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

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree with you, but a known aggressive animal is too big of a risk to take with a baby around. Are you ok with keeping the dog away from the family in another room or a crate in the name of not re-homing him? A baby plays on the floor so whom is kept away from whom on a regular daily basis?

First, in post #212, I said this:

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.

I think the dog will ultimately be better off in another home.

People who know me here know I've been extremely cautious about safety with both my children and my dogs.

I have two children who have safely lived with 3 German Shepherds in their 12 years of life.

It's not because either the children or the dogs were unusually good. It's because I worked hard at it.

It can be done.

I would NEVER take the safety of a child lightly. Ever.

But that goes for swimming pools and caustic chemicals as well as dogs.

I'm an equal opportunity for safety type parent.

 

[Christine]

I agree with you, but a known aggressive animal is too big of a risk to take with a baby around. Are you ok with keeping the dog away from the family in another room or a crate in the name of not re-homing him? A baby plays on the floor so whom is kept away from whom on a regular daily basis?

Actually, it is debatable if this dog has true aggression or is exhibiting behavior due to a stressful situation for that particular dog. Yes, snarling at your owner on the couch is aggressive but so are many other dog behaviors such as playing tug of war with a human and "pawing" your owner which is so often seen as "cute." Many dogs will start to show dominance when they aren't in a situation that has boundaries for them. And many won't. This dog is so obviously insecure at this point and upset. No one is saying to give it preferential treatment over the baby. Most people just feel that she doesn't want to deal with the dog anymore; period. I think that's where the criticism comes from. I don't think anyone really would expect you to keep a dog in the home if the dog was deranged to the point that it's behavior couldn't be dealt with. It does happen. My boss' dog got continually aggressive to where no one in the family could walk past the dog without it jumping up and biting them. It had a brain lesion though.

And for the record, yes, I would crate my dog or put it behind a gate when I wanted it to be out of the way of my kids playing, eating, etc. Dogs are very adaptable. This dog, I'm sure, loves it's family. I'm sure the dog would be happy enough to spend time in another room, even for hours, if it could stay in its comfort zone.

When my DD was born, my shepherd mix (who could be aggressive at time) love her; however, she did not like my DD running around the house. When my DD ran towards her and fell into the dog and stepped on her paw, the dog snapped. We realized that during playtime, the dog needed to be put away. Not a problem. My DD also learned to be gentle around the dog after that. I also changed my dog's feeding habits so that she was alone while eating versus having a toddler around.

Dogs are generally pretty happy if you give them lots of love, exercise, attention, etc. Putting them behind a gate or in a crate for a few hours doesn't faze them.

 

[amg35]

Actually, it is debatable if this dog has true aggression or is exhibiting behavior due to a stressful situation for that particular dog. Yes, snarling at your owner on the couch is aggressive but so are many other dog behaviors such as playing tug of war with a human and "pawing" your owner which is so often seen as "cute." Many dogs will start to show dominance when they aren't in a situation that has boundaries for them. And many won't. This dog is so obviously insecure at this point and upset. No one is saying to give it preferential treatment over the baby. Most people just feel that she doesn't want to deal with the dog anymore; period. I think that's where the criticism comes from. I don't think anyone really would expect you to keep a dog in the home if the dog was deranged to the point that it's behavior couldn't be dealt with. It does happen. My boss' dog got continually aggressive to where no one in the family could walk past the dog without it jumping up and biting them. It had a brain lesion though.

And for the record, yes, I would crate my dog or put it behind a gate when I wanted it to be out of the way of my kids playing, eating, etc. Dogs are very adaptable. This dog, I'm sure, loves it's family. I'm sure the dog would be happy enough to spend time in another room, even for hours, if it could stay in its comfort zone.

When my DD was born, my shepherd mix (who could be aggressive at time) love her; however, she did not like my DD running around the house. When my DD ran towards her and fell into the dog and stepped on her paw, the dog snapped. We realized that during playtime, the dog needed to be put away. Not a problem. My DD also learned to be gentle around the dog after that. I also changed my dog's feeding habits so that she was alone while eating versus having a toddler around.

Dogs are generally pretty happy if you give them lots of love, exercise, attention, etc. Putting them behind a gate or in a crate for a few hours doesn't faze them.

 

[terri01p]

 

[thewebbs5]

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??

I don't normally post, usually just browse, but I just can't help myself on this one...

I really can only LOL at this. it really cracks me up. this part especially..."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." as if that is a bad thing.
I have 4 kids, 3 dogs, a cat, a hamster and fish. I love my pets, but they rank no where and I mean no where close to where my kids do. There is just no comparison.

 

[amg35]

I don't normally post, usually just browse, but I just can't help myself on this one...

I really can only LOL at this. it really cracks me up. this part especially..."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." as if that is a bad thing.
I have 4 kids, 3 dogs, a cat, a hamster and fish. I love my pets, but they rank no where and I mean no where close to where my kids do. There is just no comparison.

how many times are we going to hear this argument? If people took the time to read what posters like Christine and others are saying, we wouldn't have to hear this over and over.

Anyone remember the Simpsons episode when the Reverand's wife just kept yelling "think of the children" over and over? This thread reminds me of that.

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

How about buying the dog a muzzle and keep it on while the children are around the dog?

 

[DizBelle]

I don't normally post, usually just browse, but I just can't help myself on this one...

I really can only LOL at this. it really cracks me up. this part especially..."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." as if that is a bad thing.
I have 4 kids, 3 dogs, a cat, a hamster and fish. I love my pets, but they rank no where and I mean no where close to where my kids do. There is just no comparison.

Then why bother?

 

[DisneyKT]

Instead of a training and educational issue, many people prefer to make this a "human vs animal" debate.

The latter *is* a lot easier.

Training and education take time and effort.

The "people come first" argument allows swift and guilt free action.

Just wanted to tell you I agree with you. It is a lot of work.

But I really wanted to say I love your dog in the pic. I lost my last shepherd over a year ago. We will be getting a puppy this April. They were just born this past weekend. Can't wait to have another shepherd in the house.

Sorry for the side track.

 

[thewebbs5]

Then why bother?

I needed a laugh today.

 

[thewebbs5]

how many times are we going to hear this argument? If people took the time to read what posters like Christine and others are saying, we wouldn't have to hear this over and over.

Anyone remember the Simpsons episode when the Reverand's wife just kept yelling "think of the children" over and over? This thread reminds me of that.

But see I wasn't quoting Christine and the others...i quoted Jennasis. and the fact that she said that the OPs first priority was her kids like that was a bad thing. It just cracked me up. So by her standards I shouldn't be a pet owner because my kids are my #1 priority. So does anyone have room for my 3 dogs, a cat, a hamster and some fish?

And for the record...I completely agree that most dog issues are really people issues. I know when we get slack on my dog training my lab mix will try to be alpha every time over my kids. The other two never even test the boundaries. You just have to be constant and consistant!

 

[Momvic5]

Instead of a training and educational issue, many people prefer to make this a "human vs animal" debate.

The latter *is* a lot easier.

Training and education take time and effort.

The "people come first" argument allows swift and guilt free action.

People have to be honest with themselves though....we can argue all day long about the dog, its feelings, and what can be done, but if the OP doesn't have the time, means, strength, or whatever to correct the situation with the dog, then a decision has to be made. Her decision should take into account what is best for her family and she should not feel guilty when she chooses her family over her dog. Some of us can not provide our dogs with the perfect conditions for all situations at all times. I had rather people be honest with what they can and are willing to do and find their dog a new home over them just keeping their snappy dog with their children.

No more posts for me...we are going out of town for a while and we are taking our sweet dogs with us.

 

[Bob NC]

Actually, it is debatable if this dog has true aggression or is exhibiting behavior due to a stressful situation for that particular dog.

I wonder how long the coroner would ponder this question?

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I needed a laugh today.

Wow, you've been a member here for 3-1/2 years and only 8 posts? And 3 of them are on this thread? How do you hold your tongue like that?

I, on the other hand, comment on just about anything.

Sorry, OT y'all. Carry on.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

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.

You have no clue where I kept my dog. I never said she was seperated from the entire family until she died. I said I kept her seperate from my son. Big huge dfference. She was already sick with bladder cancer and if you actually knew anything about animals you would know that when animals are in the end stages of bladder cancer , they have many accidents. She was kept babygated in places such as the kitchen and hallway. Places my son didn't go into because they were kept off limits. Plus these were areas without carpet for easy clean-up.

You have no idea regarding anything about me. I trained dogs for many many years before having children. People brought their aggressive dogs to me to train so they wouldn't have to give them up.
I am judging. I think its horrible. I stand by my statement. Any true animal lover would find a way to keep this pet or at least try everything possible to make an effort into keeping him. She doesn't want to put the time and effort into this dog so its easier to "get rid" of it or put it down.. Its sad! I seen many people that actually wanted to put an effort into the animal they loved turn around and be able to be a family pet again. Some not.

After 1 episode of snapping I wouldn't jump to such a conclusion that this dog is going to eat my children. As a trainer, it might be the start of something more serious, but it may be something that can be corrected.

Springers are known for their aggressive traits. A little research into the breed 9 years ago would have prevented this also.

I would be more sympathetic if it seemed she was really torn up and tried everything possble. Sorry I don't see it. As another poster stated, its easier to just dispose of the dog than make the effort.

I don't know why I waste my breath,. I should just stay away from these threads just like "airhead". It doesn't matter what anyone says on here seems the OP already made up her mind what she is going to do.

 

[Jex]

We got a dog because we both love dogs and have owned them all of our lives. We never thought we wanted kids, either of us. We thought we would live out our lives as DINKS and be happy. A couple years into it, we realized that we wanted kids.



Let me be clear. In my first post I said I CANNOT take him to a shelter. I said that my DH said he would rather put him to sleep that make him go into a shelter. NEITHER of these things we would do. He was just saying that if we put him to sleep at least he would know what had happened to him where as if we took him to a shelter, he would always wonder. But neither of these things is an option for us, ever. I was asking for advice on how else to find a pet a good home. Does that make sense?




How much money do you think I should be shelling out for this, seriously. I am on a budget as most of america is at the moment. My kids comes first. If you did not read my post about how much kids cost, take a look. It is not cheap. So what happens if I spend all this money and training (again) and it does not work? Then what?

Kristine

I guess this what confuses me, you say your kids come first and that you can not afford to spend money on dog training. But in your sig line you have a countdown to your kidless WDW trip.
My wife and I have four dogs and while we like our "toys" and trips if it came down to doing without so that we could stay a "family" we would in a heartbeat. Of course maybe I'm in the minority since I feel that by bringing the dogs (our kids) into our home I will do whatever it takes to protect them and keep them healthy and happy. Seriously I would even risk my life to save one of theirs. So people who see their dogs as disposable really irks me.

 

[merryweather20]

You have no clue where I kept my dog. I never said she was seperated from the entire family until she died. I said I kept her seperate from my son. Big huge dfference. She was already sick with bladder cancer and if you actually knew anything about animals you would know that when animals are in the end stages of bladder cancer , they have many accidents. She was kept babygated in places such as the kitchen and hallway. Places my son didn't go into because they were kept off limits. Plus these were areas without carpet for easy clean-up.

You have no idea regarding anything about me. I trained dogs for many many years before having children. People brought their aggressive dogs to me to train so they wouldn't have to give them up.
I am judging. I think its horrible. I stand by my statement. Any true animal lover would find a way to keep this pet or at least try everything possible to make an effort into keeping him. She doesn't want to put the time and effort into this dog so its easier to "get rid" of it or put it down.. Its sad! I seen many people that actually wanted to put an effort into the animal they loved turn around and be able to be a family pet again. Some not.

After 1 episode of snapping I wouldn't jump to such a conclusion that this dog is going to eat my children. As a trainer, it might be the start of something more serious, but it may be something that can be corrected.

Springers are known for their aggressive traits. A little research into the breed 9 years ago would have prevented this also.

I would be more sympathetic if it seemed she was really torn up and tried everything possble. Sorry I don't see it. As another poster stated, its easier to just dispose of the dog than make the effort.

I don't know why I waste my breath,. I should just stay away from these threads just like "airhead". It doesn't matter what anyone says on here seems the OP already made up her mind what she is going to do.

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

 

[connorlevismom]

I guess this what confuses me, you say your kids come first and that you can not afford to spend money on dog training. But in your sig line you have a countdown to your kidless WDW trip.
My wife and I have four dogs and while we like our "toys" and trips if it came down to doing without so that we could stay a "family" we would in a heartbeat. Of course maybe I'm in the minority since I feel that by bringing the dogs (our kids) into our home I will do whatever it takes to protect them and keep them healthy and happy. Seriously I would even risk my life to save one of theirs. So people who see their dogs as disposable really irks me.

Not that I or you OR your cronies over on the other board ANY explination to anything, 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. You should already know that, there is a thread over there about THAT too. So NO I am not finding a new home for my dog because I don't want to kennel him. I actually have a private dog sitter come and stay with my dogs because I don't want to kennel them.

And for the record:

I got my dog at 6 MONTH, not 6 weeks

I am not, and have no intention of putting my dog to sleep

You are more than welcome to come and punch me in the mouth as one of you would like

If any of you would take the time to LOOK at this thread instead of just assuming, you would see that I HAVE done training. At $150 and hour 2X a week, for 2 months. And then again a couple of other times. A far cry from the $87 you tell me I can get training for.

I DO teach my kids to not tug on the dog. My 6 year old never even touches him and sorry, my other one is 5 months and not even crawling yet. Pretty sure she is not doing anything to him either.

Please don't assume that just because I don't come back and post every little update on what I am doing, that I am not looking for a good home for my dog or that I have only contacted one place and have given up.

My dog is NOT neglected by any means. Did you somewhere miss where my DH plays fetch with him almost every day?

I am not even going to go there with the Springer/Border Collie thing. Because if people could READ, they would understand what is going on.

Thank you for saying you think I am full of **** and an *******. That is really classy behavior.

My dog does not go IN the dishwasher. He is 60 pounds! What I mean by he is not allowed in the dishwasher means that he is not allowed to come by it when it is being loaded. The tend to like to lick the dirty dishes while it is being loaded and I find that gross.

I know very well how to handle MY border collie. I have owned him for 8 1/2 years. Clearly no two border collies are alike because this one like to lay around and sleep most of the day.

So - there you go. Anything else you guys would like to know? Maybe before you all go after someone you should actually take the time to READ what is going on. I mean, the VERY FIRST POST was incorrect information.


I think it is truly pathetic that you all have a forum SOLELY for the purpose of making fun of people and calling them names. That speaks volumes about you as people. You should be so proud of yourselves.

Kristine

 

[Christine]

But see I wasn't quoting Christine and the others...i quoted Jennasis. and the fact that she said that the OPs first priority was her kids like that was a bad thing. It just cracked me up. So by her standards I shouldn't be a pet owner because my kids are my #1 priority. So does anyone have room for my 3 dogs, a cat, a hamster and some fish?

And for the record...I completely agree that most dog issues are really people issues. I know when we get slack on my dog training my lab mix will try to be alpha every time over my kids. The other two never even test the boundaries. You just have to be constant and consistant!

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.

 

[Disneyadore]

Wow I'm almost speechless. I dog year counts for seven years. So this dog is 63 years old. At that age people also get strong ideas and some times a little bit grumpy.
I sure hope for the OP that ,when she reaches that age ,her kids don't decide to throw here out because she is not fitting in the "ideal profile".
MUM: Don't give your kids so much sweets. KIDS : Lets throw out mum she has so much "biting" commends.
In the mean while I look at me twelve years old dog and I'm sure if I would try to sell my husband the idea to get rid of him I would surely find myself tied to a tree in the middle of nowhere.