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

[golfgal]

Whatever, this is why I was not going to post here. I thought someone might actually help me. I DID take him to a vet, there is nothing wrong with him. As for the trainer, we have gone that route as well. The vet says he is proably just getting old and ornary. Well, I cannot take the chance that my ORNARY pet will bite my baby!

Kristine

I haven't read all the posts here but I would try Petfinder. Look back a couple days ago to the post about the dog that killed the 11 day old baby. That alone is reason to not keep the dog. I realize that pets are part of the family but for crying out loud people==SHE HAS LITTLE KIDS!!!!

 

[terri01p]

.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

OP - I don't want to attack you. I have read the entire thread, and I really do feel for you. I have only ever owned "used" dogs and it breaks my heart to know that someone gave them up - they are such wonderful creatures and I know how sad and anxious they were when we first adopted them, and I NEED to believe that it entirely crushed the owners who dropped them off at the shelter or rescue.

That said, I have adopted older dogs and I have adopted "problem" dogs, and I wouldn't come near your dog with a 10 foot pole, knowing its story. I know that there are people who choose to adopt older dogs (and we specifically went for an older dog with our most recent adoption), but adopting an older dog with behavior problems like you describe - and not just in the last year, but in the first few months that you had him - is not something that would (or should) be taken on by most people. There is a good reason why rescues do not want your dog and most shelters would euthanize him. If you do choose to rehome your dog, you need to fully disclose the entire story to any potential owners. It just isn't fair to the new owners or to your dog to let him be put in a situation where he could harm another person. He might be fine with the right owner and some good strong training - but you need to find that owner, not just the nearest person who might want a spaniel.

I'm not sure there will be an easy solution to rehoming an older dog with aggression issues. Definitely talk to vets and trainers about him - they might know someone who would be wiling to take him on. I know a woman who took on a German Shepherd who was only left with one other choice - euthanasia. She loves the dog, but keeps him in a shock collar and far away from children and other pets. It works for her because she is a strong alpha with experience with difficult dogs, but had that dog been adopted to anyone else? It wouldn't have been pretty. This is an extreme example, but the same principles apply. You need an experienced dog owner who is willing to give your dog what it needs, or else it's going to end up euthanized anyway, even if it's not by your hand.

 

[Disney Doll]

I amazed at all the negatives posted about Springers. Ted was a Springer and we researched the breed to death and always read the same thing...high energy, great companion, good with eople, good with kids. We never had kids but we had many friends with kids and that dog never so much as looked at one of them crooked. My friends' children teethed on his ears, took food out of his mouth, fell asleep on him and he was wonderful. He was 13 when he developed a brain tumor and got cranky, and we put him down shortly thereafter...not so much because of the crankjiness but because of the lack of quality of life he was having

OP, if you don't feel you can work with the dog, then please make sure it goes to a good home. I don't trust craigs list and all those things...I have this fear of people trolling for old unwanted dogs to be used as test animals...

As much as I hate to say it, I almost would advise you to put the dog down so it won't spend his final years wondering what happened to his family. I find this whole thread terribly sad......

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think I said anything about them trying to personally train the dog, rather they NEED A TRAINER!



COMPLETELY DISAGREE!!! (I don't think they make a DIS appropriate emoticon for this)

A lot of people will disagree with me. But...when people start treating their dogs as people and attributing human traits to them, the dog gets confused. I love my dog...truly love him. But, I treat him like a dog, an animal. I am never surprised when he exhibits canine behaviour.
Let me give you a for instance. My dog is a very well socialized golden, almost 9 y/o. He went to training classes and remains pretty well trained..not perfect but 'good enough' for what we need. Everyone else in our extended family has a dog. One brother has a Soft Coated Wheaton...the other brother has two female wire haired fox terriers. When we all get together for a big family occasion, everyone brings their dog(s)...we have to since we stay overnight as does the brother with the fox terriers.
Well....that soft coated wheaton just 'loves' my golden to death. And everytime he tries to 'get up close and personal' with my dog, everyone goes nuts...lots of yelling and pulling the wheaton off my golden. Lots of uproar, lots of drama. Me??? I prefer to leave it to my dog to take care of it....he will take just so much and then will turn on the 'offender', snarl and snap at him. That's about the only thing that stops the wheaton from mounting him....dog taking care of business, dog style. But no, the humans have to get in on it..they all know best. And of course, the behaviour continues.
Or this same dog will get jealous if I touch my own dog. If he is sitting anywhere near someone, and another dog comes along, this dog goes nutty...snapping, snarling because another dog is going to get close to a human and get some attention.
Nope, people are not socializing their dogs and they are allowing them to behave as if they were humans.

I get the whole 'part of our family' thing. Our dog is part of our family. But I still treat him like a dog...no table food, no begging at the table, working for his meals, no furniture hopping (he is allowed to sleep with me at night). He seems to be more than okay with my mindset, but I know that my family thinks I'm nuts when I put him in a sit/stay before he eats. If he breaks that sit/stay, he doesn't eat until he does it without breaking. Like I said, he works for his food.

Is my way perfect or for everyone? No, not by a long shot. But, I have a dog that is welcomed wherever we go. He doesn't jump on people, he isn't a nudge, he walks nicely and is a friendly, happy dog. Quite the opposite from most of the area dogs.

 

[quentina]

My dog did the same thing.....he was sick, brain cancer. It was one of the most devastating things I ever went through.

A vet appointment may be in order.

 

[louey]

Here is a link to a Springer Spaniel Rescue, at least give them a call and if they can't help I am sure they will steer you in the right direction. I noticed one of the dogs on this site was 12, so hopefully there is someone to adopt him. They even may be able to help you with his behavior?

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

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

This whole thread is very sad.

Really depends on how much you love your animal and want to devote to make his last years happy ones. Anyone who truely loves their pet would never consider rehoming or putting a pet down after being in the family for 9 years.

There are ways around it. Op doesn't want any parts of it, so I won't waste my breath, I know she has children yada yada yada. But if there's a will there's a way.

My 10 year old collie would get testy with my son at times. She was sick at the time with bladder cancer. I knew she didn't want to be bothered with a toddler. I kept them seperated. I could never consider giving her up. Gees she was a part of the family.
Two years later, she finally succumbed to the cancer when I was 7 months pregnant with my 2nd and DS was 5.

We loved her and she knew it. And hopefully her last years were happy ones.

 

[kacaju]

Whatever, this is why I was not going to post here. I thought someone might actually help me. I DID take him to a vet, there is nothing wrong with him. As for the trainer, we have gone that route as well. The vet says he is proably just getting old and ornary. Well, I cannot take the chance that my ORNARY pet will bite my baby!

Kristine

you will not be able to find him a new home. There are not to many people who want an ornary 9 year old dog. if he has always been a good dog and is getting old, then I agree with your dh, put him down. You owe him that..

 

[connorlevismom]

Fair enough! I'm glad you posted the whole story. You should have done that in the first place. When you ask people for advice, it truly is not fair to give a very, very narrow view of the whole story--especially when it comes to a matter as serious as this. You are talking about dogs and people are very, very passionate and sensitive when it comes to animals. Really, you can't come on a board and plop a very simple paragraph about rehoming without some more details about the situation.

I can tell by some of your more recent posts that you are pretty upset with some responses. I understand, but you have to understand, in return, that your first post actually sounded kind of cold and uncaring. It is a message board and you are in a hurry, but we did not know this, especially with such an important subject.

I do understand and that is why I had to take the time to explain the whole story. I was not sure if anyone would read it because it was so long (and based on some of the posts after it, it is clear some people did not). I did feel that I owed it to everyone to hear the whole thing. Your right, I should have waited to post this thread when I had the time to explain everything. Not when I was rushing around.

The safety of your children should be your number one priority.. If this dog were to attack (or worse yet, kill) your baby - and the authorities learned that you were aware that he was showing aggressive behavior prior to the attack - criminal charges could be filed against you and your DH - and your remaining child could be removed from your home..

If you have exhausted all other options that are affordable to you, your best option is to try petfinder or some such place - with FULL disclosure.. If you fail to disclose this behavior, it could result in a lawsuit against you somewhere down the line, so put it in writing and have the new owner sign and date the document..

I know it's a difficult, painful decision to make, but your children's safety must ALWAYS come above all else..

Good luck..

That is how I feel. I love my dogs, but my kids are my KIDS. I could never put them in harms way. I would just die if something happened to them and I knew I should have done something about it.

I have not read the whole thread and sorry you feel attacked. You asked how to rehome a dog and that is the advice you should have been given. However, we all know that sometimes that isn't what happens.

You are doing the right thing--the safety of your children must come first.

I would try a pet rescue that is not breed specific and Craigslist as well. Or ask your vet if he/she knows someone or if you can put up a sign in his/her office.

Thank you. yes, I asked a specific question and I guess I did not see the backlash coming.

As a pet lover this must have been a hard choice, too. But it's very responsible for you to have made it.

Thank you. I am not a heartless person, really. I had my dogs before I had kids. I was not going to wait 10-13 years to have kids to wait until my dogs had passed. And I was not going to give my dogs away just because I wanted kids. But I will not have another dog in the house until they are gone and we have the time to give 100% to a dog.

OP-I really feel for your situation. We had a hard situation involving 2 cats and the issues were between the cats. It got to the point where the results were dangerous to my children.

I strongly encourage you to re-home your dog or find a no-kill shelter. It took us a year to find an appropriate option so you may have to figure out a safe way to contain him for your children until you find something that works. Unless of course he actually bites, then the situation has definately taken a turn for the worse.

On the upside, my cat ended up going to a no-kill shelter a month ago and I have followed her on the website. They updated that she is much happier at a foster home(the situations was very unhealthy between her and the other cat.)

So things can work out well, but it may take some time. I know how heartbreaking it can be, especially when the problem involves two animals and children and there is no simple fix. We threw tons of money at the situation too, but I have the peace of knowing we did all that we could. It was hard to get rid of her, but it was the right thing for everyone.

I wish your family the best. It is an impossible situation so you just do the best you can.

I am willing to put in the time it takes to fond him a new home. I want to make sure he will go to a good home.

I haven't read all the posts here but I would try Petfinder. Look back a couple days ago to the post about the dog that killed the 11 day old baby. That alone is reason to not keep the dog. I realize that pets are part of the family but for crying out loud people==SHE HAS LITTLE KIDS!!!!

I know, that is the post that really freaked me out. I could not imagine something like that happening to my baby. How horrible!

Is it just you are overwelmed with two kids and want to get rid of a dog that now requires some work???? Please try to get to the bottom of your feeling of being overwelmed, if you get rid of the dog at this point in life he won't get over it.

Please read my very long post a page or two back. No that is not the situation at all.

OP - I don't want to attack you. I have read the entire thread, and I really do feel for you. I have only ever owned "used" dogs and it breaks my heart to know that someone gave them up - they are such wonderful creatures and I know how sad and anxious they were when we first adopted them, and I NEED to believe that it entirely crushed the owners who dropped them off at the shelter or rescue.

That said, I have adopted older dogs and I have adopted "problem" dogs, and I wouldn't come near your dog with a 10 foot pole, knowing its story. I know that there are people who choose to adopt older dogs (and we specifically went for an older dog with our most recent adoption), but adopting an older dog with behavior problems like you describe - and not just in the last year, but in the first few months that you had him - is not something that would (or should) be taken on by most people. There is a good reason why rescues do not want your dog and most shelters would euthanize him. If you do choose to rehome your dog, you need to fully disclose the entire story to any potential owners. It just isn't fair to the new owners or to your dog to let him be put in a situation where he could harm another person. He might be fine with the right owner and some good strong training - but you need to find that owner, not just the nearest person who might want a spaniel.

I'm not sure there will be an easy solution to rehoming an older dog with aggression issues. Definitely talk to vets and trainers about him - they might know someone who would be wiling to take him on. I know a woman who took on a German Shepherd who was only left with one other choice - euthanasia. She loves the dog, but keeps him in a shock collar and far away from children and other pets. It works for her because she is a strong alpha with experience with difficult dogs, but had that dog been adopted to anyone else? It wouldn't have been pretty. This is an extreme example, but the same principles apply. You need an experienced dog owner who is willing to give your dog what it needs, or else it's going to end up euthanized anyway, even if it's not by your hand.

I am not sure this will be an easy thing either. I am sure it will not. I will for sure tell anyone that is thinking about him about his situation. I am not going to put someone else's child in harm just so I can keep mine safe.

Kristine

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

OMgosh please try to find training for your dog. Nine years old, so sad.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My kids come first, period.

I always shudder when I hear comments like this.

It's too black and white for me. As if there's nothing else besides extremes.

Many posters on this thread have given sound advice.

I feel sorry for your dog because in effect, he's basically not worth your time and effort. IMO, you have what is likely a very workable problem. It's not about money. It's about your desire to work with it.

But if you want to give up on him, it's your prerogative.

If your dog goes to a shelter, he will likely be euthanized. I can see your husband's point, but think it would be a shame to put him to sleep. Like another poster suggested, try calling other breed rescues. The problem you have is neither uncommon nor insurmountable. Please try to see that he goes somewhere appropriate. It's the least you can do for him.

The best solution, IMO, would be to work to find a suitable home privately for your dog. It may take a while. In the meantime, separate him from your kids if you're worried there could be an issue.

It's amazing to me the number of people who think the behavior of a dog can't be changed when you have children in your home. Or that having children in your home means that your dog is no longer worth the effort

This dog didn't just snap. This dog doesn't have a medical issue that is changing his behavior. The dog's situation has changed and he's not happy about it.

It's not that hard to fix if you make the dog a priority. Find some time and work with the dog. Find some time and take the dog for a walk. Find some time and take the dog to a field to run.

Ongoing? She says the last year. Who wasn't more tired with their 2nd pregnancy than their first? Then the baby was born. The dog's life has changed dramatically in the last year and the OP and her family have become more busy. He's not getting enough attention and he's not getting enough exercise.

I stand by my statement that at this point in their lives, the dog is inconvenient.

Agree with this assessment.

you just have to be committed

Exactly.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

that is the post that really freaked me out. I could not imagine something like that happening to my baby.

I knew many pets would lose their lives because of that story.

You probably have a better chance at winning Powerball than that happening to your baby.

 

[TheZue]

Did you get him the dog from a breeder? If so, I would ask his breeder for advice. I breed Great Danes, and have it written in my contract that if at any time the family can no longer keep the dog, it must come back to me instead of to a rescue or shelter. A reputable breeder would want to know what's going on and will try to help you with this situation.

I also volunteer with Great Dane rescue, and our rescue has the policy that we cannot take in a dog with known aggression issues. There's just too much liability at stake.

I'm sorry you're going through this. If the breeder is unwilling to help you, I agree with others who have suggested a trainer before giving up on him.

Good luck!

This is REALLY good advice. OP I don't envy you. This is probably going to be one of the hardest things you ever do. We unfortunately had to make this decision when my eldest was a toddler. Our dog had been to tons of trainers, and was just a tiny alpha dog, he peed on a couple of the trainers. He was okay with me, but he sprayed all my husband and son's belongings imediatly when he came inside and constantly snapped at them because he was jelous they got any of my attention. It had gotten to the point we couldn't let him in the house unless he was in his crate I remember Bear was sitting on me and my son came over to hand me my sippy cup and he turned and tried to bite him. I still miss him, but honestly he was better off with a single owner who had nothing better to do than stare at him. I NEVER imagined I'd be in that situation and felt like everyone condeming you, until it happened and it became a real possibility he was going to mame my son.

But a dog or any pet is family, you do not just pass one family member off for another one.

I think putting a dog to sleep is a little more one sided for one of the two.

I wouldn't put anyone in my family in a retirement home. My grandparent's all died comfortably in their own homes or in a hospital from a sudden illness/event.

You know what, dogs do kill kids. It's not all that rare. Then it's guarenteed death for the dog. Rehoming it is right. Currently the dog is only threatening, if it bites it'll be game over for it. And sorry, I love my pets, but my kids come way way ahead of them. They aren't even close to being equal. I'd die for my children, I wouldn't die for my dog.

And all I have to say about the nursing home scenario is if you haven't had to put any of your relatives in a home you are VERY fortunate. Sometimes people can't stay at home. Sometimes you can't keep them safe unless there are multiple people watching them. We had a situation with my mom where she had enough money that she hired her own help, and kicked them out often. She sat in a chair coated in urine after she broke her foot because she wouldn't let anyone in to help her to the bathroom. She refused to bath so she got the nastiest full body rash I have ever seen. If we tried to help by bringing healthy food she'd refuse to eat it, then order chips and antacid from the grocery stores that delivered. She hoarded paper and smoked around it while losing control of her hand which led to her dropping cigarettes constantly, it was a miracle she didn't burn down her house. She ordered $30,000 of jewelry over the course of six months from the shopping channel. She refused to have anyone help her transfer into her bed, and there were weeks where we had to pick her up off the floor at least once a day. If we tried to intervene at all she kicked us out of her home because it meant she couldn't do whatever she wanted. I couldn't work from the age of 21 until I was 32 because I was constantly over there attempting damage control, and she was abusive the entire time. She messed up her drugs to the point that it almost killed her, fortunately she ran out of ativan and went into withdrawl which allowed the authorities to come in and declare her incompetant. We tried desperately to keep her into her home, at a certain point it was very very obvious it wasn't in her best interest but only to aleve our guilt when really we didn't do this to her, it's just life and it was way way beyond what was feasible to deal with outside of a nursing home. And since she's been in the home she is much healther, I have no doubt she'd be dead if she didn't end up in the nursing home.

Sorry about the off topic, but this drives me nuts when people refer to it like you are "dumping" your relative in the nursing home. If you can't understand how it could be necessary don't judge, think "there for the grace of God go I" and be thankful. So maybe it isn't so off topic, because unless you've had a pet that is a real risk to your children you can't get it.

 

[2Eskiedogs]

I hope you find a good home for him.

That being said...I have 2 american eskimo dogs(male and female) both rescues. I am the alpha dog 24 hours a day so to speak. Every member in the family is higher up on the pack than those 2. Something we've trained very hard with. I have 2 boys and a cat, plus I took care of a little girl. Even the little girl that I took care of was higher up in the pack than the dogs. We found a wonderful dog trainer thru our local 4H dog program. No one wanted to work with our dogs. It took a lot of calls before I even found her, everyone else said, they are known to be snippy.

I have a feeling if the behavior isn't corrected that his next home will have the same problems, or they are at least made aware of his aggression issues.

 

[tomthebarncat]

of how utterly disposable the American society is!! Cannot be bothered, get rid of it, to the OP, shame on you! In your original post you used the words "get rid of", you could not even compose a kind way of asking for help. Well, you will be looking the other way when someone in your family decides to get rid of you because they cannot be bothered!! Please do not ever get another pet, they deserve better!

 

[Sleepy]

of how utterly disposable the American society is!! Cannot be bothered, get rid of it, to the OP, shame on you! In your original post you used the words "get rid of", you could not even compose a kind way of asking for help.

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.

 

[connorlevismom]

Before you judge, please read my very long post. It is very clear that people do not want to take the time to read the entire story. Yes, I should have written it in my first post but as I said, I was in a hurry and just wanted to ask for advice. When I had time, I took the time to write out the entire issue. So before you jump all over me, please at least take a moment to skim the thing over. At least read a little further than the first post.

Kristine

 

[Liberty Belle]

This is REALLY good advice. OP I don't envy you. This is probably going to be one of the hardest things you ever do. We unfortunately had to make this decision when my eldest was a toddler. Our dog had been to tons of trainers, and was just a tiny alpha dog, he peed on a couple of the trainers. He was okay with me, but he sprayed all my husband and son's belongings imediatly when he came inside and constantly snapped at them because he was jelous they got any of my attention. It had gotten to the point we couldn't let him in the house unless he was in his crate I remember Bear was sitting on me and my son came over to hand me my sippy cup and he turned and tried to bite him. I still miss him, but honestly he was better off with a single owner who had nothing better to do than stare at him. I NEVER imagined I'd be in that situation and felt like everyone condeming you, until it happened and it became a real possibility he was going to mame my son.






You know what, dogs do kill kids. It's not all that rare. Then it's guarenteed death for the dog. Rehoming it is right. Currently the dog is only threatening, if it bites it'll be game over for it. And sorry, I love my pets, but my kids come way way ahead of them. They aren't even close to being equal. I'd die for my children, I wouldn't die for my dog.

And all I have to say about the nursing home scenario is if you haven't had to put any of your relatives in a home you are VERY fortunate. Sometimes people can't stay at home. Sometimes you can't keep them safe unless there are multiple people watching them. We had a situation with my mom where she had enough money that she hired her own help, and kicked them out often. She sat in a chair coated in urine after she broke her foot because she wouldn't let anyone in to help her to the bathroom. She refused to bath so she got the nastiest full body rash I have ever seen. If we tried to help by bringing healthy food she'd refuse to eat it, then order chips and antacid from the grocery stores that delivered. She hoarded paper and smoked around it while losing control of her hand which led to her dropping cigarettes constantly, it was a miracle she didn't burn down her house. She ordered $30,000 of jewelry over the course of six months from the shopping channel. She refused to have anyone help her transfer into her bed, and there were weeks where we had to pick her up off the floor at least once a day. If we tried to intervene at all she kicked us out of her home because it meant she couldn't do whatever she wanted. I couldn't work from the age of 21 until I was 32 because I was constantly over there attempting damage control, and she was abusive the entire time. She messed up her drugs to the point that it almost killed her, fortunately she ran out of ativan and went into withdrawl which allowed the authorities to come in and declare her incompetant. We tried desperately to keep her into her home, at a certain point it was very very obvious it wasn't in her best interest but only to aleve our guilt when really we didn't do this to her, it's just life and it was way way beyond what was feasible to deal with outside of a nursing home. And since she's been in the home she is much healther, I have no doubt she'd be dead if she didn't end up in the nursing home.

Sorry about the off topic, but this drives me nuts when people refer to it like you are "dumping" your relative in the nursing home. If you can't understand how it could be necessary don't judge, think "there for the grace of God go I" and be thankful. So maybe it isn't so off topic, because unless you've had a pet that is a real risk to your children you can't get it.

Thank you.

I hope my mother doesn't read the person's post. It broke her heart to put my grandmother in a nursing home, but my mom could not stay awake 24-7 to watch her. Despite putting locks way up on the outside doors, my granny still managed to get outside and wander more than once. My mom visited her every day in the nursing home even though Granny didn't know who she was most days.

OP, I hope you find a solution. My kids are way more important than my dogs, too. I would not hesitate to rehome them if I truly felt my baby's life was in danger. I can't imagine people feeling otherwise. It's no life for a dog to stay cooped up in a cage all the time.

 

[jrmasm]

Before you judge, please read my very long post. It is very clear that people do not want to take the time to read the entire story. Yes, I should have written it in my first post but as I said, I was in a hurry and just wanted to ask for advice. When I had time, I took the time to write out the entire issue. So before you jump all over me, please at least take a moment to skim the thing over. At least read a little further than the first post.

Kristine

I read your long post. Didn't change my opinion at all.

I'm just cofused about whether it's a Springer or a Border Collie. Doesn't really matter though.