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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

Giving up our dog - any advice?

77 replies

alidew · 23/07/2019 16:40

We have made the difficult decision to have our dog rehomed. We've only ever parted with a dog before due to death but our reasons for rehoming are genuine.
Does anyone have any experience of doing this and advice? I don't have any friends who could take him on so am looking at Dog's Trust or similar locally.

OP posts:
fivedogstofeed · 23/07/2019 16:55

If you haven't already done so - get a vet check, microchip, vaccinations up to date, neutered. All these things make him a much easier prospect for a rescue to take on. Offer them a donation.
Contact rescues and ask to go on their waiting list or if they do ' home to home' rehoming ( dog stays with you until a home is found but the rescue provides backup and screens potential new owners).
Do not expect to keep in touch with the new owners as most do not want this.
Under no circumstances advertise a dog in online selling sites or FB, you will have no way of knowing where your dog ends up.

Original poster
alidew · 23/07/2019 17:02

That's what I thought re the internet, so many horror stories about fighting/bait dogs! He has been neutered, chipped, all vaccines done. He also has a Spanish passport as he was adopted from there and all his bloods done. We've had him almost 2 years.

Dog's Trust want to see him for an assessment soon and have said they may do another blood test. I'd rather not keep in touch with a new family - clean break will be less upsetting I think. I will be doing a F/T job with a long commute that we'd not planned for (money is tight so needs must) and he would be better in a multi-dog household, as he is always a bit sad on his own and lights up around other dogs and children. I feel awful about giving him up but we're doing him a disservice by keeping him when we won't be around during the day.

OP posts:
Livebythecoast · 23/07/2019 17:31

This must have been a very difficult decision to make.
If you hadn't said he gets sad on his own then maybe pay for someone to come in and walk/feed/spend time with him, may have been an alternative option.
However, I volunteer to walk dogs at shelters and the staff are lovely and genuinely care for them. They will do home visits to the new owner and in my experiences, do follow up checks once the dog is placed.
As sad as it is you're doing the best thing for him. I wish you well Flowers

SavoyCabbage · 23/07/2019 17:50

Make sure you look around the rescue centre. I got my dog from the RSPCA and the place was absolutely awful. She was just sleeping on a dirt floor with a rope around her neck.

fivedogstofeed · 23/07/2019 17:51

If he was adopted from a rescue then you should also contact them. Even if they're not in a position to take him back they would want to know what happened.

Sunburntnoseandears · 23/07/2019 17:59

I got some help on here when I was fostering (stuck with) a family ddog after a relationship breakdown. Some kind mner got him a place at a very good rescue place. Sadly it didn't end well for him and personally I won't recommend that rescue place, but maybe reaching out on here may be more successful for you and your ddog. What breed is he op?

stucknoue · 23/07/2019 18:08

As hard as it is, might we worth letting it known at the park etc to other dog walkers that you need to rehome due to work - they may know of people who have lost a dog and are looking for a new canine friend. My good friend got her two this way, owner had to go into a care home and she wanted her boys to be loved (and they sure are!) Might also be worth telling your vets, again they may know of the perfect home

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 23/07/2019 18:33

Definitely contact the rescue he came from. If he is of an indentifiable breed, you could also try the breed rescue. I hope all goes well for you and your dog.

Original poster
alidew · 23/07/2019 19:21

Thanks all for being supportive. He came from a rescue based in southern Spain and was imported here -I will tell them but they can't take him back.

OP posts:
PeoniesarePink · 23/07/2019 19:24

Google breed specific rescues and find your nearest. That way, he will probably go to a foster carer who will assess his suitability for re-homing. There are some really really good ones out there.

lunaland · 23/07/2019 19:33

I'm so sorry, it's a devastating decision to have to make. I've very recently had to do the same.
Dogs trust are fantastic, they really do look after the dogs. If they have space they will do an intake assessment of your dog to make sure there are no serious issues. They will not take on people aggressive dogs usually.

Original poster
alidew · 23/07/2019 21:24

Thanks all, he has a Dogs Trust assessment on Friday, so we'll see how that goes. He's a beagle/breton cross. Was a Spanish street dog so has issues with men in dark outfits (look like dog catchers?) but otherwise he is sound. We are experienced dog owners but he would be happier in a multi dog household and we cannot offer him that. Children are on board with the decision but it is going to be devastating as we also recently lost our cat to old age.

OP posts:
Original poster
alidew · 26/07/2019 17:42

Nightmare - the dog growled at a staff member during his pre-intake assessment at Dogs Trust, so they have refused to take him in. Mind you, it was a man in dark clothing and that's his number 1 fear! Battersea have a 3 month waiting list and have indicated they may well just PTS as he needs muzzled when he goes to the vet. What am I going to do?

OP posts:
Original poster
alidew · 26/07/2019 17:43

Radio silence from his original adoption place, by the way, and the email has been received and read :-/

OP posts:
PCohle · 26/07/2019 17:51

I'm sorry that the dog's trust assessment didn't go better Thanks

I would also at least speak to beagle and Breton specific rescues to see if they can assist or point you in the right direction. Are there any smaller, more local rescues?

I agree that putting the word out in your local "doggy" circle might give you a promising lead.

Original poster
alidew · 26/07/2019 18:13

Thank you - I've contacted every local rescue and they either don't call back, say they are full or won't take him because he's not good with people. There are no specific Breton/Beagle rescues - he's definitely just a Spanish street mongrel :-) I've emailed our vet who is going to call me tomorrow.

OP posts:
Scattyhattie · 26/07/2019 18:49

Thats a shame as neither really warrant PTS a dog but guess big rescues have plenty of easier to home dogs coming in.

Being muzzled when going to vet isn't that unusual & better to be safe than sorry. While didn't help in assessment its positive that dog growled a warning when feeling threatened than went straight in for a bite, gives everyone time to diffuse situation.

You'll probably have more luck with smaller rescues although it could take some time for a space to become available & if can help cover expenses to transport to them if necessary. Rescue helpers unite on Facebook maybe worth trying to get some assistance finding a rescue space.

TheoriginalLEM · 26/07/2019 18:58

Where are you OP? Roughly.

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 26/07/2019 19:08

How’s it going. I like u had to re home my gorgeous springer. The rescue place that took him knew what the problems were and had him evaluated and sent to someone who could help him. Someone who had the correct training to help him.

I would go for a specific breed rescue if you can.

Sunburntnoseandears · 26/07/2019 19:17

Sadly our foster ddog was pts after a failed rehome. He snapped at a dc. Guilt consumed me. Still feel sad over 2 years later.
You did your best op. Better than the life he would have had if you hadn't come into it.
Hopefully your vet will have some ideas.
Wish I could help. It's so frustrating when you know he is a lovely ddog....

PCohle · 26/07/2019 19:20

There are no specific Breton/Beagle rescues

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant speak to eg a Beagle rescue and ask if they have any advice for cross breeds.

RandomMess · 26/07/2019 19:39
Sad

No idea what to suggest.

Doggy daycare?? How old are the DC?

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 26/07/2019 19:42

I just wanted to come back on and say I’m sorry you are having to do this. Mine was a heartbreaking decision. But when he jumped off the couch... ran across the room and went for my son on his neck I knew the time had come.

The day will be hard. But trust that u are making the correct decision and hugs for u

hereforasillygoosetime · 26/07/2019 19:58

Can't you hire a dog walker or a day care service?????

Are there other reasons you want him gone other than he will be sad when you go to work???

RandomMess · 26/07/2019 20:01

If there isn't dog day care where you live perhaps that could be a new business venture...

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