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.

Another foster mom here with two fosters who were returned by previous owners (one was returned three times). If the rescue doesn't call you back, then call around to other rescues and explain the situation. Please be honest about any negatives behaviors so that the next rescue can place the dog in a more suitable home. if your dog is a bully breed or bully breed mix, it may take longer to place your dog, but now is a great time to rehome your dog in general due to so many people looking for pandemic dogs.

OP I would post on their pubic FB group "trying to reach you because unfortunately we have to give Sparky back. Please contact me ASAP. Thanks."

If they don't respond,
If you got him from a foster mom, call her.
If you got him from a center (like HT), go there.

I was in a similar situation. I took her to a different rescue because we had moved to a different state. I paid them a fee and they took her in and found a good fit within a day. She’s in a better situation (single woman in the suburbs with no kids or pets) and so am I. It was so emotional at the time but it worked out. I had tried finding someone on my own because I didn’t realize that was an option but never felt good about the people who were interested.

If your only choice is to turn in the dog to a kill shelter then do the humane thing and have him put down by your own vet. Why terrify him before the inevitable?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many, many rescue dogs are not well-suited to the average family’s home life, especially if the family has young kids. Most rescues know this and screen thoroughly to find a good fit for each dog. That said, life happens. Sometimes a dog that a rescue thinks will do well in a specific home doesn’t. Sometimes a family’s dynamic changes in a way that doesn’t work well with a specific dog.

I don’t judge you, OP. I know you’re in a terrible situation, but re-homing a dog that doesn’t work well in your home is the kindest option for the dog. If the rescue you worked with is not communicating, contact another. You will find someone to help you.

OP here. I want to thank you for this post. Re-homing this dog has been one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made. I don’t want to go into detail because it will inevitably become nasty (as evident by the first response to my post), and I’m already feeling terrible as it is. You are correct that the dog is not good for a family with young children. It would be great for a single person, or couple with no kids, but because of the breed mix and temperament, a shelter will likely just euthanize.

OP maybe the shelter euthanize is ok. Some dogs just are not really going to be suitable for anyone. It happens.

Guessing it’s a pit bull who has shown aggression to young children. Definitely euthanize. Check out the running thread of all the deaths caused by pit bulls if you need a little push to make this decision.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many, many rescue dogs are not well-suited to the average family’s home life, especially if the family has young kids. Most rescues know this and screen thoroughly to find a good fit for each dog. That said, life happens. Sometimes a dog that a rescue thinks will do well in a specific home doesn’t. Sometimes a family’s dynamic changes in a way that doesn’t work well with a specific dog.

I don’t judge you, OP. I know you’re in a terrible situation, but re-homing a dog that doesn’t work well in your home is the kindest option for the dog. If the rescue you worked with is not communicating, contact another. You will find someone to help you.

OP here. I want to thank you for this post. Re-homing this dog has been one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made. I don’t want to go into detail because it will inevitably become nasty (as evident by the first response to my post), and I’m already feeling terrible as it is. You are correct that the dog is not good for a family with young children. It would be great for a single person, or couple with no kids, but because of the breed mix and temperament, a shelter will likely just euthanize.

Hi OP. Mom of several rescue dogs here. I know it can be very challenging and at some point, no matter what the haters say, you have to protect your kids. I have several in my house right now who were returned by prior adopters for one reason or another, and I can see why. Know that rescues can and will make an effort to find your dog another loving home and in many cases, it will work out great. Shelter euthanasia is not the only option. If the rescue you used is not responding, I echo other PPs' suggestions to contact other rescues. Some may be able to take your dog quickly and place him/her with a foster family. Have you tried contacting multiple people at your rescue? Good luck!

Wow you have birth to several rescue dogs? How does that even work?

I am sorry OP. I can tell it is not an easy decision. Seems like some good options here to re-home the dog. Though of course i presume you would clearly articulate serious concerns (dog pit human injured another dog) so the dog can be better placed any not pit others in danger.
I wish you luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take the dog to the vet and have it euthanized. You signed up to be this dog’s guardian. Whatever is causing you to think of returning it (wtf) almost certainly precludes it from finding a good home. Do the right thing by the dog and your responsibility and have it put down.

WTF????? Put an innocent dog down because the OP can't continue THEIR commitment???? What's wrong with you?

OP is being super coy about the reason. Why do you think that is?

This. And then was nasty about a post that just might represent the inevitability her dog faces if she returns it. Dogs are not easy to rehome.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many, many rescue dogs are not well-suited to the average family’s home life, especially if the family has young kids. Most rescues know this and screen thoroughly to find a good fit for each dog. That said, life happens. Sometimes a dog that a rescue thinks will do well in a specific home doesn’t. Sometimes a family’s dynamic changes in a way that doesn’t work well with a specific dog.

I don’t judge you, OP. I know you’re in a terrible situation, but re-homing a dog that doesn’t work well in your home is the kindest option for the dog. If the rescue you worked with is not communicating, contact another. You will find someone to help you.

OP here. I want to thank you for this post. Re-homing this dog has been one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made. I don’t want to go into detail because it will inevitably become nasty (as evident by the first response to my post), and I’m already feeling terrible as it is. You are correct that the dog is not good for a family with young children. It would be great for a single person, or couple with no kids, but because of the breed mix and temperament, a shelter will likely just euthanize.

OP maybe the shelter euthanize is ok. Some dogs just are not really going to be suitable for anyone. It happens.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take the dog to the vet and have it euthanized. You signed up to be this dog’s guardian. Whatever is causing you to think of returning it (wtf) almost certainly precludes it from finding a good home. Do the right thing by the dog and your responsibility and have it put down.

WTF????? Put an innocent dog down because the OP can't continue THEIR commitment???? What's wrong with you?

OP is being super coy about the reason. Why do you think that is?

BARCS in Baltimore will take your dog and adopt it out ... they are a NO KILL shelter with amazing volunteers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take the dog to the vet and have it euthanized. You signed up to be this dog’s guardian. Whatever is causing you to think of returning it (wtf) almost certainly precludes it from finding a good home. Do the right thing by the dog and your responsibility and have it put down.

No. And this is not helpful. You don’t know the situation so if you can’t be helpful, STFU.

Nice, why would anyone be interested in helping you?

Please, Op obviously has affection for and is emotionally attached to her/his rescue. The obvious is not what she/he is looking for and the poster is the ASS in this conversation.

OP, did the dog bite or attack someone?

Anonymous wrote:Take the dog to the vet and have it euthanized. You signed up to be this dog’s guardian. Whatever is causing you to think of returning it (wtf) almost certainly precludes it from finding a good home. Do the right thing by the dog and your responsibility and have it put down.

This is horrendous advice. I'm sure the dog will be a better fit for someone else. He/she does not deserve to die just because it didn't work out with OP. But OP, please don't post an ad on Craigslist or the like. It's safer for the dog to go to an organization that will properly vet potential adopters. Dogs bought off Craigslist can be abused or used for dog fighting. No judgment, OP, but if you can't keep the dog, please try to do right by him or her by doing your best to ensure that a loving home can be found.