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

[airhead]

He is a purebred Springer Spaniel.

Kristine

This breed has a history of aggression. Their demeanor can change at the drop of a pin. You're right to be concerned,especially around youngsters. Unfortunately,at nine yrs old you'll have a very hard time safely rehoming this animal. A good friend of mine (and an excellent dog trainer) took in a Springer with aggression knowing he had attacked the owners repeatedly. She worked with him everyday,and still he would turn into Cujo for no particular reason. Very unpredictable. She ended up putting him down.

 

[golfgal]

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.

Well, you are lucky then. Hopefully you won't have to deal with a serious illness for your parents or other family members then. Are you able to drop everything and provide 24 hour care to someone?

Now, if you are comparing this to the OP's situation, I am sure that none of your Grandparents tried to attack a family member.

I'm sorry but all of you that would put the life of a dog over potential harm to a small child are NUTS.

 

[monkeybug]

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.

These are the kind of posts that wear on my nerves! Seriously? You seriously think that anyone who "truly loves their animal" would never re-home them? I think the opposite is true! I think that people (and notice how I put "I think" because its an OPINION not a FACT) who truly love their animals, sometimes have to put their selfish desire to keep the dog aside and make the tough choice to find a new home. Job loss, illness, a move that requires long quarantine, and when the dog becomes a threat to small children...those are all very valid reasons to re-home a dog. I think anyone who chooses NOT to re-home an animal when they can no longer properly care for them, or when that animal is a threat to children, that's the person who doesn't truly love their animal!
I can't believe you can take so lightly the fact that she feels her children are in danger! And you kept a dog that you felt could harm your child if they were in a room together? And that poor dog had to be away from the rest of the family for two years until she died?
I could apply the same short sightedness you applied to the OP and make all sorts of assumptions about your parenting skills. I could say that anyone who keeps an animal that is a threat to a small children must not truly love their Children.
But I'm not. Because the truth is there are probably lots of exceptions. Because you probably love your child very much, and would never allow him to be in danger. Because those kind of blanket statements sound ignorant, and unfair. You were probably looking for the best solution for your dog and child, and found a way to make both dog and child happy. Just like the OP is trying to do. Maybe we shouldn't judge just because she isn't choosing the same solution. Maybe what worked in your life, doesn't in hers.

 

[louey]

These are the kind of posts that wear on my nerves! Seriously? You seriously think that anyone who "truly loves their animal" would never re-home them? I think the opposite is true! I think that people (and notice how I put "I think" because its an OPINION not a FACT) who truly love their animals, sometimes have to put their selfish desire to keep the dog aside and make the tough choice to find a new home. Job loss, illness, a move that requires long quarantine, and when the dog becomes a threat to small children...those are all very valid reasons to re-home a dog. I think anyone who chooses NOT to re-home an animal when they can no longer properly care for them, or when that animal is a threat to children, that's the person who doesn't truly love their animal!
I can't believe you can take so lightly the fact that she feels her children are in danger! And you kept a dog that you felt could harm your child if they were in a room together? And that poor dog had to be away from the rest of the family for two years until she died?
I could apply the same short sightedness you applied to the OP and make all sorts of assumptions about your parenting skills. I could say that anyone who keeps an animal that is a threat to a small children must not truly love their Children.
But I'm not. Because the truth is there are probably lots of exceptions. Because you probably love your child very much, and would never allow him to be in danger. Because those kind of blanket statements sound ignorant, and unfair. You were probably looking for the best solution for your dog and child, and found a way to make both dog and child happy. Just like the OP is trying to do. Maybe we shouldn't judge just because she isn't choosing the same solution. Maybe what worked in your life, doesn't in hers.

Yes but her husband mentioned putting the dog to sleep, the dog is now 9 years old and has been with them since the age of 6 months! There are plenty of other options, I posted a link for a Springer Spaniel rescue maybe if she would come back with a post saying she has called or is working on rehoming the dog. Did I miss that post????

 

[monkeybug]

Yes but her husband mentioned putting the dog to sleep, the dog is now 9 years old and has been with them since the age of 6 months! There are plenty of other options, I posted a link for a Springer Spaniel rescue maybe if she would come back with a post saying she has called or is working on rehoming the dog. Did I miss that post????

Yes! She stated in a later post that she does NOT and WILL not put the dog to sleep (or take him to a shelter). Her husband is not as attached to the dog as she is, so that was an option for him, but not for her.

 

[monkeybug]

And she did contact the rescue, but they will not take a dog who has shown aggressive behavior.

 

[connorlevismom]

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.[/QUOTE]

Then you could use some work on your reading comprehension skills.

 

[connorlevismom]

Yes but her husband mentioned putting the dog to sleep, the dog is now 9 years old and has been with them since the age of 6 months! There are plenty of other options, I posted a link for a Springer Spaniel rescue maybe if she would come back with a post saying she has called or is working on rehoming the dog. Did I miss that post????

Yes you did miss it. I would never bring my dog to a shelter OR put him to sleep. My husband, when we were discussion options, said that he would rather put him to sleep if we were considering a shelter. Because at least then he would know what happened to him rather than always wonder.

So no, neither of those is an option for us. And I did contact the rescue group. They were not of any help.

Kristine

 

[jrmasm]

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.[/QUOTE]

Then you could use some work on your reading comprehension skills.

You said:

When we got there he was clearly not a springer but a border collie.

And you said:

He is a purebred Springer Spaniel.



I don't think it's my reading comprehension.

 

[connorlevismom]

You said:

When we got there he was clearly not a springer but a border collie.

And you said:

He is a purebred Springer Spaniel.



I don't think it's my reading comprehension.

Actually it is, because we are talking about TWO DIFFERENT DOGS who were clearly identified in the long post. There is NO WAY that you read that whole thing and did not get out of it that there are TWO DOGS. One is a Springer and the other a Border Collie. So right back at ya!

Kristine

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

What about Best Friends Animal Society? http://www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/staffdepartments/index.cfm They are a great organization and were the ones who took in a bunch of the Michael Vick dogs. I just looked on their website and saw this:

No More Homeless Pets
Help with an animal situation OR placing an animal with Best Friends:
nmhp@bestfriends.org

They are in Kanab, Utah and I don't know how they arrange bringing the animals to them, but I figure it's an idea. They will take animals with any problem imaginable and either adopt them out or if they deem them unadoptable, they have a loving home at the sanctuary for life.

 

[Jennasis]

OP, you never answered...What would be the ideal home for your dog? What would/should this new home be able to provide you cannot?

I ask because, if the dog is as bad as you are making it out to be, who is going to take it in?

 

[goofy4tink]

This breed has a history of aggression. Their demeanor can change at the drop of a pin. You're right to be concerned,especially around youngsters. Unfortunately,at nine yrs old you'll have a very hard time safely rehoming this animal. A good friend of mine (and an excellent dog trainer) took in a Springer with aggression knowing he had attacked the owners repeatedly. She worked with him everyday,and still he would turn into Cujo for no particular reason. Very unpredictable. She ended up putting him down.

Wondered when you would show up......good to see you here.

All dogs, every single breed (and it's usually those purebred dogs that go nuts) has the ability to go 'over the edge'. Why? Because many breeders are not breeding for the right reasons...betterment of the breed. They are breeding to get puppies, puppies to sell.
My breeder, one I found at a regional dog show, actually interviewed me, while I thought I was interviewing her!!! Too funny. I wanted a little girl golden, but when the pups were born, and started growing, the breeder called me and told me she had the perfect dog for me...except it wasn't a girl. She wanted me to agree to take him because he was a bit more assertive than the other dogs. Actually, she wanted to keep him to show and breed but he had an undescended testicle which would have been a huge issue. She knew how I handled dogs, that I had had a 'stubborn' golden before..she thought it would be a good fit. And it has been. He tried to be the boss, but that doesn't go far.
My point in this probably boring story is that a good breeder looks at many things before breeding. A 'backyard' breeder looks at getting a male for their female so they can make puppies....to sell. Yes, they are purebred but who knows what the medical backgrounds are. When these 'breeders' are mating those two dogs, they aren't looking at any undesirable traits that could be passed down. So...it's going to be pretty similar to when all those English kings and queens and various royalty kept marrying family members...nothing to dilute bad traits, so madness ensued......a lot!

Same thing thing happens with dog breeding. Lots of inbreeding creates a lot of troubles within a breed. Cockers had this issue...most popular breeds do.
Also, when you buy from a good breeder, they will usually put something into the contract about taking the dog back, at any point, for any reason. I know that if my golden had an issue that made it impossible for me to keep him, his breeder would take him in a heartbeat.

I know, I know. None of this really helps the OP. But, it may help someone who is thinking about getting a dog but doesn't want to run into the same issues down the road.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Let me ask you this: Why did you get a dog in the first place if you were planning on having kids before the dog's life would be over? Why didn't you research good family dog breeds when making this decision? Sorry, but it seems cruel to me to have your dog suffer because of your poor planning/decisions. This stuff happens far too often and makes me sick!

What?! Did you have a pet growing up?

And what if her first pregnancy was accidental? She should terminate because she already had a dog? Or if it weren't accidental, she should not have children because she had a dog? That's just nuts.

 

[jrmasm]

Actually it is, because we are talking about TWO DIFFERENT DOGS who were clearly identified in the long post. There is NO WAY that you read that whole thing and did not get out of it that there are TWO DOGS. One is a Springer and the other a Border Collie. So right back at ya!

Kristine

I just went back and read it again. I think I finally have this whole mess straight.

Springer, first dog, snappy from the beginning. Clearly a high maintenance dog.

Border, second dog, snappy from the beginning. Bit older child. Clearly a high maintenance dog.

First dog is snappy again in the last year.


Did I get that right???

Assuming I did, you have 2 dogs that are high energy/high maintenance. A sporting dog and a herding dog. They need training. They need exercise. And not just for a period of time. They need exercise everyday and training all their lives.

I get that people sometimes make mistakes when selecting their pets. Sometimes we don't do enough research. Sometimes we think that we've done enough research and we're wrong. I've made that same mistake myself so I would never condemn someone for that.

But the situation is fixable and from what you've described the dog does not get enough exercise and has very clear triggers. Work on avoiding the triggers, try some positive training, using crates and tether your dog to you. Take the dogs to a field and run their butts off. You have a million different options to try.

Do you honestly think you have done everything you can to help this dog be a good dog?

No one said having a dog was easy.

 

[louey]

OP how about this suggestion, your dog is obviously not too happy (since you ruled out medical problems) I am guessing since the family dynamics has changed that something is bothering him? Is there a family member who could take the dog for a week and see if he is happier. He may be absolutely fine in a Adult only home?

 

[luvwinnie]

In case no one gave this link yet
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79&Itemid=357

 

[Momvic5]

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!

Since when does a dog's feelings come before the safety of children? I am sorry, but children should be able to live in their homes without the fear of being bitten by the family pet. I think that it is so sad when we have more concern and compassion for the pets in our lives than we do the people in our lives. My cousin wears a 2in scar on her face because her parents were more concerned about their cocker spaniel's feelings than they were about their daughter's safety.....OP, I think you are making the right decision - the people in your life come before the dogs in your life....and I would not worry about your family getting rid of you, they will put you first as you are putting them first now.

 

[DizBelle]

I think a PP touched on this but, you "get rid of" a disease. You "get rid of" pests. You don't "get rid of" a pet you've had for 9 years that you say you love.

I would also suggest that you "get rid of" your other dog now before he develops traits that will make it more difficult to find him a new home because I see his future the same as this dog. You'll want to "get rid of" him at some point too.

Harsh? Yes. But necessary to say for the sake of everyone involved.

 

[DizBelle]

Since when does a dog's feelings come before the safety of children? I am sorry, but children should be able to live in their homes without the fear of being bitten by the family pet. I think that it is so sad when we have more concern and compassion for the pets in our lives than we do the people in our lives. My cousin wears a 2in scar on her face because her parents were more concerned about their cocker spaniel's feelings than they were about their daughter's safety.....OP, I think you are making the right decision - the people in your life come before the dogs in your life.

You can do both you know.

What if you had two children and one of them had a "condition" that made them more aggressive and there was the potential for them to hurt the other child. Do you "get rid of" them?