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!

After some careful thought over the weekend we have decided to give the place a try. If he doesn’t settle the lady will be in contact but assured us that dogs do settle and are very much loved and cared for.

They spend a lot of their time in outdoor play pens and minimal time in the kennel.

It is worth a try and if he doesn’t enjoy it then we’ll make that decision but I know him and do think he’ll settle.

Thank you for everyone’s advice!

Really that is bullshit. There is no evidence that this dog was born with "brains that are wrong" (would that be a formal veterinary diagnosis, and where did you get your qualifications?), and keeping a healthy dog alive is not torture. IF the dog is unhealthy then euthanising it may be the only or best option, and all shelters would agree with doing that. You are simply making stuff up now.

OP, I am glad that you have decided to give the sanctuary a try. If it doesn't work out you will know that you did your best for the dog, but I know from experience elsewhere that many such dogs can be turned around with the right support and the right new home; and even if they can't be re-homed they can lead very satisfying lives. There are too many dog haters on this site to get a reasoned or sensible answer, and half of them would put every dog alive down, for no other reason than because they exist.

I couldn't agree more. I have worked with rescue dogs in kennels and while they were very well looked after with lots of exercise and training and mental stimulation I wouldn't say hand on heart that I would ever put any of my own dogs in a long term kennel environment. It's just not nice for them and many dogs just can't cope with it. In your situation as sad as it is I would most definitely put to sleep.

@Quveas I agree, my dog hasn’t been born with the wrong brain. He is a serious resource guarder which is why he behaves this way. I can’t always read it. He deserves a chance and if he doesn’t settle I will go back and get him to be with him at the end. My behaviourist thinks he has a good chance with the right owner xx

@Newuser82 But he could get the opportunity to end up in a home environment so why wouldn’t I try that? Plus if he didn’t I don’t think being in a kennel with regular walks, socialisation and training is a bad life. Many domestic dogs spend their lives on their own all day, locked in cages with less walks that why he’ll get. As I say if it doesn’t work out I will go and get him but at least I can say I tried my best for him. This is a sanctuary so the few dogs that end up staying become pets to the lady that owns it.

Another option, although I’m unsure I could financially afford this or have the space is to build an outdoor kennel. My worry with this is will my dog just end up lonely. It would be a case of he is never allowed around my child. I just cannot risk it.
I could still walk him. But would he be better here in a kennel with less exercise or somewhere experienced.

Really is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make for a pet.

I know of one of these sanctuary places - sounds great on the surface but this place was an absolutely hellhole. Severely damaged/reactive dogs kept in tiny filthy kennels and they most certainly did not get out on a daily basis.

Please be very very wary OP.

@HoleyShit Oh no really 😭 that’s worrying. Some rescues suggest splitting my home but I sadly just do not have the space to do that.

@Ellie23409

What kind of dog is he? Have a look at Black Retriever X on Facebook - she does brilliant work with reactive dogs and generally manages to rehome them (they do end up taking dogs other than retrievers). Even if they can't take him, she might have some suggestions for somewhere suitable.

I'm sorry. This must be so hard for you.

www.facebook.com/BlackRetrieverXRescue/?locale=en_GB

So sorry op I've been where you are and ended up pts. Hardest thing I've ever done. He was reactive and had a bite history. If he spends his life in a kennel it's not much of a life. also takes the space that another dog could have that has potential for rehome.

@emmyren4 Spaniel. Thank you I have contacted her. Fingers crossed 🤞

@defi sorry you went through this, very hard. I’m just trying to exhaust all my options first. I think because he has been so well behaved and it’s a set back I feel he could thrive with the right help x

Honestly I wouldn't touch these dog sanctuary's with a barge pole. I've been so affected by the one I saw. Maybe it's wrong to tar them all with the same brush but I just don't believe they can deliver on their many promises.

In your position I would pts and I think you've tried very hard to manage his behaviour so I don't say that lightly.

Yes, I’ve had contact with / fundraised for / carried out home checks on behalf of several dog rescues and BRX are one of the best, most responsible outfits I’ve come across. They keep all their dogs in a foster family environment, not kennels, and they give full disclosure to prospective rehomers of any quirks or challenges the dog may have to maximise the chances of finding an experienced, settled home.

And what if he doesn’t @FurAndFeathers .

Why is it a better decision to take the easy option and pts ? This seems to be your go to on a few threads.

Dogs Trust have this kind of outfit going on don’t they or did.

Dogs don’t need humans OP - we’ve domesticated them. They’ve done fine without humans or mn keyboard warriors for YEARS!

Sounds like a well equipped place, with qualified behaviourists.

No one here is qualified or experienced enough to advise you and a hell of a lot of posters hate dogs and animals generally. I would be careful about listening to any advice you see on here on op as I would question the intentions of some posters!!

I think you really need to see this place for yourself before you decide. I got my rescues from a place in Wales that sounded good, the woman obviously loved the dogs very much and couldn't stand the idea of them being PTS but she obviously couldn't cope, could barely afford it, there was a room in her house just full of dogs barking and jumping around that was completely destroyed. I wouldn't have left dogs there myself.

So I would say either go just yourself and check it out properly one weekend or have your dog PTS. What dog you have also makes a difference - a collie might really suit this place if it's as good as they say, a cockerpoo that is half show cocker not so much.

Don't build a pen in the garden and stick your dog out there, dogs are pack animals and your are his pack, he will be absolutely miserable (I know someone who did this and that dog used to jump up constantly at the window barking as he thought they'd forgotten he was out there, it was just awful.) Dogs do need people of course now that they are domesticated and don't live in packs, if it was a working dog that was out working all day then fine for it to sleep out alone - but otherwise no.

Obviously "brains built wrong" is a very colloquial way of putting things.

Are you denying that mental illness is as real as physical illness? Are you denying that dogs feel emotional pain?

Putting down a dog with an incurable mental illness is the same as putting down a dog with an incurable physical illness.

I won’t be putting my dog to sleep. I know with the right owner he could thrive. I’m an dog person but no means a behaviourist and have managed his behaviour with no reaction in over a year. I truly think his last few weeks of reactions is the change to his life, new baby stuff come out new place to sleep etc.

We are now building an outdoor kennel, no he won’t be stuck in there at all but it gives me an option of a safe place for him to go if needed. He will still have all his needs met. I can keep him separate. This is a temporary solution until I can find a home or non kennel rescue. Far from ideal but I’m trying to do what’s best and safe for everyone.

Hi OP, have you tried contacting a breed specific charity? Spaniel Aid UK do take and then rehome dogs with behavioural problems.

Oh and they use fosterers to have the dogs in a home environment while waiting for someone to adopt them, so not a kennels environment

Sorry, I didn't mean your specific dog. I was talking about no- kill shelters. I'm very wary of them.

It sounds like you have done everything possible to help your dog with his behavioral issues, and it's understandable that you don't want to have him put down. The sanctuary you have found for him sounds like a good option, as it will provide him with a safe and controlled environment where he can receive the care and attention he needs. It's important to remember that dogs with behavioral issues require a lot of time and effort to manage, and sometimes a specialized facility like the one you have found is the best option for their safety and well-being.
It's natural to feel guilty or worried about your decision, but it's important to remember that you are doing what's best for your dog given the circumstances. Make sure to visit him regularly if possible and stay in touch with the staff at the sanctuary to check on his progress. You may also want to consider reaching out to support groups or counseling to help you cope with the emotional toll of this difficult decision.

And could you guarantee the dog would never get to the baby, or the baby to the dog when they can walk? Too much of a risk. We had to make a similar decision once and the best advice I was given was “cry now for the dog, not later for the child”. It’s a horrible decision to have to make but you would never forgive yourself if something happened.

@Panpig Yes I have tried them sadly with no luck.

@Heartsandbirds Yes I could guarantee this. I’m hoping that by the time the baby is walking I will of found the right rescue no kennels for my dog. I can assure you I would make no mistake. It’s no ideal no but it’s just a temporary fix.

Hi again OP I know the sanctuary is a fair way for you to travel and see for yourself, but would doing that not help your decision, especially as you’re now considering building a kennel?

I once had to keep two dogs apart in certain circumstances or they risked fighting. I found it terribly stressful, I was always worried about ‘what if’. Had I had a possible option of the sanctuary you’ve mentioned I would definitely have considered it, but a visit, without the dog, would have been essential for me. Just like I’ve done if I’ve used boarding kennels

I honestly feel for your situation though and its so clear to read you’re doing as much as you can for your dog, you and your family

@Ellie23409

Any luck making contact with Black Retriever X?

What's happened to his place at Snowdonia? Looks like a good place.