Giving a dog up - Battersea or Dog's Trust

[anchoviescapers]

A fellow dog owner has made the really tough decision to give up her dog.
He has extreme separation anxiety and general anxiety meaning she can never ever leave him alone, he never leaves her side, wont relax enough to sleep in the day time etc.
She has tried EVERYTHING she can afford to try & worked with a behaviourist but to no avail and is now at her wits end.
She isnt a spring chicken, has health issues and her physical & mental health is suffering massivly. I fully support her decision.
She is heartbroken. I said I'd help by beginning some research into rehoming/rescue options.
Has anyone got any experience giving up their dog to Battersea or Dog's Trust?
How did it go? How long did it take etc?
Any other recommendations for rescues in London?
Would love to hear of anyone's experiences.
The dog isn't aggressive at all, he's 2 and a is gorgeous and unbelievably sweet but just so needy, and his anxiety is being separated from HER rather than being alone in general.
Thanks

sorry.. just a bump

I think it would be hugely stressful for the dog to be housed in kennels if it is anxious being separated from her.
Could she contact somewhere that offers to fosters dogs whilst they are waiting to be rehomed?

What size dog is it? Am only asking because my mum is desperate to take on a new dog but can realistically only cope with a small dog

Having been researching today I came to a similar conclusion. Hopefully we can make that happen and avoid kennels.

He's medium sized... he needs a good 2 hours walking a day at least.
He really is a lot to take on but thanks

First contact the breeder. A decent breeder would always take a dog back.
We had one with awful separation anxiety. The solution unfortunately is never ever to leave them for longer than they are comfortable with. That’s so hard. For some dogs it means being with them 24:7

If he has extreme separation anxiety the chance of him being rehomed is minimal. Separation anxiety gets worse with rehoming.

I’d say she either needs to rehome him directly to some one who can live with a complete Velcro dog, or consider euthanasia

if she sends him to kennels the chances are he won’t be successfully rehomed but passed back and forth unsuccessfully. She may actually find that kennels won’t take him/may consider him a poor rehoming prospect.

What breed is the dog as each breed usually has a country wide rehome /rescue website or contact details online or even a Facebook page which you can contact and they will arrange the rehome for the owner , definitely kinder than kennels as they go to breed experienced owners

Wow euthanisia ?A bit premature, i disagree with this regarding kennels not taking him, you will always find someone to take on a “problem”dog either as a foster the kennels will work on his separation anxiety. Many charities such as Dogs Trust will never put a healthy dog to sleep

If you look on Facebook, all the different breeds have groups and there will be plenty of knowledge about that specific breed along with their suggestions for rehoming options. He would be better going to someone who knows and loves the breed than a kennels.

Ummm did you deliberately ignore where I suggested to rehome him directly.
Yes dogs trust might never put a healthy dog down, which is why they might not take a dog with limited rehoming options. They don’t have the space for permanent residents. Additionally making a dog that has extreme anxiety when not with people spend the rest of his life in kennels with very limited social contact would be much crueller than euthanasia

Is it a spaniel or spaniel cross by any chance? I’d agree with looking for breed specific rescues who would have experience working with dogs with these issues

No I didn’t ignore it, and I understand what you are saying but I think it’s a decision that should be made by a behavioural specialist or rehoming charity not by the OP or her friend. This dog is a problem for this particular person as she has a lot on her plate including health issues and is alone(?) another person maybe able to cope with it. You don’t know that it won’t be rehomed successfully, many dogs are with much worse problems. I’m sorry if I interpreted your comment wrongly but it sounded like you were sort of writing it off as too much of a problem. Dogs can get better with separation anxiety. I think rehoming privately definitely has it benefits if you know the person you are rehoming the dog to, but a charity will check that the family or person is suitable and many of them do have people who foster dogs long term now.

It is indeed - it's a spaniel poodle cross, cavapoo.

That's great advice regarding the contracting the breed specific groups, thanks all who suggested.

His separation anxiety is extreme, but from what I've read, not the very worst of the scale. I have been having him at my house for short periods without her (a huge part of the problem is she could never work on it in her own home due to living in a flat and some very unfriendly threatening and intolerant neighbours). He doesn't lose control of his bowels or get destructive. He just howls and howls and needs constant company and cuddles. He does get quieter eventually, as long as I am with him. So I don't think he's a lost cause and with the right professionals and rehoming I feel he could make progress and another owner in more suitable circumstances very happy.

Honestly, neither. I'd be going to a breed specific rescue only.

Dogs trust definitely do put healthy dogs down, they just rebrand them as mentally ill, beyond saving or dangerous. That's easily available online.

Also breeder if she still has the details.

Not true. If a dog has severe behavioural issues that can't be remedied, such as a senior dog that can't be touched and needs daily handling for medication, that's not a healthy dog for starters. They have a large number of dogs on their Sponsor scheme for example who do have managed behavioural issues that are otherwise doing well, and not put to sleep.

Any good rescue, big or small, will carry out an assessment of this dog to work out whether it would cope in a kennel environment, if it won't she will likely be put on a waiting list for foster placement or be directed to somewhere else with foster space. Even the big rescues have intake waiting lists at the moment though :(

@anchoviescapers I've just spoken to my mum and she says a cavapoo wouldn't be too big for her. If you would like to PM me I can give you her contact details. She's desperate for a dog, is home all day and a very experienced dog owner. Let me know.

Cavapoo so lovely but can be so tricky I have a dog business and I sell dog calming treats. I would be happy to gift you some if you pm me

@Wolfiefan “First contact the breeder. A decent breeder would always take a dog back.”

This 💯! First question you should ask a breeder, do you take your dogs back, if the owner is no longer able to care for them? If they say no, run a mile. They are just puppy farming and don’t care about the welfare of the dogs they breed.

Poodle crosses are a nightmare, I warned my sister in law (to be) against buying one and she did anyway and has the exact same issue.

Ghastly breed and not something an inexperienced dog owner should buy. I don’t know why people don’t get dogs that suit their experience level and lifestyle. Designer cross breeds are crap shoot in personality, looks and health.

Any way as others have said see if you can find a rescue centre that specialises in the breed ( it’s not an actual breed, but maybe they have rescues for them now).

I’d suggest looking at south end dog training if she can afford one more go at a trainer, they are actually effective and take on cases others have given up on.

Breeder and then contact Spaniel Aid. Always give a dog to a proper rehoming charity, by all means reach out here or on the spaniel groups on Facebook for advice but stear clear of anyone privately offering to take the dog off your hands- some are well meaning-others are looking for free or cheap bait dogs or dogs to sell on

@SarahSissions is that aimed at me?

@MyGhastIsFlabbered no, my comment was aimed at the OP and was giving her the best advice on the safest and most responsible way for her to find the best new home for her friends dog.

How inappropriate. Keep your advertising to yourself.

Thanks so much - Spaniel Aid looks like a good option. Hadnt come across them.