Re-homing rescue dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - don't listen to the people who say the dog needs to be put down.

We had a rescue dog with behavioral issues that we could not handle and returned him to the rescue, and they worked with a partner rescue in VA to place the dog in a perfect home for him (which naysayer PPs say doesn't exist - a single man, dedicated to taking in dogs who are deemed more "difficult" by others who lived on a large property with other dogs as well).

I was able to connect with the new owner on facebook, and the dog lived out his life happily. Give the dog a chance at a happy life, and let the rescue do what it does.

Agree with this. I wouldn’t do the behavioral stuff unless you want to. Contract says they want the dog back? They get the dog back.

Yes, give them the dog back. Drop it off. That's what the contract says. If they can't handle it, they can take it to the shelter. If the dog is truly dangerous, yes, it will be put down -- but that is better than someone getting hurt. I have an "aggressive" dog but I still believe safety is #1.

I have a dog that I got because it is 25%+ pit bull and aggressive towards children and strangers who enter her space. I have no kids and I live in a low density neighborhood. I leash walk my dog or it can go in my fenced back yard. When my nieces and nephews stay with me or visit, I have a lot of baby gates that I put up and the dog is confined. The 2 year old even puts the dog in her pen and shuts the door and gives her a treat through the bars. The dog is happier in her "safe space" and I'm happy because the kids are safe. When friends visit, I either confine the dog or give them a lot of treats in a bucket (if they want) to condition the dog that they're good - and it works. I believe this dog is the perfect dog for me and wonderful and makes me so happy - she's not seeking out people to be aggressive towards. Because of my lifestyle, I can avoid situations that are bad for her. I know she's not the best dog for everyone, but there are people like me who might be the right person for your dog.

What a truly nutty way to live. Why not just get a normal dog?

I'm PP and my dog IS pretty normal. I lived in this more rural neighborhood before I had the dog, so I didn't move for the dog. Though she was rehomed with me, she didn't bite anyone in her first family. She growled and lunged in an aggressive manner at a 1 year old child and tried to nip at a neighbor. I was told she has "level 1" bitten (put her mouth on someone without leaving marks or biting down). Even though I think she's unlikely to ever hurt someone, (I would not have a dog that I thought would hurt someone), because of her history, I am still careful and don't let children be unsupervised with her or let children play with her. When new people come to my house, I put in her a room or in a pen. If it's someone who I think would like to meet her or who will be coming over regularly, I give them treats to give her until she's comfortable. She's just not the kind of dog who thinks everyone is a friend and if they just immediately go and stick their hand in her face and try to pet her, she'll back away while growling.

My dog doesn't deal well with little kids being unpredictable or running at her. Which is why baby gates contain her easily (she wants to be able to get away from the things that are bothering her). If she had to live in a home where that was constantly happening, it would be a real risk. However, since her life is mostly low stress now, behavioral conditioning works pretty well and she's a lot more chill. When we were walking down the street about a year ago, a toddler ran down the sidewalk, yelled "doggie" and grabbed my dog around the neck to give her a "hug". My dog stood very still and gave me a look, but didn't react badly; I picked the kid up and walked back to the now embarrassed parents and told them my dog wasn't really friendly. That's why I'd never keep a dog that I thought was likely to hurt someone - because there's always a situation that could crop up.

[Anonymous]

It’s almost a month later. I wonder what happened with OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, here. Thank you for all the responses, some have been quite helpful. I didn’t want to get into the reasons we need to re-home the dog because WHY is irrelevant to my question, and just invites nastiness. I love this dog, but we’re just not the right family for it. Ideally, I would help the rescue place it in a new home because I know all the dog’s issues and know what sort of environment would be best. I don’t want it to go to a shelter, I want it to go from my home to its new forever home. I’m going to try some other ways to contact our rescue (foster mom is a great idea!) but if that doesn’t go anywhere, I’ll try some other rescue groups. Thank you again!

I will say, the dog has not bitten anyone (yet) and I will absolutely be upfront with all the issues to hopefully ensure that it’s next home will be forever, with people who are equipped to handle all that comes with it.

No, WHY is the only relevant part. If you were rehoming the dog because you got divorced and moved to an apartment that doesn't take them, or had a kid with an allergy, that would be a very different situation. What's happening to you is that the dog is aggressive and unsuitable to be a pet but you refuse to be responsible and you're going to pass the problem on to someone else.

+1

I dont even understand this “problem.” The dog is a menace waiting to happen, heck, may have happened in the last month. Pit bulls are an aggressive, unnecessary breed and they’re always the sweetest dog ever till they’re not, and OP’s dog is not sweet anyway.