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Original poster

I might have to re-home my dog but dont know if i an go through with it!!

56 replies

fifisworld · 02/04/2008 16:20

I have a 12 month old boxer dog who is lovely, but since i had ds2 i cant take him out during t he day on my own with a double buggy as he's really quite strong when he's on a lead and i cant manage him.
As a result of this ive just been letting him in the garden until dp gets in and one of us stays with the ds's while the other can take him out.
I feel like its not fair on him as he should be out more and should be taken for several walks during the day but i cant take him.
Is it fair to just let him in the garden when he should be out for runs etc or will he be ok with it until ds1 is able to walk distances which probably wont be until the end of the year at the earliest?

OP posts:
Ellbell · 02/04/2008 16:23

Have you tried a Halti?

Onlyaphase · 02/04/2008 16:26

Hmm - I struggle sometimes with a single buggy and one of our 2 enormous labs, so I know where you are coming from.

Couple of things - can one of you take him out for a quick walk first thing in the morning? And then again in the evening (nice light evenings too now). And he will calm down at some point this year as he grows up, and firm training would help. Do you have any friends or relatives nearby who could help? Or even pay for dogwalking (maybe not every day but some weekdays?). Maybe play with the dog in the garden so he can work off some energy?

Plenty of dogs manage on two walks a day, it is just a struggle when they are so young and bouncy.

If none of this is possible, then yes, rehoming might be the best thing for him, contact your local breed society as they should be able to help.

MrsPuddleduck · 02/04/2008 16:29

We rehomed our border collie for this reason.

When we just had one child it was fine but when our second came along we just didn't have the time to comit to her (plus she was completely neurotic and incompatible with family life).

If I think about her now I still feel really sad , but I know that we did the best thing by her. We took her to a really good rehoming centre (we actually paid to have her re-homed).

I now know that she is living with a single lady who does not work so has plenty of time to dedicate to her.

It was a really hard decision but once it was made and she was gone we felt relieved.

That was two years ago and we are about to embark on a kitten (something which DH feels very guilty about). The only thing about re-homing is that you feel such a failure that you don't ever deserve to have another pet .

Sorry if I depressed you, just being truthful and I really sympathise with your situation.

mistlethrush · 02/04/2008 16:35

I second the halti option - was fantastic for dog we had when I lived with my parents - collie cross - who was so strong my mother and I kept on ending up at the osteopaths with back/shoulder problems. You do need to instill strong training though - it shouldn't be a problem walking him with the buggy. Our dog didn't like the halti, but eventually could be taken out without it as she learned not to pull. It gives you really good control over their heads and makes it difficult for them to put their weight behind a pull.

We were lucky - had dog sometime before ds so that dog quite calm and well trained by the time she had to cope with the buggy.

We still try for 2 walks most days except weekends when we have one longer one and plenty of outside time - one quick walk first thing in the morning (dh does this while I try to get ds ready) and one in the middle of the day - but you could make this evening instead.

Youcannotbeserious · 02/04/2008 16:55

CAn you not organise a dog walker?

I used one for my dog when he was younger and I had to work all day? He loved it, TBH!

he's 5 now and is happy with 3 walks a day (approx. 7 miles in total) but he was much bouncier as a puppy.

Also, can you not drive somewhere where the dog can be off the lead, or is his recall not great yet?

Hopeysgirlwasntbig · 02/04/2008 16:58

I don't think a halti would fit on a Boxer's face. Sorry can't offer any advice just sympathy, we looked after a friends boxer last yr and he was a handful to say the least, they are VERY strong dogs. Good luck with whatever decision you make, can't be easy

Pixel · 02/04/2008 16:59

Do you have a car to use during the day? If so you could drive to the park or other open space. Then the children could sit in the car for a while if the weather is bad, or the buggy if it is nice, while you throw a ball to wear the dog out a bit (if you can't throw a long distance get yourself a tennis racket). Not ideal I know, but if it's only a temporary situation you might get away with it. It also depends how obedient the dog is when he's off the lead. I used to be able to do this with my mum's dog because although I couldn't manage him and the buggy as he pulled like a train on the lead, he was very reliable in every other way and I knew he wasn't going to run off.
(he walks beautifully now btw, better than ds ).

duomonstermum · 02/04/2008 17:20

have you tried a body harness? either that or a halti. if you ask at the pet shop they can point out the right one. we had one for our german shephard who thought that pulling you out into the road was a form of sport. it takes a few goes without the buggy but once she was used to it it was fine. also obedience classes were a lifesaver. see if your local vet runs one or can put you in touch with someone who runs one. because it's a large breed you def have to control it but 2 walks even if they are short is better than nothing. do you have any neighbours who wouldn't mind walking it now and again? DH and FIL do this cos they are trying to lose weight and find it easier to go for walks if they know they have to take a dog out. sadly our dog was stolen a few years ago and has never been found so we now settle for walking the neighbourhood dogs

Original poster
fifisworld · 02/04/2008 19:48

Thanks for your responses.
Whats a Halti??
We have quite a big front garden so he does get to run round quite a bit.
He goes out every night with either myself or dp, mornings would be a bit hard as i'd have to take him out about 5am befor dp leaves for work and ds2 normally wakes for a feed about then, not impossible but just hard.
I really dont want to give him away, but im just thinking about him. I dont drive so cant take him to a field or park and the nearest field from us is a good 20 minute walk uphill so not ideal if im on my own

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 02/04/2008 21:14

google Halti or gentle leader etc - basically a head collar type arrangement that if they pull on it makes them turn their heads and they are no longer able to pull. Haltis can be quite hard for some dogs to adapt to, but other similar types of head collar are better with other dogs - that said I LOVE my halti with my dog as she does get on great with it.

I second the dog walker service too. Local pet shops and vets will probably have details of someone. There is always the extra half hour walk gained by getting out of bed early too just to take the edge of him for the day until he can have more exercise.

Youcannotbeserious · 02/04/2008 21:32

My dog is an angel on a halti and I did use one when he was younger, but being honest, he didn't like it much!

BG has a great point - just 30 miuntes on a morning will really take the edge off and can set a really good routine too...

There are loads of dog walking services now - from professional companies through to students wanting a bit of extra cash... I am sure it's possible to find someone!

If you and the dog have an otherwise good relationship, then (if the dog could voice an opinion) almost certainly he'd stay with you.... Dogs are tremendously loyal and love their families... So I think it's certainly worth persevering with!

bethoo · 02/04/2008 21:35

i had two boxers with a pram and found a halit/gentle leader a godsend.
but if you cannot find the time for it then maybe it is best for the pup you should find him a home where someone can provide the exercise and attention he needs.
i still have one boxer as the other died last month. i would love another but not just yet as i do know how boisterous boxer pups are!

bethoo · 02/04/2008 21:37

you can get haltis that are designed to fit a boxer as it has extra padding on it for the shorter faces.

Original poster
fifisworld · 02/04/2008 21:50

bethoo, sorry about your dog dying
How long did it take your dogs to calm down from being hyper boxers??

OP posts:
PeggySioux · 02/04/2008 21:55

I reckon that if you have the time, energy and inclination you can train him to walk nicely on the lead rather than get rid of him. I have a 2-year-old lab who is full of beans and not always the most beautifully behaved dog, but she knows that walking next to the pushchair is serious and she has to behave. I admit that I put the work in for this before dd was born and long before we reached double buggy territory, but it's still an option for you. Have you thought about contacting a dog trainer for help and pointers?

bethoo · 02/04/2008 22:00

Fifi - well up until the other died they were both hyper and they were 7. the other has calmed down alot and sleeps mostly (probably due to loneliness and depression!). boxers are known for being in the puppylike stage until one day they wake up and they are old! once they have a good run though they usually sleep rest of the day til dinner time!
my dog is now 7 years old and has calmed down though liek i said due to the death of his brother but if you only have one then i ma sure he will be calme by the time he is 5 so until then lots of runs in the park, maybe encourage your dh to start running with him? they love that. and lots of play training at home to keep their little minds busy and stimulated. i hide treats in the room but as you know there is often little pools of dribble left in their wake!

Original poster
fifisworld · 03/04/2008 08:54

Hyper until they are 5???!!!!
I thought the hyper stage would almost be over

OP posts:
AnAngelWithin · 03/04/2008 09:00

boxers are renowned for being permanent puppies!!

we took one in a while ago we found as a stray and ended up letting him go. He had so much energy and totally trashed my house amongst other things

agree about trying the halti.

is his behaviour good otherwise? its just the exersize thats an issue? maybe look into a dog walker?

Original poster
fifisworld · 03/04/2008 11:00

He is a good dog, we do go through stages with him though.
He was toilet trained as a puppy but goes through stages of weeing and pooing on the floor in the utility room where he sleeps at night, even though he goes out before bedtime.
Its not all the time but now and again.
He's never destroyed anything he's just generally a bit hyper, especially if anyone comes in he jumps all over so we normally have to take him out the room if someone comes in.

OP posts:
Hopeysgirlwasntbig · 03/04/2008 11:57

Do you watch that Dog Borstal programme?

I think it was one of the chaps who had a good technique for stopping pulling.

I'll try and describe, bear with me!

He used a long length of lead,
Held the lead in a big loop but keeping the dog close,
as soon as the dog started to pull he let go of the loop and the lead went loose,
he then turned immediately in the opposite direction.

He described the sensation for the dog like this,
imagine you are pushing all your weight against someone, and they're resisting you, if they suddenly move away, you feel like you're going to fall.

It seemed to work almost immediately.

Might be worth a try?

Hopeysgirlwasntbig · 03/04/2008 11:58

just read that back,

did that make sense?

Wisteria · 03/04/2008 12:02

It does work Hopeys girl but you have to put the time in and it would be impossible to negotiate with a buggy.

I would go with a body harness, I have 2 big dogs and a dodgy spine and I have had no trouble since putting them in harnesses.

I really hope you manage to sort this without giving him away, children are not in buggies for long.

VictorianSqualor · 03/04/2008 12:06

I re-homed my dog because of the same reason.
I had always been able to take him for a walk in the evening but then XP and I split so I couldnt take the dog, DS and DD for a walk.
I was gutted, I wish I'd looked for a dog walker and took him to training so he would walk calmly with the buggy.

Hopeysgirlwasntbig · 03/04/2008 12:10

Could possibly do it in the garden?

bethoo · 03/04/2008 12:20

if he is pooiing and weeing in the night then get a crate for him to sleep in as no dog likes to sleep in their own mess so that will stop that problem immedietly.