Anonymous wrote:OP. Thanks for the support, I’m feeling better today.

I spoke with an e-collar trainer and spent all evening reading about it. I think we’re going to go that route. I’m nervous, but the trainer pointed out that the stress from the collar is far less than the stress from being separated and re-homed. They also reassured me that it’s not a shock collar, it’s more like a TENS machine, so just uncomfortable. We’re also going to continue using positive reinforcement at home, this is just for outside.

I know it’s not ideal, but D1’s issues go beyond what hot dogs and verbal reprimands can fix. I’m looking forward to being able to walk them and take them to parks again.

You will get lots of opinions about e-collars on here but I agree with you that if you want to keep those dogs they need to be able to listen to you. And some dogs just cannot understand who is in charge without tremendous training. The ecollar requires a LOT of work though so be ready to take that on. With each dog separately and then together. It’s really a huge commitment to do it right and not hurt the dog. We have bee training ours since he was 6 mos old and is now 2 and we still need to use it for walks. But rigorous exercise and consistency with our commands and never allowing him to get away with anything has helped. Please don’t use it as a one and done - it’s a lot of work to do it right.

OP. Thanks for the support, I’m feeling better today.

I spoke with an e-collar trainer and spent all evening reading about it. I think we’re going to go that route. I’m nervous, but the trainer pointed out that the stress from the collar is far less than the stress from being separated and re-homed. They also reassured me that it’s not a shock collar, it’s more like a TENS machine, so just uncomfortable. We’re also going to continue using positive reinforcement at home, this is just for outside.

I know it’s not ideal, but D1’s issues go beyond what hot dogs and verbal reprimands can fix. I’m looking forward to being able to walk them and take them to parks again.

I'm sorry, I agree with others that it is more than okay to rehome one or both dogs.

I rehomed our dog myself this spring, after an incredibly stressful year of being overwhelmed with a rescue puppy that was was not a good fit in our home, and which i bore the brunt of the issues. My husband and two kids supported me — though my son did take about 4-5 months to stop being angry at me.

Value your mental health (and consider talking to your doctor if you are struggling overall — personally, I discovered Zoloft!)

Is the yard securely fenced? Leave dog number 2 outside until it goes. It sounds like both of them need to spend more time running around in the yard. Get the yard fenced if it is.not.

I really don't understand people's attachments to dogs that are clearly not good companions. Just get rid of them. Your child will appreciate having a calmer life. When I was a child, we apparently had a dog - the dog pooped in the hallway while my sister was in her high chair. The resulting chaos caused my sister to tip over the high chair and cut her tongue really badly - she nearly lost half her tongue. My mom rehomed the dog and I don't even remember it - although in all the pictures I seemed really attached to it. The dogs should go.

Your anxiety is screaming through. I’m sorry Zop, you seem very overwhelmed. Please get help with the dogs, it seems to be too much. Your kids need you, your dogs deserve a loving home.

A dog should not be constantly crapping -- there has to be a medical issue. Take D2 to the vet like PP suggested.

And I agree that you should rehome D1

Trazadone for D1 daily, diet modification for D2. These rescues are really not doing anybody any favors by placing dogs who are not healthy or right in the head

Anonymous wrote:I love dogs but I love my kids more. And when I was pregnant THAT was my priority. Dogs come in the picture when things are calm and easy in my life. That happens when routines are good and I have lots of extra space for training. I would recommend giving the dogs away before your kids get attached. This is the time.

+1 We didn't get a dog until our youngest was 7. Even then it was more work than I could have imagined.

Get rid of BOTH dogs before your baby is born.

I love dogs but I love my kids more. And when I was pregnant THAT was my priority. Dogs come in the picture when things are calm and easy in my life. That happens when routines are good and I have lots of extra space for training. I would recommend giving the dogs away before your kids get attached. This is the time.

Agree to definitely regime dog 1 and probably dog 2 as well. They aren’t adding anything positive to your life right now.

Did you get the dogs from a rescue? Dog 1 has got to go. Contact the rescue and ask for help re-homing.

Little dogs are hard to housebreak. It's also harder to train them.

Work with a rescue group to rehome them. I feel sorry for the poor things. It's not realistic to think it's easy to handle young children and young dogs at the same time. Or did you get them because it's fashionable to have dogs? Dogs have feelings, and young dogs are a handful, just like children. Next time think carefully before you add pets to your household. This is really not fair to the dogs.

One thing, they shouldn't be loose in the car if they will run off like that. There are harnesses that clip to seatbelts, or they can be in a crate if there is room. I'm guessing these are little dogs? You will have to rehome them.