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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

Re-homing a dog

110 replies

SiousieSoo · 09/12/2023 15:20

Hi everyone

I know this is a sensitive subject and I hope it does not upset anyone. My dad has a lovely red cocker spaniel, she is almost two years old. It has become increasingly obvious that he is unable to deal with her as she requires a lot of walking and exercise. I think that it might be better all round if she is re-homed but we would want her to go with a loving owner who would take care of her. None of us could bear her being sent to a home with someone who did not treat her well. Do you know how rigorous the process is for rehoming a dog with Battersea Dogs Home or the Dogs Trust? Do they perform due diligence on the owers and continually monitor the dog's living arrangements to ensure that they are being treated well? Are there any sanctions if they give the dog away or are no steps taken? Does anyone have any advice on the best way of doing this? I have not spoken to my dad about this as he would be so upset at the thought of doing this, but I am just exploring potential options at the moment. Would be very grateful for any advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 18:31

margotrose · 10/12/2023 18:26

You're more than welcome OP.

Lily's Kitchen is a good quality food so if it suits her I wouldn't be in a rush to change it. If you're worried about the fattiness of peanut butter etc. you could try natural treats - things like ostrich bones, cows hooves etc. are long lasting and low in fat (though the hooves stink - so be warned!).

He is very good with caring for the dog and feeding her etc, he is diligent with adminstering the anti flea medication every month that she takes and gets this from the vet. It is the areas outside of this, such as the mental stimulation and the walking etc. that is becoming a concern as she is so lively. She is a smart dog though so I am really hoping that implementing all these tips alongside the regular routine will help. I am really hoping that the Cinnamon Trust can help.

OP posts:
margotrose · 10/12/2023 18:37

Keep us updated! He sounds like a great owner and you sound like a lovely daughter :)

Pinkpinkpink15 · 10/12/2023 18:49

@SiousieSoo

The toys/games/mental stimulation is a relatively new concept, whereas pre this the focus was on enough exercise and with working breed spaniels you can run them all day & still not true them out.

I'm sorry I don't live near your Dad, I'd love to share his dog. I can't have one where I live now & can't currently move, so I'm just sharing friends dogs. It's working well, but I'd like one where the owner needs a bit more day to day help.

Spaniels are 'my dog'. I hope your Dads finds a friend!! But can stay with your Dad!!

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 18:50

margotrose · 10/12/2023 18:37

Keep us updated! He sounds like a great owner and you sound like a lovely daughter :)

I will do and I really hope to be able to report back with positive news.

OP posts:
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 18:54

Pinkpinkpink15 · 10/12/2023 18:49

@SiousieSoo

The toys/games/mental stimulation is a relatively new concept, whereas pre this the focus was on enough exercise and with working breed spaniels you can run them all day & still not true them out.

I'm sorry I don't live near your Dad, I'd love to share his dog. I can't have one where I live now & can't currently move, so I'm just sharing friends dogs. It's working well, but I'd like one where the owner needs a bit more day to day help.

Spaniels are 'my dog'. I hope your Dads finds a friend!! But can stay with your Dad!!

Oh my God I thought it was just me, I feel totally clueless about this and my dad knows nothing about this concept of mental stimulation at all....

I really thought it was just the walking and physicality of managing her needs that was important. You sound lovely and yes spaniels are a very special and amazing breed of dog. My dad has had a springer and a cavalier in the past and he absolutely loves them!

OP posts:
Undisclosedlocation · 10/12/2023 18:56

SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 18:22

This is very good advice and I can see that is exactly what she needs because she never seems to be able to switch off. But this sounds like its a very complex skill for her to learn. Do we need a specialist cocker spaniel trainer for this? How does this interact with the scentwork?

Show quote history

It takes time and patience to teach but is absolutely achievable. It’s by no means a breed specific thing and any decent trainer (make sure they are qualified though as it’s an unregulated industry) should be able to get you started. Generally the trainer you have for scent work should also be able to help here. Once you know how and the dog understands the game, it’s basically a case of rewarding them calmly laying on a bed/mat so not physically challenging at all for your dad - bonus is it will tire the dog out nicely, but in a calm rather than overtired manic sort of way
Good luck!

JaimeLannister · 10/12/2023 19:31

Really hope it works out for your Dad and his dog. You clearly care a lot about the dog. You have had some great suggestions here.
If you aren't sure about adding new foods to the dog's diet, you can get a food dispenser toy that your Dad can put her Lily's kitchen biscuits in. I have had a one called a Kong Wobbler for years. The dog has to knock it around to get the food out. Working for their meals tires them out more!

Re-homing a dog
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 19:35

JaimeLannister · 10/12/2023 19:31

Really hope it works out for your Dad and his dog. You clearly care a lot about the dog. You have had some great suggestions here.
If you aren't sure about adding new foods to the dog's diet, you can get a food dispenser toy that your Dad can put her Lily's kitchen biscuits in. I have had a one called a Kong Wobbler for years. The dog has to knock it around to get the food out. Working for their meals tires them out more!

Oh wow this looks great!

OP posts:
FailWhale · 12/12/2023 20:56

A good cheap treat dispenser is a box inside a box inside.a.box. or a toilet roll with treats inside and end squished.

There are balls that dispense them too if she likes knocking balls around.

For local trainers I would.look.for someone who uses key words like:
Positive reinforcement
Sensory play
Bond building
Brain work
Sniff work/games

Our trainer taught kennel club obedience levels and used all of these as positive distraction techniques and it was amazing the difference in my dog even when they were a puppy.

As you say, working dogs need to work but it's usually a lot of brain work they do more than running endlessly. They can be trained to help with house tasks like opening doors.or pulling laundry from the washing machine or bringing remote control or phone to your dad etc. you tube is absolutely littered with how to videos step by step. Just make sure they're positive reinforcement videos. It could be your dad would get a lot from training the dog in this way as it doesn't require a huge amount of movement and the carera could reinforce the training potentially if they wanted to/had time to be involved.

I'm very anti rehoming so I have to acknowledge that's my bias but I do have a colleague who rehomed their working cocker to the police at a similar age and it did exceptionally well. So if it is a working dog that really needs to work, contact your local police dog service and they may want to chat about options.

Good luck ♥️

FailWhale · 12/12/2023 20:57

Not anti rehoming as in it should never ever be done, just it should be last resort and if you've not yet tried sensory play toys I suspect your dad has been missing out on an amazing bond building and tiring activities

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