A short while ago we rehomed a dog that is the same age, sex and breed as our existing dog. She had been returned to her original breeder, we were told it was because of the owner's circumstances. We met this dog, took her for a walk and introduced her to our other pets. Everything seemed to go well! We thought about it really hard, but decided that we really wanted to give her a home and that she'd be a welcome addition to our family.
Now it feels like it's all going wrong! We were told that she had no behavioural issues and that she was good with other dogs, kids etc BUT since we've had her we've not been able to leave her alone for more than a couple of seconds without her barking and wining and pacing - she obviously has serious separation anxiety. She's VERY sweet with us, but is becoming increasingly aggressive towards our existing dog (who does seem to be becoming increasingly passive and a pushover - dropping toys as soon as the new dog even looks at her etc) I spent the first couple of days sat on the sofa with them both and they've been happy to both cuddle with me and sleep next to each other (although not cuddled up together), but now that I'm having to actually DO anything like cook or work (from home) then she gets really agitated and won't settle, sometimes starting fights with our dog. A couple of times today it's almost felt like she's trying to guard me.
I've spoken to a behaviourist and they have told me that I can't leave this new dog alone for weeks and that it'll make it worse if I do. Then we might be able to calm her down, but it's only a maybe and that would take months and months.
I'm so stressed about this. I believe really really strongly that taking on a pet is a huge commitment and one that should be taken extremely seriously. She's also clearly a super sweet dog who, through no fault of her own, has had a really shitty start in life and is now getting messed about even more by having to live in different houses. The problem is that she's really upsetting our original dog and also our cats, who are living on the dining table at the moment because she goes chasing them whenever she sees one. It's also a massive commitment to literally not be able to go out without her for, in all likelihood, several months and I'm also really unsure that I have the skills to deal with her complex needs (especially as I have a health condition that sometimes means that I'm almost bed bound on some days).
I'm SO worried though, that if we send her back to the breeder she'll just end up going to another home and then the same thing will happen again.
What do I do?! She really is lovely and I want to give her a home and am happy to put time and energy into her, but should I do this at the expense of our existing pets and my health?
I feel a huge pull in both ways and just can't work out what to do! I feel like we'd be the shittyist of people if we don't honour our commitment to her, but I honestly don't know if we're able for it.
Please help MN and be kind - I couldn't feel worse than I do!!
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Help with rehomed dog!
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Sweetpea302 · 21/09/2016 17:54
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