To wonder why so many people rehome their dogs

I know people think MN is down on doodlydoos but I think this does demonstrate the issue.

people getting a doodle are usually first timers. They aren’t looking at breed traits, and how the dog’s personality is going to fit with their lifestyle. They see a fluffy teddy bear dog, or meet a lovely cockerpoo in the park, and think yes I want a dog just like that.

not realising that crosses can’t and won’t breed true. You have no idea what you’re getting. Especially when you’ve got a high energy, intelligent dog like a poodle crossed with a manic spaniel. They often have intensive grooming needs, rather than the “non shedding” coat that appeals.

then add in nearly all are farmed or byb and they won’t take a pup back if it doesn’t work.

Honestly, people don't give enough thought or planning into having actual human babies, so it's not shocking that they dont with dogs. And I thoroughly believe that rehoming a dog is generally the right thing for the dog, but I do get very frustrated when I see posts saying 'me and my boyfriend got a dog and then we broke up and I've got noone to walk the dog and can't afford a dog walker so I'm rehoming' i just think it's basic common sense, if you want to be a pet owner, to sit down and think for 30 seconds about what your plan would be if your circumstances changed - BEFORE you get the dog. Especially if you know you can only be a responsible pet owner by relying on others, whether that's paid or unpaid? It irritates me. Some people genuinely fall on awful times - unfortunately there are quite a lot of people who are just irresponsible parents and pet owners, who don't do the slightest bit of 'disaster/what if' planning before they make a commitment to a child or an animal. Surely that's one of the first things you do when you decide to make a commitment?
I'm not talking about real wildcard stuff, but so many people don't even seem to do basic 'what if I lose my job/what if me and my partner break up/what if my mum can't do lunchtime walks anymore' stuff!

I think sometimes rehoming is the right decision for the animal, especially after a baby... as the dog or cat cannot cope with sharing their home with a baby.
Maybe with better preparation they might have coped, but for example a thread in the last few days... the cat was used to undivided attention and ruling the house. Add something even needier then something has to give.

I’ve been lucky enough to have known and had some wonderful rescue dogs who have had brilliant lives despite difficult starts so it’s not always disastrous.

It's a shame people feel bad for putting their pets needs first and rehoming when necessary. Those who say they never could, you've never reached that point and you are fortunate.

I'm always grateful my old dogs ex owner came to their senses and allowed us to take on his dog who he was not caring for at all.

Our dog is a rescue, he was found in a park eating out of bins when he was about one. He was house trained and we suspect that his owner either died or moved.

Dogs are expensive and can be a lot of work, I think that some new owners don’t realize the commitment. I didn’t tbh but he’s an important family member…he’s convinced that he’s the boss!

The vast majority of people simply should never have got a dog in the first place.

@DelboytrottersDnecklace and @Seawolves those are both very valid reasons to re home a dog and you found them loving homes. That is not the same at all of getting whatever dog is seen as trendy, not training it then moving it on. Life can be brutal sometimes and you both did the right thing and should feel no guilt at all.

I always think it is the owners who want the best for their pet who rehome. It must be a terrible decision to make, but better that than a dog not being cared for properly.

I cannot imagine rehomng my gorgeous Sheltie, but I have never been pregnant and then my partner left me or dealt with an awful medical diagnosis. I would want the best for her and if that meant rehoming was for the best then that decision would have to be made.

None of us know what the future will bring.

Too many people get dogs now.

Dogs used to be owned by people who had lifestyles suited to them, farmers, self employed trades with on the go occupations where a dog could easily be taken along and kept busy. People kept traditional well known breeds with useful traits. You chose a dog based on knowing those traits well and understood the work to train a dog properly. A puppy wasn't a cutesy impulse purchase, it was a slightly annoying stage that you had to persevere & invest through to train up the useful adult dog you actually wanted.

Some times life gets in the way.
I nearly had to rehome my dog due to my own ill health. I had a lot of support though, and was able to keep her.

It is complicated and in a lot of those cases, the owners are heartbroken and feel they don't have much choice.

The rescue my dog is from is currently supporting a couple with dogs who are living in their car because they can not find any pet friendly accommodation (the rescue are taking them hot meals etc). The woman works but the man can't get work as he is looking after the dogs. You can't leave two dogs in a car all day. Yeah, they could give their dogs up and get a place, but their dogs are their world. Council don't want to know as they don't have kids.

Saying that, I am on benefits and have been told I should give my dog up as she is a "luxury" that the tax payer is paying for. I can't win!

The guilt will never leave me

She wasn't happy-she needed a job and the best I could offer was a slow walk around the block (with me having to scan for any other animal) once a day

I was really having to watch the pennies and having to find an extra £20/25 a week just to feed her almost finished me off

She went to a home where she had a job and was well fed on much better quality food than I could afford

Her needs where met in a way I could never have done

Didn't stop him from ringing me up and screaming at me for trying to put her first

Shitloads of reasons. I've been involved with dogs professionally, and dog rescue, for 20+ years.

Wrong dog for their situation.
Shouldn't have got a dog at all.
Didn't understand the level of work involved.
Were pushed to get a rescue dog they could not ever have coped with.
Life changed dramatically.

Any time someone decides they want to rehome their dog - thats a good enough reason for me. Dog needs an owner upgrade, because no dog deserves to live with someone who does not want that dog, or cannot meet that dogs needs.

I am sad that so many dogs end up rehomed - however sadder still is the amount of 'rehome shaming' that goes on by people who are holier than thou, cannot imagine the wheels falling off their lives or ever making a mistake, and like to sit in judgement over other peoples choices.

They may think it's harmless when they voice these opinions, but it's really not - such judging is one of the reasons why so many dogs are dumped, tied up outside rescues, left to run loose, handed in as strays when they're evidently not... or worse yet... live a miserable life stuffed in someones utility room or kitchen or tied out in a garden, suffering from neglect.

I have to say that I did re home my cat. This is because when my first baby was born I was so anxious I thought the cat was going to smother him. My mother in law offered to look after the cat until the baby was a bit bigger to help me feel calmer. Then the cat and the mother in law loved each other so much she asked to keep the cat. When the baby was a few months old I felt more myself again but that is just my story. Someone stepped in to help me out when I was (irrationally) panicking.
The cat lived happily with the mother in law for many years before he passed away. The “baby” is now an adult and I have never got another pet but I walk my sisters dog for her to help her out. So I wasn’t a bad person just a bit crazy at the time! (I know you are asking about dogs but I assume other people have done similar to me with dogs.)

It's pretty awful, but circumstances do change.

I nearly had to rehome my cat as she was unhappy with our new home but she died beforehand.

A friend's mother died and he can't keep her dog once he's dealt with the house sale. He travels too much for work.

I know I sound like a heartless bitch,but I once had to rehome a dog

My ex walked out when I was heavily pregnant,leaving his large breed dog,without a backward glance

I was a skint single parent who couldn't afford another mouth to feed and she was very reactive to other animals so I had to try to walk her when the kids where at school and I wasn't at work-she simply wasn't getting as much exercise as she should have done

I couldn't meet her needs at all-i hadn't planned on getting a dog and couldn't cope with her

My house was too small for her,Ditto the garden and I couldn't control her on walks as I wasn't strong enough

I rehomed her with a family who could meet her needs and kept in touch-she was much happier with them

The guilt,17 years on,is crippling

I will never have another animal even though I am in a place to have one-I have more money/time and would love one but I choose not to because of having to rehome her

Please don't come at me-i did what I thought was the right thing to do for her

Its not like I got a dog and the novelty wore off-he dumped her onto me and walked off into the sunset,without a glance backwards and had the cheek to scream at me for having to get another home for her

I did my best while she was with me-she was very well looked after

Why did I rehome our dog? Because one rainy Saturday my DH who already had a terminal cancer diagnosis (but was still working full time) had a mahoosive stroke. He became bedbound overnight, non verbal and lost quite a lot of cognition, after a three week stint on the stroke unit he was discharged home to die. It was mid lockdown, I had the barest minimum of support, a dying husband, two under twos and a dog. I couldn't do it all so the dog stayed with the family who were fostering him while DH had been in hospital and I tried to run a house, look after kids and visit a very sick husband in hospital. I thought it was the kindest thing to do for him, he had people who loved him, a dog companion and could get out for walks. I couldn't walk him as my husband was unsafe to be left alone at home because he was a falls risk and couldn't call for help if he needed it.

YANBU but I do understand why people do. I just don't think you realise how much it takes to look after a dog until you have one.

Mine has just turned 3 and there have been several times in the past I've felt like I've had enough and had a fleeting thought of rehoming him 😅. I wouldn't but I do understand why people end up not coping and rehoming.

I think getting dog has become a milestone thing so people do get married/buy a house/get a dog/have a baby etc when they are not experienced dog owners then get the house and the baby and go oh fuck.

I also see a lot of people getting very demanding working breeds and thinking they will mix with a baby and no 'dog work' to do.

There's a video somewhere on insta of a collie being sent out to bring in about 200 sheep, totally solo. Does a brilliant job and the text is something like, do you really think a dog like this is happy sitting on your sofa? And yet, and yet...

Surely better people re-home than the alternative.

I think there are some completely justifiable reasons to rehome a dog. Someone in the family developing allergies, job loss, onset of disability would all be things that are not foreseen when getting one in the first place. Loads of people just want a shiny new puppy and then get bored though!