Originally Posted By: Wisc.TigerBetty not from ME. I believe that if a home where the dog will be happier and thrive then that is where the dog should be. I get bashed when I suggest to puppy owners that they should return the pup to the breeder, if the breeder isn't there for them then to find a home that is more suitable for that pup.

NOT all dogs will thrive in all household settings.

Val

Couldn't agree more! I think you may be a better person then I am (which isn't a surprise

) because if a new poster came on here with multiple recent rehomings I would certainly be muttering under my breath.

You gave me some food for thought Val.

 

I'm sorry but i need to add something to this.
The other night i spent about 2 hours looking in Carolinas website on all the dogs that she has fostered and found good homes for them, i read each one of the dogs stories and noticed how much love this woman has for dogs and all the work she has put in placing all those dogs.
I cannot believe how long this thread has gone so far, i personally think its a bunch of hogwash, for a person to do so much for numerous amount of dogs and then gets thrown under the bus.
Heres Carolinas website for some that havent had the chance to check it out, i think its quite impressive.

http://www.gsdbestk9.com/

 

Hairy, thank for for taking the time to do what wasn't done by many of the posters on this thread. I've been on this BB and the now defunct other BB for a loooooong time. I remember all that Carolina has done for the dogs and found much of what's posted on this thread to be unfair, or as you said, hogwash (never washed a hog, what exactly does it mean? It's just an expression to me)

 

Betty, thank you for the compliment, but I don't think I am any better than most people, I just look at things differently.

Dogs have a short life span compared to humans. God loans us these magnificent creatures to take care of, so wouldn't I want what is best for a dog even if it isn't my home. Wouldn't I want their living situation be suited to their personality, wouldn't I be just as happy or happier if a dog thrived in another home where at my home he was OK to happy.

If I was 100% certain that Chey would thrive in a different home she would have it. I have had offers but I never felt that it was the 100% right home. If it was because I love her so much I would want her to be happy.

I have rehomed dogs to the right homes. Yes I cried, but when I got my reports on how well they were doing I know they weren't that happy here with me, I was happy for them.

Sometimes personalities just don't match up. Sometimes it has to do with life style or activity levels.

I find it rather interesting that people will kick their spouse to the curb when they are not compatible, but will hold on to a dog that makes both the dog and human miserable.

Val

 

I'm just getting back to this thread after missing a couple of days - woah, you people have been busy!! *L*

Personally I think that those who say "I'll never rehome" have just been lucky enough not to ever be in a situation where rehoming becomes a reality. And I am GLAD that some people choose to rehome. Out of all the dogs I've owned as an adult, only two have been purchased. All the others have been acquired one way or another - some as adults that were REHOMED by someone who could see that their dog would have a better life with me.

My little black chow, Dora, who has now been with me 10 years, was a rehoming at 14 months. The woman had gotten her for a breeding program and then ran into some health issues and had to downsize. She gave Dora to me and I've thoroughly enjoyed the little clown of a dog (even though I had to coax her through agility courses). My Aussie, Lady, was acquired when she was a year old. Her owner worked away from home two weeks out of every month and had been leaving her with a friend, but he realized that it wasn't fair to her and asked if I would take her. Lady went on to become the first Aussie in the state of Alaska to earn a Utility Dog title, and was the #6 Aussie in the U.S. in novice.

These dogs could have remained in their homes - they were fed and cared for, but they didn't get to do much. Instead, the owners recognized that they just couldn't provide enough for the dogs and they found someone who could give more.

When it came to the one dog I rehomed - Tori - she went to someone I knew very well and had known for years. Sallie had lost her two old GSDs that year and she had a very sore heart - and Tori filled that heart. It was love, and a bond that Tori just never made with me. She was perfectly happy living with me, but she's even HAPPIER living with Sallie. Who am I to say "nooo, she's staying with me forever just because" when I could see that she was happier out at the homestead?

It's not physically easy for me to keep my dogs. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease several years ago and there are times when I can barely move. My finger joints are swollen and sore, my knees hurt, some days I can't walk without a cane. I don't plan to rehome any of the dogs I have now, but if I do choose to it will be for THEIR sakes, to provide them with a home where they get more exercise and attention.

On an associated note: to ME, it's important that my dogs be comfortable enough to be rehomed easily IF that were to happen. I want them to be comfortable with other people and I have NEVER encouraged them to be a one-person dog. None of us live forever. We could die today. I want my dogs to have the tools necessary to transfer to a new owner with a minimal of stress. So I socialized them and encourage them to see others as being good and fun and safe. It's something that I've always believed is important as a responsible pet owner.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

Well said!!!

 

Yep I have been off for few days too!

Although I do not always see eye to eye with everyone I try to be fair and put myself in some one else's shoes and not judge as we all have tough time with our dogs every now and then. I may not agree with Carolina on all of this but I do support her choices for the best for her dogs. As HairyGSD says, she has done a lot for many dogs and she did the best for her personal dogs as well.

Has she been attacked here? I would say yes and that is too bad.

 

I rehomed one dog years ago, my beloved Chan, who I've spoken about somewhere a while back and long lost in this site. I vowed after the tragic outcome of his life that I would never do it again. I have never recovered from the sorrow.

That was until I rescued Thor and once again bonded to a beloved dog. He was happy until I adopted Seamus from a shelter and brought him into my quiet, peaceful home with me, Thor and Freya (also a rescue). Once again, there is another thread about Seamus somewhere, where I discussed the possibility of rehoming him in a single dog home as he was non-stop aggressive with Thor. He was okay with humans but he hated Thor and eventually bit Freya (my gentle one) too, causing the last fight between he and Thor. That was the night we put him down and the night I became consumed with guilt, feeling certain there must have been something I could have done to change the outcome. As I said then, the vet told me she thought he had been having seizures and that night, he'd gone into a "Red Zone" that he could not come out of, where he even attacked me, and that he could not be trusted with any human or animal again....that I had made the correct decision in putting him down. There are still days when I refute that and cry over my decision.

Which leaves me with Thor and Freya. And you all know about Thor. He's either fear aggressive or overly protective of me (we're still trying to scope his behavior out) as he has a tendancy to bite out at anyone who gets too close to me (outside the house only...inside, if I've let them in, he's 'cool' with that and as sweet as always). Thor is the dog I rescued as a year old pup from being tied to a tree in the north 40 of someone's backyard for 9 months of his puppyhood. He was not housebroken, had no clue of commands and was totally isolated and un-socialized. He bonded with me almost at once. And I love him beyond measure. Even with all his problems I could never rehome him. I'll work with him, continue trying to train him to accept strangers, love him and give him a home where he is happy.

The rescue/adoption of Freya has been a good thing for both of us. Her gentleness, her sweetness is a balm for both Thor and me. Thor adores her (he was her primary protector during the Seamus/Thor battles). Both my babies will stay with me as long as I, and they, live, even if it means I have to get help caring for them. This is a strong possibility as my Ehlers Danlos is getting worse and walking becomes a greater problem daily. But never again would I bear the chance of happening to Thor or Freya that which happened to Chan.

On a lighter note: A friend of mine once had a Siamese cat she purchased as a birthday present for her husband. The cat spent all her time hiding under beds and in closets ....until I dropped by for coffee or a chat. Then the cat would come from wherever she had been hiding, jump into my lap, curl up and stay until I got up to leave (when I'd have to set her on the floor first as she would take no hint on her own). Months of this went on until one day, I got up to leave and my friend said with a laugh, "Take her. Take the ungrateful cat with you. She only wants to be with you and as soon as you're gone, she'll go back into hiding until your next visit." It seems this cat had only one bond in life....me. I took her home and she lived like a velcro cat for the rest of her life, never leaving my side. When I would change my baby's diaper, Cinnamon (the cat's name) would sit next to her head, picking up strands of hair and grooming them into place again.

I think the issue of rehoming (or even euthanizing) is a very individual decision which can only be made by the person who is in the situation. One can only hope that anyone making such a decision would not use the "moving and can't take him" or "I don't have time for him" or "he's a pain in the neck and too much trouble" as a reason, but would only make such a decision based on valid reasoning in the best interest of the dog (or animal) in question. And no one can judge a person who makes such a heartbreaking decision unless they have walked in that person's shoes.

 

Quote: because if a new poster came on here with multiple recent rehomings I would certainly be muttering under my breath.

Yeah, I feel that way too. And I'm just thinking of the people who have posted on the non-urgent board looking to re-home their dogs. If someone posted on there saying that they bought a new high drive dog and the new dog was hurting their old dog, so they wanted to keep the new dog and find a home for the old one, I can't help but think that people might have something to say about that.

I don't think getting a new high prey drive dog was in the older small dog's best interest, nor do I think it's fair for older dogs to lose their home of many years in the process. But I would definitely agree that if someone has a personal preference to keep the new dog rather than the older one, then it's the right thing to rehome the older dog if the two cannot live together happily or safely and I'm glad in this case that Carolina found Tallen a good home where she is happy.

 

There is not one blanket answer that covers every situation. I do not look down on people who rehome a dog because of the dog's best interest, or out of need. I do have a problem with people who do so because keeping the particular dog is simply inconvenient.

I think retired breeding dogs deserve a nice retirement home where they can have 100% house time and love and affection and live out thier lives spoiled rotten verus being one of many, IF that is all the current situation can offer.

Sometimes people end up with "more than they bargained for" and if they are honest enough with themselves to know the dog may have a better quality of life somewhere else, so be it.

Life happens, people get sick, lose thier homes, lose thier jobs, and if finding a good home needs to be done, I am in no position to judge them.

They main key is that people take the time to research a new potential home, and really take the care and time to make sure it is indeed a better home.

As a breeder, I do get dogs back..for a variety of reasons. I am a huge believer in fate as in each and every time the dog was indeed blessed to find an even better home for that particular animal. I know at least a couple of people who are very glad a dog was rehomed, because they greatly benefited by acquiring a dog they today could not imagine living without.

When I retired my SchH 3 female many moons ago, she was not happy. It was very hard for me, but through networking I found a wonderful home for her where she was the only pet and lavished with so much time, love, and affection. They just phoned me this week, sobbing, she has passed away at a ripe old age. I never doubted I did the right thing, and they were always eternally grateful to have the chance to own such a wonderful dog.

Our breed is very adaptable. More often than not they handle rehoming amazingly well...."yummy food, a ball, a comfy bed, time for me, I'm yours baby!" It is us humans that suffer more due to our deep attachment. I have imported a few dogs over the years, never did they sulk, or "need time". They saw I met all their needs, and were very kind to them, and they were "home".

 

So to answer Carolina's OP. I completely SAY YES. If you feel that the dog would have a better life. I say do it. I know it will be hard but in the end your dog will have a happier life and in a way that will in time become very fulfilling and a responsible decision. It doesnt make you a bad dog owner. Everyone's life and situations change from day to day, you don't know what is going to happen in your future.. what if your to become too ill to take care of your dog or dogs? are you a bad owner because you are ill and have to rehome? and what if that illness was terminal? just using some examples...

To the attacking and bashing stuff. I personally didn't see it. Even Leesa was just posting her personal opinion which she has every right to express. I do remember this being a free country yes? unless your not in the US.. then.. well I dunno but I think you too have the freedom of speech. I do feel differently than Leesa but she has her right to post her opinion... thats what was asked for in the OP anyways right?

Sorry to get back to that subject...

but.. Carolina.. Those are my feelings on the subject. You are not a bad dog owner if you need to rehome you dog.

 

Thankfully, I haven't had this problem with my dogs, but I did have it with my 2 horses this last year. I had them living at home with me, when I lost my job, couldn't find a new one, and had to sell the place. I had to move back in with the parents, and thankfully the job that I had before I moved away from the parents, hired me back. The horses went to a boarding facility, the best one I could afford which isn't saying much. I NEVER went out to see them because I was working all the time to pay their bills, and they were 45 miles away from where I lived. When I did go to see them, I would take them out, brush them, give them a treat then leave. The place they were at was alright, but clearly they weren't getting fed enough. I only want to see ribs on a muscular athletic horse, not on pasture pals. This was not how I wanted to see my horses. I found a home for 1 horse right away. I hope he is doing well, I heard from them a few times right after, but never since. The other horse took about 10 months to find the right home. I am so pleased with her new situation. They e-mail me pictures all the time, and I am welcome to go see and ride her whenever I want. She has gained a ton of weight, which she needed to, I was worried that the cruelty people would come out where she had been boarded. I haven't made it out to see her in person yet with the winter weather, but I will soon. When it is the right home, you don't feel sad, because you know they are better off.

I also was the recieving end of a rehomed cat. His family had him since he was a little kitten for 7 years. He started peeing all over their house, on the kitchen counters, tables, carpets, everywhere. Tests were done, it was not a medical problem, it was behavioral. They tried all kinds of behavior modificaiton, training, drugs, changing things at home. Nothing worked. They tried to find him a home, but nobody wanted to take him, so they scheduled a euthanasia appointment for him. They brought him in for his appointment, and asked the staff in a final desparation if anybody there would consider taking him. Everybody said no, they didn't want a peeing cat. I am a SUCKER, so I went into the waiting room and they took him out of his cage. Orange and white, my favorite! Purring up a storm, so happy, didn't even care that he was at the vet's office. Well, we all know I took the cat home with me. It's been 3 years now, and he's had 1 incident on the kitchen counter, when I was packing up the house to move. He's the greatest cat and everybody was thrilled that it worked out for him. (I need to send them a letter to let them know how he's doing, but I keep forgetting) Now, if only he'd stop trying to sleep on my face!

 

Just like Lindsays cat i was also on the receiving end of rehoming with my Max the 2 yr old LCGSD, i actually found him on Craiglist,
i clicked on the link seen his picture and fell in love with him, i called the lady who had him and she had me on the phone for 2 hours just to make sure that he was going to the right home, next day her and her husband dropped him off at my home, they did an inspection of my front and back yard making sure that he was going to safe and ok here.
They let him out of the car and he just came up to me kissing and hugging me like we were old buddies, the couple knew right away that they found a good home for Max, as they were walking back to their car i noticed the husband crying,it was his dog.
the reason that they had to rehome Max was that the husband worked long hours and the wife had to go back to work due to financial hardship so they really didnt have any time for the dog, he was pretty much a couch potato, had no training what so ever, i put a leash on him and the dog didnt know which way to go he was zig zaging all over the place.
I dont feel the couple did a bad thing by giving up Max but what they did is give him a happy life, within 4 days he became my lap dog laying on me on the couch, beying my shadow, i"m glad i was able to take him in and the couple were happy that he found a good home, i still keep in touch with them and tell them stories about Max and how much he's grown.
It breaks my heart everytime i called them and i talk to the husband remembering him crying when they left Max with me.
People do things for a reason sometimes and this time it was for the good.

Steve

 

Excellent post Steve, I did not know how you acquired Max but it is nice to hear the other end of the story from someone that took in a re-home.

 

Originally Posted By: Hatterasser
I think the issue of rehoming (or even euthanizing) is a very individual decision which can only be made by the person who is in the situation. One can only hope that anyone making such a decision would not use the "moving and can't take him" or "I don't have time for him" or "he's a pain in the neck and too much trouble" as a reason, but would only make such a decision based on valid reasoning in the best interest of the dog (or animal) in question. And no one can judge a person who makes such a heartbreaking decision unless they have walked in that person's shoes.

Among all posts in this thread,
these are the words that I like the most,

Thanks

 

I have done it once in the past and would do it again if it was in the dog's best interest. I would look at all the variables involved in the situation and what would be the best decision that would benefit everyone involved and make everyone happy. I would also exhaust all efforts and resources to try and correct the issue before making the ultimate decision. It would have to be an extreme case and not just an on the whim type of scenario such as "oh this person has a big ranch with a lot of land..I know my dog would be happier living on all of that land than in my house with a backyard." A pet is supposed to add joy to our lives, as we are to theirs. No one should be miserable.

I do not agree with people who dump their senior dogs for puppies though.

 

I have rehomed a dog and it hurts. You feel inadequate. I think you have to overcome your own ego sometimes to give up a dog. It is hard to accept that you cannot always be the best situation, that someone else can do better than you, particularly when you fancy yourself a "dog" person. So I think it takes guts and a certain amount of realism to take the steps to find your dog a new home.

Our girl had fairly severe separation anxiety and we did A LOT of work with it, but we are young and working with bills to pay. We saw trainers and we tried meds, couldn't afford dog sitters, but the reality of the situation was that we simply didn't have time. Our hours were weird and our schedule was crazy and there was no set routine. There was no way we could take off work for several months to completely carry through on desensitization. We did what we could and improved on the situation but couldn't control it completely. She went to a friend who runs a rescue and could take her to work and had the time and schedule to give her security. I see her sometimes at Adopt-a-thons hanging in a crate SLEEPING while her new Mom is off handling paperwork and I think THANK GOD that I could find this person for this dog. She's not panting, She's not whining, Her eyes are not wide with panic, the crate isn't bent or covered in drool or slime, and she's a little fatter than I would like but I prefer to think of it as well loved.

No you cannot throw a dog away, and I also do not like people who get a dog with as much consideration and care as they get a sweater. But not every rehoming is that kind of situation. I know I got a lot of crap from people who knew and loved our dog. She was a really nice dog...but they didn't live with her. By definition all her problems were when she was left alone...otherwise she was a model citizen. I also had a puppy at the time which prompted even more HOW COULD YOU outrage. But you know, you've got to be in somebody's shoes before you can judge.

 

This is tricky.

There will ALWAYS be a better home available for any dog. I'm sure there are countless people in the world who would love Mali as much as me, but get to spend every second with her. I don't because she can't go to work with me, but I still give her the best life I can, she's healthy, she's fulfilled, and in my opinion that is good enough. She is a happy dog. There's better homes available, but there will ALWAYS be better homes available.

See my point?

Now, if something happened to me out of my control, like a health issue, etc, and I knew that I couldn't properly care for her, then yes, I would rehome her.

I hope that never happens.

 

Not going to comment on anything else in this thread, considering you can't understand anyone's point of view until you're in them, and also considering I've never been put into the situation where I've had to rehome a dog.

But, this stuck out:

Quote:You could stick the son in the basement in a dog Crate 20hrs a day... I'm sure child services will understand...

1. I don't know of anyone here who advocates crating dogs for 20 hours in the day.
2. Dogs aren't children, and should never be compared to children. This is where so many behavioral problems come from, dogs being treated like human beings.

 

Originally Posted By: Caitlin 2. Dogs aren't children, and should never be compared to children. This is where so many behavioral problems come from, dogs being treated like human beings.

Shhh...

Don't tell my dogs this. LOL They have no clue they are dogs.

 

I could only do it under similar circumstances to what you describe: if the dog was NOT happy in my home because of the other dogs (who had been here longer).

 

I have re-homed a dog before. Daisy mae, a beagle/dachsund mix. She was flea-ridden, wormy and dirty when I found her as a pup...and I'm a sucker.

The dachsund in her just did not jive with the kids as she got older. I come from the mindset that a dog who bites a child in turn bites a bullet. When she bit my (now) 7 year old, she's lucky I liked her.

I couldn't have her around the kids, but it wasn't fair for her to be crated and constantly on lead either. We tried and tried, but she just could not handle small kids and snapped at my youngest.

I found her a new home with a single guy who had no other pets or kids around. She was much, much better off and happier.

It was my own fault and I did feel bad. I know better than to try and mix small dogs with small kids...it does have the propensity for going badly.

Reich and Sieg.... barring something horrendous and totally out of my control, they will live out their years with me.

 

wow this is an issue i am currently facing. I would LOVE to see others remarks. BRUTALLY HONEST please.

3 years ago i get a small dog "princess" in on a cruelty hold. she is VICIOUS! fights everyone and everything! I am told as soon as teh case is over and they get custody of her to bring her and her pups in and they will euth the mamma dog. I say **** no, give me a few months and we will talk......i ended up adopting her. she makes number 3 in my house. (she also ends up getting a cgc, and tdi in teh next year)

year after she is adopted i am faced with a situation no rescuer should ever have to face.....i found out my own blood was hoarding and abusing 7 dogs! I take possession of all 7 dogs. One dog (bridget) is so mentally ill she can not be rehabbed and i decide she MUST remain with me for life. she makes dog #4.

Year after bridget is adopted i get a sobbing phone call. humane agents were out to a known house for the 14th time and left a dog to die. I ask how fast can you meet me.....so low and behold i get dog #5.

Well 2 months ago my mother in law had surgery and was needing some companionship. I sent my little princess over to her house (she lives with my sis in law) well everytime i would go visit princess she would hide from me and if i put my coat on and picked her up she would grumble. She would then run to Mother in law and hide under her blankets. she obviously is very well loved, and cared for and does not want to come home to this crazy 5 dogs plus a foster house. Now onto the other reason to leave her at sis's house..... My mentally ill dog who has NEVER came to us to be petted, has actually started jumping up on teh couch and snuggling in!!!!

What do i do?!?!?! do i let them keep princess? or do i insist that she comes home?

If she comes home she will be in a large dog home, not getting that 24 hour attention she so deseperatly wants, and most likely bridget will regress. (the 2 bitches will also fight, bridget has siezures that provoke the attacks)

If i leave her there i am "rehoming" her. And i wont be able to keep her under my wing at all times. I do have sis in law so afraid that i am going to never let her see princess again that she will do anything i say though. Princess was fence fighting with the neighbor dog and i made a comment that i cant allow her to stay here and regress back to her aggressive psycho dog state, that sis now makes sure that princess is NOT fence fighting. Sis in law has had a previous history of not so great ownership, but i feel with guidance princess is safe. (I will schedule all groomings, heartworm and vet appts.)

Anyone want to take a stab at this one?

wow what a controversial post for such a newbie......LOL

 

To me "rehoming" is when you purposely set out to find a new home for a dog. Something along the lines of "this one's gotta go because I changed the color of my carpet/bought a puppy/ am moving to a new house/ apartment where they don't allow dogs/ got a cat that I like better than the dog." Princess has made a choice. If you are comfortable with that choice -

 

savonuska, I would strongly suggest copy and pasting this onto a NEW thread of your own. This tread is kind of dead.

You will get a better response that way I think.