Another dog after rehoming.

[Dontgiveamonkeys1350]

let me explain. About four years ago I had a springer spaniel. This dog was my world. I picked a springer as I was an avid walker. Loved dogs. Was so interested in the training side of owning dogs.

I would take him out to the woods every day. I would train him in the woods. We did training everyday. Brain training all the time.

The problem was he was nervous and turned nervous aggressive. I paid for a behaviourist to come In and help me. I worked closely with the vet to see if we could turn him around as I refused to give up on him.

He slowly got worse and worse. No matter what I did. What I read. Who I asked for help he got worse. The point where I realised that I just wasn’t enough to help him was when he jumped off the sofa one day. Ran across the room and went for my sons neck. No provocation on my sons part ( he was 11 at the time and nowhere near him ).

The vets suggest putting him to sleep and so did the behaviourist.
I refused and spoke to loads of people. Eventually I found a specialist shelter that had a behaviourist that would take him on and work with him one to one to see what they could do. I wanted to give him a chance with a professional before all was lost.
As far as I know he was rehomed after a about six months to someone who knew what they were doing.
I did everything in my power to help him.

Now after four years I miss having a dog so much I have so much time and energy to put into another dog.
But. I’m worried. What if I got another dog and the same thing happened again. I couldn’t go through that again ever. It killed me.
If you have rehomed a dog would u get another one? I’m scared that I will start off worried and that the dog will pick that up and then we start the cycle all over again.
My springer I had from a puppy and was nervous when I got him.
I just don’t know what to do.

[Ylvamoon]

02Dontgiveamonkeys1350 - I was in your shoes once. And yes, absolutely get an other dog! Maybe try a different breed / type or take in a rescue... think about all the things you did well with training. The type of home you can offer a dog.

My story: I had a Parson Terrier from pup. Like your dog, he was everything I wanted in a dog... I trained him to a high level for agility. He was fast and clever, a real natural no problems during training/ competing. Yet he was unpredictable when out and about & would randomly pick fights with other dogs. I could not have him off lead. Then, along came DC1, to start with he was fine, but as DC grew and started walking, the dog tried to avoid DC by walking away with a very low growl. Although he never touched DC, the dog clearly didn't like DC and growling got worse. My gut feeling was to keep them separate. Which was no fun in an small open plan home. I just didn't want to take the risk with growing DC and re homed the dog. (He went to a childless agility home.)
I have done a lot of research and the unpredictable nature of the dog was well known amongst breeders for his bloodline - excellent working stock!
I have had different type of dogs since. My criteria for a dog had changed, yes, I still want a clever easy to train dog. But I avoid certain types, I go with mainly companion/ utility dogs. I also have rescued and rehabilitated breed dogs. I feel I have given something back.
I love my dogs and can't imagine being without them.

[Moominfan]

Op I feel your pain. I took in a collie that hadn't seen the outside world for best part of 6years. Couldn't tell he was a collie because he was so fat. He was really reactive towards dogs and resource guarder. Worked with him for over a year and he never got better. He lost a lot of weight and was very loved. We sadly put him to sleep. Was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Not many people would take in dogs with behaviour issues. You clearly have a very big heart. Be a shame not to have another dog in the future.

[Dontgiveamonkeys1350]

I was really worried about posting this here. I know rehoming dogs is a hard subject. It was not something I did lightly. And it was either give him a chance with someone else or have him put down and I couldn’t be that selfish

[Maneandfeathers]

Just as a side note, I put my nervous aggressive dog down. I don’t think that was a selfish act, the dog had a life of extreme misery and stress 24 hours a day with no release and was put to sleep in the arms of the one person she loved and trusted. I think it’s probably the least selfish thing I have done in my whole life.

I did get another dog after, but I researched the breeder until I could research no more. I viewed the parents, grandparents and siblings and made sure that there was no genetic weakness or nervousness in the line. Once the puppy came I socialised her and got a trainer in from day one and as a result I have a lovely friendly happy dog now.

[Dontgiveamonkeys1350]

@Maneandfeathers that is a wonderful ending to a sad story. I didn’t realise how much I missed having a dog around until I changed jobs. And the lady I work for has four. And one of those is a puppy. The puppy stage has always been my favourite. My dream would be to help train the guide dogs for the first year. I would love that.

It’s only a thing in my head at the moment. We acquired a cat a few years ago ( he decided he rather liked our house instead of his own and he doesn’t do dogs. He is 11. So wouldn’t be anything I do in a hurry.
I did think about asking the rspca if they do volunteers for walking the dogs. That might tide me over for a while. Is that thing they need?

[StinkyDora]

Have a look at The Cinnamon Trust. They look for dog walkers for the elderly / terminally I'll who can no longer walk their own.

[WatchingTheMoon]

OP, I usually get really mad at people who rehome their dogs as so many do it without thinking or really trying. And lots do it as soon as their baby comes or a new puppy arrives.

You tried everything. What more could you have done? In the end, you even found a shelter that could actually help her.

We are working with a trainer with my dog atm. He's a growly little fucker sometimes although keeping him off furniture and lots of treats have helped a bit in the past few weeks. We are having a baby soon and I know we'll always have to keep them apart which will be a huge struggle at times. (I would keep any dog away from a baby though tbh, puts the fear of God into me when people post photos of babies right next to dogs).

We have put so much love and time and money into him. We will keep doing everything we can to give him a good life. But if I felt he was going to be a danger to our child, I would have to rehome him (luckily, my PIL love him and would likely take him).

You did the right thing. You didn't just give up on him. Some dogs just don't do well for whatever reason.