I want to get rid of our dog

[Anonymous]

OP here. The dog is not in a crate. We haven’t used a crate since she was a puppy. She’s been free since. Last school year she did fine with people being gone all day. Now she’s used to everyone being home so the first few times we were all out she did have an accident.

She slept in our room but now sleeps with the kids who loves her the most. Haha it’s not that the kids don’t like her but they just don’t have the interest to deal with her, especially the teens.

[Anonymous]

It's not a dog problem.You haven't parented your kids right if they haven't bonded with the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The dog is still a young dog. She’ll probably mellow considerably. Imo they really hit their prime around 6.

Figure out a better boarding situation for when you travel. If she likes other dogs, she might do great at a doggy daycare type place.

Then figure out training for problem behaviors or how to set up your home/life to make it easier. A place to contain the dog that can’t be destroyed, etc.

Set up a care schedule for the kids so it’s not always your problem.

Or maybe don’t contain the dog. I’ve never had any dogs “contained” and they all turned out great. That’s likely her problem.

How helpful. Don’t contain the dog. Let her get hit by a car OP. Problem solved.
Some dogs like some kids are just really tough. I’d set up a schedule and the kids have to walk her twice a day. I’d do a vet checkup just to make sure there is nothing the vet could suggest, like Prozac. And, if these things still didn’t work. I’d rehome the dog. I would do everything in my power to fix it first so I didn’t have regrets though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not a dog problem.You haven't parented your kids right if they haven't bonded with the dog.

Well the OP knew she was gonna get some slack. I don’t think *you* were parented correctly if you can respond to someone’s dilemma with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not a dog problem.You haven't parented your kids right if they haven't bonded with the dog.

Oh this is absurd. Not everyone has to love dogs to be a great adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coincidentally, the child who loves the dog is also ADHD and high needs. I really want bring myself to get rid of her and have that child hate me. The thing is, most of the time she lays around and does nothing. It’s just all the particulars of her care that can be so annoying. The medication is a great idea especially for when we might travel with her, leave or when everyone heads back to work and school at some point.

So far we’ve had someone stay with her when we went Away but that person is willing to stay home almost the whole time. Since we had crate issues I can’t imagine putting her in a kennel. I fear they’d call us when we are hundreds of miles away (in the future ).

Does the dog like to play with other dogs? We have a doggy day care that boards at night. My guy also refuses to go in a kennal. It’s all open boarding and more like doggy day care. Speaking of which if you can swing doggy day care a couple times per week my dogs sleep for the following day.

If you post your location, maybe you can get some better suggestions for boarding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The dog is not in a crate. We haven’t used a crate since she was a puppy. She’s been free since. Last school year she did fine with people being gone all day. Now she’s used to everyone being home so the first few times we were all out she did have an accident.

She slept in our room but now sleeps with the kids who loves her the most. Haha it’s not that the kids don’t like her but they just don’t have the interest to deal with her, especially the teens.

So you start using a crate when you leave the house.

[Anonymous]

I feel the same way - lots of kids, they wanted a dog and got the first one they saw even though I said to do lots of research first. The one thing I said was that I didn't want a barker - well, the dog barks incessantly every time he is put into his crate. No amount of (expensive) training has cured her of that. I say give the dog away and replace her with an easier dog. Your child will eventually forget the hard dog and love the easier dog. Make the child who cares the most for the other dog help you choose the easier one. I'm nearly there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way - lots of kids, they wanted a dog and got the first one they saw even though I said to do lots of research first. The one thing I said was that I didn't want a barker - well, the dog barks incessantly every time he is put into his crate. No amount of (expensive) training has cured her of that. I say give the dog away and replace her with an easier dog. Your child will eventually forget the hard dog and love the easier dog. Make the child who cares the most for the other dog help you choose the easier one. I'm nearly there too.

Cringe.

[Anonymous]

A lot of high strung dogs do better in small families or wIth a single owner

[Anonymous]

Wow OP you've gotten a lot of unhelpful or bizarrely rude replies, with a few sensible ones too.
We have had difficult dogs over the years, and tried various expensive trainers. A good trainer will help, but you have to be willing to put in the time at home afterwards to continue to work with and train the dog. Our training didn't work because we didn't put in time after the sessions ended.

Honestly, the best thing you can do is get that dog tired out with tons of exercise. Either lots of long walks/runs a day, plus out in the fenced yard for an hour or two, and possibly dog day care 1 or 2 times a week. A tired out dog is a good dog!
Making sure that someone is getting the pup outside for bathroom breaks 3-4 x a day, at regular times, should take care of any pee accidents.

That is great that your one child is bonded with the dog and willing to help. Could you have him/her take the dog out for a regularly scheduled LONG walk or run each day? And as for giving the dog away, if you do so, be prepared for this child to never forget or forgive. I have a friend who's mother got rid of a beloved pet when he was a child. This was so painful that he still feels bitter and sad 35 years later.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

PP back.
Forgot to add, yes, put the dog in a crate when you have to be out, for no longer than an hour or two each day. He is probably peeing out of anxiety and the crate should bring him some security (and if he still hates it, then at least it will save your floors). Put his blanket and a few toys in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way - lots of kids, they wanted a dog and got the first one they saw even though I said to do lots of research first. The one thing I said was that I didn't want a barker - well, the dog barks incessantly every time he is put into his crate. No amount of (expensive) training has cured her of that. I say give the dog away and replace her with an easier dog. Your child will eventually forget the hard dog and love the easier dog. Make the child who cares the most for the other dog help you choose the easier one. I'm nearly there too.

This is disgusting. Truly repulsive.

Anyone who gets rid of a dog, barring aggression or some other unsolvable problem (this does not sound like one) should not get another dog.

[Anonymous]

Return the dog to the shelter and don't be dramatic. The kid that you say will never forgive you, will forgive you in time.

[Anonymous]

I would try an ssri and an expert animal behaviorist. And don’t listen to the pp who says the kids will forget!