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

[louey]

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

Hey Kristine, fingers crossed everything will work out. Just a thought I have an adopted greyhound, I also volunteer with the group which I adopted her from. If I ever had an issue with her (which I don't most laid back dog ever!!) we have a muzzle, greyhounds are kinda use to them because of racing. Have you ever tried a muzzle? they are not mean, not harmful you could maybe use one if he was around the kids? Not keep it on all the time. Its just a thought, good luck and glad to hear he is home.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Please feel free to PM if I can be of any help.

There is a really great book called Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sara Wilson. These same authors have also written at least one book specifically about children and dogs together called Childproofing Your Dog. I think they would be a great source of information and support for you if you decided to get them.

Here's a link to both: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=brian+kilcommons

 

[Cat0727]

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

I've been lurking on this thread but I just wanted to say good for you for not giving up on your dog. Hopefully the crate will mellow him out.

 

[MushyMushy]

Hey Kristine, fingers crossed everything will work out. Just a thought I have an adopted greyhound, I also volunteer with the group which I adopted her from. If I ever had an issue with her (which I don't most laid back dog ever!!) we have a muzzle, greyhounds are kinda use to them because of racing. Have you ever tried a muzzle? they are not mean, not harmful you could maybe use one if he was around the kids? Not keep it on all the time. Its just a thought, good luck and glad to hear he is home.

Oh that's a great idea. We have a fairly aggressive black lab mix -- couldn't invite people over to the house for years for fear of how she was around strangers. We discovered that putting a muzzle on her gentled her right down. Now we can have people over, put the muzzle on her until she settles and she's right as rain after about 10 minutes. She doesn't even seem like the same dog.

 

[MAH4546]

[delete]

 

[Magalex]

Great to hear that the dog is doing well with quiet time in the crate.

 

[connorlevismom]

Hey Kristine, fingers crossed everything will work out. Just a thought I have an adopted greyhound, I also volunteer with the group which I adopted her from. If I ever had an issue with her (which I don't most laid back dog ever!!) we have a muzzle, greyhounds are kinda use to them because of racing. Have you ever tried a muzzle? they are not mean, not harmful you could maybe use one if he was around the kids? Not keep it on all the time. Its just a thought, good luck and glad to hear he is home.

That is an idea for sure. I will check them out online. He is going back to the vet next week just to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with him, but I don't think that there is. We just want to make sure.

Please feel free to PM if I can be of any help.

There is a really great book called Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sara Wilson. These same authors have also written at least one book specifically about children and dogs together called Childproofing Your Dog. I think they would be a great source of information and support for you if you decided to get them.

Here's a link to both: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=brian+kilcommons

That you so much, I am sure that I will PM you to pick your brain about things as they come up.

I've been lurking on this thread but I just wanted to say good for you for not giving up on your dog. Hopefully the crate will mellow him out.

I hope so too. He has been crate trained since a puppy and spends a lot of time in there anyway, with the door open. It is like his little oasis. It seems to be working having him in there. He seems just fine and happy with it. He is sued to being in there all day anyway because DH and I both work and he cannot be trusted to roam free. Maybe that has been the problem lately. I have been on extended maternity leave and have been home for 5 months, everyday for the most part. Maybe he is mad and annoyed that he does not have his quiet time anymore. I got back full-time in May so maybe he will chill out then.

Oh that's a great idea. We have a fairly aggressive black lab mix -- couldn't invite people over to the house for years for fear of how she was around strangers. We discovered that putting a muzzle on her gentled her right down. Now we can have people over, put the muzzle on her until she settles and she's right as rain after about 10 minutes. She doesn't even seem like the same dog.

Good to know!

Great to hear that the dog is doing well with quiet time in the crate.

Thanks!

Kristine

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I hope so too. He has been crate trained since a puppy and spends a lot of time in there anyway, with the door open. It is like his little oasis. It seems to be working having him in there. He seems just fine and happy with it.

See, it's a frame of mind. Kind of like being in the military. Being in a crate, in his mind, relegates him back to "dog status" as opposed to him being on the couch which gave him "people status" and elevated his rank nearer to that of the kids and even you and your DH. And being left a lot to his own devices, his mind started to think in a different way (his way).

Having rules, a routine, being kept low in the pecking order of the household, being corrected for infractions and given praise for doing the right things, being included in family activities, being exercised to expend pent up energy, etc, are all things that need to be done routinely and continuously with a dog, especially when life gets busy.

 

[connorlevismom]

See, it's a frame of mind. Kind of like being in the military. Being in a crate, in his mind, relegates him back to "dog status" as opposed to him being on the couch which gave him "people status" and elevated his rank nearer to that of the kids and even you and your DH. And being left a lot to his own devices, his mind started to think in a different way (his way).

Having rules, a routine, being kept low in the pecking order of the household, being corrected for infractions and given praise for doing the right things, being included in family activities, being exercised to expend pent up energy, etc, are all things that need to be done routinely and continuously with a dog, especially when life gets busy.

Yep - your right. As I sit here typing in the office he is sleeping away in his crate, with the door wide open.

I think that I just really freaked out because I was afraid of something happening to my kids. As long as this works, it should not be an issue. He seems fine, and we are much less on edge.

Kristine

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I am happy to hear that things are going better with him using his crate. You sound happier as well. Hoping for the best for you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yep - your right. As I sit here typing in the office he is sleeping away in his crate, with the door wide open.

I think that I just really freaked out because I was afraid of something happening to my kids. As long as this works, it should not be an issue. He seems fine, and we are much less on edge.

Kristine

I'm glad the crate thing is working out for you. Keep in mind to that like the Dog Whisperer says, dogs pick up on your energy. If you were starting to freak out it is most likely to dog picked up on that, and that freaked him out too. You need to be calm and assertive. BE it, not just act it.

Glad things are going well for everyone's sake.

 

[louey]

http://www.halemar.com/item53.htm


This is the type of muzzle I have, they can still drink with it on too. I think if your dog has a long enough nose it might work for you?

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm glad the crate thing is working out for you. Keep in mind to that like the Dog Whisperer says, dogs pick up on your energy. If you were starting to freak out it is most likely to dog picked up on that, and that freaked him out too. You need to be calm and assertive. BE it, not just act it.

Glad things are going well for everyone's sake.

I've been lurking your thread, not judging your situation, we have 8 dogs here all rescues as I had been with 2 rescue groups over the years. This could never work out having these many dogs if like maxiesmom pointed out we didn't have the theories that the Dog Whisperer Cesar Millans' mantra of exercise, discipline, then affection. They most definitely "pick up" on the Pack Leaders "energy" & all the humans in the family can be trained (even & especially your littlle one) I also agree with someone else that posted due to the dog's age they can sometimes just get a little cranky. Our oldest "Fantasia" is 10 and she also retreats into her crate (door open like you are doing) when she needs to get away from all the others. I applaud you and your family for keeping your "fur-baby" and encourage you to either read Cesar's books or watch his show or both. It's not easy, my dogs are not angels, and somedays I think we are crazy but the goal is being their leader ...which is all they really want.

Take care of yourself & your family,

Blessings, Ruthie