Giving up our dog - any advice?

[alidew]

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.

Yes of course you will do, that's why there's still so many unwanted dogs getting ignored and pts. People who want a specific 'breed'/'puppy' paying breeders to churn more into the country. 🤷🏻‍♀️

No, because I, like millions of other responsible dog owners, went into owning a dog fully aware of all the implications that come with it. Most people with a knowledge of a 'specific' breed, are far less likely to put a dog into rescue, than someone who chooses a dog on an unrealistic vision of how the poor animal will fit in with their lifestyle. I agree that all breeders should be licensed, but I also think that all dog owners should be too. I would happily be assessed on my housing, financial situation etc, give information on veterinary/insurance choices, if it meant that a dogs future, as much as possible, would be more secure.

I think something less than 20k dogs are PTS for the lack of a home in the UK each year. That's obviously not great, but it needs to be seen in the context of a dog population of about 8 million. If you assume an average lifespan of about 12 years, that's a lot of dogs to keep the canine population stable.

Yes, some breeders are rubbish, but plenty are not. Tarring them all with the same brush as evil and wicked is unreasonable.

The fact is that these puppies produced by breeders are taking the homes that could have gone to dogs with no homes that already existed.

I generally disagree with people who desire pedigree in any case. Riddled with deformities thanks to the kennel club/crufts demand for exaggerated aesthetic nonsense, brachy dogs/ gsd cripples with backs so low they can barely walk / syringomyelia in Charles spaniels etc etc etc etc
The 'responsible breeders' in that whole world who have 'showdogs' and 'winning lines' are sick. They're not dog lovers.

Right, well he is still here. No way are we having him PTS because he did a warning growl of 2 seconds at the Dogs Trust staff member, who was all in dark clothing and had a loud, crackly walkie-talkie that our dog hadn't encountered before. He would fare better in a multi-dog home but I will look into dog walking and behaviourist as I don't want him to be sad when we are all our at work/school.

"Good breeders" are as much as a problem. They're still churning dogs out into a country that is putting dogs down. Two of my rescue dogs are pedigree, well bred labs. They still ended up in rescue.. There are very few genuine good breeders, and there's no need from any of them.

Exactly @Honeyroar

Personally, I would take DT assessment with a very small pinch of salt- long story, but I’ve had recent bad experience with them and having adopted several dogs from them over the years, will be adopting from smaller rescues in future

OP I know you have said the rescue have ignored you, I work in rescue in the UK and this is an increasing problem with foreign rescues; they have no backup in the UK. Did you have a UK contact at all? You can PM me if you want and I can offer some advice.

Alidew - not sure where you are but I volunteer for a rescue that does take on dogs with issues and will work with them to improve them before, hopefully, rehoming. I have no idea whether they have space for your pooch (they are relatively small) but if you would like me to give you their contact details feel free to message me.

Op, if you're anywhere near Telford, Hilbrae Rescue Kennels at Cold Hatton will take him. They are small, but have absolutely brilliant and dedicated staff and volunteers who will work with any issues your dog has and never PTS. True, they have some dogs who have been there a long time, but they work very hard to get them rehomed and generally do, eventually. They will work with behaviour specialists when needed and have many success stories.

Honestly, I can't recommend them enough.

Thanks everyone. We are still in a dilemma as we don't want to give up on him but I honestly think he would be happier in a multi dog home as he seems bit depressed and much prefers the company of dogs over humans. With both of us soon to be working in London and out of the house for 12 hours at a time, there is no way we would take on another dog for company as that would be unfair on both of them. Dog walker/ sitter would be an option if he liked people but he doesn't. I need to find full-time work for economic reasons so I can't contemplate expensive options like doggy daycare. I had no idea I would have to work full-time far away from where we live when we took on the dog. I've been applying for lots of jobs locally over the past 12 months to avoid rehoming the dog and I've been unsuccessful, so I will have to find something in London. We live in SE Kent. The childcare I will need will already be costly so I'm afraid the dog needs to go to another home but it's hard when the local rescues don't respond.

Have you tried Happy Endings rescue at Faversham ?

Try getting in touch with Animal Lifeline UK on Facebook. They work with animal rescue centres all over the country and will be able to offer some advice and potentially find a rescue space for your dog.

Try getting in touch with Animal Lifeline UK on Facebook. They work with animal rescue centres all over the country and will be able to offer some advice and potentially find a rescue space for your dog.

@floralnomad, no I haven't heard of them. I've tried Dog's Trust (don't want him), Battersea Brands Hatch (3 month waiting list), Lord Whisky x 3 (no response each time), Last Chance Rescue (no response). I'll ry them when I'm home from work, thank you.

To be honest I don't think sending him to a rescue will help, he seems to have fairly complex issues which are more than just that he needs a multi-dog house.

Can you investigate a dog walker that will build up a relationship with him before you start work?

If he does go into rescue there's a chance he'll stay there as a long term resident or be PTS anyway. I don't know what is worse to be honest.

I’m so sorry u are having to do this. I know it is utterly heart breaking.

@OliviaBenson I can't afford a dog walker - £30 a day hereabouts which is my budget for afer school childcare. I've been trying to get a job in Kent for months now but nothing so having to look further afield.
@floralnomad thank you for the suggestion - they did get back to me but can't help as only seem to deal with extreme cases. I honestly did not think it would be this hard to get someone to take a family pet!

Rescues are full to bursting and any dog with issues/needs are harder to regime and resources for training, foster etc are stretched. I had said further up to PM me as I can offer suggestions.

i honestly did not think it would be this hard to get someone to take a family pet!

Without meaning any offence, a dog that is extremely nervous to anyone it doesn't know really well (I'm sure you said it was only you that can handle him?) and is prepared to show aggression to men in dark clothing is not going to be what anyone searching for a family pet is after.

This is a dog with complex and challenging behavioural issues, very different to the outgoing, tolerant, gregarious, 'love everyone' personality most people would expect when they think of a 'family pet'.

I agree with a pp that if he was taken to rescue he'll either rot there stressed and miserable long term or he will just be PTS.

I'm sorry but I agree with the pp and this is no way a family pet.

If your vet says PTS that says a lot.

Can you really not budget for a dog walker?

I think you need to face up to this situation op.

Sorry.

I'd keep trying Last Chance - I'm assuming you've already filled in their Animal Information form? Only I have various friends who have adopted dogs from there and all rate Last Chance highly. However, like all rescues, they have more animals that need rescuing than they have staff available to provide an immediate response to queries or space to take every dog referred to them especially as they operate a no destruction policy.

@PollyRoe16 thank you so much for telling me about Animal Lifeline UK. They have found a foster home for him with another dog and the lady has experience with Spanish rescue dogs. They have been genuine and wonderful, wanting to know his likes/dislikes and have put me in touch with his foster mum so I know he will be going somewhere genuine. It's going to be upsetting for all the family but ultimately I know we have tried our best but we can't offer the best home to a dog with all of us out for long hours.