Rehoming reactive dog

[Ellie23409]

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!

They have a huge turnaround on rehoming dogs. but also 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.

If they have a huge turnaround then it seems odd to me that it's taken so long for a place to become available. especially if you've been in touch with them for so long.

The Dogs Trust also rehome healthy dogs who have severe behavioural issues, in circumstances where they know that they may never be able to rehome them, but hope that with the right support and training they can find appropriate homes for them. That is in no way cruel. So I totally disagree that it is cruel to place the dog in a rehoming centre provided that they are fully aware of the issues and believe they can appropriately care for the dog. Many, many rehoming charities would not take a dog that has issues, so if there is full disclosure then they believe that they can care for the dog well, and may be able to find him a home.

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

Well the Dogs Trust can do it. So can others. What's in it for them is the desire to support and help dogs. Just because you think that this isn't true doesn't mean it isn't - there are such places, and some a extermely well known.

OP, if you have done your due diligence, are convinced that the kennels are able to evidence their position, and have honestly given them full disclosure, then do it. They wouldn't rehome inappropriately, and such dogs can be turned around. Not always, but they deserve a chance. And to be honest if this is the kind of place that you are describing, the dog will probably get a better life than many domestic pets. Being in a kennels does not mean deprived of love, affection, companionship or anything else. That is down to the care of they receive or don't receive - just as it is in any home anywhere.

Not really odd at all. There are huge waiting lists for such places because there are limited spaces. It is, for example, very hard to give up your dog to the Dogs TRust in any circumstances because there is a bigger demand than places available - and they are huge. Their specialist places for behaviourally challenged dogs are limited, so there are only so many they can take. But they do have a high turnaround on dogs. It's just that demand for places outstips places available.

Personally if I was in two minds like you sound just now I would definitely visit beforehand. Then if you think it’s perfect for your dog your next trip will be calm and hopeful, though sad for you. And you are less likely to have niggles or regrets in any way if you are as reassured as possible beforehand.

If he’s been offered a place in a sanctuary and they are aware of his behavioural issues: do that. Those people are dog professionals, not randoms on Mumsnet. It’s absolutely bollocks that all dogs hate kennels: most dogs just want routine.

I co-ran a dog rescue for 8 years and plenty of un-rehomeable dogs thrived in kennels. The sanctuary life sounds amazing for him and safest for everyone concerned. Having him PTS when you have an alternative where there’s a chance he may find a good homes is a bit odd imo.

A relative had a reactive dog. He did bite - on a number of occasions. Was also very attached to the relative. Sadly PTS is the kinder thing because of the attachment. Your dog is dangerous. Could your partner take him to be PTS?
Visiting him when he is 5 hours drive away really isn’t realistic when you have a small baby.

But I also agree with others that PTS isn’t always the worst thing for the dog. I once had a dog reactive dog and knew (as I was told) that some dogs get worse (in themselves) in kennels and that rehoming could take a very long time. Just honesty that I appreciated at the time and was helpful as I worked through things.

in my case I was able to keep my dog so didn’t need to do either. I do feel for your situation OP and wish the best solution for you.

This 100%

If this was my dog, who I love very much, I’d rather have him PTS. Living in kennels is no life for a dog. It’s depressing and stressful as fuck for them, and he will already be both of those things after being removed from the only family he knows. It would be cruel.

I completely agree with this. I would have to give him a chance.

I wouldn’t pts OP. Give him a chance, this place sounds excellent.

@Whinge They do have a huge turnaround but the dogs they work with are sometimes reactive, aggressive etc. This means if they can’t be rehomed they live a life with them. They can only take so many sanctuary dogs on to allow space for the good dogs. There’s also a rescue crisis in the U.K. so spaces are limited.

@Quveas He would have a more active life than what he has with me for sure. I have been fully honest about his bite history and his ways. He could live with an experienced owner for sure but I think it would take him some time.

@SeriouslyLTB I feel I want to give him a chance. He hasn’t been reactive or gone to bite in over a year but I think the change of all new baby stuff, rules etc he is trying to push boundaries. Just with a baby can’t take the risk. He goes to kennels for his holidays and he loves it, he doesn’t react to the dogs and loves the people. Nice to hear from someone with experience within this environment. Some dogs live In kennels outside so I don’t feel living in kennels with an experienced team behind you, socialising and trying is the worst thing to happen.

@Springisclose I understand your point. My partner wants to give him a chance even though he is at the end of most of the bites he feels he could thrive with the right care. I wouldn’t visit him, personally don’t agree with people visiting pets they have given up as I know it could confuse my dog. I would keep in touch with the rescue lady.

@Skyellaskerry I would definitely keep him if we wasn’t having a baby but sadly the risk is to much. I live like a prisoner with no visitors as it is and I feel it would be unfair on a child to never let them have friends round etc.

@CrapBag76 I appreciate your advice. I don’t think my dog would be stressed to the point of depression I think he would thrive from the training, the walks and being with other dogs. He would probably get more attention than he gets now.

My god I could never put a family pet to sleep under these circumstances, I would never be able to live with myself. Those saying it’s the best option for who ? Certainly not the dog , poor thing !

I have been in your position OP. It was awful and I fully sympathise.

We opted for PTS and I cried for weeks afterwards. The baby in our case is now 8 and I know we made the right decision. Our dog couldn't cope with life.

Good luck

OP I completely understand your position …. I was only able to keep mine because my circumstances were completely different, and there’s absolutely no judgment from me nor suggestion you should try to keep yours. I just remember how awful a time it was for me though and send you best wishes whatever you decide.

I would never send a dog to a place with a no pts policy. Some dogs are just born with brains that are wrong. If this place won't pts, then they are keeping these dogs alive indefinitely, effectively torturing them.

@Irisheyesareshining I feel he deserves a chance at building a life. I don’t disagree with PTS but I do think my dog would be ok with a sanctuary life.

@Wish44 Such a hard decision. I don’t think either option is the wrong one and once the babies here I will feel totally satisfied with my decision whatever it ends up being.

@Skyellaskerry it really is awful to have a reactive dog and I think anyone who manages deserves a medal. You feel sad for them but also annoyed that they react, I know it’s not their fault. I think he’ll end up just loving the life he has.

Thank you for everyone’s advice. I do think I’m going to try the Sanctuary. He is an incredibly intelligent dog training wise and learns quick with the right guidance. I don’t think PTS would be the wrong choice and if the sanctuary hadn’t been offered or I arrive and dislike it I will have to do this.

I wouldn’t PTS and I think people forget we are talking about a biting dog here, not a human child. Plenty of dogs and animals worldwide live in kennels.

I think you are very selfish not to consider PTS. No one should own a dog if they will not consider that.

@LetThemEatTurnips thank you for your rude reply. I have considered putting him to sleep and it isn’t off the table. But equally I love my dog and feel why shouldn’t he be given a chance to potentially love a happy life. I’ve actually had dogs all my life and you have no idea the effort, money and work I have put into my dog. It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly.

You have ignored the question of naming the sanctuary . I would think you should have no hesitations in doing so , as it ups their potential of having extra donations coming their way.

I second this!

Your dog has behavioural problems that an appropriate trainer can work on. It's natural that you can't take the risk around a baby, but with the right environment the dog can go on to have a nice life.

I have no children and have adopted dogs with troubled behavioural backgrounds! There may well be someone out there who will adopt yours later on.

I could never put down a dog without giving them the chance to live differently.

@VictoriaBun Sorry I missed this. It’s Snowdonia. I would be financially supporting my dog, I took him on and realise this is my responsibility.

@AnotherSpare We worked with a behaviourist and haven’t had a reaction in over a year so I know if we can do it an experienced qualified behaviourist would work wonders.
Its a controlled environment where they know the risks. My behaviourist sees potential and she knows him very well.

I’m not saying PTS is wrong and if I didn’t have the sanctuary it would be my only option as equally human life comes first.

@Ellie23409 In case of doubt, my comment was in support of you taking dog to the sanctuary, was not a criticism of your training. I meant that by moving to the sanctuary their experienced trainers can work with dog and he can go on to live a nice life and maybe get adopted by someone like me who is happy to take on the ones with the tricky background.

@AnotherSpare oh no I know! I was just saying if I can do it someone experienced will help him even more. I appreciate the support, thank you. Also as you have experience you know better than most how dogs can thrive with the right help💙