We think our dog would be happier with another family. What do we do?

[Anonymous]

With two kids under 4, we are unable to give the time and attention to our lovely mini-goldendoodle that she deserves and needs. All she wants to do is snuggle with us and we frankly, just don't have the time or energy. We are feeling pretty awful and guilty about it, and are wondering if another family would be better suited for her. She is seven and is great with kids. What do we do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With two kids under 4, we are unable to give the time and attention to our lovely mini-goldendoodle that she deserves and needs. All she wants to do is snuggle with us and we frankly, just don't have the time or energy. We are feeling pretty awful and guilty about it, and are wondering if another family would be better suited for her. She is seven and is great with kids. What do we do?

Has she been with you for seven years? Honestly unless she is aggressive, giving her away is a pretty crappy thing to do. She is a senior dog. They are very difficult to rehome.

[Anonymous]

You don't have time or energy to snuggle with a dog? Am I reading this correctly?

[Anonymous]

You play and snuggle with her. Don't be a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You play and snuggle with her. Don't be a jerk.

Seriously, +1. She is a sweet well-behaved dog, how hard is it to snuggle/play a little every day?

[Anonymous]

Give her what love you can, and realize that your lives will get more stable as your kids get a little older. 4 and 2 is hugely different than 3 and 1.

[Anonymous]

Maybe contact a rescue group and make a donation to them to get them to place your dog. Basically they would do the "marketing" of the dog and screening applicants. The biggest cost for bringing in dogs is medical and then transport. If you are not costing them anything but rather donating to them maybe they can help you out.

If you google goldendoodle rescue VA there are a few groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You play and snuggle with her. Don't be a jerk.

Seriously, +1. She is a sweet well-behaved dog, how hard is it to snuggle/play a little every day?

Yeah this doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

If she's great with kids, can't your kids play and snuggle with her? I have two that age and yes, we are all tired and stressed from work and daycare but we certainly give our dog the care and attention he needs. He's our pet and our responsibility.

Priorities OP!

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to keep the dog and cover all expenses until it's rehomed, most rescue groups will do the petfinder marketing for you.

Contact a local all breed rescue, doodle rescue, or golden retriever rescue and ask them about the set up. I'd also suggest making a donation to the rescue to thank them for screening potential applicants for you.

[Anonymous]

Our rescue sees this all the time. In many cases the family turns right around and gets a new puppy.

[Anonymous]

Do you know if she one of the "hypoallergenic" goldendoodles? With crossbreeds like that, sometimes the allergy factor varies a lot.

We are looking for a dog that wouldn't trigger my son's allergies...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our rescue sees this all the time. In many cases the family turns right around and gets a new puppy.

Ugh, those are the worst kinds of people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With two kids under 4, we are unable to give the time and attention to our lovely mini-goldendoodle that she deserves and needs. All she wants to do is snuggle with us and we frankly, just don't have the time or energy. We are feeling pretty awful and guilty about it, and are wondering if another family would be better suited for her. She is seven and is great with kids. What do we do?

Be really honest. Why do you want to get rid of the dog? After 7 years I'm hoping there is a little more to it than what you posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are willing to keep the dog and cover all expenses until it's rehomed, most rescue groups will do the petfinder marketing for you.

Contact a local all breed rescue, doodle rescue, or golden retriever rescue and ask them about the set up. I'd also suggest making a donation to the rescue to thank them for screening potential applicants for you.

+1

To PPs saying "how do you not have time for the dog?" - I understand (and I also don't see what the huge challenge is), but if OP is saying that they don't, it's better for the dog to be in a home with a family that does have time for it. Shaming OP is not going to make them find time for their dog.

If the family feels they can't care for their dog adequately - for whatever reason - the best thing for the dog is to be responsibly re-homed.