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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dog rescues for biting cockapoo

98 replies

drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 12:47

So I'm looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for places which might take a 9 year old cockapoo who has recently nipped a toddler. She has always had some anxiousness but recently with lockdown and new grandchildren introduced, this has become much worse. The toddler was drawing with chalk and then turned to try and draw on the dog who then gave her a warning nip on the face. No skin was broken, it left a small bruise but we can't run the risk of anything happening again. (Both were being supervised closely before anyone jumps in with that).

I know rescues are often reluctant to take in dogs with issues to children but if anyone knows of any resources or places to help my search I would be very thankful!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 21/07/2021 13:47

Why can’t your parents keep the dog and just visit you at your home or out and about leaving the poor dog at home . This entire scenario is so unfair on the poor dog . My mum had a snappy dog when my children were small , they just weren’t allowed to mingle with her until they were old enough to know not to touch her , it was very simple .

Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 13:49

@Floralnomad that would be the preferred option, yes. But for other reasons, my parents circumstances have changed and they need me over to them a lot. It would require the dog to be away from everyone for hours most days which for a dog with major separation anxiety you would agree isn't kind.

OP posts:
regthetabbycat · 21/07/2021 13:58

[quote drumst1ck]@Floralnomad that would be the preferred option, yes. But for other reasons, my parents circumstances have changed and they need me over to them a lot. It would require the dog to be away from everyone for hours most days which for a dog with major separation anxiety you would agree isn't kind.[/quote]
And you think rehoming the poor dog would be kind?

Supervise the toddler and stop him ill-treating the dog!

Sparechange · 21/07/2021 13:58

It’s an awful lot kinder to the dog to shut it another room for a few hours at a time than to rehome it after NINE YEARS with your parents.

If you admit this was 100% a supervision issue, why does the dog need to be rehomed?

It’s you pushing for this rather than your parents?

Stickytreacle · 21/07/2021 14:00

For an old dog with major separation anxiety I think a big change such as kennelling/rehoming would be quite cruel. The issue is children being allowed to draw on the dog. I'd be looking at ways to keep the dog separate while in the same room, they don't have to be away from everyone to be safe, child gates and crates might help.

BarberQueue · 21/07/2021 14:01

@drumst1ck They are both great rescues. If you look at their Facebook pages you will see that they (especially Spaniel Aid UK) rehome a lot of dogs with a bite history so are careful to find the right homes.

Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 14:02

@Sparechange definitely not me pushing for it. I love that dog and don't want to see it go but my DM 'can't manage the stress' of it so wants her to be rehomed. So I'm doing my best to find her somewhere reputable and safe where she will be loved.

OP posts:
Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 14:03

@BarberQueue thank you! That's really helpful 😊

OP posts:
Stickytreacle · 21/07/2021 14:04

Playpens for the toddler could be useful too.

KhalliWhalli · 21/07/2021 14:05

I will take her!

KhalliWhalli · 21/07/2021 14:14

@drumst1ck I have PM’d you x

Clymene · 21/07/2021 14:22

@KhalliWhalli

I will take her!
Please please DO NOT give a dog to a random person on the internet, especially an older one with behavioural issues!
lloceypu · 21/07/2021 14:27

@Sparechange

That poor dog

It doesn’t have ‘an issue with children’
It has an issue with being drawn on

How stupid can you be too allow that to happen to a puppy?

Any reputable rescue will take it. They will see that the situation wasn’t the fault of the dog but entirely the dozy owners with lazy ‘supervision’ of the dog in a high stress situation

And what a surprise that someone who thinks a dog is basically just another toy for a grandchild was drawn to get a cockerpoo in the first place Hmm

Are you on glue ?

OP ignore this ... my dog ( cocker) would happily be drawn on and not nip so you are doing the right thing. And I would describe him as having Norma spaniel anxieties. Tne thing I would check IF the dog is usually tolerant then I would get a health check bloods etc. My previous cocker got very snarly when touched was totally out of character. We though he had an injury to his back/ tail but it turned out to be liver cancer. I hope you can resolve this issue. And never worry about putting a child above a dog it's the correct thing to do.

KhalliWhalli · 21/07/2021 14:32

@Clymene I read your post as ME being older with behavioural issues Grin !

Anyway, the OP did the right thing and turned us down. Pity, though - we could have offered a lovely home and have been looking for a rescue dog for nearly a year now.

FeatheredHope · 21/07/2021 14:34

When rehoming a dog, the first call should actually be the breeder. Any decent breeder should always be willing to take a dog back and be in the best possible place to advise alternatives.
The second best port of call if this fails should always be a breed specific rescue first.

And I’m sure you don’t need to be told, but under no circumstances advertise the dog online or on social media.

countrygirl99 · 21/07/2021 14:35

Spaniel Aid use foster homes for the dogs they are re-homing and I can vouch for how thorough their home checks are.

Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 14:37

@Iloceypu thank you. She's been checked out at the vet and no health issues they can find.

OP posts:
Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 14:38

@FeatheredHope I hadn't actually thought about the breeder, I'm pretty sure my DM is still in contact with her. Would they help even after nearly a decade??

And yes, definitely won't be advertising online.

OP posts:
AlternativePerspective · 21/07/2021 14:39

The only training that needs to be done here is to train the moron who allowed a toddler to draw on a dog, and the child that you don’t draw on dogs. It’s not bloody hard.

Makes me sick when I hear people say “oh the dog is so lovely, the kids pull him around, crawl over him, pick him up and drag him around the house and he never bats an eyelid. And then when the dog has had enough and bites someone they leap to rehoming or worse, to PTS.

When will people realise that dogs aren’t toys. Angry

TheSkatesOfCoachBombay · 21/07/2021 14:41

Spaniels in my experience become grumpy old men from 9+. Our cocker spaniel is now 10 and has gone from a excitable loving dog to huffing and puffing , weary of DS (but this was his fault for pulling in his ear a few years ago) and just generally a right grumpy fart. If he's not fed at exactly 5pm he starts barking orders at me to feed him now!

Our mastiff however is young at 3 years old and will allow DS to chalk on him, dress him up and put sunglasses on him, despite me saying constantly will you respect the dogs space and boundaries. But I think the mastiff secretly likes it. They sleep together, are inseparable. Mastiff just seems far more tolerant though I always step in when play is getting a bit rough or excitable much to the dissappointment of DS and DDog. 🙄

I understand you want to re-home the dog for multiple reasons. I can't forsee a rescue turning him down for one incident.

Hyperion100 · 21/07/2021 14:43

Dogs > kids

Rehome the kid

Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 14:45

@AlternativePerspective the toddler is never allowed to pull her or any of the things you've mentioned. She turned to try and draw on the dog as it walked past her outside. This dog is certainly not a toy and we don't treat her as such. I'm just trying to do what's best for both the dog, toddler and my parents. Not an easy task!

OP posts:
Original poster
drumst1ck · 21/07/2021 14:47

@Hyperion100 I certainly feel like that some days! Grin (especially when she's having a
tantrum because I gave her the purple bowl she asked for...)

OP posts:
CallmeHendricks · 21/07/2021 14:54

@squiddybear

Sorry OP I don't think you are doing the right thing. If it is a grandchild is there a reason you cannot separate them whilst the grandchild is young and unpredictable?

Your dog is 9 that's old for a cockapoo! Don't punish it for you putting it in that situation

Old for a cockapoo? Where did you get that from? Mine is over 10 years old now and the vet said recently he's got another 4 years in him easily.
toocold54 · 21/07/2021 14:55

My dogs are the nicest dogs in the world but in this heat i won’t allow any children near them. I am on the verge of biting someone myself!

Honestly OP having a dog for 9 years is a long time for your parents to just get rid of it and I don’t know if they’ve fully thought it through.
If it lived with you it would be different but the fact is it can be shut away whilst you are there with your son or separated by baby gates.
A 9 year old dog will not only be very dressed in a rescue centre but it would practically be impossible to find a home due to its age and the fact it nipped. I would give it a few more months and see if your parents change their minds or not.

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