Dog Re-homing

lovelyme

Hi. I have a lovely dog that has been in the family for 5 years but recently his behaviour has become more and more unstable. Without going into too much detail he can no longer be left on his own and as a working parent, unfortunately, this is inevitable.

I have therefore made the difficult decision to rehome him but can't seem to find someone to take him. I obviously want an organisation that doesn't destroy dogs but there are only 3 (Dogs Trust, Assisi and Mid-Antrim) and they all have long waiting lists. Any other charities i have tried to contact have not answered my calls.

Does anyone know of anywhere that could help?

revpeachy

Would you not consider seeing an animal behaviourist first?? John Wilson of The Sheiling Canine Training Centre is excellent. He helped me enormously and very reasonable price. If you try and rehome are you not just going to exacerbate the problems for your dog?

Try John he'll visit you in your home and give an assessment and advise best way forward for everyone.

sleepymy

Please do not rehome this dog, you're just passing the problems that were developed in your home on to someone else. Someone who might surrender him to a kill shelter or have him put down rather than try to help him. He is a sentient being who sees your family as his own, not some object that can be thrown out at will.

In this economy the shelters are overflowing with unwanted dogs, NI has the highest healthy dog euthanasia rate in the UK. A dog with problems has very little chance of finding a good home.

I second the idea of a dog behaviourist, with a bit of time & effort you can again make him into the lovely family dog he's been. Doesn't he deserve that?

Firstly I would get him checked over by a vet to make sure his behaviour isn't being caused by some physical problem.

maxter

Please try to exercise your dog.

polly453

What breed is the dog........he could be bored or just attention seeking

caz2703

My parents had the same problem a number of years ago. A stray followed me home from school so we took him in but it soon became clear that he had issues. He couldn't be left alone and when he was even if just going into the back garden he would shred everything in sight. My parents released him to the USPCA but when no-one claimed him or re-homed him we took him back rather than have him put down.

A few weeks later he took a turn for the worse and it was discovered that he had parvo and distemper which more than likely was the root of the problems. We rehomed a dog from Assisi last year and he was a handful at the beginning but he's getting there. Unfortunately he can be a tad nasty towards strangers and don't get me started on people walking past the house or the postman delivering the mail! Might have a word with the hubby and maybe try John Wilson ourselves as Assisi were only able to offer some assistance although they have been great to be fair in that they don't leave you stranded when you re-home.

Whatever you decide just make sure it isn't a rash decision. I know people will say a dog is for life but you've mentioned that you are a parent and if they dog is causing you concern as regards your kid(s) then I can understand why you are in this impossible situation.

chez_ona

Hi, you don't say what area you are in (or I missed it).
Both our dogs came from the rainbow rehoming centre near Derry.
They were fantastic - our first dog was a little 'difficult' and it took us 3 attempts to find another dog who could live with her. But they did everything they could to help us find the perfect match.

They are always massively busy but if you are willing to keep the dog in your home for a little longer I'm sure they will be happy to try and find a new home for him.

http://www.rainbowrehoming.com/

hazelc56

I say give the dog another chance but I suspect your dog is bored perhaps by being left alone for long periods of time.If this is the case then is it possible to get a friend or relative to look after him/her when your away for a long time or at the very least call in when you are out to walk the dog for you,to help break the monotomy of lonliness and boredom.
Failing that then perhaps the best solution is to give him/her up where someone will be there.
The animal arc dont put dogs down.Even though they are overcrowded they might have a spot for your's and be able to get the dog a loving available home.Put some notices up for someone to rehome the dog,that way you can see who you are handing him/her over to and even go to thier home to check it out first.
Good luck with a happy outcome.

sandraann

I think you've got some excellent advice above. Grovehill shelter in Omagh also doesn't put dogs down but it's under pressure like all rehoming centres.I'm surprised that a dog you've had for 5 years would suddenly change so it would be useful to get advice

SnowyOwl_2

This thread is from October last year....and the person who started it hasn't logged in since then either. Though there is good advice given it doesn't seem likely that the OP has seen it. I'd love to know what happened to the wee dog though.