Dog dilemma

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rubysmum

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I have owned our rescue bedlington for about 6 years now, when he first came to us, I worked from home half the week, so was around a fair bit.
He hasn't been an easy dog, aggressive to other dogs, destructive around the house, but ( with advice here and an animal behaviourist) he has much improved.
A few years ago I had a dramatic change in my personal life and had to go out to work fulltime ( although I work in a school, so get good holidays).
The dog copes reasonably well, but for reasons too complex to go into, I have been off work for a few weeks and my terrier is a different dog, unstressed, happy, much calmer.
So, here's the dilemma, I am sadly coming to the realisation that he would be much happier in a home where someone was home far more.
I don't earn enough to employ someone to walk him/visit him at lunchtime and its not viable for me to go home during the day.
So, putting his needs above my fondness for him, what would be the best way forward,
Any suggestions would be welcome
 
maybe ask around and see if there are any retired people locally who would like the company of a dog during the day, it may suit someone who is unable to get out (maybe someone whos partner still works), many older people wont take on a dog full time because of money or the worry of what will happen to the dog when they pass away
 
Rescues are bursting at the seams and an older slightly trickier dog will be really really hard to rehome, particularly as he is a cross.

I think the idea of an older person who could enjoy the company is an excellent idea. My dogs like it when I am at home but cope when I am out as long as they are walked before work. I do have a lovely dog walker but interestingly, my middle boy hides from her as doesn't want to go out, he comes down to say hello when she comes back. He has arthritis so think its because he can't cope with long walks.
 
Yep, I would see if there is someone who would like to adopt a dog for the day. When I worked away from home I walked a lot of other people's dogs for free and from rescue just to have a dog in my life.

I don't think at his age and with his issues it would be fair to try and rehome him, whilst it might not seem ideal your home is still better than going to rescue at this moment in time.
 
Thanks for inputs folks.
Just to clarify, I have NO intention of sending him away, was more coming round to the idea of having to find him a new home, with someone who is around more in the day.
Oh he's not a cross. He is a bedlington
 
So are you actively looking to rehome him privately then or are you looking for a solution as has been suggested - getting someone from your locality to walk or keep him company?

Do you genuinely think after six years in your home he would be 'happier' to suddenly be somewhere else? I've no issue with a home-to-home rehome, done it myself with dogs I didn't gel with, just playing devils' advocate!

What I would say is please avoid free websites like Gumtree etc - you'd be better off with a hound or breed-specific organisation or forum.

As you say yourself he has issues - would you be able to take him back if a new home found him too difficult or what would happen if they passed him on without telling you?

If he is dog aggressive and destructive these issues may rear their head again in the stress of a new environment and might not make him the most attractive proposition (again, not saying this will definitely be the case but just things to think about!!) and of course you would have to be honest with his new home as he may revert.

Like I say none of these things are being said to criticise - they are just things to throw into the mix. If he were mine and he had these issues and I had done so much work on them I'd find it hard to let him go TBH but I can also see your point if you think he'd be happier elsewhere. You could consider a trial period if you find the right person.
 
I have no intention of rehoming him via any web site, was considering more a word of mouth thing.
I live in a pretty rough inner city area, very few elderly people, lots of unemployed sorts, but nobody I would feel happy leaving him with:rolleyes:.

Selfishly, I would like to keep him, he is really little trouble these days, bit of a shouter at other dogs when walking, but it's all show these days.
It's really more about me noticing how some of his stress behaviour have vanished now there is somebody home most of the time
 
CaveCanem said:
But wouldn't it be just as stressful to move him to a new home after six years? Why don't you see how things go after you go back to work?
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That seems like the best plan.....will keep my fingers crossed he doesn't rediscover the obsessive licking/chewing himself thing:)
 
rubysmum said:
That seems like the best plan.....will keep my fingers crossed he doesn't rediscover the obsessive licking/chewing himself thing:)
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I might (fingers crossed) have broken that habit with Brig by consistent helmet wearing for a few weeks :rolleyes: He's a ruddy trauma for it and currently is desperate to be Dr Brig on my leg :eek: Euw!
 
I agree that moving to a new home would quite likely be more stressful to him, so the plan to see how he settles once you return to work sounds sensible. Hopefully if you leave him with stuffed kongs etc he won't feel the need to start chewing himself.
 
My young dog (now 4) was like this when an adolescent. He wrecked £300 worth of shoes amongst other things. The answer was walking. Lots. He had 45 mins in the morning in a backpack with soup tins in it, and half an hour at night, backpack again. He'd have breakfast in the morning before I went to work, and I'd leave him with a Kong extreme with stuff stuck inside or bits inside and water, frozen overnight. He would usually sleep for a while after I left and then get to work on the Kong, or vice versa (I have watched him via webcam!). He was too relaxed after the walk to stress. Might be worth a go, as it sounds like your boy has too much time and energy on his hands! I wouldn't give him up unless you have no other choice, although if you do have to, they do get over it quite quickly and move on IME.
 
SadKen said:
My young dog (now 4) was like this when an adolescent. He wrecked £300 worth of shoes amongst other things. The answer was walking. Lots. He had 45 mins in the morning in a backpack with soup tins in it, and half an hour at night, backpack again. He'd have breakfast in the morning before I went to work, and I'd leave him with a Kong extreme with stuff stuck inside or bits inside and water, frozen overnight. He would usually sleep for a while after I left and then get to work on the Kong, or vice versa (I have watched him via webcam!). He was too relaxed after the walk to stress. Might be worth a go, as it sounds like your boy has too much time and energy on his hands! I wouldn't give him up unless you have no other choice, although if you do have to, they do get over it quite quickly and move on IME.
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i wish an hour and a half of walking per day was somewhere near enough for my lurcher
 
I would contact the Bedlington Rescue first before approaching anyone else if you definitely decide to give him up. After 6 years, you might be surprised that he can accept your new work regime though...
 
Hehe Jools I suppose 'lots' is in the eye of the beholder. I did think about getting a scooter or a segway and leading him from that, then we could get some miles in without killing me from exhaution!
 
CaveCanem said:
But wouldn't it be just as stressful to move him to a new home after six years? Why don't you see how things go after you go back to work?
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I think this would be the best way forward - for you both. You are clearly very fond of your wee dog and it would be far more stressful for him to be moved away from you I am sure.

Hope it works out.
 
agree ^^


personally id walk the legs off him in a morning - even if it means getting up and hour earlier....

then the same at night too and run him round the yard or even take him with you and leave in the car (some company is better than none)!

:)
 
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