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The doghouse

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Original poster

Where to put aggressive dog while we are on holiday?

105 replies

hockeysticks89 · 19/03/2022 15:24

We have a Romanian rescue dog who we love dearly however since adolescence she has become more and more nervous and has nipped strangers twice (long story but she felt threatened by them), a level two bite which didn't break the skin and led to a graze.

We're working with a behaviourist to manage or desensitise her triggers, we muzzle her if we go outside and having people in the house has to be planned and involve the use of several gates and barriers. It's a nightmare but I'm hoping she'll get better.

The problem is we go away in august and don't know where to put her. Last year she went into a dog boarder's house with other dogs however this is no longer suitable for her- frankly, I feel she'd bite again whilst we are away. Has anyone ever dealt with this or have any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 19/03/2022 15:29

I don’t think you can put her anywhere, you can’t go
It’s the risk you take when getting a rescue dog, especially one from overseas.
I have a much loved Ddog but if it wasn’t possible for me to find a place where he would be safe and loved and not a danger to anyone then dog free holidays would be off the cards
The only chance you have is if you start working with someone now so she can get to know them in the hope your dog will accept them but it’s a big ask for someone, even a professional

SprayedWithDettol · 19/03/2022 15:32

You can’t leave a dog like this. It’s anxiety will go through the roof being left by you to go on holiday.

theremustonlybeone · 19/03/2022 15:35

We take our dog with us or we get our eldest to stay in the house with him. My dog didnt like other dogs and hated being touched so i was always anxious about leaving him. He has driven with us to spain, italy, france , scotland etc etc

ouch321 · 19/03/2022 15:38

You'll have to find a hotel or appt that accepts pets. You can't leave him in kennels or with a pal.

There's an awful story in the papers about a girl who was dog sitting 2 dogs whilst her friends or neighbour went on hols, the dogs saw her as a threat and bit her 800 times and destroyed her face.

Hellocatshome · 19/03/2022 15:39

You can't leave her anywhere unfortunately. If you are honest and disclose the biting I cant see anyone wanting to take her. Could you live with yourself if she did harm to whoever was looking after her? We have a Romanian Rescue so I am not in any way anti foreign rescues but I really think holidays without the dog are going to have to be off the cards while she is still with you.

Viviennemary · 19/03/2022 15:40

I wish this practice of adopting these dogs was stopped. Some of them can be very agressive and not able to be trained in spite of best efforts made.

ABitBesotted · 19/03/2022 15:41

Sadly agree with the mothers.

ABitBesotted · 19/03/2022 15:41

others*

ABitBesotted · 19/03/2022 15:43

@Viviennemary

I wish this practice of adopting these dogs was stopped. Some of them can be very agressive and not able to be trained in spite of best efforts made.
I have never met a dog that was wholly untrainable

It may still be reactive and need careful handling/muzzle/short lead for life, but it deserves a good life for all that

Beachsidesunset · 19/03/2022 15:46

I had a fear aggressive GSD who I had to leave for an overseas wedding. I found an amazing kennels with a sympathetic owner who let me spend 6 weeks acclimatising her. The kennels was an old quarantine establishment so each dog was 6 ft away from each other at all times. It went fine. Hopefully you can find something similar.

gogohm · 19/03/2022 15:46

Speak to professional licenced kennels, they may be able to accept your dog - to be honest most people would not actually tell them. Separation anxiety is a problem but they do exist that are suitable

collieresponder88 · 19/03/2022 15:52

@Viviennemary

I wish this practice of adopting these dogs was stopped. Some of them can be very agressive and not able to be trained in spite of best efforts made.
So u would would stop thousands of good natured dogs from ha img a chance of a family because of a few that are aggressive ! Really
Dobbysgotthesocks · 19/03/2022 15:57

@Viviennemary

I wish this practice of adopting these dogs was stopped. Some of them can be very agressive and not able to be trained in spite of best efforts made.
Thankfully ill informed judgemental people like yourselves are not in charge then!!! 🤬
Budgiesareloud · 19/03/2022 15:58

Speak to your local Rspca see if they board dogs but be honest about your dogs past.

Our local branch do, they board my dog aggressive dog I don't know if they'd take one that's bitten but it's worth asking.

Be prepared that if they do take the dog they may be even worse after with more triggers due to being in a different environment.

I'll be honest a dog that's bitten is dangerous and one that you have to manage to the extent you described above is not really suitable to board.

70kid · 19/03/2022 16:01

I have an aggressive dog - Frenchie
He goes to the kennels that I have been using for years
So the owner knows us well and our old dogs
We explained what can trigger him and we took his muzzle bed blankets and toys for him to settle in
He’s been there 3 times in the last year 2 x 2 weeks and 1 weekend
He was perfectly well behaved with her

Right knobhead when he came home though 😂

Dobbysgotthesocks · 19/03/2022 16:01

I'm in a similar situation with my Romanian rescue dog. Only my situation is me needing hospital treatment rather than a holiday.

I have started working with a dog Walker who is excellent and my little one adores. So far it's going amazingly well. At the moment my dog Walker is coming at least twice a week.

So my advice would be to work with your behaviourist alongside a dog sitter. Get them to come regularly. So they become someone they are really really familiar with and no each other well enough that everyone is confident. Make sure they know the dogs triggers and what to do if anything happens. Build it up slowly from a visit to being left together for a few hours to overnight etc. Slowly slowly and you will get there

carefullycourageous · 19/03/2022 16:02

You can't leave them unless a professional dog kennel will take them after you have told the truth.

I also really worry about this dog importation, it is not wise IMO.

But now you have one, you have no option but to deal with it, it is your dog.

Floralnomad · 19/03/2022 16:02

Have a look around all your local kennels and have a chat to them , you may well find one that is suitable .

WhackingPhoenix · 19/03/2022 16:04

This reply has been deleted

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WhackingPhoenix · 19/03/2022 16:06

I have a Rommie fear biter too, the problem actually started at day care 😒

Kennels are absolutely not the right environment for these dogs so it would probably have to be someone coming to your home to dogsit in your DDog’s own environment, maybe you could introduce them on walks a few times so DDog feels safe with them?

carefullycourageous · 19/03/2022 16:08

Plenty of imported 'fear biters' it seems. Great news!

GandTfortea · 19/03/2022 16:08

All our holidays are planned around our 3 dogs ,we only book dog friendly accommodation,..it’s not difficult,and we a just our expectations of the holiday

Hellocatshome · 19/03/2022 16:16

Plenty of imported 'fear biters' it seems. Great news!

So 2 on one thread about a fear bitter makes plenty in your book does it? My Rommie Rescue is the softest dog you could hope to meet if you treat him like a dog. I think people have started to treat their animals as part of the family and a play thing for children so have started to forget that a dog is a dog an animal which is probably stronger than you and has a sharp bitey end.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/03/2022 16:18

I think your only option is a dog-sitter who stays in your home with the dog while you go away.

There is no way I would put a dog like that into kennels or a home-boarding environment. Being around strange dogs and/or strange people would be hugely upsetting and stressful for them.

However, you will need to start looking now and get your sitter used to the dog and coming in and out of your home. I'm a dog walker and have been hired in the past to work with nervous rescue dogs. One wouldn't let me in the house or within eight feet of her - she just growled and growled. If I'd been stupid daft enough to push her, there is no doubt in my mind that she'd have attacked me.

Do you have to go away without her?

bellac11 · 19/03/2022 16:25

We never went away without our dog for holidays for 15 years, not because he had problems but because he was one of the family so we were quite limited to where we went

The problem with rescue dogs from places where they effectively have 'street dogs' is that largely these are not abandoned pets who have had some degree of socialisation, but are street dogs in the same way other animals are semi feral.

Some are able to make pets but a lot are not, Ive seen this at close hand with a number of people I know. I dont know what the answer is but getting angry with people who suggest its not a good idea is too simplistic.