Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Am I doing the right thing - rehoming :(

18 replies

Newlywed56 · 03/04/2016 11:07

Bit of a long story but these are the key points

We have a fab two year old collie, very smart, lovely and I've loved having everyday since we got her. However she has some behaviour problems - which we have paid a dog trainer for who although has been great they are still issues

1.barks A LOT when outside in the garden (live beside public footpath so anybody goes past she barks a lot and very difficult to stop her. She gets very stressed out by this all the time so keep her in a fair bit but returning to work soon and will be away all day again

Very exciteable and constantly tries to herd myself /anybody even though corrected, worried that when our one year old starts walking it will be another issue

a few weeks ago while out on a walk the collie did a collie nip on me ( quite deep, punctured skin with canines, required antibiotics) this is the first time she has ever bit hard. She's quite a nervous dog but covers it with barking until the thing she's scared of gets right up close. In this case it was another dog who she tried to go for when walked past and I was trying to keep her on the inside of me & the pram and must have bit me on the leg trying to get the other dog.

Therefore after a long discussion I think we are at the heart breaking decision to re home her. All of these behaviours problems I could live with and be happy to keep working on if it was just me but with the baby I feel my maternal instinct is ringing and I don't think I could live with myself if the baby ever got bit and although I know she's no way an aggressive dog (confirmed by dog trainer) it was just unfortunate circumstances that led to the bite. I feel like I would constantly be worried about this and would keep them separated even more which I honestly don't think is good for the dog, means less attention, less exercise if they can't be taken out together.

I may have someone who could rehome her as a farm dog ( this could be great for her as means loads of space, mental stimulation all day, etc etc ) but I know for a fact I will be heartbroken but I'm trying to look at what's best for the dog.

Any outsider opinions ? All welcome

OP posts:

Report

Florin · 03/04/2016 11:15

I normally say people give up too easily but in your situation I think you are making the right decision. It with be hard but you need to think of your dc's safety as well as yours plus it doesn't sound like your dog is particularly happy where they are anyway, I am sure it will be happier being stimulated in a working environment.

BertieBotts · 03/04/2016 11:23

I think you're making the right choice. It's not a decision which should be taken lightly but this dog sounds unhappy, and you're going to be out all day soon too.

Farm sounds lovely for her.

Springermum1350 · 03/04/2016 13:25

Sounds perfect xxxxxxx

pigsDOfly · 03/04/2016 13:32

Dog's not happy, you're worried about the future with the dog. Dog gets to live on a farm which will probably be ideal for her.

Sounds like the ideal solution all round to me.

Thattimeofyearagain · 03/04/2016 13:33

My dm had to rehomeher lurcher bitch years ago and it was the best decision ever . She went to a lovely retired couple who had an huge garden and no other pets
. Your giving her the chance of a great life

OliviaBenson · 03/04/2016 13:45

What type of training did you do with her? Have you spoken to a behaviourist? I have a dog reactive pooch and it's hard work. I'm just wondering what you tried to do to tackle it?

I'd be worried about leaving the dog all day while you work- Collies in particular need a lot of stimulation and exercise.

Finally, I don't think you should rehome him yourself. Please speak to a rescue who can vet any new potential owners. Do not use gumtree etc.

Booboostwo · 03/04/2016 15:37

It doesn't sound like you have a right set up for a collie. They need a lot exercise, a lot of mental stimulation and human company.

Be very careful how you rehome her. It would be wonderful if there were a queue of farm owners waiting to take on dogs with behavioural problems but there aren't. Contact a breed specific rescue and be prepared to keep her until the right home comes up.

cheerfulmary · 03/04/2016 16:00

You are just describing typical collie behaviour, from a bored unstimulated collie. I disagree with Boo that they need a lot of exercise they need some but they need masses of mental stimulation or else they go mental which is what your collie has done.

I doubt any farmer would take a pet collie to work on their farm as they need dogs that have either had basic training or have a proven work ethic.

If you wanted to you could easily sort out the behaviours however if you are not able to give the collie the life they need then rehoming is the answer. Please please please rehome through a good rescue or the dog could find itself in the same situation again. A good rescue will assess the dog and new owner and give life time support to the dog. If you need help in rehoming through a rescue please ask.

Newlywed56 · 04/04/2016 18:52

Cheerfulmary I don't really think your comment of " if you wanted to you could easily sort out the behaviours " . I've been trying for a year to sort these behaviours out (including paying for a very good dog trainer)and although they are a bit better (apart from the new bite issue ). Believe me if I could think of anything else to solve this apart from rehoming I would as its really breaking my heart but at the moment I don't see one . For rehoming it is just a possible place with a farmer it is our dog trainer who thinks they may be interested, this person assesses for council pounds so I will be happy to go with it if it works out, I'm trying to avoid kennels as much as I can

OP posts:

wheresthel1ght · 04/04/2016 20:12

My parents own 2 collies and without being horrid it sounds like most of the issues are to do with your handling of her. Her barking and herding is probably because she is bored. Collie's are lovely but they aren't meant to be pets, they are working dogs and need an awful lot of exercise m. A simply walk on a lead is simply not enough, neither is being let out in the garden. They need HOURS of walking, freedom to run/chase balls/play in order to satisfy their needs. I apologise if I have misinterpreted your post but it sounds like she is not getting this and would be getting significantly less when you go back to work.

However, whilst I think some of this behaviour is sortable, the fact she has bitten and you have a young child means that the above is irrelevant. Rehoming/having her out down are your only options imo. I apologise if that offends anyone but once a dog bites they will do it again and therefore should not be around children.

Owllady · 04/04/2016 20:17

Some collies have more of a herding instinct than others, it's not all to do with bad training etc.
Go through a proper collie rescue OP

PolkaHeart · 05/04/2016 22:02

Newly we've made the decision to rehome PolkaDog too. He's a westie, and has had some issues (mainly separation anxiety from me), but he growled & went for DS twice in last few days.

I'm heartbroken, but know it's the right thing for us all

Newlywed56 · 05/04/2016 22:21

Aww polka I'm so sorry, it really is awful isn't it. At least though he just went for him (I'm assuming this from your post) and didn't actually get him so at least that is something . We have decided to go ahead with the rehoming even though I've cried about it everyday for the past week, my head does know it's for the best , just the heart is the issue. I'm sure you're the same

OP posts:

honeyroar · 05/04/2016 23:03

My friend has a sheep farm. She took on a dog like yours that had been a pet. It ended up fitting in well with her other collies, and while it was never as good as the trained working dogs but it wasn't bad, and it was a happy, fit, active home.

Moving15 · 05/04/2016 23:07

I think you are doing the right thing rehoming her, please use a reputable rescue to find the right home, and please do not get another dog in the near future.

PolkaHeart · 06/04/2016 07:34

No no, he's never bit him.

An assessor from the local rehoming charity is coming round today. It's all happening very fast - we only contacted them on Monday. There's been lots of tears here too

Newlywed56 · 06/04/2016 17:31

Ah right how did it go? What sort of things did they ask / discuss? (Just trying to prepare myself

OP posts:

PolkaHeart · 07/04/2016 01:46

It went ok. Hard, but ok.
They charity we're using lets us meet the new family first, then does a follow up every two months. They also offer behavioural support.

They asked if he if was microchipped/neutered/vaccines, follows commands, likes other dogs etc

I feel better knowing he's not going to be given to any family that comes along, but still cried during the meeting. Told DH I can't be there for the final handover

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.