To re-home our dog

[Centipedeswellies]

We are an animal loving family. We have 2 cats, a horse, 2 alpaca, hens and a dog. We have had previous dogs. Our current dog, a springer is well trained, well loved. I'm home a lot as we run holiday lets on our land and I have another business where I can be around. We have 2 preschool and one primary school age child.

I've always rescued animals from here, there and everywhere. Only the dog and horse were bought, everyone else arrived by hen rescue, cats protection, neighbours, rehoming groups etc. I love animals and don't give up.

However.... Our springer is 6, We walk him loads, he's well stimulated, he's well trained. But he is very reactive. He bit my wife a year ago when she tried to move him out of the sitting room, she just reached for his collar. He had previously growled and snapped but not bitten. He's been on anxiety medication since he was 2 or 3. We noticed he wouldn't settle, growled when approached if he wasn't happy and snapped if you tried to take of his towelling coat etc. he has to be sedated for vaccinations and it takes multiple vets to even get near him. He bit me too about 6 months ago when I tried to get him out from under the table. Tonight I was playing with him and he suddenly, growled then lunged to bite, he backed off and then lunged again.

We have 4 year old twins and a 6 year old. My mum instinct says that the dog can't stay as I would never forgive myself if he hurts our children. However, it goes against every grain in my body.

Sorry you are in this difficult situation. Do speak to your vet about the possibility of the issue being caused by an illness/pain. But, with that caveat, I honestly think that having your dog put to sleep is a better solution than rehoming.

I'm sure that in loads of ways he is a lovely dog: The decision to euthanise him wouldn't detract from that at all. But he is a risk to the people around him - and to himself too, because life as a biter might not be kind to him. A future home might fail to address the problem successfully, leading to stress and uncertainty for him.

He won't know or care about a shorter life; he lives for happiness in the moment. I'm sure you have given him loads of that xx

I always think it’s kinder for these animals to PTS, as sad as it is. If a dog isn’t enjoying life to this extent then it’s cruel to keep them alive. Dogs can’t really experience the hope of a better tomorrow.

I agree with this. There is unlikely to be a happy ending for this dog, just more suffering and trauma if you put him in the pool for rehoming.

Unless you personally know someone who knows all this dog’s issues and still wants to take him on, I think you would be kinder to put him to sleep.

I've not read all the comments so sorry if you've already rehomed and I've missed it. He's resource guarding - not unusual for a springer so please be careful rehoming as it can be very easy for these dogs to end up in the wrong homes and being pts when it's a very trainable behaviour in the right home.
I'm a dog trainer and experienced at fostering dogs with behavioural issues (particularly resource guarding) - working on the issue while they're with me and finding a good home where I can carry on supporting them if needed. No pressure and I'd obviously talk to you over the phone and can show you proof of all of this before you agree to anything but if we could arrange getting him to me I'd be happy to do this for you guys. Let me know if I can help at all and I can post my email or something so we can discuss privately

The problem is is that resource guarding takes work and a lot of behavioural change on everyone in the family.

She says she’s had a behaviourist round but they’re still pulling the dog out from under the table and playing games in a manner which triggers it.

But the main thing is she has 3 small kids who can she guarantee won’t even walk close to the dog when he has something.

To me it doesn’t sound like the right household for him and every day there increases the chance of a kid being bitten badly. Hopefully spaniel aid can help

You either-

Get the children involved with the training,

Tell the kids to leave the dog alone and completely ignore,

Or, get the children to call an adult for help if the dog has something they shouldn't.

No reputable rehoming centre will take on a dog with a bitting history. Your only options are to keep him, and be very careful or PTS. Sorry

We had to make a huge decision some years ago after our rescue dog bit for the third time. It was a heart wrenching decision of course and it still hurts. But once we made the decision, the general stress level in the house changed and we realised that all humans and other animals had been on high alert for over a year ... Miss him but know we made the right, but difficult, decision for him and for the rest of us.

It’s very hard with an anxious dog isn’t it. Mine is noise reactive and fearful of a lot of everyday things - flags, flashing lights etc. She usually loves an evening walk (no traffic, lots of cats and foxes to sniff) but over Christmas she wouldn’t go out because of the lights everywhere. I tend to let her decide for herself, but that usually means she doesn’t get as much exercise as I’d like. She can not be dog reactive too so I can’t her off lead as freely as before. I do sympathise, it’s hard work and there’s no easy answer. I would see what Spaniel Aid say.

This is untrue, and while it may not be your choice to take on a dog with a bite history, people’s circumstances and experience means they often do and successfully.

@Centipedeswellies
So OP doesn’t miss this very kind offer.

This. The chances of being able to rehome a dog that bites is negligible.
This is a very difficult situation for you OP. Can you approach breed specific rescue charities? I’m aware they sometimes take on dogs with a history of biting when the only other option for the dog is euthanasia.
I really hope you find a solution that works for you and your dog.

Can you give yourself a time limit to rehome say one month of really trying to find someone suitable. Then if no one wants to take him on PTS.
You all; adults, children, other animals and dog can't go on indefinitely. You as the human in charge must make a decision.

Thank you all so much.

Spaniel Aid won't take him on. They said there is nothing they can do.

I've emailed the vets for more advice.

To be clear on the pulling out from under the table. This was the first time he ever bit. We were trying to tuck high chairs in then put her arm under to move him a bit. That shouldn't really be a problematic thing to do.

My heart hurts.

Edited as just seen your update about spaniel aid

@Centipedeswellies I suggest posting in the dog section of MN as you might get more advice there?

You have to protect your children and other animals. I'm so sorry but the kindest thing to do is to PTS.

It can be problematic (as you've found out) if the dog is fearful.

Was the dog hiding under the table? Does he have a safe space of his own to retreat to?

Oh dear, Spaniel Aid must be really overloaded if they said that, they've had many dogs with a bite history for foster / adoption over the years I've been watching / involved with them but guess when so many dogs need a rescue space, they are always going to go with the easier options that will be quicker to rehome. I really feel for you, you will have to make that hard and awful decision I feel, the dog won't know especially if you get one of the vets that will come to your home so he's not stressed in the vets as the last thing which would make you feel even worse.

Please check out my previous comment. I'm able to foster, work on the behaviour and find him a good home (and happy to keep until then).

My retired friend helps with these types of dogs. She has taken on a few in recent years. There will be someone who has the time and environment that will suit him hopefully.

Sorry to hear Spaniel Aid couldn’t help. I really do feel for you. I can’t help but think this is fixable with a few changes. Ideally putting a hand under the table wouldn’t be a problem but for your boy it obviously is. Did the medication help at all? I know for some dogs it can exacerbate the problem, or at least some types can. Fluoxetine has aggression listed as a rare side effect. Can you pinpoint the biting to the medication ? https://www.woodward-vets.co.uk/images/downloads/medication-leaflets/Fluoxetine.pdf

I’m not an expert though. Have you PMd @Rainbowstripes ?

There’s a could of rescues here that take dogs with bite history and they have a no destruction policy
https://www.lastchanceanimalrescue.co.uk/aboutus.html

https://birchhilldogrescue.org.uk/rehome-your-dog/

Rooting for the three of you to be able to work this out ❤️

Our family dog attacked our daughter then aged 3;she still has scars on her face from the incident.We had our dog PTS.We were devastated.I’d absolutely not risk it with your children so yes you need to rehome asap.

spaniels also lovely dogs can be very neurotic despite trying to help them.

Yes. Rehome. Too dangerous. Thecdog needs Graham.

I've PM'd to see if this is workable.