looking to possibly re-home my bedlington - sad post

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rubysmum

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i have a very affectionate 5 yr old bedlington boy - he is a loving & pleasant dog but i am beginning to face up to the fact that i cannot offer him the home he needs
he is VERY unhappy to be left at home while i work - barks incessantly, destroys anything he can get his paws on, he is VERY agressive to other dogs & cannot be allowed to get near them, he has nipped small children in the past [not whilst with me] & the final straw was yesterday - until then he was able to have free [altho supervised] run at the yard when there were no other dogs there - when for no apparent reason - he took off down the by-pass :eek::eek: - luckily he was re-captured & didnt cause an accident but now he will have to be tied up on a lead there too:(
he's also not good with cats & will [ if allowed] chase horses too
any ideas pls??????
 
Hunny, your boy was fab when I met him, cute, adorable. I can't help as have just got the creatures but wanted to say how sorry I am that it's come to this. I didn't know he was being a problem. I'll ring you at the weekend/next week (half term!)
 
Hmm, he should meet our cat, reckon he'd sort him out!

On a serious note though it sounds like he's a pretty confused and insecure dog and, if you haven't got time to retrain him then maybe you are doing the right thing as he sounds like he would benefit from a home where he would receive a lot of consistent training and it is quite possible I believe to rectify most of his issues. He may never be a fan of small children but proper training could at least prevent any incidents/injuries.

It is very sad - funnily enough my mum suggested if I wanted a dog (I have just got my own house) I should maybe get a bedlington as I understand they do not shed or are good for asthmatics to own? Sadly I too work full time so couldn't dedicate enough time to a dog at the moment.

The only other option if you don't wnat to part with him is to get a professional behaviourist/dog trainer into help but that will take time, money and commitment.

He actually sounds just like many of the dogs you see on those programmes (it's me or the dog, dog borstal etc etc) and they generally manage to sort the issues in most cases so i certainly don't think your dog is a lost cause.

Good luck with what ever you decide, I am sure they will be someone who can help you or offer advice.
 
There is not many rescues that will accept a dog for rehoming that has bitten (call it nipped but it's a bite). If he goes to the big charities and shows any form of slight aggression he WILL be PTS. I would invest the time and money in a recommended trainer and dog walker. What exercise do you give the dog? I have a beddy x poodle he requires at least 2 hours off lead running every single day otherwise he is a nightmare in the house. He isn't allowed unsupervised with children as he too would bite given the wrong circumstances, he too will chase if I allowed. BUT I ensured he recieved training and even trained him out of sheep chasing (this is after he killed 2 lambs) and can and do safely walk him off lead in a field full of sheep.

Invest in a muzzle, this dog should no longer be allowed outside without it, cover yourself it's just not worth it.

It's up to you, do you want the dog enough to work bloody hard at it? You say he's unhappy being left, well my dogs are left all day, 2 of which were previously rehomed to a rescue because they apparently had SA, but because they recieve the correct and full amount of exercise they are glad to see me go out so they can sleep!

I cannot tell you how many 'problem' dogs are soon calm and happy pets just down to being walked properly. It's one of my pet hates that people don't give their dogs enough freedom. You imagine yourself locked up in the same place with only 20 minutes a day freedom...
 
I am assuming you work full time and therefore I would suggest a walk in the mornings and a walk after work and the services of a dog walker / day boarder in the week even for a couple of days.

How about doing an agility class in the evening or something as an extra.

You say your boy is loving and affectionate and therefore you have a very nice dog showing his sheer frustration at his lack of exercise / stimulation.

The other poster was right a rescue will have him PTS as they have huge numbers of dogs who aren't aggressive to cope with and rehome.
 
I agree that exercise and time put into training is what is needed for this dog. I know rescue centres won't rehome a dog who has bitten, but the actual breed rescue might take him on. They understand the breed and will train him properly before he goes. I certainly wouldn't think you rehoming him to another family as he is without any training.
It is just passing on the problem.
How much exercise does he actually get at the moment?
 
He sounds bored.

Possibly a touch of separation anxiety.

Both of which can be solved with some time and effort from you.

If you re-home him via a rescue he will most likely be PTS.

If it was me i would invest in a good behaviorist, a crate and some serious exercise and interactive toys.
 
thank you to everyone who took the time to respond:)
I have No intention of re-homing him via an animal charity as i know he would be hard to re-home & he really couldnt cope with that environment, so he will stay with me until the right home appears - he would be very happy with a retired or semi-retired person who was at home more.
Sadly as a low waged single parent - i am not in a position to hire either a dog walker or a behaviourist.
regarding his own levels of exercise - he has a 20 mins lead walk in the morning & is then taken to the yard at night - i run him in the empty fields for aprox 30mins & then he spends up to another hr on the lead while i do chores - if there are no other dogs at the yard he spends that time off the lead under supervision - altho after his run down the by-pass - i am very anxious about him being off the lead at all at the yard
 
rubysmum said:
what would you feel would be enough exercise
thanks
Click to expand...

For a terrier i feel that a hour in the morning and an hour in the evening of actually walking/ running not just being left to exercise himself at the yard.

I would also crate him while you are out and give him a big raw bone and a stuffed kong to keep him occupied.
I would also leave the radio on.
 
How old is your child? If he/she is old enough to interact with the dog (obviously in your supervision) then they can play games at home together. Mental stimulation esp for a working terrier breed is just as important as physical. Simple little things like 'Find' will get his little brain working. Just 3 cups and a yummy treat (bits of cheese are good for this) and you hold the dog while child hides the treat and dog has to find it! Other find games can easily be played and it all goes to the dog settling and being calmer.

This is a good site http://www.wagntrain.com/Games.htm
 
I bought a bike just so I could give my jrt x enough exercise - I dont have oodles of time but 45 mins of him chasing me on my bike around the town and (3 parks we cover) mullers him and he is happy to be left alone after that!
Before I had the bike I would walk him but even after 45mins he would still be full of beans wanting to play, run around, chew etc - the bike has totally changed things for me. Hope that helps x
 
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