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Original poster

Rehoming reactive dog

102 replies

Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:28

I’ve had my dog since he was a puppy and he has always been reactive and a resource guarder.
We have worked with behaviourists for years and his reactivity has lessened and we managed the guarding.
We sadly have seen a relapse in his behaviour in the past few months and have a baby on the way. He has tried to bite us at least 6 times and it’s just been luck we haven’t been caught.

He has been offered a place at a sanctuary for dogs with behavioural issues. Rural location, socialised with other dogs and walked 6 times a day. The rest of the time is kennels. It’s likely he would spend his life there as he has bitten he probably wouldn’t find a home. Our only other option is to have him PTS which I really don’t want to do.

looking for reassurance it’s not cruel and advice!

OP posts:
illiterato · 25/02/2023 07:31

How old is the dog now?

twinkletoesimnot · 25/02/2023 07:32

PTS is not always the worst thing.
IMO it would be better than being sent from your home to a kennels forever when you are scared and reactive.

Does he get on with other dogs? Did he bite unprovoked?

Sometimes it's not the easiest choice but the most responsible.

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:34

5

OP posts:
Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:36

He doesn’t mind smaller dogs.

I understand that but he wouldn’t be In kennels all the time they get a lot of socialisation and are walked in the Welsh mountains. They work with behaviourists who could possibly do more than I’ve been able to with him.

OP posts:
Gymmum82 · 25/02/2023 07:38

I’d put him to sleep. A life in kennels is no life at all. Sometimes you have to do the best thing for the dog. Not to ease your conscience

Napmum · 25/02/2023 07:38

You can't have him in your house when the baby arrives. The kennels spend like the only option, unless you think he'll really hate it. I which case PTS.

I'm assuming that most of the dogs do OK here. Otherwise, they wouldn't continue to put the effort in. So personally I would send him there

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:43

He wouldn’t spend all his time in there. They walk them for miles and work on their behaviour to try and help them. I just feel awful if I don’t give him a chance.

OP posts:
illiterato · 25/02/2023 07:43

In your situation I would probably PTS. Sorry. I know there are people who will feel strongly the other way but when there’s little to no chance of rehoming, a life in kennels seems tough. I’d also worry about what happens if the shelter becomes non financially viable or experiences financial hardship. The dog could live another 10 years.

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:44

Lots of dogs find suitable owners from there who are experienced enough so I feel it’s worth a shot. Not an easy decision

OP posts:
FurAndFeathers · 25/02/2023 07:46

Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:43

He wouldn’t spend all his time in there. They walk them for miles and work on their behaviour to try and help them. I just feel awful if I don’t give him a chance.

And what if that chance is awful and he spends his life in kennels reacting at other dogs and people stressed out of his head without a loving sofa to snuggle on at the end of the day with a kind human?

what’s the chance of that?

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:46

I understand. The sanctuary has been going for 21 years. I have and will be paying for all his care as I know places are under financial pressure and would hope to stay in touch with them.

OP posts:
Freysimo · 25/02/2023 07:48

Gymmum82 · 25/02/2023 07:38

I’d put him to sleep. A life in kennels is no life at all. Sometimes you have to do the best thing for the dog. Not to ease your conscience

I agree. What's in it for the kennels taking in all these difficult dogs? How are they funded?

Whinge · 25/02/2023 07:48

Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:43

He wouldn’t spend all his time in there. They walk them for miles and work on their behaviour to try and help them. I just feel awful if I don’t give him a chance.

Even if they walk them for miles and work on his behaviour each day, he will still spend a significant amount of time in kennels, which is going to be difficult when he's used to a family environment. You say you want to him a chance, but you've done that with the years you've spent trying to help him. Sometimes PTS is the kindest option, and in this case I think it would be better than spending years in kennels.

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 07:52

I’ll be honest I don’t know if I can’t PTS, I’m a coward really but I just don’t know, They are funded through donations and the farm they run. I have offered and will pay for his care.

OP posts:
Vallmo47 · 25/02/2023 07:52

Sounds like you’ve tried everything and you have to look out for your family, obviously. You’re giving him another chance with the kennel in a place where they are aware of his nature and will try their best to help - surely this is much better for the dog. I think it’s a no brainer Op. But now I say that I wonder if there’s obviously a slight chance he could bite someone on one of his walks and how would you feel to be informed he’s hurt a child? I assume they’d never let him off his lead and he’d be wearing a muzzle. It’s a tough decision but for him not to stay with you is an absolute no brainer Op. ♥️

MyDogTails · 25/02/2023 07:52

Freysimo · 25/02/2023 07:48

I agree. What's in it for the kennels taking in all these difficult dogs? How are they funded?

Show quote history

It’s a very interesting question. How can a rescue/sanctuary operate with indefinite costs?
Also to be walked 6 times a day is exhausting. Even if they could staff it.
Something doesn’t sound right.

MyDogTails · 25/02/2023 07:54

I’m not advocating you keep him - he sounds like he has to go before the baby arrives. But PTS might be the better approach for all.

mac1974 · 25/02/2023 07:55

So they walk the dogs, socialise them and actively look to rehome them? Do you know how many dogs they manage to rehome & how long it tends to take? If there's a decent chance they can find a new home through this programme I think I would sway towards that. I live near a rescue who do something similar with dogs from overseas although they don't have kennels the dogs have free run of an area & different indoor spaces to sleep.

GenExer · 25/02/2023 08:00

This is never an easy decision and I can relate with having to make this choice.

It sounds as if you've made your decision as you've explained each time how the sanctuary operates when other posters have given their opinions, so perhaps that's where you really see him going?

It sounds as if you've done everything you can, but perhaps it's time for him to be in an environment where his behaviour can be managed by people who understand it and who can hopefully work with him to alleviate it.

It does sound lovely from your description: walks in the Welsh mountains are how I spend my holidays Smile

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 08:00

we Have tried everything and even my behaviourist agrees. He wouldn’t be let off and it’s a sanctuary of acres, fully enclosed so he wouldn’t come across any children.
it’s rare spaces come up here and I’ve been in contact with this place a long time and just by luck they have a space.

OP posts:
Skyellaskerry · 25/02/2023 08:00

Have you visited the sanctuary OP?

Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 08:02

Donations. I think it’s out the kennels 6 times a day, so grooming, mixing with their other dogs and just building up confidence.
I understand it doesn’t sound right but I’ve researched places for years and this one does have a good reputation.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 08:03

I would be driving 5 hours to take him here. So I won’t visit it until the day. Obviously if I felt uneasy or that he would hate it then yes I would have to make an awful decision as I wouldn’t want him unhappy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ellie23409 · 25/02/2023 08:04

They have a huge turnaround on rehoming dogs. They also take in dogs without any issues, cats, farm animals etc and they are all rehomed.
it’s just that there’s no time limit and they have a no PTS policy.

OP posts:
BenCoopersSupportWren · 25/02/2023 08:07

Which rescue is it? I’ve been active in dog rescue in different parts of the country for over a decade and I’ve never heard of a set up like this. Walked 6 times a day??? How many volunteers do they have? Bearing in mind one of the hardest things to deal with is reactivity/fear-aggression and it most often involves other dogs to some extent, how on earth are they resourced enough to walk reactive dogs individually 6 times a day? Plus all that walking so far will do is create a physically fitter dog, it doesn’t necessarily give them sufficient mental stimulation or resolve their issues.

OP, I know how hard this is but the most responsible action would be PTS. This is not a happy or healthy dog - his physical body may be fine but how unhappy and unsettled must he be mentally to be driven to attempt to bite the people he knows best and should be able to trust and relax around?

A move to new surroundings with unfamiliar people and other dogs he can’t escape from is likely to make this setback even worse. He will be miserable, lost, bewildered and on constant high alert. Do you think putting him in that position is fair or right?

Sometimes you have to overcome your cowardice and do what’s right for your pet. You’ve done your best for him up until now; it’s time to do that one last unselfish thing for him and give him peace.

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