Need help with rehoming a dog

[ProtegeMoi]

I have been desperately trying to rehome my lovely, well behaved dog for the last 2 months with no luck and things are getting worse so I'm really struggling.

I don't want to rehome him privately so have contacted every rescue centre in my area, offered to make a donation to cover his care and understood they will not be able to help immediately but I'm getting nowhere. So many don't even answer the phone, or return messages. One asked me to email and have never responded to the email, or the subsequent messages left.

I'm starting to feel like privately rehoming him is the only option but I wanted to guarantee him a good home and I don't know how I can do that this way.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? It's breaking my heart to have to let him go so I just want what is best for him.

What type of dog and why are you rehoming?

Slightly different situation, but we rehomed our cat because sadly our dog developed allergies to her and as they adored each other, cuddling up together was making him poorly. We rehomed her privately, and were really specific about who could have her and we asked for £100 which we donated to an animal charity of their choice. We even refused to allow two people to have her as we weren't sure they were right for her. We got regular updates and photos for the first year and are totally happy that she is absolutely doted on and has another feline friend. So I think that private rehoming can work, you just have to trust who you are rehoming them to. We advertised her at work and at our local vets to (hopefully) ensure that nice people saw our advert!

What makes you need to rehome him?

Have you contacted breed specific rescues?

Sorry I should have added that information in. He's a rottie , small for his breed but absolutely stunning. Coming up to 4 years old and is a lovely dog. We are rehoming him as my son, who is autistic, has begun to worsen as he ages (and the hormones kick in) and a result of that is he is attacking the dog.

We initially dealt with it by installing safety gates around the home, which whilst it sadly meant the dog was restricted it kept him safe. This is no longer working as my son has learnt to open them and whiles I would love to say I can keep them separate at all times (and do my absolute best to) having other children means it isn't always physically possible.

Even when my son dosn't get to the dog the screaming we regularly have from him and throwing things etc. scares the dog and he often cowers in his bed.

I feel like I'm making my son out to be a monster here, which he isn't. He's a loving little boy but sadly his disabilities mean he has uncontrolled fits of rage and it's got to the point where the poor dog is terrified and on edge all the time. He has even stated cowering when my son simply walks past.

It's breaking my heart because I feel like I've failed him, he's such a lovely dog and is part of the family but when I can't guarantee his safety, and it's clearly having a negative effect on him it seems the fairest thing to do is rehome him.

Also to the poster who asked yes I have tried breed specific rescues, the one that said they could help and asked me to email is one of them, they have since ignored all contact from me however. I sent them photos of him cuddled up with kids, cats, dogs etc. to show what a lovely temperament he has and how he gets along with all animals as well as giving them his full history and offering to make a payment to cover his care within the rescue but it seems to have made no difference.

Where did he come from originally?
If a breeder, have you contacted them? Reputable ones will take a dog back or help with rehoming

No it wasn't a breeder, we rehomed him privately when he was 6 months old.

I've rang round every single rescue again in the last few days and no one is willing to help us. We have tried to do the right thing and there is simply no support. My partner now wants to take him to the local pound, I don't as I know they rehome to anyone who happens to turn up but I can't see. Something has to be done and fast though, I can see the dog growing more nervous by the day around my son and my experience tells me it's all red flags for a bite risk. If he bites he will be put to sleep, I don't want to allow him to be put in that situation but the rescues who are supposed to care about dogs don't seem to care.

Have you tried Many Tears in Camarthenshire? What area are you in, could local MNers help find Rescues etc?

What about asking at the vets? My friend has homed a couple of dogs that her vet told her about. Your vet would probably know the most 'doggie' people that use them.

You are right to be worried about the pound. Likelihood is that the dog would go to the 'wrong' home or be PTS.

Rescues DO care, but most are run entirely by volunteers, on a shoestring and at this time of the year (post- Christmas) are inundated with dogs. You need to keep trying. Most rescues prioritise (rightly) dogs that are in imminent danger of PTS in pounds or high risk relinquishments.

Try Iron Mountain rescue - they specialise in large breeds.

Rottweiler Rescue Trust - here
Rottweiler Welfare www.rottweilerwelfare.co.uk/

Try Hope Rescue - they are all breed but quite large and very reputable.

Depending on where you are you may have a good all breed rescue near you - may be worht a try, though I'd keep working with breed rescues in preference.

Things that will help her to be rehomed quickly. Mention that she is spayed, chipped and has an up to date vaccination/worming record, and is in good physical health.

Describe any regular training she has done, how she walks on the lead, if she can be left, how she travels, behaviour with other dogs and other people.

Be willing to transport the dog yourself to either a rescue's kennel or to a foster home. Make this clear, and also make it clear you will be making a donation to help with their expenses.

Try www.zepthedep.co.uk

Tel: 01246 580311/07867 680538
This is a Rottweiler rescue that we used when we had to rehome our rottie a few years back.
Very good, and very helpful.

I am in the north west, will try some of links I have been given.

Zepthedep are the ones that are now ignoring me. They told me they could help but there was a waiting list which is fine, asked me to email all his details and photos and they will call me back. Never heard from them since, have sent emails and left voicemails but no response.

There is also a group on FB www.facebook.com/groups/MASTIFFGD/ dealing with large breed dogs in rescues needing homes.

Join the group, post your situation there with a picture and see what happens. Can't guarantee reputation of people on there but it may help.

Have you had a home visit/assessment off camhs regarding this issue?

Regarding the dog? We have regular CAHMS visits to help with controlling my sons behaviour but not relating to the dog, just the anger he displays in general.

Yes it's worth asking your vet - they might be able to ring a couple of their really good Rottie owners to get the word out. Explain the situation with your son - that's as genuine a reason for rehoming as anyone could have.
Pound is really last last resort- sadly big black and tan dogs aren't often rehomed and most get euthanased after their 5 days or 7 days or whatever it is.
If you really have to get him out of the house and can afford it, you could put him in boarding kennels for some respite. You might be lucky and find one that runs alongside a behaviourist who runs obedience classes or something like that who might have contacts to help rehoming.
Good luck, really hope you get sorted.

Pendle Dogs in Need.

I just wanted to say OP that I absolutely know where you are coming from.

My beautiful JRT has developed a noise phobia since living with us and she is petrified when she senses that my son is on one and will hide... It's the reason she has a crate as she hides in there. She has been in the cross fire more than once.

However, she will still cuddle up to him and wants to play with him. Today he walked in with my friend who she loves and she chose to follow my son before saying hello to my friend... If I wasn't seeing that I would be seriously thinking about re homing her

I hope you find someone. Do it privately - I have seen a number of successful private rehoming and you can check the people out, though charge a fee so you don't attract the wrong sort

I don't know how useful camhs are in your area, but would it be worth discussing it with your ld nurse, I know it won't help short term but generally they have come across everything before
I am sorry if you felt I was blunt, I have intermittent connection because if the bloody weather. But I do sympathise, it's a very difficult situation to find yourself in.

There is a lady on FB looking for a rottie for a friend. Her name is Wendy Botto. She's a fosterer for Many Tears Dog Rescue. Her friend might have found one already but her post is on "I can give a Dog a Home" FB group here.

Might be worth posting your details there anyway for other interested parties.

Hi OP - is the dog good with cats/other dogs and is he reliable off lead? I do know someone who might know who could help - long way from you and usually fosters bigger mastiff types but worth asking, however he does have cats and other small animals/hens/horses etc running around!

Lady thanks will check her now.

Noodles he is brilliant with cats, we have one and they snuggle up in bed together. Plus we used to foster cats so he's used to star he ones coming in and out the house etc. same with dogs, gets along both males and females of all sizes. Small critters he ignores and has no interest in. I couldn't say about horses though as he's never actually met one.

In terms of being off lead, he can be a bit hit or miss. We often walk him with another dog who has amazing recall and so when the other dog is called back he copies and comes back as well. If he's being walked alone he isn't quite as reliable, he will come back but tends to have a quick potter round before slowly making his way back to you sniffing everything he finds on the way. In an enclosed space, garden etc. he always comes back. Plus he will do anything for a treat so we always carry them.

Wendy thinks her friend has found one now, but looking for a female anyway and Zeus is male :(

Advertised him on another site as well and just checked messages to find they all want to know if he is a good guard dog or unneutered :(

So hard to find him a good home with people like that around.

Ah he sounds exactly like my beloved Rottie we lost at Christmas - he did exactly the same re recall - he would always come... In his own time!! Sadly we have a 5 week old baby and a one year old dog so just couldn't cope with another but I will ask the chap I know who fosters mastiff types from a few local pounds.
Hope you find someone for him :(

Please please do not rehome privately. Dog fighters, dog baiters all get dogs from private rehoming, they will lie and set up fack homes for you to visit etc.

It may be harder but do keep contacting the rescues. Rescues do not have receptionists waiting to take the calls, the staff will be out with the dogs and answer calls when they can, keep calling your dog deserves a safe home.

Also the situation you find yourself in because you rehomed privately could happen again to the poor dog but if you rehome to a rescue they will look after him for live.

How is he with small children and sheep (serious question! )

I know this nutty but I've spent 2 months contacting rescues and getting nowhere, the situation gets worse day by day so I have no choice! What else can i do?

If things continue must longer he WILL bite, the fact he hasn't so far is amazing and shows his good temperament because I would have certainly defended myself by now.