To re-home my puppy

[Oomdm]

I feel absolutely awful even thinking this let alone writing it down.

I have a 1.5 year old dog, he's great and such a well rounded little boy, I thought it would be nice to get him a companion of the same breed.

My goodness it's not gone to plan. They have gotten into a couple of scraps, I've carefully reintroduced them and they now appear to be friends but I'm on edge.

Pup has been to puppy classes but I don't feel bonded to him, I feel almost like I resent him and I'm really struggling. The toilet training has been horrendous, no warnings he just pees and poos everywhere despite going out every 30 minutes. He barks at everything including my daughter, I feel for the poor neighbours. The biting has us really at the end of our tethers, he launches himself at our faces and has broken skin a few times.

5 months in (pup is nearly 7 months) I really thought things would have settled but I'm struggling. I have no idea what to do, I keep thinking another family may be the best option but I feel awful even thinking that.

Would I best the worst person in the world to consider finding him a new home?

Despite what some posters are going to tell you, no, you wouldn't be the worst person in the world to rehome him. Just do it properly and do it now whilst he's still young

I agree. Re-home. Now close this thread and don’t come back!

Honestly, you aren’t a dreadful person to think of rehoming him. You have tried.

It could be the darkest before dawn...mine was a nightmare at that age and I was thinking "What have done?", A few months later, it all settled and she's been great ever since x

What breed?

This is THE worst puppy stage. My dog nearly brought me to my knees at this age. As an adult she was a perfect dog. Well behaved, sweet natured, biddable and loving. Never needed a lead except by roads, loved children, gentle with other animals.

At 7 months she was mouthy, hyperactive, chewed EVERYTHING! Barked every time a mouse farted 6 streets away.

Persevere. Toddlers of any species are much the same when it comes down to it. Utterly unreasonable and inexhaustible. But they do grow up.

Did you get another dog because you wanted one or because you thought your other dog would like one?

I have always been a multi dog household until last year. The dog I have left wouldn’t tolerate another dog. It’s actually made me realise how much easier it is with one and although I might get another when she pops her clogs, it will only be one.

I am of the opinion that rehoming a dog isn’t the worst thing in the world provided it’s done ethically. You say your puppy is the same breed as your other dog; did you purchase them from an ethical breeder that could help you re home?

The alternative is give the puppy time. 7 month old puppies are horrid creatures. The pup may be a completely different dog by 12 months.

A puppy mouths they say becuz was took away from parents too young.. ours was the same and a devil.. But suddenly one day it all clicked best of friends with other dog. He’s still a baby.. he will get there.. but just becuz a puppy is hard work you don’t give them away Imo.

What type of dog is it OP?

Why on earth would another family want the biting, barking, unhouse-trained dog you don't want?

Labrador? Sounds familiar!

No, you aren't the worst person in the world. If that is what is best, then that is what you should do. But you have two dogs at demanding ages and these things will sort themselves out with time. So be sure you want to rehome before you do and aren't just doing it out of frustration and tiredness, because when the puppy is gone, he's gone for good.

I rehomed one dog I had years ago. I had two dogs, the older was a very large and extrovert personality and the younger was shy and timid. I was utterly overwhelmed with the two of them and had been for many months. It took time and I was prepared to keep both, but I found a lovely family who adored the younger one and he blossomed out of the shadow of the older dog, and I was less tired and stressed. So rehoming ended up as the best thing for my dog, me, and his new family.

I think yes, you would absolutely be better rehoming. Sounds an untenable situation if you have an unpredictable and potentially aggressive dog that is trying to/is biting your child.

But I appreciate that probably won’t be the majority view on here. I am not a dog lover, or a pet person generally really. I guess lots of other people feel very strongly about their animals.

Not the best idea to get another thinking they could be friends. Even if it does work out, they can then prefer each other, to other dogs and humans, become less sociable and obedient. My dog has been bitten by a jealous dog that didn't appreciate him having fun with his friend. I note that dogs who come as a pair are less friendly to other dogs, I give them a wide birth. It's fine to remove. Should be better house trained by 7 months, crate training usually works quicker.

The puppy isn’t unpredictable or aggressive. It’s a puppy behaving exactly like a puppy should do. Especially one that’s possibly lacking in training or boundaries like this one possibly is.

Puppies bite. Lots. Totally normal.

If you are going to re home, do it while he’s still very young, don’t wait! Only you can know if it’s the right decision deep down. If your other dog, child and you are unhappy and you’ve tried everything, might be for the best.

That’s fair. I suppose it depends how old the DD is. A puppy behaving like a puppy around a small child could be problematic, even if it isn’t the dogs ‘fault’ per se.

What????

It sounds like the right decision for the dog and your family - and better to do it while dog is still young it's much easier to re-home a 7 month old than an adult dog. This is coming from someone who has had several rescue dogs - I love them all but can completely appreciate why they weren't suited to their previous homes

@Thisismetooaswell Errr, I’m not sure how to answer that? Did you not ‘get’ my post?

A puppy being a puppy. Depending on breed, mouthing and 'launching' can last until the dog is 12 months+ because of energy/nature of the breed (i.e. Goldens)

Let this be a lesson to you, OP. Don't buy a dog as a companion for another dog. It's not twice as hard. It's ten times as hard.

Personally, I think you should re-home both dogs. You can't just re-home one simply because it's a harder puppy. Because training it is harder. Because it's not perfect.

You don't get to say 'nah I don't want this living, breathing dog because it's a bit harder than my other dog.' Rehome both. Don't get anymore pets.

Yes but that’s 100% down to the owner to manage. I was extremely strict with my current dog as she would harass my other dogs relentlessly if I allowed her. Puppies need constant management particularly the more demanding breeds. If she wasn't in her dog pen she would be dragging a lead so I had a handle on her. It’s really hard work but pays off eventually. Too many people give up when the going gets tough.

I've just rehomed my cat a few weeks ago due to him and my other cat not getting along. I thought about it for so long but everyone including professionals at the vets have said it's the right thing. I was upset and I don't usually cry however I know it's for the best. My other cat is a lot happier and he's back to his usual self.