Has anyone ever got rid of a dog and then regretted it?

[AutismMum21]

PLEASE BE KIND.

I know these threads can bring out the worst in people so please don’t kick me when I’m down.

I have a 2 year old dog, had him since a pup. He was honestly the most well behaved puppy ever - crate trained from day one, no accidents inside unless unwell, never chewed or destroyed anything etc. However he has now regressed during his ‘teenage’ stage and is honestly a nightmare.

He doesn’t listen to a word you say, he is running out the front door into the road (he has a gate across the kitchen but has now started jumping this so pretty useless), he is lunging at every dog we see on walks to the point where I don’t want to walk him anymore, jumping all over the furniture, walls and guests whenever someone comes over.

He is a cross bread and a bit of a nightmare to train as of late because nothing motivates him anymore to actually listen to the command you’re giving him.

I’ve honestly got to the point where I’ve given up on him - I dread waking up to him every morning and it’s honestly the biggest shame because I used to absolutely adore that dog before this all started happening but he just triggers the entire household and it’s pushing me to breaking point, I feel mentally and physically unwell and drained.

Has anyone ever got rid of a dog and then later on regretted it?

I really am starting to consider it as one of my options because of the toll it’s taking not only on me but the whole house but my biggest worry is once everything has settled down it would be the biggest mistake of my life getting rid of him…

Only you know what is best for your dog and your family.
Have just spotted your username and wonder if autism is an additional factor/consideration for your family.
it sounds like a very stressful situation and although this will likely set your pup back with his own anxiety and well-being, you should think of your own/your family’s mental health.

No one should judge what they don’t fully know.

Good luck OP

@Aftersunbun thank you so much, I really appreciate that.

yes I have a child with autism and normally she tolerates the dog really well - they just leave each other to get on with it sort of thing but because of his behaviour she’s really struggling with it and she’s become incredibly wary of him and always looking over her shoulder so obviously I don’t want the situation stressing her out either so it’s really tough to know what’s for the best!

When I was a kid my parents got rid of our dog (gave her away to a different owner) mainly because we couldn't afford her but probably partly because they didn't really want the hassle of having a dog. We kids were actually completely fine about it. We were mildly upset when we were told, but got some chips from the chip shop as a treat and didn't really think much more about it. Our parents never regretted it either.
It's not a bad thing to do if you re-home her.

Disgusting attitude.

Nobody misses him and your kids were fine! I bet he doesn't miss any of you.

Your words "only an animal" says it all. YOU chose to take on that animal and he looked to you for his welfare.

What would you do if you had a problem child? You don't even have the option of slogging on for 10 years waiting for them to die do you? You do what you should do which is love them, look after them. That is what you should be doing for any pet YOU decide to get.

Please please please please do not get another dog ever.

The trouble is people act like rehome is simple. Whilst a different home may well be a good thing for this dog the reality is that there is no guarantee you will find one.
The rescue centers are full to bursting and lots are unable to take any others. There are a limited number of experienced homes available for an untrained dog with separation anxiety and behavioural issues. The risk of private rehome is he could end up anywhere, unneutered dogs offered free to good home are in danger of being taken for further breeding (by unscrupulous puppy Farmers) or bait for dog fighting, or even just bounced through well meaning but overwhelmed homes that can't cope and add to his problems.
Please if you decide to go down this route then at least enlist the help of a reputable rescue for home checking etc, even if they can't physically take him for you.

I think the phrase “getting rid” of a dog is right here. Rehoming is a bit of a euphemism and helps with the idea that the dog is going to find a loving new home, whereas the reality for most is that they end up in kennels for months or possibly years-particularly a dog with behaviour problems like this one.

the reality for this poor dog, being a cross with behaviour problems is that finding a new home will not be easy. This dog is not being “rehomed”. It is being turfed out.

Has he been neutered ? My working cocker was like this at the same age but much calmer once he had been castrated. I was at the end of what I could cope with but he is wonderful now, couldn't ask for a better dog.

No. I frigging adore my dog. He has imperfections aplenty but I could never get shot of him.
And even if I could, my kids would never speak to me again

Wow, the dog’s well rid of you isn’t he ? You did him a favour ! You saved him from a life sentence.

It’s not “just an animal”but a family member.

It doesn't sound like the dog is happy either.

I know a family who emigrated and who rehomed their dog rather than wait out the quarantine period. I’m not a huge dog fan but I found that quite sickening and is a big reason I didn’t keep in touch with them.

I did, and have regretted it every day of my life since. I was moving from the state of Maine to the state of Florida. This was a Newfoundland dog that had never had to be tied up. We had 100 acres for him to roam. We gave him to a family member who lived on a farm, and the dog loved him as the family member had visited often however, the dog never got over the loss of his entire family moving without him, I still cry when I think about him I miss him so much. But I cannot go back and get him as he had to put the dog down so my baby boy is gone and I can’t do anything about it. You can never replace them as my family does treat our pets as family members.

Honestly cockerpoos are insane and a nightmare to train. My father took mine in the end as he was destroying our house and after spending a fortune on dog trainers and putting in hours every day, it didn't make a tack of difference. He's happy out now with my father who has plenty space and time.

You could try chemical castration to see what effect it would have, but I would be reluctant to castrate a dog with any signs of anxiety as it can make it much worse.
Training will see you through here, he sounds like he needs a job to do. He a cross between two intelligent breeds who both need stimulation. Look at Gundog training.

And yes - cockapoos aren't good family pets!

I feel your pain! You poor things! It sounds as if he simply needs some professional training!

The longer he runs wild, the longer his bad habits will become entrenched!

When I was a child, our rescue dog became very aggressive at meal times - he was taken back to the shelter and we later found out that the previous owners had abused him around food.

If we had known what the issue was sooner (or realised it was just the food situation) we could have trained him out if it. Yes we regretted it!

Our current dog became a nightmare teen! He’d been attacked a couple of times and became so reactive we were ready to euthanise him! Luckily, we found an intense training course instead!

Nine years later, here he is laying on the sofa, snoring merrily, next to me! We would have bitterly regretted giving him up! But it’s better to give him to the shelter and say you don’t know how to train him than to make him miserable! Poor doggie!

You aren’t doing any of you any favours! Good luck! I hope you get it sorted! ⭐️💝

If you re-home this dog, I won't judge. If you then, at any point, get another dog, I will judge you massively!

People get dogs they can't handle ALL THE TIME! We chose a lazy British Bulldog and he is turning 3 in October. He is going through training, then being fixed as it ends. He will then attend doggy day care to socialise and get himself in a pecking order with others and then will be out the other side of his hyper phase - which is actually calming massively anyway. It takes time, patience and money to own pets. If you don't have these now, you never will, so just make the decision quickly and be done with dogs if that's what you choose to do. Also, why people get breeds with a working dog trait yet do not have the time or resources to support their development I'll never know.

I am aware I sound judgey but please OP whatever you choose to do, own it and do right by whichever decision you make and move forward with gusto

what breed of dog /big or small.ive heard good things about a little treat use daily,by NUTRIPAW,i use the tummy friendly ones for my dog ,you can get nervous dog and ichy dog, my dogs tummy is much better since he started these by on line i use 1 a day a tub has 120 in so lasts 4 months,are they bored mine is getting older but still likes me to roll a ball in the hall if its too wet for out side,good luck

Sounds like you need a break to make this decision when you’re not frazzled.

can you afford a dog walker? I am a firm believer in a well exercised dog is a content one and it takes the pressure off you. Many dog walkers will actually help with the issue if you explain it first.

also if you do have to re home him and you can do so responsibly I am sure you won’t regret it, it will be a decision made for everyone’s best interests so don’t beat yourself up.

I don't envy your decision!

My cockapoo is a mentalist. She is a Velcro dog and doesn’t like being away from me. She was a terror during teenage years-also did the bolting out the front door, pretending to be deaf, constantly digging under the fence and escaping and generally being a knob. She drove me to distraction. She is also timid and has to be picked up to walk past other dogs larger than herself after being jumped on by a visla.

She has been spayed. To counter the escaping I bought an extra long lead, which was kept on all the time so I could encourage her back and then give her cheese, which is her all time favourite. We then spent hours and hours training with treats. Am happy to say she is now 3.5 and has calmed down considerably. She will
pop out the front door if open but she doesn’t run off, she just has a sniff around and easily comes back. She still is anxious at times but is a complete love and very sorted. Patience is key.

Sorry, you lost me at "get rid". This is a living creature, not a worn out rug. If you must rehome him, do it responsibly for his sake. And don't get a dog again. Ever. I'd also suggest no children... not because I think dogs are people, but if you think a teenage dog is hard work, you really don't want to try out teenage humans.

Honestly the hysteria on threads like this is bonkers. "Family" comparing it to a child. It's a dog, just a dog. Humanising dogs is mental. She's not taking it outside and shooting it ffs. Get a grip

🤣🤣🤣

Just to add, for posterity... People keep getting Cockerpoos because they are cute looking and "easy". Cute, possibly. But they are hybrids of the second smartest / intelligent dog in the world crossed with another really smart breed. You are either smarter than them, or they are smarter than you! They need far more careful consideration than most people think about.