Anonymous wrote:OP, you're not going to get a lot of support on this board for rehoming the dog. People feel very strongly about not giving up a dog when you have children. I used to feel that way too but now one of our dogs is getting increasingly unpredictable in his behavior - he's always had issues since we adopted him and training and medication have only helped a little bit. Now we're expecting and I can see us having to make a difficult choice about what's best for him in the future.

If you aren't willing to do training or other interventions to keep the dog or these methods haven't worked, please contact a breed specific rescue. Springer spaniels are pretty desirable dogs so the breed rescue probably has a list of people waiting to adopt a dog. Those rescues tend to be incredibly stringent about where the dogs are placed so your dog will be put in a good home.

I'm an animal person, raised kids with a dog (from birth), cats , a rabbit, etc
I would not in a million years have an unpredictable dog mixing in with my kids. The dog is either 100% with my kids and any neighbor kids coming over or into the yard. Yes I supervise my kids and taught them how to behave with the animals but stuff can happen and the dog needs to know that it's his/her job never to hurt anyone.
I got that 100% dog from a bad animal shelter - it is possible.
If a dog isn't reliable with kids you should find him another home. Seems like the dog would be happier too.

I've seen springer spaniels mixed in with kids a lot - they seem to be a great family dog. They are pack animals - if you can't let them be part of the pack you should let the dog find a home where the people can do that.

how is your dog with other dogs?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a baby gate and keep the dog and the toddler separate until the toddler is a little bit bigger. When the toddler is 2 or 3, a sturdy dog will be an excellent playmate.

This is what we do. Toddler and dog are never together. Unfortunately dog is old so I doubt we will get to a point where they can be together before dog passes away, but you don't just get rid of your family pet.

For an older dog, who wants to live out it's dying years with it's family, this is a great choice.

But OP's dog is 3, healthy and young. He deserves to be in the mix of a family around people who love him and can include him in their activity. Will he be temporarily sad at a change in situation? Yes, but he deserves a rich stimulating life, not to be locked away with a baby gate. Moving him to a family who can provide him with that rich stimulating life is kinder than a baby gate, especially if OP is planning on more than one child.

For a human this is like the difference between an 18 year old and an elderly family member. My teenage daughter is at the point where she needs to live with someone (i.e. not on her own) but not necessarily with me, so I'm sending her to college in California. I am confident she'll have a rich experience there, even if she's a little homesick at first. The opportunity is a gift. My mom is at a similar point, mostly independent but needing a little support, and I'm focused on finding assistive living that is close so I can visit often. Shipping her off to California would be cruel.

Hi, OP. This is a hard decision. Are you and your spouse willing to put in the time and effort to work with a behaviorist, and to give your dog the attention and exercise he needs to be a happy member of your family? Long walks, games of fetch, maybe doggie daycare 1-2x/wk?

if not, please do contact MAESSR. I volunteered with them for many years, and they do a great job of rescuing and re-homing springer spaniels. If he's as awesome as you say, he will find a new family very quickly.

OP, you're not going to get a lot of support on this board for rehoming the dog. People feel very strongly about not giving up a dog when you have children. I used to feel that way too but now one of our dogs is getting increasingly unpredictable in his behavior - he's always had issues since we adopted him and training and medication have only helped a little bit. Now we're expecting and I can see us having to make a difficult choice about what's best for him in the future.

If you aren't willing to do training or other interventions to keep the dog or these methods haven't worked, please contact a breed specific rescue. Springer spaniels are pretty desirable dogs so the breed rescue probably has a list of people waiting to adopt a dog. Those rescues tend to be incredibly stringent about where the dogs are placed so your dog will be put in a good home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a baby gate and keep the dog and the toddler separate until the toddler is a little bit bigger. When the toddler is 2 or 3, a sturdy dog will be an excellent playmate.

This is what we do. Toddler and dog are never together. Unfortunately dog is old so I doubt we will get to a point where they can be together before dog passes away, but you don't just get rid of your family pet.

Why do you do that? Is the dog a danger to the toddler?

So, the problem is you try to separate him from the baby and he doesn't like that? He wants to be with the baby?

I got a dog because I was pregnant. The dog was never separate from the kids, even the baby.
You could definitely do this with an English springer spaniel - they are sweet family dogs.
Is he a sweet family dog?

If you don't want to integrate him fully into your family then yes you should give him to another family.

Why did you get the dog in the first place?!

Anonymous wrote:Get a baby gate and keep the dog and the toddler separate until the toddler is a little bit bigger. When the toddler is 2 or 3, a sturdy dog will be an excellent playmate.

This is what we do. Toddler and dog are never together. Unfortunately dog is old so I doubt we will get to a point where they can be together before dog passes away, but you don't just get rid of your family pet.

Anonymous wrote:Your dog is bonded to you. Giving away the dog is going to be traumatic for him.

You're a bad person, OP. You took responsibility for this dog when you adopted it. You should find a way to keep the dog until it dies. Then never get another pet again.

+1 Way to be all, "I have a baby time to get rid of the pets!"

Get a baby gate and keep the dog and the toddler separate until the toddler is a little bit bigger. When the toddler is 2 or 3, a sturdy dog will be an excellent playmate.

Your dog is bonded to you. Giving away the dog is going to be traumatic for him.

You're a bad person, OP. You took responsibility for this dog when you adopted it. You should find a way to keep the dog until it dies. Then never get another pet again.

OP, you know your dog but have you tried a really good trainer? Dave Smucker really saved our situation when we had two dogs at each other's throats and drawing blood. We got his name on DCUM.

Sidewalk Dog Training.

Yes, Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue seems to be a good one.

OP, you could also contact a Springer Spaniel rescue organization if you don't get any takers here.

We have to find a new home for our almost 3 year old springer spaniel. He is very sweet but is too rough to be around our 1 year old. He also does not like to be alone. He is completely house broken, crate trained, neutered, microchipped and up to date on all vaccines. If you are looking for a non puppy, this might be your guy. He is so handsome - looks like he is from a Ralph Lauren ad. Just needs a lot of love.

Please email me at c.r.h@mac.com if interested.

Thanks!