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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Need to rehome

23 replies

Skrowten · 09/08/2018 12:33

Ddog is 2, collie mix we adopted at 16 weeks. Needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation which I try to give him. Have DS 10 and 8. DDog has been to vet, had puppy training and one to one training. Cannot afford behaviourist. The problem is he snaps at children, this has happened on three or more occasions now and yesterday actually broke skin. I cannot have kids friends to house or family members. I need to speak to the rescue centre about rehoming. How to I broach this with my children in the best way?

OP posts:
Agentornika · 09/08/2018 13:50

No idea but please don't get another dog if you cannot afford it

Original poster
Skrowten · 09/08/2018 13:54

In pay for EVERYTHING. Including best quality food, vaccinations, doggy day care, dog walkers when we are not here, all the toys etc. at over 200 Euro a behaviourist is too much when what I believe the dog needs is an adult only home.

OP posts:
SilverMagpies · 09/08/2018 13:59

You mention Euros - what country are you in?

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 09/08/2018 13:59

I honestly don't know what to suggest other than you just tell them the truth??!!!

Original poster
Skrowten · 09/08/2018 14:04

Ireland

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 09/08/2018 14:08

“The problem is he snaps at children”

Your children or visiting children?

Original poster
Skrowten · 09/08/2018 14:11

Visiting children and children who try and approach him when we are out.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 09/08/2018 14:14

So you could muzzle train him, tell children outside he’s not friendly if they still approach and keep him away from visitors...

BiteyShark · 09/08/2018 14:14

what I believe the dog needs is an adult only home.

It doesn't sound like an adult only home is appropriate if any child approaching is an issue. I am an adults only home but my dog will come into contact with children outside the home on walks etc.

SilverMagpies · 09/08/2018 14:17

Given that you are in Ireland, I think you need to consider the likely outcome of this decision for your dog. Ireland has an awful problem with stray and unwanted dogs, and a euthanasia rate to match. The situation is far worse in Ireland than it is in GB, so much so that rescue organisations are routinely moving unwanted dogs from Ireland to GB as that's the only way to save them.

A collie is a very common breed and demand is not high.
A dog which snaps at children is an unattractive prospect.
Your dog is less likely than the already woeful average to find a new home.

Unless you want the likely euthanasia of your healthy dog on your conscience, I would strongly advise you to find the money for a good quality behaviourist.

HomeOfMyOwn · 09/08/2018 14:19

If you have insurance a behaviourist could be funded via that with veterinary referral.

However I fully understand not wanting a dog that has repeatedly snapped at children, when you have children.

Tell rescues the truth.

In the meantime (since you will likely have to wait for a space to become available for dog) you need to be looking up dog body language. The dog will be telling you in many many ways that he is not happy and wants DC to stop what they are doing/ move away before he escalates to snapping (snapping is the doggy equivalent of a human getting to the point of screaming "fuck off", after having asked in many far quieter and more polite ways for whatever to stop doing what its doing.

fivedogstofeed · 09/08/2018 14:28

In the first instance you need to speak to the rescue, and you need to be very honest about the circumstances around the snapping.

Original poster
Skrowten · 09/08/2018 16:01

Spoke to rescue. They said to work on it or rehome as he has hurt a child. I have insurance, it doesn't cover behaviourist, I've checked.

OP posts:
Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten · 09/08/2018 16:22

Not sure where you are in Ireland but I can help with a Behaiourist. It may be worth speaking to them on the phone and explain your situation and see what they say.

Also I don't know the rescue but Animal Rescue - Home Ainmhithe rescue will help to find a good home and are a rescue that can be trusted.

fivedogstofeed · 09/08/2018 17:36

Did the rescue have any more specific advice, or anyone who can help you?

fivedogstofeed · 09/08/2018 17:37

Hope they're not suggesting you rehome him yourself?

Ylvamoon · 09/08/2018 18:10

Have you tried your local dog club? They might be able to help with training and will be much cheaper than behaviourist.
Also, is he snapping at kids legs? If yes, if say it is a typical collie trait. In this case you need some positive reinforcement training. This can be a combination of metal stimulation like teaching lots of tricks and keeping the dog on a lead when children are around. You also need to look at the childrens behaviour as some dogs have difficulties tolerating running, screaming and jumping. In this case you need to teach the dog to tolerate with lots of treats and distractions.

SilverMagpies · 09/08/2018 18:53

Not sure what else the rescue could have said tbh - they couldn't tell you to let things continue as they are.

Is it possible that this is a bored collie letting its frustrations out in non ideal ways? There's a great group on Facebook called canine enrichment which has lots of ideas (some homemade or low cost) to keep dogs entertained.

adaline · 09/08/2018 19:39

If he's snapped at a child why on Earth hasn't he been muzzled in public?

Original poster
Skrowten · 12/08/2018 22:30

So the rescue centre were very supportive. He is currently being crate trained, which he wasn't before, and it is going well . Plus muzzle for walking. We are trying so hard. It just gets me down sometimes because some people seem to have such easy dogs

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 12/08/2018 22:48

I owned two dogs from puppies that I now realise were "easy". Current DDog, same breed and also owned from puppy, is frigging hard work. I get where you're coming from. But the effort will be worth it Flowers

Identifying the cause of snapping will be your first step.

Our dog (we have children aged 3-13) is possessive and snaps if she has something (child's toy, sock, that kind of thing) and you go to take it from her.

Once you've identified the cause of snapping, stop the children doing it! Our children know they must never, ever attempt to get something off the dog themself and should instead always call a parent to do it. The children are also told off for leaving socks around for the dog to pick up.

How we dealt with it was trial and error really. We tried several different approaches. The one we found that works is to ignore (she won't chew things up, just collects them) and she soon gets bored guarding an item and abandons it. Or if the item is needed straight away, offer a better alternate to the dog. Either in the form of dog treats if she follows the drop and leave commands, or simply with cuddles and belly rubs.

The answer for us came from understanding the dog and being kind, rather than being angry or aggressive.

violets17 · 14/08/2018 19:01

My jrt isn't keen on some children and went through a phase of running after them and barking fairly aggressively. I can now spot what will set him off and quickly snap his lead back on. Obviously I know at what distance he won't pay any attention to a child. It seems to be a certain height he finds threatening and squealing and arm flapping. I wouldn't relax enough to take my eyes off him or stop scanning for children but it is getting better.

Veterinari · 14/08/2018 19:04

Hi OP please check out Doggonesafe.com and also advance search for the useful resources thread in Doghouse for lots of links to dig behaviour and preventing dog-child aggression

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