Taking the decision to rehome

[Whiteblackredblue]

Please be kind.

We have two dogs Dog1 was twelve months old when we met a six month old puppy who was in need of a home. She was cute, friendly and we figured that having two dogs wouldn't be much harder work then having one.

Unfortunately six months in I'm finding it very hard indeed. Dog1 has become quite reactive and I have to pay a lot of attention to her on walks, recently I've kept on the lead as she is too snappy with other dogs. This is slowly improving with the help of a great dog trainer, but it does mean that I need to be very focused on her all the time we are out.

Dog2 has suffered in that she isn't as well trained as she should be, her recall is quite good except where there's another dog around. It is getting better but I feel that I can't give her the attention she needs because I'm having to focus on Dog1. If I walk them together its very difficult Dog1 is on the lead if we cross paths with another dog she will react, at the same time Dog2 may run up to the approaching dog obviously there are times when she shouldn't do this so I attempt to call her back. Seventy percent of the time she doesn't come straight away. So Dog2 is doing to other dogs on lead exactly what I dread other dogs doing to Dog1.

If I do get them both on the lead And we pass another dog Dog1 then transfers her snapping onto Dog2.

For the last month I've walked them separately, that's four walks a day. I not enjoying this at all, walks feel stressful and I wake each day dreading what's to come.

It has been suggested that I rehome one of the dogs probably Dog2 as shed be easier to rehome. Initially I was horrified but I'm starting to think perhaps I need to. My DS was very upset at this idea too.

The dogs get on brilliantly and are good at home.

I just don't know what to do for the best, if this is how life is going to be for the next ten to fifteen years it looks very grim. I feel like I've failed the dogs.

[Mynewmoniker]

"This is slowly improving with the help of a great dog trainer."

Surely the great dog trainer can go out on a walk with you to continue her work...and you do say things are improving

[Whiteblackredblue]

Yes we have been on walks with the dog trainer and you're right it is slowly getting better. I just have some very down days were it all gets a bit much.

Just back from a walk with both dogs as DH was around and Dog1 didn't growl at any passing dogs, so I'm feeling much more positive.

[Floralnomad]

I'd persevere for a bit . How old is your son and could he not help with the walking ?

[Mynewmoniker]

I was thinking about the son taking the strain a bit Flora

I'm in a simillar situation at the mo so I think I know what your are experiencing. Dog 1 ace. Dog 2 a little bgr! Chooses when to come back even if it's peeing it down and I have to get to work on these dark mornings. I have to praise her up through gritted teeth when she eventually returns but I feel like stringing her up if I'm honest.

[Whiteblackredblue]

Ds is 11 and could walk Dog2 my only reservation is that we are still workingon her walking to heal. DS has offered to help after school so we are going to give it a try tomorrow I will have to train DS to train Dog2 but he's a bright boy so I think it could be done.

[Floralnomad]

Sounds like a great solution . Perhaps sign him up for some classes with the dog to help things along .

[Whiteblackredblue]

Good idea DS could come to my training session during half term I suspect our trainer would be happy for DS to come along.

[Floralnomad]

Our dog trainer was more than happy for sensible children to train the dogs as long as it was one person per dog at any one time IYSWIM .

[digerd]

Some dogs respond better to a male's strength, deep voice and his confidence, as seems the case with your DH and Dog 1's good behaviour when with him.

[Owllady]

I take my 11yo to dog training, they like you to take your children. These are young dogs though 18 months, and 12 months is no age at all really, I think you are expecting too much (and I don't mean that personal, I think most people expect too much) Carry on with the training. Walk the separate in the morning and then go somewhere isolated if you can to walk them together in the afternoon. You just need to preserve with the training

[Anomaly]

I hope you can sort out the problems with dog1 but I can really sympathise about how stressful walks become. I had exactly the same situation with a pair of dogs and it was very hard work. You find yourself constantly keeping an eye out for other dogs and hoping you spot them first.

[Owllady]

so you carry on working on it

since when did you take on a dog, two dogs, three dogs and not make the commitment to look after them until they die?

if you cannot commit to that and working through any problems then don't have a dog/s in the first place

[MrsHoneybean]

I think you're doing a great job and trying to be positive. It doesn't sound easy but by the sounds of things having the help of your ds and dh sounds like a brilliant solution.

I think Owllady was a bit harsh in what she had to say and maybe she could have put it in kinder and more positive way. However, I kind of do understand what shes saying.

It sounds like you were having a bad patch but that things are on the up.

I think giving your ds the responsibility and support to take on and train dog2 is a really wonderful idea. Plus a wonderful thing for him to experience.

I really think you'll get there and that you just need positive help and support from your trainer and family.

Do you have friends who can come on walks with you, sometimes some moral support really helps too.

Lots of luck x

[Owllady]

sorry i was just projecting, i am a bit tired it wasn't personal

[Whiteblackredblue]

I was having a down day when I posted at the weekend, feeling a bit overwhelmed as I take the commitment to the dogs very seriously and it hasn't felt enjoyable for a good while. I agree Owllady with what you say but nonetheless there should be some positives from owning dogs and I haven't felt any for a good while.

Anyway I'm reporting back to say that we've had a much more positive week with Dog1 responding well to training she walked past a dozen dogs on the lead on Monday and didn't growl or snap at any of them. I have now managed to progress to letting them off lead one at a time, that way I can keep control. Dog1 has been excellent, her recall spot on and she's been good with other dogs (although I'm keeping her muzzle on just in case).

So really I thought it would be good to update just in case anyone else was in the same position. I had times when I didn't think I could change Dog1's behaviour, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel and the last couple of days have been enjoyable again.

[spudballoo]

That's lovely to hear. I have been astonished at how very hard I have found the past year (I have a 1 year old labradoodle, my first dog). I had no idea how difficult it would be, and I have had all sorts of problems and there have been many many weeks when I wondered what on earth I'd done and it felt like a 15 year life sentence. We are working our way through the problems and I finally feel like I could really love this dog. But it can be a bit two steps forward and one step back but, like you, I do now feel that things can and will change whereas there were dark times before when i thought I could never sort the issues out.

but NO WAY am I having a second dog. Once i've sorted this one out I just couldn't bear to possibly upset the apple cart!

[spudballoo]

And actually that makes me sad as I would adore another dog. And Dog1 woudl really love another dog too, but the risk of further issues has totally put me off.

[LadyTurmoil]

That's really good news White great to get a positive update