Rehoming our dogs

marmitepotato

Re feeding - dogs do not need fed x 3 each day. Most are fed x 2 / day and some people only feed once / day.

This sweeping statement is wrong. Deep chested dogs are prone to a horrible condition called 'bloat' where if medical treatment isn't sought immediately the dog will die a very painful death.
To prevent 'bloat' deep chested dogs must be fed three or four small meals a day and their bowls must be off of the floor on a bowl stand.

thorsoak

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

Given a chance to update the situation I would like to point out that it was some days ago I posted the other post in desparation.

The reason for the string of replies (not excuses) was to answer individual questions raised since I originally posted. There were over 40 responses upon logging in earlier so this seemed the simplest way.

We have followed a lot of advice from previous threads:

Establishing a routine, basic training, playtime rules, garden habbits. Regular exercise wet / winter day indoor exercise, stimulating the mind activity, indoor wear out, bed time routine, separation at mealtimes, separate area for dogs and us for some time out, curbing noise nuisance, muzzling, feet nipping, herding, separation anxiety, food and treats and very basic training commands to name a few! Sometimes its hard when we dont work from the same book but we are getting there.

Thank you to all those who have helped with advice and also to those who arnt on this forum who have helped as well.

We have consulted a few new doggy friends who have put us in contact with people who can help. I am seeing one later this week who is coming to see how she can help. If she cannot she can foster our dog or dogs long-term or just short term for some respite and intensive training - FREE! No she isn't qualified or vet checked /approved but she does already own several Greyhounds and Lurchers always has had dogs and horses and loves animals for their own wellbeing standard and understands the issues we maybe facing right now.
She has also mentioned she knows someone else who retrains bad behaviour using animal therapy (T-Touch or something?) and also rehabilitation dogs (pack teaching?) which we may wish to think about later on.
We are also searching for a secured field or arena within driving distance to let them run.
Once the agressive behaviour improves we will look for a regular dog walker / trainer.

We certainly wont give up on the dogs and I am considering therapy myself for my fear issue if the Dr will help.

Being slow mobility also exasperates the fear naturally.

First things first though a check up at the vets. To look at the links provided earlier and maybe a trip to the library next week.

At least now we have a plan coming together.
Thank you.

Please do these poor dogs a favour - rehome them IMMEDIATELY - do not put them up for a short term fostering - they need to be placed in homes where they are not feared, can be exercised, not subjected to any "pack" theories - and most essential of all - rehomed with people who understand and can establish routiines so that they are fed separately, treated as individuals and not thought of as a problem.

Also - please do not even contemplate getting any more dogs - you need your strength/abilities to cope with your own disabilities. You do not need the anxiety that exudes from your post - and no animal deserves to be subject to such anxieties.

wannabe_credit_free

Anyone who rehomes a dog with serious issues, is merely passing on the problem to someone else. Worst case scenario being, your dog/s being used as bait in dog fighting. If you can't keep your dogs and address their aggression, then I would suggest you look for a rescue, sign them over and hopefully the rescue can work with your dogs and address said issues and only then, finding them a responsible, caring, forever home.

Goodluck whatever you decide..

Caroline_a

marmitepotato wrote: »

Re feeding - dogs do not need fed x 3 each day. Most are fed x 2 / day and some people only feed once / day.

This sweeping statement is wrong. Deep chested dogs are prone to a horrible condition called 'bloat' where if medical treatment isn't sought immediately the dog will die a very painful death.
To prevent 'bloat' deep chested dogs must be fed three or four small meals a day and their bowls must be off of the floor on a bowl stand.

Current thought is that raising the food bowl can actually cause bloat, and 2 - 3 meals a day is adequate.

xbethanyx

my dog (a very large german shep) had severe food agression. I treated it by hand feeding him. the issue is the bowl and it's his possesion. remove the bowl and attempt to hand feed. obviously meat cant be hand fed, so use a bowl that you would eat from and put a little meat in at a time and hold it for him to eat. using dry food is easier and only feed a handful at a time. try even basics to make him work eg "sit" and then give a few nuggets.

Person_one

thorsoak wrote: »

Please do these poor dogs a favour - rehome them IMMEDIATELY - do not put them up for a short term fostering - they need to be placed in homes where they are not feared, can be exercised, not subjected to any "pack" theories - and most essential of all - rehomed with people who understand and can establish routiines so that they are fed separately, treated as individuals and not thought of as a problem.

Also - please do not even contemplate getting any more dogs - you need your strength/abilities to cope with your own disabilities. You do not need the anxiety that exudes from your post - and no animal deserves to be subject to such anxieties.

Who do you think will take on two older dogs with their history?

Katiehound

Person_one wrote: »

Who do you think will take on two older dogs with their history?

Absolutely! Rescues are packed out with dogs as it is and even those with a non-destruct policy frequently have a caveat "unless aggressive"

As I said before....personally I can't see a happy ending unless you find a small animal rescue rather than a national one. Often the small ones will really try to accommodate difficult cases even if it means keeping the dogs themselves and not rehoming....but that is asking a lot. Greyhound /lurcher rescues again may be able to help.

rising_from_the_ashes

marmitepotato wrote: »

Re feeding - dogs do not need fed x 3 each day. Most are fed x 2 / day and some people only feed once / day.

This sweeping statement is wrong. Deep chested dogs are prone to a horrible condition called 'bloat' where if medical treatment isn't sought immediately the dog will die a very painful death.
To prevent 'bloat' deep chested dogs must be fed three or four small meals a day and their bowls must be off of the floor on a bowl stand.

I know what bloat is


I did not suggest the OP feed only once a day ..... dogs (incl those breeds that can be more prone to bloat) can be fed 2 x / day without issue if it's done correctly


Your 'sweeping statement' is wrong ....


One of the big factors in bloat is the amount of time left before feeding either side of exercise


Recent research suggests raised feeding bowls can actually be a factor in causing bloat and many now recommend to feed at floor level

krlyr

marmitepotato wrote: »

Re feeding - dogs do not need fed x 3 each day. Most are fed x 2 / day and some people only feed once / day.

This sweeping statement is wrong. Deep chested dogs are prone to a horrible condition called 'bloat' where if medical treatment isn't sought immediately the dog will die a very painful death.
To prevent 'bloat' deep chested dogs must be fed three or four small meals a day and their bowls must be off of the floor on a bowl stand.

There is very little known on the actual factors that contribute or cause bloat, so I would say your comment is a sweeping statement too.

As Caroline said, studies have indicated that raised bowls may actually increase the risk rather than decrease it.

I own a Rottie x and a GSD, both deep chested breeds prone to bloat. I feed twice a day and will continue to do so unless I see concrete evidence that more times is necessary.

lostinrates

Have had deep chested dogs all my life since childhood.

Because come from breeding family number of owned dogs is very high.

Fed twice a day as adults, off the floor mainly, some on stands.

NEVER one case of bloat, not a single one.

IMO rushed eating, stress during eating etc, the diets and exercise / husbandry are all as likelY causes.


Very personally, I'd be more worried about under exercised dogs going through stressful overexcited feeding routine several times a day.


I think the idea of lead walking one while the other eats alone ( in the garden) then doing a swap might be worth considering.


Is there no where contained you can take them to play where they will not bother others and can let off steam if there really is no other walking solution? When I was young I remember a very large office car park near us being used by a friend to exercise his afghans off lead in the evenings. A modest fee might secure somewhere with private access where you can not walk much but they can run?