Rehoming our dogs

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catkins wrote: »

I'm no dog expert but I didn't want to ignore your post.


Firstly could you let us know what breed your dogs are and what sex (am assuming 2 males but could be wrong). Also do they only fight over food?


I see they are 8 and 9 - have you always had them and, if so, have they only just started fighting?

They are a Lurcher X Collie and a Greyhound X Salukie. Yes they are both Male and both neutered. Yes they currently only fight over food even though they are separated at mealtimes etc it has been a long process but we are following advice and training but this one just can't correct. The Greyhound does have a tendancy though to want the Lurchers bed at times and shifts him off it which causes a bit of disharmony but we are seeking advice on this.

They are between 8 - 10 it was always unable to be determined exactly their ages by shelters / vets. No they have a history of unacceptable behaviour but we are / have sought help in the past and continue to do so as our last resort is wanting to rehome as we are more than aware of the difficulty it will cause at their age and temprament issues and despite what I said inn original post we really are at breaking point and desparation to keep them. However there are other problems too even though the dogs and husband come first in this household.

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Carfal wrote: »

Is the dog which bit you last year the same one that your husband had to remove from the house? If so, why are you considering re-homing the other one?

Yes it is the same dog who bit me last year that my husband had to rescue me and Greyhound from.

It was a thought at the time to rehome the Greyhound as he was in our opinion better character to be rehomed. Therefore leaving us time and energy to work with the one more likely needing rehabilitation rather than handing him to a shelter who would under the circumstanced be unable to rehome him due to continued agression issues and have no option than to PTS - something I don't agree with and couldn't live with the not knowing what happend to him.

Rehoming both was again an after thought at the time as emotionaly it was difficult to choose which one to get rid of and which one to keep - something I dont expect a lot of people to understand but am sure there would be a few who could see the predicament here.

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krlyr wrote: »

Can you really not afford a behaviourist - not even one session? If the dogs are insured, you can get behavioural treatment covered on that with many policies. But even if you have to pay yourself, one session is often all that's needed. A thorough assessment will allow a good behaviourist to come up with a plan that you can then follow at home, and most offer some form of backup - a re-visit included in the price, or telephone/email support with your plan.

Sadly no I can't afford a behaviourist and fat chance husband would pay either. They are insured to a very basic level (accident and illness only) but the vet behaviourist would not be covered through the policy as we checked. We go a quote for initial consultation with 1 follow up call, however I forget right now how much it was but know it was not cheap around £100. Husband discussed this and decided we were not likely to get much assistance from them to even alleviate the issue let alone solve it. Have asked around doggy friends and they have recommended someone but they are not vetinary approved. We continue to follow advice we have had but are now failing slowly obviously.

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Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Here's the previous threads:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4829217

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4700913

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4453515

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3970943

It's been a slow decline in behaviour.

OP - what does the vet say (other than recommend a behaviour assessment).

Thank you for posting the history links.

Vet hasn't assisted much other than behaviour then suggested a blood test and did say PTS was the very last resort. They were very supportive of the situation and our predicament and gave us basic advice too which we have followed and continue to do so.

tea_lover

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

We go a quote for initial consultation with 1 follow up call, however I forget right now how much it was but know it was not cheap around £100. Husband discussed this and decided we were not likely to get much assistance from them to even alleviate the issue let alone solve it.

Based on what? Would be interesting to know why you didn't even try.

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Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I agree with this... I'd get rid of Sky and holidays etc before getting rid of a beloved pet... all things the OP still apparently has from her other posts.

Realistically, who will want to take on an older dog with 'issues'... the poor thing deserves some help not just being moved on.

As for all bills (including Sky and holidays (really?! especially without a minder who will take our 2 and not wanting to put mother in law in danger either despite her happy to be a sitter)) technically is my husband who funds these and I have little choice. I am not just moving it on. The dog is controlling me so maybe I should move out and abandon it even more?!

I do what I can with that which I have. Little is better than nothing at all.

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Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Firstly, how old are the dogs... In February 2013 you said they were 9 & 10:



The reality is that there is very little chance of them being re-homed at that age... Especially with behavioural problems.

These problems have been ongoing (getting progressively worse) over the years you've been posting on here.

In that time you've asked about Sky packages and holiday deals so I can't understand why you've prioritised 'entertainment' over animal care.

I honestly feel that, from your posts over the years, dogs (perhaps animals) are not for you.

This one is a prime example:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4888803

Please see above replies for answers.

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rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I'm sorry but I don't understand why you're confined to a room during the day when a dog / the dogs are guarding their food


They must surely be fed once or twice a day, the food / bowls removed and that's it .....


Is it only food aggression?


If so, it must be possible to come to some sort of workable solution (not easy I know but believe me if I can manage to keep 2 cats separated 24/7 and also the dog happy - you do need to think out the box to work through every possible solution)

Can you not feed one in one room - and the other somewhere else?

We do separate the dogs during feeding time as advised by the vet and others. With a baby gate (blocked out with cardboard) or door dependant on the weather. Our bungalow is very small so it isn't difficult to become 'trapped' in a room / hallway / conservatory or garden when everything 'kicks off'.

I try very hard to separate the aggressor (Lurcher X) from me and the Greyhound X at mealtimes (to prevent possible dog fight let alone attack) but one will faff about and guard his food and the other lingers around to try and get at it. Stalemate situation, catch 22 scenario loop. Only solution I have found under such circumstances is to stay separated as long as possible. There is no going into Lurcher X domain to retrieve half eaten bowl. I can only command he go into the garden from a safe distance behind the gate and ask him to fetch a toy - thus distraction technique should the food bowl be empty.

Husband is a lot more successful but he is not only a lot taller, more nifty on his feet and quick thinking than I am but he isn't scared and believe me despite even my bestest efforts this past year to overcome that fear and anxiety and keep calm and carry on hoping the dog wont pick up on it its simpler said than achieved.

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ladymarmalade1970 wrote: »

There are are many dog forums where you can get practical advice for free. I have 3 dogs, 2 rescue and 1 from puppy. When we got the last one - an over bred staffie, she nearly ripped the other dogs faces off! OK, a slight exaggeration but she was bad and my OH said she had to go back.

We muzzled her and developed a plan whereby as soon as we saw her lips curl we would pick her up, put her behind the stair gate and praise the other 2 lots.

It took about 3 days of this consistent behaviour for her to realise that we weren't having it and we could safely remove her muzzle. It took about another 2 weeks for them to be ok with her then within 2 months i could safely leave them all home alone together.

She still has issues with other dogs (apart from her brothers who she dearly loves now she trusts them) and we have a behaviourist coming round next week for one final stab to see if we can sort it.

She is only small being a pedigree staff so she is manageable but I imagine yours are a lot bigger.

Can you muzzle the pair of them, watch them closely when they eat and then as soon as one starts, remove them for 5 mins and make a fuss of the other one?

You have to be confident about this and make it clear that it's unacceptable and you won't tolerate it.

I did have to take a week off work but she was well worth it and now we have a lovely family dog who, although still has DA issue, fits into our family perfectly.

We have had our staffie girl 2 and a half years now and she lives happily with her brothers - a rottie and a staffy X and they have NEVER had a fight.

Consistency is the key. That's how they learn.

It's not possible to muzzle them during mealtimes or pick them up.

I can persevere with the separation method however and try not to get on the wrong side.

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peachyprice wrote: »

You'd think.

OP, why can't you feed them separately. Feed one while you walk the other and vice versa?

I can't be in 2 places at once. What's to say the one wouldnt just sit at home guarding their food until we get back and the fight errupt as we get through the door.

I am unable to walk them any more due to a disability. I can just about manage to play ball with them in the back garden.

Mother in law walks them when she can (but this has problems of thier own) husband walks them when he is able.

Currently I find myself alone at feeding times - 3 times a day. Obviously I cannot let them starve until husband comes home at 8pm bearing in mind he leaves at 6am? This is for the minimum of 7 weeks non stop then until end of October at least as the festival season continues (he parks cars for a security company) as the seasonal work began last week.