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Original poster

To consider rehoming rescue dog due to negativity from neighbours?

159 replies

LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 18:42

Am I being unreasonable to think about rehoming my rescue dog? Other solutions? He was 4 years old when he came to us. He is a mixed breed lurcher and has had 4 different homes before us, he has been with us longer than anyone else. He was adopted from a rescue centre by a relative who then found the dog too much to manage, the children became attached so we took him on. We have had him about 5 years now but we've moved to a new area recently, but now he is causing us problems with our new neighbours and I think is being percieved as a pretty poor reflection on our family. It is a very tidy, affluent sort of area, and people here seem to be assuming the dog is neglected. We have another dog who is beautifully behaved that we bought and trained from a puppy who looks beautiful and never draws negative comments.

  1. He escapes the garden occasionally, once every 6 months maybe, he would escape CONSTANTLY if not for the fact that I stand by the door and watch him or put him on a long lead. It is a rental, there is a very thin hedge and an unusual design feature of the landlords, with no fencing and no way to seal any of it up. I took my eye off the ball due to the toddler yesterday for 2 minutes, and he disappeared. Heavily pregnant, with a toddler, walking up and down scrubland and peering in gardens calling for the missing dog in the pouring rain ensued. A neighbour later knocked on the door, apparantly he had somehow got through into the street and been recognised. Neighbour gives me a polite telling off about being irresponsible for letting the dog escape as poor dog ownership and acted as if I had sat in the house oblivious. Obviously him escaping even occassionally is terrible, but expecting him to 100% never escape is completley unrealistic bar rehoming given his urge to wander is so strong, hence wondering if I am being unreasonable to consider it to avoid being labeled a bad dog owner. My other dog never leaves the garden, she is a velcro dog.
  2. He smells really doggy, he has wiry terrier fur, washing causes him eczema, and when he is outside he has very strong wet dog smell. Everyone around here has a cockpoo or similar pretty/pedigree sort of dog that always look very well groomed, the lurhcer looks extremely out of place and 'mangy' just by virtue of appearance I suspect, I feel he is being discirminated against on some level for his looks. Our other dog is a very elegant pedigree and never gets any negative comments or assumptions of neglect. Should I wash him anyway? He is regularly trimmed and brushed, but still smells.
  3. He has fleas apparantly. He has been flea treated, I am forever treating him for fleas. My other dog is treated on the same schedule and doesn't scratch or have signs of fleas, but he just seems to constantly be itching. I'm not sure this is truly fleas or just eczema/sensitive skin but the neighbours want to assume it is fleas it appears.
  4. He barks all the time. Actually my other dog is the one that barks all the time while he is silent, I will give him that he is not a barker. My other dog has severe seperation anxiety and the neighbours are probably fed up of the barking every time we go out without her. I appreciate this must be very annoying for them, and I'm really not sure what to do about that. So rehoming him will not solve the problem of the barking for the neighbours.
  5. He has to sleep in a crate, or be in the crate when not under supervision or he will without fail poo/wee on the wooden floors the moment eyes are off of him. I have tried everything and he still does it (and of course letting him out 8 times a day increases the risk of him running off!). Fortunately he will not soil his crate. This is just about manageable but is still a potential reason to rehome.

The children adore him, we are all attached to his quirky character, he is a lovely, friendly, playful dog, but very difficult to own. As a parent, the dog is causing me unnecessary stress I don't need and must be reflecting poorly on our family. Maybe we aren't the right family for him? Maybe he needs more than we can give him? Our other dog (apart from being the real barker) doesn't attract negativity on sight, and I feel we are being blamed for the rescue dog's bad behaviour and feral appearance as nobody knows he went through 4 homes before us. I assume this was due to these very reasons, but we thought we were doing a good thing by taking him on.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 26/02/2026 19:22

Is it just one neighbour, or multiple neighbours? Have you told them that he's a rescue and a work in progress?

Locutus2000 · 26/02/2026 19:22

LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 19:12

I'm just trying to understand what they are seeing? I'm assuming they are judging him on his looks?

The barking. It's the barking.

Blushingm · 26/02/2026 19:22

I feel sorry for your neighbours! 1 barking dog and another than escaped

Hellohelga · 26/02/2026 19:20

Manifesto · 26/02/2026 18:59

The barking is a pain though and hard for neighbours.

It’s the other pretty pedigree dog that barks

Cappie73 · 26/02/2026 19:18

Sorry I’ve not read the thread yet, I only saw the title and thought straight away fuck the neighbours! Apologies I know that’s not much help

ToKittyornottoKitty · 26/02/2026 19:16

LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 19:12

I'm just trying to understand what they are seeing? I'm assuming they are judging him on his looks?

It says it in your OP though - they are judging you as an irresponsible pet owner and smelling the itchy escapee dog. Their problem won’t go away if the dog goes, they’ve already judged you and your ‘perfectly behaved’ dog would generate the comments next due to the barking. Grow thicker skin and tell your neighbour to mind their own business.

PolkaDotPorridge · 26/02/2026 19:15

I’m normally against re homing but you don’t sound like the family that should have dogs. Or in fact any animals at all. Poor dogs.

CosyBungalow · 26/02/2026 19:14

If he gets plenty of exercise, then a trip to the vets to check out if he actually has fleas - not sure why he would, and your other dog wouldn't?... have you noticed any bites on yourself or family members? The vet can also check his skin. He must be fed up being itchy all the time, and as someone else mentioned, have you tried changing his food?

anonymoususer9876 · 26/02/2026 19:13

Securing the garden is down to you to keep your dog safe. Every dog owner needs to do this whatever the breed. His escaping could cause car accidents for example even if he’s no danger to humans just by wandering about, and no driver would want to kill or injure a dog, it could seriously upset and stay with them if they are dog owners themselves.
You need to get a thicker skin over any perceived neighbour comments over how your dog looks. He may not be the most handsome, but that’s fine.
Speak to a vet over the constant scratching. This can’t be very comfortable for him. Ditto the toileting in the house.
Giving him up at his age isn’t necessarily a kindness. How do you think he would cope in kennels? Do you genuinely think he would be easily rehomed?

If however you can no longer cope with the dog and would be prepared to let him go to a rescue because it’s too much to have him at home, then that’s another matter. Rehoming him over what you imagine the neighbours think is a bit, well, I find that v confusing if you say you are all attached to him.

WhatSharonSaidNext · 26/02/2026 19:13

It sounds like there’s a lot more you could be doing here before rehoming. You know you can’t leave him unattended in the garden. From what you are saying he only escapes on occasions he isn’t being properly supervised. Ok yes, we all get distracted sometimes but that isn’t a him problem. Up your game. Lots of people are pregnant, have small children or disabilities but still manage not to let their dog go feral. If he’s constantly scratching find out why. Has he got a skin condition or is the flea treatment you use just not working for him? Look at edible treatments instead. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to make the garden more secure but you can do better at supervising him if you think this through because two minutes is two minutes too long for a dog you know escapes. No minutes at all unsupervised in the garden is a better target to aim for.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 26/02/2026 19:13

LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 19:10

All the points above, apart from the weeing on the floor, were complaints made by my neighbours, not me. It isn't me that complains he smells it is the neighbours on the occasion that he has escaped into their gardens. He does have a very doggy odour, he used to have a doggy odour even when bathed regularly but that made his itching and eczema worse and the vet said due to his hair type and skin that he should never be shampoo washed, only allowed to swim or bath in plain water, which he loves to do anyway. I was a little surprised that after spending 5 minutes with them they declared that he was smelly/had fleas etc etc as discussed in my original post, it seemed as though they had already made judgements they were seeking to justify. The dogs are walked a lot, and I run with my dog that has seperation anxiety, she is a breed that is well known for it, so yes, getting him rehomed will not solve that problem.

Edited

So one neighbour made a complaint once and you are willing to get rid of him? Would you do the same
if if they complained about your toddler screaming and smelling?

Original poster
LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 19:13

Thank you for the dog park and dog food tips, I will try that.

OP posts:
Original poster
LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 19:12

I'm just trying to understand what they are seeing? I'm assuming they are judging him on his looks?

OP posts:
RabbitsEatPancakes · 26/02/2026 19:10

Have you tried different food? Raw/ grain free diet fixed my old terriers skin completely.

As a neighbour the only issue would be the barking which is your other dog. You seem a bit obsessed with dog looks tbh. It's all a bit odd. I think poodle mixes are chavvy. A scruffy lurcher is much more upper class than a doodle.

Original poster
LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 19:10

All the points above, apart from the weeing on the floor, were complaints made by my neighbours, not me. It isn't me that complains he smells it is the neighbours on the occasion that he has escaped into their gardens. He does have a very doggy odour, he used to have a doggy odour even when bathed regularly but that made his itching and eczema worse and the vet said due to his hair type and skin that he should never be shampoo washed, only allowed to swim or bath in plain water, which he loves to do anyway. I was a little surprised that after spending 5 minutes with them they declared that he was smelly/had fleas etc etc as discussed in my original post, it seemed as though they had already made judgements they were seeking to justify. The dogs are walked a lot, and I run with my dog that has seperation anxiety, she is a breed that is well known for it, so yes, getting him rehomed will not solve that problem.

OP posts:
stayathomegardener · 26/02/2026 19:08

I think firstly you need to book a couple of enclosed dog park sessions a week so your rescue can run off some steam, the lurcher mix would probably mean he would be comatose the rest of the time with no interest in escaping.

With his skin issues you could consider a raw diet.

Regarding rehoming I suspect you are underestimating the impact this would have on your other dog with existing separation anxiety. The two will be very bonded.

JasperHale · 26/02/2026 19:06

Would you consider dog training and maybe a dog walker? At least he will have one proper, leash free, stress free (for you) walk a day? He might calm down at home if he has a chance to let some steam off?

Pearlstillsinging · 26/02/2026 19:05

It sounds as if he needs to visit a vet to discuss his skin problems, that is probably what is causing him to smell. If you can take both dogs to a secure field he could have off-lead exercise. And it might be worth you considering temporary/moveable fencing for your garden, or for part of it, so that you don't have to worry so much about letting him out But, no, you certainly shouldn't consider rehousing the poor thing because of what your neighbours think, especially as I would expect them to be more bothered about the other one barking than anything else

Alittlepixie · 26/02/2026 19:05

Start with addressing your ‘perfect’ dog’s barking. Maybe the neighbours will then be a bit more forgiving about the other one escaping occasionally.

Having lived near barking dogs, that would be my biggest complaint. A scruffy crossbreed friendly dog escaping every now and then would really not bother me.

HoppityBun · 26/02/2026 19:04

TheDaringFawn · 26/02/2026 18:55

Ps.why get a rescue if you are more bothered about how they look? Why do you care what neighbours say? Its your pet. It isnt like he is an xl bully biting people. He is just needing a bath with things suitable not to aggrevate his skin and some training to not poo and pee inside.

Basically he needs some love and tlc.

Edited

And a wash, from the sound of things

Twasasurprise · 26/02/2026 19:01

Why can't you set up a fence like chicken wire/ plastic netting inside the hedge? Point 1.

What does the vet say about his odour? Surely an occasional bath with appropriate shampoo would help to eliminate this. Point 2.

What does the vet say about the itching and why, on earth, do the neighbours have an opinion on this? Point 3.

Point 4 is irrelevant, as not this dog.

Point 5. How long is he locked in a cage for?

Honestly, it sounds like you are looking for excuses to get rid of him. If so, face up to it, as you are doing him no favours. If not, most of this sounds like quite minor obstacles to overcome. Poor dog. I hope you do the best for him that you can. Contact the rescue if you have changed your mind on him. Please don't just pass him on.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 26/02/2026 19:01

Manifesto · 26/02/2026 18:59

The barking is a pain though and hard for neighbours.

But getting rid of this dog wouldn’t fix it

CosyBungalow · 26/02/2026 19:00

Do your dogs get walked?
Dog paddocks are great for letting off steam and having a run around. He sounds fed up!
My rescue has separation anxiety - he goes to daycare when I'm out.

Manifesto · 26/02/2026 18:59

The barking is a pain though and hard for neighbours.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 26/02/2026 18:59

LimeslemonsPomegranates · 26/02/2026 18:57

Yes, I don't want to give him up, I'm wondering if it is better for him or the family though, and whether we are not doing our best by him if this is how he is percieved? I'm quite embarassed and not used to neighbours being so critical about him, this was not the case where we lived previously and I'm worried they will start making reports to the council/landlord etc, or assuming my children are neglected because they think our dog is. I'm possibly being overly anxious about this as it is clearly this dog they have a problem with as nothing negative has been said about my other dog. Unfortunately our previous landlord wanted to sell that property so we had to find something large enough near the children's schools are short notice or we would have chosen a more suitable garden.

Edited

No, giving him up because you are embarrassed for stupid reasons isn’t best for the dog. Your reasons are stupid… neighbours complain he barks but you no it’s not him, he scratches but you no it’s not flees and he struggles with his skin… you don’t wash him but complain he smells. Nobody else wants your old rejected smelly dog OP, he is your responsibility