a package showed up at the guys house with a hat his buddy had had made out of that worthless cull, so there it hung. That’s quite a prank!

Not reading through just because it hurts.

When it came time to put Luke Dawg down we picked a day and made it about him. I mean we went for a ride at some of the ponds we hunted in the past.
Went through town and stopped at a DQ and got him a plain hamburger.
We had a tent set up where he’d lay in the evenings out under the River Birch in the front yard and most of the neighbors and family came over to say their last goodbyes.
I’d talked to his vet and told him I couldn’t bring him and his last thoughts was being there and my vet agreed to come to the house.
When he arrived most left except for our immediate family.
We all said our last goodbyes as the vet injected him. He literally died in my arms what seemed as peaceful as one could imagine.
The vet gave us a little while and even sat around as we told stories of memories we all had with him. When we were done he and an assistant loaded him up and took him to the crematory.
Now it may sound strange to have an animal cremated, but I had plans for his ashes.
When I got the ashes back, my future daughter in law painted Luke’s name, birthdate and the day he died on there. I sent these to my buddies and asked them to spread his ashes the next duck season and send me dirt from where he was scattered. They all agreed and complied with my wishes. I have dirt from Canada, SD, LA, SC, FL, MS, and AR. All sent hand written notes as well.
To me that was as much of a tribute that I could possibly give.

I’m very sorry you have to make this decision. I have always used a vet. I would rather have seen about 98% of my relatives go before any of my dogs. Sucks.

I have the vet come to the house where the dog is comfortable and give her an injection. I have five female yellow labs buried at the edge of my pasture against the woods where I can see the graves from the house. It's always tough but the time does come. I just like to have the dog as comfortable as possible.

Its not easy, but I do it myself.

As a trapper for over 40 years I have dispatched many critters including wolves, wolverine and lynx. No way can I dispatch my best friends, our dogs!

what you need to know and likely already know is everything kicks and it kicks when they are sedated and get the injection also , that is what people think is suffering
it is some less because they are so tranquilized but was still there with my dog

I have a friend who calls me for all the animals he needs put down he has to walk away when I do it because he doesn't want to see the kicking.

that said my wife did our last dog while I was on a hunting trip. she chose the vet option , that dog didn't have any issue going to the vet it didn't stress her out , she was still moving on her own , but had lost bowl control and was sleeping 20+ hours a day.
she took her watch dog roll right till the end , when she couldn't be awake to watch the door she laid against the door so it couldn't open without he been alerted.

it was a car ride and she liked car rides and all the treats they gave at the vet


so do whatever you need to to stress the both of you out the least

It's not easy but I've had to do it. I'm dreading the day it's Joy's time which is coming. She's the oldest dog I've had she's almost 10. My kids haven't experienced it before so it's going to be very hard to see them say goodbye. They've experienced lots of deaths but never a pet.
Almost put Joy down recently she bit me while I was trying to take away the kids candy in my birthday. That was the first time. I gave her grace but trust has been broken.

My dogs have always been my best friend and when it has come time I do it myself .I figure I owe them that and I can remember everyone like it was yesterday.