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

[monkeybug]

I would never judge a family that had to come to that decision though.

It's wrong and mean.

For my mom, I have no choice--she refuses to live with any of us and has her retirement home picked out.

For me dad, he will have no choice--I will not care for him for 1 second. If he can no longer live on his own, then he will have to seek the same avenue my mom has chosen.

Until someone walks a mile in my shoes--they really have no say. And of course, they are most welcome to take care of the matter themselves.

And yes--if I had an extended family member living in my home that was a danger to my kids and I could not train it out...they'd be living elsewhere immediately.

Lots of loving and compassionate people have to make really tough decisions when it comes to family and pets. There is not one blanket solution that works for everyone, and just because some one decides to do what some one else would never do, does not make them a bad or heartless person.

 

[luvwinnie]

Found a link about Springers and aggression
http://www.vetinfo.com/daggressp.html

 

[Magalex]

I went back over the OP's original posting because sometimes after a few pages the original issue is distorted. This dog is not aggressive. It is communicating not in a proper way but communicating. It has a territorial behavior issue. A dog is aggressive when the behavior is at a high level & constant. Even tho it is a great concern with safety issues when the dog with territorial behaviors is living with babies.

I have a 7-9 yr old brittany spaniel(adopted as adult 3yrs ago) who at times can be possessive of a toy & treat. At the time of his adoption my DS was 6. My DS was involved in any training classes & we all have learned behavior signs. I also volunteered at the humane society. The instructors there even with a phone call has helped so many people with similar issues. Most dogs are not aggressive they just need to learn boundaries & the word "NO". They actually gave a seminar for owners discussing if their dogs are truely aggressive or a trainable behavior issue. They just started last year with this seminar & it became very popular. So check your local humane society & if you really want to relinquish ownership of the dog they would probably discuss that too. I don't think is an automatic death sentence for the dog. I saw many situations that dogs were adoptable to quiet, experienced adult only homes. Which I think someone mention that too in an earlier posting about a dog is now happily living with an older human companion.

Your situation is not unique to dog ownership. You are not alone But no more furniture time for the dog & always have your children stand/sit physically higher than the dog. I know the baby can't do that now but your 6 yr old can. It has been 3 yrs now & my 9 yr is still always sitting above the dog.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would never judge a family that had to come to that decision though.

It's wrong and mean.

Where did I judge someone, I clearly said I?

 

[Jennasis]

You do what you gotta do. Your kids are priority number one right? My dogs (and other pets) are my priority number one. I don't have kids and never will. I am willing to do what it takes to keep my pets a priority. OP is not. She shouldn't have pets, IMO.

Don't anyone be fooled that the OP is doing what's best for the dog. She is doing what's best for her and her family. This poor dog is about to be uprooted from everything it knows. The family it loves. The home it has known for it's entire life, and sent to live with strangers (at best) or sent to the pound or put down at worst.

I fail to find any noble intent there, for the dog's well being.

but I get it...the kids come first. Just please don't ever own a pet again.

PS...it only took 4 pages for the thread to go offtrack. Do they even HAVE doggie retirement homes??

 

[monkeybug]

As a family, I think it is our responsibility to take care of our own, and we have. We've hired nurses to help out at home for medical needs and someone either lived with them (family member) or vice versa. My uncle actually built an apartment for my Grandmother attached to their home so she could be independent and still live with family instead of moving her to a nursing home.

I guess my family just looks at old age differently then others, not saying its right wrong or indifferent, but I wouldn't put my mother in a nursing home (my father passed away when I was 12, so I don't have any choice in the matter there).

But not everyone has that option. My family has re-arranged their entire lives for the past 5-7 years to ensure my Grandpa could remain at home. They have spent huge amounts of money, given up jobs and school, and completely put their lives on hold. My Grandpa is his kids (and grandkids) hero. and we have done EVERYTHING possible for him. It is just no longer safe, or possible for him to stay at home (not to mention that it's put a financial strain on even the wealthy among my family). It also makes him feel like a burden to his family to have everyone put everything aside to care for him. For a strong man, it takes a toll on his pride.
He seems much happier now that we visit him like the old days. Just to talk (he can really only mostly listen now) and be near him. I think it makes him feel happy that his relationship with us is now much more like a father and grandfather, than when he felt like a child we were all caring for.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You do what you gotta do. Your kids are priority number one right? My dogs (and other pets) are my priority number one. I don't have kids and never will. I am willing to do what it takes to keep my pets a priority. OP is not. She shouldn't have pets, IMO.

Don't anyone be fooled that the OP is doing what's best for the dog. She is doing what's best for her and her family. This poor dog is about to be uprooted from everything it knows. The family it loves. The home it has known for it's entire life, and sent to live with strangers (at best) or sent to the pound or put down at worst.

I fail to find any noble intent there, for the dog's well being.

but I get it...the kids come first. Just please don't ever own a pet again.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Where did I judge someone, I clearly said I?

You didn't have to say it directly. I felt it was implied.

Your follow up explanation makes it very clear.

Your family could never do such a thing--b/c they would never and felt it is their responsiblity to take care of even the most extreme situations.

Saying you would not give up on family--is implying that when other families make those choices...that they are doing it just b/c they "give up".

You didn't say that you would feel like you are giving up--no, you said that you would not give up.

Perhaps you didn't mean to imply that. But that is how it came across.

 

[Bob NC]

You are going to throw away NINE YEARS with this dog...this family member...without first trying to get to the root of his change in demeanor????

Wow. I'm not speechless. There are a lot of things I'd like to say. But I will only say this: You owe it to him to take him to the vet first to see if there is a medical cause for his change in behavior, and then SECOND, to a trainer to try to fix it.

If you are unwilling to do both of those, then try putting an ad on craigslist, and never ever own a pet again.

Should we all bow down now and just send our questions to you rather than posting them?

ALL HAIL Jenassis????

WOW

YOU may have different opinions, but a dog is a dog and a 5 month old is a HUMAN. Ummmm....no contest.

 

[Jennasis]

Should we all bow down now and just send our questions to you rather than posting them?

ALL HAIL Jenassis????

WOW

YOU may have different opinions, but a dog is a dog and a 5 month old is a HUMAN. Ummmm....no contest.

At last. Someone understands!

I know it's no contest. That's why I don't have kids....well one of many reasons.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You didn't have to say it directly. I felt it was implied.

Your follow up explanation makes it very clear.

Your family could never do such a thing--b/c they would never and felt it is their responsiblity to take care of even the most extreme situations.

Saying you would not give up on family--is implying that when other families make those choices...that they are doing it just b/c they "give up".

You didn't say that you would feel like you are giving up--no, you said that you would not give up.

Perhaps you didn't mean to imply that. But that is how it came across.

The word ASSUME comes to mind...

 

[Bob NC]

At last. Someone understands!

I know it's no contest. That's why I don't have kids....well one of many reasons.

Children everywhere thank you.

 

[Jennasis]

Children everywhere thank you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You do what you gotta do. Your kids are priority number one right? My dogs (and other pets) are my priority number one. I don't have kids and never will. I am willing to do what it takes to keep my pets a priority. OP is not. She shouldn't have pets, IMO.

....

PS...it only took 4 pages for the thread to go offtrack. Do they even HAVE doggie retirement homes??

Not sure--

But I'm also not sure where anyone is calling her noble for her efforts either.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The word ASSUME comes to mind...

It sure does.

But I do try to refrain from implied name calling as well.

 

[DizBelle]

Should we all bow down now and just send our questions to you rather than posting them?

ALL HAIL Jenassis????

WOW

YOU may have different opinions, but a dog is a dog and a 5 month old is a HUMAN. Ummmm....no contest.

You'e right. No contest. I love all animals. But only like some humans. There are some people I wouldn't put above any animal.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

At last. Someone understands!

I know it's no contest. That's why I don't have kids....well one of many reasons.

Are you saying that the horses don't talk back?

I'm sure they are much less expensive to raise as well. Have you seen the cost of college tuition lately?

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

YOU may have different opinions, but a dog is a dog and a 5 month old is a HUMAN. Ummmm....no contest.

A comment like that is a perfect example of why I am a dog person and not a HUMAN person.

 

[Jennasis]

Are you saying that the horses don't talk back?

I'm sure they are much less expensive to raise as well. Have you seen the cost of college tuition lately?

They certainly never storm off to their room screaming "I hate you!".

Somebody did ask me once if raising a horse is more or less expensive than a kid. I'll have to crunch some numbers and get back to you. If only my horses could get scholarships!

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

You'e right. No contest. I love all animals. But only like some humans. There are some people I wouldn't put above any animal.

I agree 100%!