Having to get rid of a very bad dog

[grinningghost]

My mom and dad are seriously considering giving up their dog. She's an almost 2 year old West Highland Terrier. She's always been very wild and an incessant barker. It's become very difficult for them to maintain a normal life with this dog, and the stress is starting to affect their 40+ year marriage. Not good.

I would take the dog, but DH says no way, and we already have a dog and a cat (neither of which likes this dog much anyway).

Has anyone ever had to give up a pet because it was simply impossible to manage? My heart is breaking for the dog and my parents. Believe me, they've tried everything.

 

[SugarBear]

I have a Westie who barks constantly.

I would suggest your parents get in touch with a Westie rescue agency. You can look them up on the internet.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by SugarBear
I have a Westie who barks constantly.

I would suggest your parents get in touch with a Westie rescue agency. You can look them up on the internet.

I was thinking that might be a good idea. I wonder if all Westies bark constantly, or if it's just yours and theirs.

 

[phillybeth]

Definitely contact a westie rescue group- I'll try to find some links for you.

http://www.westierescue.com/

I do quite a bit of breed-specific dog rescue (another small terrier breed). Most terriers are on high alert at all times A passing car, kids on bikes, falling leaves, and blowing air are all known triggers for the barkies. Most terrier breeds are high-energy, especially when they are young (less than 5 YO).
I have seen dogs surrendered for all kinds of reasons. Trust me, rescue people are non-judgmental, and most will thank you for doing what is best for the dog. Like anything else in life, not every dog is a fit for every family, and the sooner you find that out the better. Rescue groups carefully screen potential adopters to ensure that they will be a good fit. I have had people tell me that they had an easier time adopting a child! Most breed rescues use individual foster homes, not a kennel or shelter. Foster homes care for a dog as one of their own, evaluating temperment, and training if necessary. Dogs will stay in foster homes as long as necessary.
If your parents truly are overwhelmed, it is in their best interest, and the dog's, to get in touch with a rescue group.

 

[grinningghost]

Thanks philly - I'll be passing this info on to my mom.

They really do need a pet, but not a pet that's making them crazy.

 

[Kallison]

Have they tried one of those zapping collars? Maybe Doc has some ideas.

 

[mckryan]

In addition to what's been suggested, the Westie Rescue people may also have some suggestions for your parents on how to stop the unwanted behavior. It can be frustrating to have a pet that doesn't do what you'd like it to do, but hopefully they can find a way to train the dog and keep it in their lives. If not, the Westie rescue is the best way to go.

 

[lisajl]

Oh boy! I agree with everyone. I work for a vet and a friend of mine confided in me that her dog was driving her crazy.

She works full time, has one child and her husband works out of state.
She could no longer handle her westie. I told her about the rescue places and she called them.

She would not stop thanking me for that info.
Her dog has a new home with an older couple that loves westies.

It was a win-win situation. She feels better that she took her dog to a rescue than the humane society.
There is more control through the rescues, than our local humane society. (At least in our neck of the woods)

Good luck to your parents.

Lisajl

 

[Pat]

These all sound like good ideas. I didn't know they had foster homes for dogs.

 

[aprilgail2]

I almost got rid of my dog last year...backed out the day of the appointment to drop him at bid-a-wee....he is a pretty good dog now, just turned 2 but let me tell you the barking was making me insaen...he would sit there and just bark for hours and hours in the house..finally I bought one of those zapping collars, after about 4 zaps he realized he better stop barking...now when he starts barking I just take out the collar and yell "you want this on again" and he shuts right up!

 

[binny]

((hugs)) we had to get rid of our collie/sheltie last year it was heartbreaking! I did everything I could to make sure she got into a good home. She just needed more than we could offer. I still feel so guilty about it!

anyway, the rescue group is a great idea!

I hope you can find a good solution!

 

[Dax]

If they are looking for a pet....I can recommend a breed....and I am not just biased....

PUGS!!!

They are easy to maintain...they are very loving, arent all that big...great for older folks...in fact one of my puppies in my litter went to a 50+ year old couple. If you want any more info let me know.

 

[Snowysmom]

My westie barks alot. She is a "westie watchdog" as we call her. She is constantly on alert. I think it is the terrier way. A rescue group is a good idea. That way your parents can feel comfortable knowing that she will find a good home.

 

[lizdotcom99]

But he sure is cute and we love him A LOT!!!! I would love to get another!!!

 

[phillybeth]

Citronella collars work much better on terriers than the zapping collars. Sometimes the charge on those can be too strong for a little dog. C-collars spray a quick burst of citronella in front of their nose when it detects a bark. Most dogs learn very quickly- I have one here all the time since I rarely know what bad habits my fosters come with.

Foster homes are great, there is no way we could rescue as many dogs as we do without foster homes! I have fostered about 12 dogs in my 4+ years doing rescue- a low number since I have two dogs of my own, I can only foster one at a time. One of our foster homes has had more than 20 dogs for us in 1 year! I specialize in the 'difficult' dogs though- behavioral problems, agression, severe allergies, housebreaking trouble, separation anxiety, you name it I've seen it. The foster dog I have right now has allergies so bad the vets though it was Cushing's disease- he was practically hairless.

 

[Jockaroo]

Yes, some terriers are barkers. We are Scottie people and ours go through periods of barking--sometimes at nothing. My female will bark at the doorbell used in the Domino's commercials. It is funny to us. But they don't do it hours on end.

Breed rescue is the way to go IF your parents decide to surrender the dog. I hope they will work through this a little more--then make the decision best for both the family and the Westie. Contact their local AKC Kennel club. There may be a Westie Club in the area. Check this link

http://www.westieclubamerica.com

there is info about training here also. If you have a dog show coming to your area, you can often find people with information about your breed. Some of these problems like barking, digging, nipping, etc. that occur with terriers can be managed with appropriate training and often it is the people who are being trained. The AKC and Westie people can help point your parents in the right direction and offer advice. Westies are wonderful, sweet, gentle dogs. We considered a Westie before we got our second Scot. Terriers can be high maintainance--but worth every minute.

All the best to your parents and their precious Westie. If they do decide to find their pup a new home--although it will be a hard decision, they will know they did everything they could and the decision will be in the best interest of their pup. Do not allow them to give the dog to a kill shelter. Breed rescue is the way to go--dogs are matched with great families.

-Jockaroo

 

[arminnie]

I adopted my beloved Cody from a cocker spaniel rescue <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_2_6.gif' border=0></a> group. You are so right about it being hard to adopt. I was turned down for one cocker because I worked - even though my job was 1 mile away, and I came home for lunch.

I've had Cody for 10 years now. I thank the people that gave him up. He was not socialized or housebroken when I got him at age 1. He had never seen a ball or a milkbone. This is a dog that would now do ANYTHING for a tennis ball or a "treatie".

It was difficult to housebreak him I'll admit. I think they taught him to go in the bathtub as I had a few surprises there in the early months.

I think the rescue organizations are wonderful.

 

[Karel]

Originally posted by grinningghost
I was thinking that might be a good idea. I wonder if all Westies bark constantly, or if it's just yours and theirs.

My Westie is about to turn 1 and he is not a barker. There are few things that set him off - he wents crazy the other morning when ice fell off the roof - but a train just went by and he didn't make a sound. We try to reward certain types of barks - I want out, there's someone at the door and discourge barking at trucks, the vaccuum etc. He's also a lot calmer than I expected from a terrier.

 

[Melora]

We rescued a cat a while ago then ended up having to find him another home. It was very sad but he was a VERY neurotic little guy. He had no claws so when he got here my cats smacked him and he couldnt smack them back. So they always thought they could beat him up. He never came out of the closet and he peed EVERYWHERE. Then when we finally coaxed him out of his hiding place, he would bite us.

I finally realized that it wasnt worth the trouble he was causing. I couldnt be nice to him, when I tried he bit me, and the house was reeking of cat urine. He REALLY needed to be an only cat. We found him a good home but I was sorry it didnt work out. At least I figured out why he was given away in the first place.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by arminnie
I adopted my beloved Cody from a cocker spaniel rescue .

I've had Cody for 10 years now. I thank the people that gave him up. He was not socialized or housebroken when I got him at age 1. .

That must be a cocker spaniel thing...we worked and worked on housebreaking and someone was home 24/7 but he didn't get it right until he was over a year and a half....people down the block have one and I went and talked to them and theirs didn't get house breaking down until over a year and a half either....they really are pretty dumb dogs....