Although there are times when euthanasia is the only viable answer, my recommendation to do so is an extreme rarity. Other than those rare situations, proper leadership training can restore harmony and balance to the dog and her family. The most common reasons for euthanasia are aggression, excessive barking, failure to toilet train and costly medical treatment. Currently, pet guardians have many options available to them other than euthanasia. There are several rescue organizations that possess the resources to foster, rehabilitate, provide proper vet care and re home these dogs allowing euthanasia to truly be considered the very last resort. To date, I have counseled several families facing the euthanasia decision due to declining health or irreparable medical conditions. The decision is never easy but it helps to have caring support during such a difficult time. While, there are dogs that are so aggressive they become a liability to human safety, I still believe every effort to find a suitable placement offering rehabilitation should be exhausted before resorting to euthanasia.