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The doghouse

Rehoming

11 replies

lilybetsy · 10/11/2017 18:22

We have two dogs, both collies. DDog 1 is almost 4 and DDog 2 is just over a year. We got DDog 2 as a companion for DDog1. H came from the same breeder as Ddog1. We had no problems with the first, she socialised easily, was trained easily and settled in without problems. From the start seh spnd a couple of hours alone every day, and went out with a dog walked on the days I am at work. We took advice and only got Ddog 2 when she was almost 3 and we were very happy with her training etc.
They get on well, and from that perspective it has been a success, but Ddog 2 has been a completely different dog to manage. Underneath I think hes very anxious and this manifests in resource guarding, aggression to other dogs, chewing everything, barking excessively (driving neighbours mad). Weve been to the Vet, had behaviourists in, worked with him and eventually send him for residential training in July / August. He came back much better, but sadly has relapsed. We stopped the dog walker we had, and found someone who walks just our dogs, but he because aggressive again with a dog in the park this week.
I dont think we can provide what he needs, I love him to bits, but I can see that hes stressed and not happy. His basic training / recall is very good (at least for me) but hes so anxious. I've tried adaptil, some other homeopathic tablets from the Vet, hes been chemically castrated to see f that would help ( and it wears off so that if it didn't its not a permanent change)I feel dreadful but Im seriously wondering about trying to rehome him in a house where someone is at home all the time...has anyone had experience of this ?

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missbattenburg · 10/11/2017 18:25

Not much to help, unfortunately, but just to suggest your breeder should take him back rather than you select his new home, and would probably prefer that even if it wasn't part of your puppy contract.

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bluetongue · 10/11/2017 19:38

Has the vet suggested medication at all? I've had to use prozac with my whippet puppy for his separation anxiety. He's still somewhat anxious but I can now leave him without the neighbours complaining and before I tried it I was on the verge of returning him to the breeder.

It's interesting that both your dogs have had the same environment and yet turned out so differently. My vet tells me there is a very strong genetic component with anxiety issues so your situation rather proves the point I think.

So sorry you're in this situation and I know how hard it can be. Luckily my boy has no agression or guarding issues and has attended day care successfully. Good luck, Flowers

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CMOTDibbler · 10/11/2017 20:04

If you've tried more exercise and stimulation, and are sure about rehoming, then his breeder should be your first port of call.

But if they can't/won't help, then please, please wait until after christmas to talk to rescues (I'd recommend a breed specific one) as this time of year all rescues are full as people stop adopting and more dogs are dumped/handed in

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lilybetsy · 10/11/2017 20:17

I do think that its interesting that both are collies and in the same environment, which suits Ddog 1 just fine, but isn't ok for Ddog 2... makes me feel fractionally less awful..
Im not decided, one option might be long term valium, but drugging a beautiful healthy dog seems dreadful ( I dont count the adaptil or zylkine we have tried as these are not real 'drugs' )
The kids are really hoping we don't have to rehome, but he's not their responsibility ....

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caroldeckershair · 10/11/2017 22:15

@bluetongue do you k ow the name of the medication you have please?

We’re having a hard time with one of ours and I’m interested in people’s success stories!

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bluetongue · 11/11/2017 03:24

If it helps, medication hasn't made my boy drowsy at all. He is still full of life and character. If it was stopping him enjoying life I would have stopped it by now.

Caroldeckershair Bluepuppy is currently on two medications. Clonidine and prozac. The aim is to eventually wean him off the clonidine but that's a while off. I'm not in the UK so not sure how much changes things. It hasn't been a cheap exercise but the only other option was to return him to his breeder and an uncertain future Sad

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bluetongue · 11/11/2017 03:27

Oh and I'm not sure if we're a success story yet! His separation anxiety is much better than it was but I think he'll always be a somewhat anxious dog. Medication also needs to be used in conjunction with fairly intensive training.

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MonChoufleur123 · 11/11/2017 09:15

Have you tried Nutricalm? I got some for our collie x over bonfire night weekend. But it's turned out to have really helped with his anxiety and fear aggression that he began displaying towards other dogs after he was attacked. Combined with a lot of praise and reinforcement training it has really helped improve his behaviour on walks. If your dog is a collie, is he also getting adequate opportunity to fulfil his breed instincts? If not frustration could be causing him anxiety. Rather than conventional walks could he play games 'herding' footballs or tennis balls to feel like he is doing his 'job'? HTH x

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lilybetsy · 13/11/2017 13:31

I am giving oral adaptil tablets one last chance - will see how it goes this week ...

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lilybetsy · 14/11/2017 11:58

I contacted the breeder and she is happy to him him back ...That at least makes me less worried about his future.

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caroldeckershair · 14/11/2017 16:11

Oh - I’m still reading and hoping for a good outcome.

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