What is the best way to find a new home for a dog?

[louey]

Hey OP I know you said you called a rescue and they blew you off. I am just asking was it a Springer Spaniel rescue? Is there another Springer Spaniel rescue you could call, I think they would be the most willing to help your dog out. I know you have made up your mind to rehome your dog, not going to bash think thats been done enough. As I said in an earlier post he may be fine in an adult only home, he obviously hasn't adapted to all the change (i.e. kids) as well as you would have hoped. I would call a few more Spaniel rescues and start asking anyone you know with no children if they would be willing to give him a chance. On a side note I do agree with people that getting rid a a dog after they have been a part of the family their entire life kinda bites. But . . . . whats most important is not just the kids but doing whats best for your furkid too.

 

[connorlevismom]

Hey OP I know you said you called a rescue and they blew you off. I am just asking was it a Springer Spaniel rescue? Is there another Springer Spaniel rescue you could call, I think they would be the most willing to help your dog out. I know you have made up your mind to rehome your dog, not going to bash think thats been done enough. As I said in an earlier post he may be fine in an adult only home, he obviously hasn't adapted to all the change (i.e. kids) as well as you would have hoped. I would call a few more Spaniel rescues and start asking anyone you know with no children if they would be willing to give him a chance. On a side note I do agree with people that getting rid a a dog after they have been a part of the family their entire life kinda bites. But . . . . whats most important is not just the kids but doing whats best for your furkid too.

Yes I did contact the Springer Rescue and they are the ones that blew me off. I am currently talking with a no-kill shelter in the area who is very understanding of the situation, and are really working with me and helping me out.

Kristine

 

[luvwinnie]

I have not had the time to read every post, but as someone who is involved with bulldog rescue and has no kids and whose life revolves around her animals, I don't understand all the bashing of the OP...how does that help THE DOG in question?
OP, I really hope you can find a solution. I know you said you have done training, but I posted a while back about actual behaviorists...not sure if you have seen it.

 

[Jennasis]

I'm going to speak for Jennasis here because, unfortunately, I have read all of this thread...for days....

When she said that "don't kid yourself, you aren't doing the dog a favor" that was in response to many other posts by other people (and maybe the OP) that rehoming the dog or doing something else with it was really "good" for the dog, and the "better" thing for the dog. The dog will be "happier" somewhere else. I think her response in those words was to that thought process that was going on at the time in the thread--don't fool yourself into thinking that your doing your dog a favor buy giving him away. Your dog is going to be very stressed, anxious, and fearful; even if given to a good home. It's just stressful for a dog to be ripped from it's home of 9 years. I don't think for a minute Jennasis was putting the dog above humans.

 

[louey]

Yes I did contact the Springer Rescue and they are the ones that blew me off. I am currently talking with a no-kill shelter in the area who is very understanding of the situation, and are really working with me and helping me out.

Kristine

There is usually more than just one Springer Spaniel Rescue, but as you say your already working with a no kill shelter. Good Luck with everything.

 

[Disneyadore]

With all due respect, I live in Italy and if you could see the way they dispose of stray animals, even the unwanted animals they took in as puppies and kittens, you would be absolutely mortified. There are no rescue groups. An animal would be lucky to receive its shots or a necessary surgery.......afterall, they are just animals. Most don't even understand emotional attachment to a pet or that some people will cry when one dies. At least the OP asked for advice rather than sending it the easy route like they do here........abandoning it on the street, killing it and throwing it in the dumpster, or bagging it alive and throwing it in a dumpster. Come visit Naples and you will change your mind about American society.

With all due respect but traveling true the States is was devastating to see how many dogs were just laying dead or strolling along the high ways looking for there owner.
Almost every stop we made we could have opened the door from our car and a dog would just jump into the car.

 

[npmommie]

"I have it built into my work contract as a benefit and do not pay for any of my vacations. Nothing. No food, air, hotel, car, anything."

I want to hear more about this!
what kind of company do you work for? they pay for all of your vacations? anywhere you want to go?
did you give up another benefit to get this and how did you negotiate them paying for your vacations, I never heard of this happening.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes I did contact the Springer Rescue and they are the ones that blew me off. I am currently talking with a no-kill shelter in the area who is very understanding of the situation, and are really working with me and helping me out.

I hope you don't mind another comment, but I hope you'll reconsider and try harder to find a breed rescue that will accept him.

Here's why.

A no kill shelter is just that - a shelter. Dogs put in shelters usually don't do well, and definitely don't "get better" there - in fact, they "get worse". Why? Because it's overwhelming, loud and scary, and they begin to react to their surroundings in a negative way. This makes them less adoptable and puts them at risk for furthering the negative behaviors they already have that got them there. So even though a shelter like this won't kill them, it's not a great place for them, either.

Rescues, OTOH, are usually run using foster homes from volunteers, so that the dog is actually in a private home with someone very familiar and experienced with the breed so they can not only keep the dog in a good situation, but evaluate it for correct placement in its "forever home".

That's why I think you'd be best off trying to find a breed rescue that will take him if you keep looking. There are many.

Here are some rescues:

http://www.springerrescue.org/shelter/index.php

http://www.springerrescue.org/dogdocs/regions/available.php?reg=MW#MN

http://cockerpages.tripod.com/rescue.htm

A private adoption would work also, but there's no guarantee it'll be a good fit or "forever", etc. He could wind up in a shelter or worse (way worse - as pps mentioned, a research lab or dog fighting bait) from there unless it's someone you know. Sometimes there are people looking for an older (ie quiet) dog to keep them company.

Did you get him from a breeder? The suggestion to contact his breeder was a good one. If I was a breeder, I'd want him back. Was he by any chance microchipped before he came to you?

 

[connorlevismom]

"I have it built into my work contract as a benefit and do not pay for any of my vacations. Nothing. No food, air, hotel, car, anything."

I want to hear more about this!
what kind of company do you work for? they pay for all of your vacations? anywhere you want to go?
did you give up another benefit to get this and how did you negotiate them paying for your vacations, I never heard of this happening.

I am VERY fortunate to have the job and boss that I do. I have a set amount that I can spend on vacations every year and it is enough that I am able to go on at least 2 vacations every year (and a couple little road trip weekend vacations) and not pay for anything. I do own DVC (that I paid for myself) so if we go to WDW, we can make the money go further. I don't really have time to go on more than two big vacations a year so the amount is great for me. As far as how I got it, that is an extremely long and complicated story. I will just say that I have an amazing boss who wants to keep me here and happy. Like I said, I am very fortunate. But he also got his wish, I can't exactly quit and give up THAT benefit. So it works for both of us.

I hope you don't mind another comment, but I hope you'll reconsider and try harder to find a breed rescue that will accept him.

Here's why.

A no kill shelter is just that - a shelter. Dogs put in shelters usually don't do well, and definitely don't "get better" there - in fact, they "get worse". Why? Because it's overwhelming, loud and scary, and they begin to react to their surroundings in a negative way. This makes them less adoptable and puts them at risk for furthering the negative behaviors they already have that got them there. So even though a shelter like this won't kill them, it's not a great place for them, either.

Rescues, OTOH, are usually run using foster homes from volunteers, so that the dog is actually in a private home with someone very familiar and experienced with the breed so they can not only keep the dog in a good situation, but evaluate it for correct placement in its "forever home".

That's why I think you'd be best off trying to find a breed rescue that will take him if you keep looking. There are many.

Here are some rescues:

http://www.springerrescue.org/shelter/index.php

http://www.springerrescue.org/dogdocs/regions/available.php?reg=MW#MN

http://cockerpages.tripod.com/rescue.htm

A private adoption would work also, but there's no guarantee it'll be a good fit or "forever", etc. He could wind up in a shelter or worse (way worse - as pps mentioned, a research lab or dog fighting bait) from there unless it's someone you know. Sometimes there are people looking for an older (ie quiet) dog to keep them company.

Did you get him from a breeder? The suggestion to contact his breeder was a good one. If I was a breeder, I'd want him back. Was he by any chance microchipped before he came to you?

I never mind a comment that is not rude and insulting.

The place I am working with is called a no-kill shelter but it is not what your thinking it is. I could never put my dog in a place like that. It is a place that has foster homes (from volunteers) where he would be. Not a shelter type place like your thinking. So it is more like a non-specific breed rescue.

We thought about a private adoption but you are exactly right, you just never know who your going to get. We did think that we may have found some people who would be perfect for him, but they wanted him to be a mostly outside dog. I don't believe in that and I could never take my indoor dog and make him be an outdoor dog. That would be horrible to do. It is to bad because they are great people and she actually owned several springers growing up. But I just could not do the outdoor thing. Even part-time.

We did not get him from a breeder, and we had him microchipped shortly after we got him.

So after going through lots of options and talking to lots of peope, it seems that he will be best in this place where he will be in a foster home. I looked them over, talked to the director about not only the situation but their organization, went over all their paperwork that they make people fill out when they adopt animals and it is very specific and rigid. We have not made up our mind yet as to what we are going to do. At this point I feel that I found a place where he would be well taken care of by people who care about him, and they would place him in a foster home with people who are familiar with his situation and the ability to deal with it.

Kristine

 

[monkeybug]

With all due respect but traveling true the States is was devastating to see how many dogs were just laying dead or strolling along the high ways looking for there owner.
Almost every stop we made we could have opened the door from our car and a dog would just jump into the car.

Wow! That surprises me.
I've driven across the country 4 times (from coast to coast) and never experienced anything even remotely close to that. I've gone from Oregon to Maryland twice (taking a northern route), and from California to Maryland twice taking a southern route. I mean, of course we saw some dogs on the side of the road (and tons and tons of deer. In one area of Utah the amount of dead deer was down right disturbing) but it certainly didn't seem to be epidemic or anything.
Mexico was another story. That was heartbreaking, but understandable. The people we met were struggling to feed and care for their kids and family's, the dogs were probably the last thing on their list of concerns. But it was very sad to see such sweet animals living in those conditions.

 

[Disneyadore]

Wow! That surprises me.
I've driven across the country 4 times (from coast to coast) and never experienced anything even remotely close to that. I've gone from Oregon to Maryland twice (taking a northern route), and from California to Maryland twice taking a southern route. I mean, of course we saw some dogs on the side of the road (and tons and tons of deer. In one area of Utah the amount of dead deer was down right disturbing) but it certainly didn't seem to be epidemic or anything.
Mexico was another story. That was heartbreaking, but understandable. The people we met were struggling to feed and care for their kids and family's, the dogs were probably the last thing on their list of concerns. But it was very sad to see such sweet animals living in those conditions.

I'm not judging just telling what we saw.
I guess cruelty against animals has no borders.
And now I'm just gonna curl up with my furry friend that lies in th couch with his four little legs in the air.

 

[npmommie]

I agree with monkeybug, that surprises me too,
we frequently drive a 400 mile each way stretch down the east coast to visit relatives and I never see dogs on the side of the road alive or dead, in fact I can vividly remember the last time I saw a dog on the road that had been hit, it was quite upsetting to me, and I think thats why I can remember it,
It was a german shephard, on rt 95 heading north,I was just outside of downtown Providence RI.
right near the place with the big bug on the roof for anyone familiar with the area,
still remember it.

 

[connorlevismom]

I agree with monkeybug, that surprises me too,
we frequently drive a 400 mile each way stretch down the east coast to visit relatives and I never see dogs on the side of the road alive or dead, in fact I can vividly remember the last time I saw a dog on the road that had been hit, it was quite upsetting to me, and I think thats why I can remember it,
It was a german shephard, on rt 95 heading north,I was just outside of downtown Providence RI.
right near the place with the big bug on the roof for anyone familiar with the area,
still remember it.

I agree with this as well. We travel all the time and we do not see dogs on the side of the roads either. And I can also remember the last time I saw a dog on the road. But he was alive. He it was in a smaller town and this dog was just trotting down the street and had two cop cars following it with their lights on so that nobody hit it. It was actually kind of funny because they kept trying to get this dog to stop and get in their cars and the dog just kept on trotting. It was not funny the dog was in the road, but seeing two cops in two different cars trying to catch this dog, was.

Kristine

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree with monkeybug, that surprises me too,
we frequently drive a 400 mile each way stretch down the east coast to visit relatives and I never see dogs on the side of the road alive or dead, in fact I can vividly remember the last time I saw a dog on the road that had been hit, it was quite upsetting to me, and I think thats why I can remember it,
It was a german shephard, on rt 95 heading north,I was just outside of downtown Providence RI.
right near the place with the big bug on the roof for anyone familiar with the area,
still remember it.

I know exactly where you mean. What a sad sight.

I drive all over the place in and around Boston and other areas of New England. Last time I saw a dead dog on the road was literally over 20 years ago. I still remember it. It was laying on the off ramp from 128 to 28 in Randolph. I pulled over and got out to see if I could help it, but it was long gone. It was a black shepherd type dog.

I have found a couple of dead cats over the years. One was near my house. Don't ask me why (because I've never done it before or since), but I had my camera with me and took a picture of it just to hold onto. I then posted a Found ad. And guess what? A lady called me and asked me about the cat to see if it was hers. I told her I had a picture and she asked if she could come by to see it. When she saw it, she cried and said it was definitely her cat. She thanked me for taking the picture, otherwise she would never have known. Strange when you think about it.

 

[TheZue]

I know exactly where you mean. What a sad sight.

I drive all over the place in and around Boston and other areas of New England. Last time I saw a dead dog on the road was literally over 20 years ago. I still remember it. It was laying on the off ramp from 128 to 28 in Randolph. I pulled over and got out to see if I could help it, but it was long gone. It was a black shepherd type dog.

I have found a couple of dead cats over the years. One was near my house. Don't ask me why (because I've never done it before or since), but I had my camera with me and took a picture of it just to hold onto. I then posted a Found ad. And guess what? A lady called me and asked me about the cat to see if it was hers. I told her I had a picture and she asked if she could come by to see it. When she saw it, she cried and said it was definitely her cat. She thanked me for taking the picture, otherwise she would never have known. Strange when you think about it.

I would have been incredibly grateful if somebody would have done that for our Bean He went missing December 11 1999 and we never stopped watching the found ads for him. He never left our yard and honestly think somebody was killing or stealing cats since after he went missing all the regular neighborhood cats went missing within a few months. Not knowing was really the worst.

 

[Goldenbear6]

Isn't time to close this tread? This horse is bloody to the bone.

 

[terri01p]

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Thats just sick You'd rather keep a dog in a dangerous situation then someplace that meets his needs. The OP clearly said she already tried training. Around here if a dog bites someone it gets put down. It sounds like you'd rather the dog be upset and miserable, and risk getting put down. People like you shouldn't have animals.

My family re-homes retired guide dogs. I guess you'd just keep sending them off to work every-day long after they should retire, hoping the team gets him by a bus

Not a clue , all I can say is wow.

I'll tell the three rescue groups, the animal shelter, and all the people who own aggressive dogs that have come to me for training over the years and have since been rehabilitated that I am a sick sick person and that I should never own another dog.

 

[TheZue]

Okay so we've learned:

1) If you ever think it's okay to rehome a dog you should never own a pet

and

2) If you can't see how moving this dog out of his current environment might be best for him you should never own a pet

and

3) If you consider your furbabies less than your human babies you should never own a pet



Sooo I guess nobody gets to own pets anymore Go go extreme opinions.

 

[connorlevismom]

Just wanted to post a quick update. We decided to keep the dog and try the crate thing. He likes being in his crate anyway, so he stays in there a lot during the day and is out at night when the kids are in bed. Seems to be working OK.

Kristine