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The doghouse

How do you safely rehome a fantastic dog who just doesn't like young children.

10 replies

Janesb · 19/09/2013 13:22

Hi, I would like some advice about how to rehome a dog so that you can ensure he won't be pts or placed in a bad environment.

Our 5 year old cockapoo is a Wonderful family dog and loves my 8 year old dd. however he dislikes our 18 month old dd. actually he is terrified of her.

I recognise when he is nervous and keep him separate from dd at all times. However, he has now snapped at her 3 times making contact but doing no harm.

All times have been when I thought the dog was elsewhere but as he is black he is sometime camauflaged. Dd approached him and went to stroke him when she was snapped at. We have another dog so she just wants to stroke him as she does the other one.

Our house is too small to permanently keep them apart and it will be at least 3 years till safe to trust dd not to approach dog. The dog also is very nervous of other children who approach him so I don't trust him at all with young children. He loves older children though.

We feel that the only safe solution for all of them is to rehome the dog but don't want him to go somewhere unsuitable as he is a nervous but very affectionate dog. Not quite sure where to go from here.

Any advice welcome.

OP posts:
LesserSpottedNeckSnake · 19/09/2013 13:28

You could approach the Cockapoo Club of Great Britain. They rehome cockapoos but I'm not sure exactly where they are based.

Janesb · 19/09/2013 13:30

Sorry I meant cavapoo. Typing quickly. But will see if there is a similar club, thanks.

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 19/09/2013 13:34

I would second the advice to get in touch with the cockapoo club, they are (for some reason) a sought after breed so hopefully you wouldn't have too much trouble rehoming.

Do not rehome privately as you will never have the peace of mind that your dog has found a forever home.

How long have you had your dog? you say he likes your older child? Ah, i see he i five so the older child would have been three when you got him. Not too much older than he is now.

Has he Always been scared of the new child? im sorry but i can't help but think that YOU have caused this, rather than your child not knowing how to react and be around dogs. I don't mean that unkindly, but maybe you were a bit over anxious when the 18m old was a baby? This has now caused your dog to be worried by the child. I say this because you may, if you are very vigilant, willing and ABLE to put in the time, and probaby money, you could, with the help of a decent behaviourist turn this around. Maybe at least have an assesment to see what it is that bothers the dog about the child?

Janesb · 19/09/2013 13:43

Hi thank for your comments.

I would have said before I have dd2 that I would trust this dog rather than the other as he is so loving.

However he has an anxious personality and dd2 is very loud and bags things a lot and he is just terrified of her. He has also become very possessive of his bed and doesn't like any children even walking past. He is fine with dd2 when he approaches her and will happily be petted by her. It's when dd2 approaches him when the trouble starts. Now I appreciate that children should never approach a sleeping dog but unless yo have eyes in the back of yr head or keep the dog locked up all day it is impossible to manage completely. The snapping has happened 3 times in the last 3 months but were all times when I didn't realise the dog had left his bed. I don't want a situation to arrise when dog bites.

The behaviourist said he is a incredibly anxious dog and is very needy.

Happy to put in effort but just don't see how I can chnage a dogs personality or dd2s!! Also there is the issue of not trusting him when friends visit so have to shut him away when they are. I can't live permanently always having to limit dd to one room as dog is in the other.

OP posts:
mintchocchick · 19/09/2013 14:12

I think in your situation I'd be at least exploring the idea of rehoming given what you've said. It must be very stressful for you to live with that worry and if anything happens you'll feel responsible.

The cockapoo club of GB offer a really good rehoming set up where they carefully assess the dog and the people offering homes only give a dog to the right home. I think they take in dogs needing rehoming themselves - a guy called Stephen looks after that side of things - and he seems to really care about the dogs. It might reassure you if you phoned him so he can explain what happens. At least if you felt the dog would be going to a good home, without small children, you'd feel better about the whole thing. Not every dog is right for every family.

www.cockapooclubgb.co.uk/success-stories.html

Hope the link works!

mintchocchick · 19/09/2013 14:13

I think the cockapoo club would also help you with a cavapoo by the way

LEMisdisappointed · 19/09/2013 15:08

I understand . Its very stressful have been in a similar position. It sounds like you have already explored options and it would indeed sound like rehoming is the way to go. Itry your local vets as they often have clients looking if they have just lost a pet. An anxious dog is a worry with kids you cannot take the chance. Try coth cavalier and poodle rescue too. Your vets dhoul have the numbers good luck xx

LEMisdisappointed · 19/09/2013 15:09

Both*

Scuttlebutter · 19/09/2013 17:17

It's also worth having a chat with your local all breed rescue. It's very common for parents of young children to rehome dogs (one of the reasons why many rescues won't rehome to families with young DC) so they will be very familiar with this situation. There are lots of homes out there either without DC or with grownup DC where this dog could be very happy, and your dog should not find it too difficult to be rehomed. Most rescues put their PTS policies on their website but simply being a bit nervous around DC wouldn't be a reason for most reputable rescues. It's a question you can ask them though.

Generally, rescues will then assess the dog, and match it with a suitable home. All potential adopters are given a homecheck (I do these for a number of rescues) and one of the questions we always ask is about not just DC living in the home, but visiting etc. as well. This way we can ensure a dog is placed in the best possible environment. It's sometimes hard to remember on a parenting website, but the majority of households in the UK don't have young DC in them and this is absolutely no barrier to your dog finding a suitable forever home.

I think you are doing the right thing for both you and your dog by rehoming it - wishing you all the best. It's not an easy decision to make.

yesbutnobut · 19/09/2013 20:16

Here is some information about regional cavalier rescues

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findarescue/Default.aspx?breed=6149

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