Need to re-home my adult Weimaraner

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Smokie

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Hello all,

Really hoping that somebody may be able to help me re-home my beautiful Weimy girl.

Her name is Smokie and she will be 9 yrs old in March 2014. She has been our loyal, loving family pet since a few weeks old.

We have a daughter who is 3.5 yrs old and also have 3 cats. She adores two of the cats and has a bit of a love/hate relationship with the third. She also adores my daughter.

Sadly a few days ago, the dog was fast asleep in her bed and my daughter scratched her stomach and caught one of her teats, the dog woke from her sleep with a yelp and caught my daughters cheek.

She has never bitten anybody or shown any kind of aggression in the nearly 9 yrs we have had her, but as a Mother I just cannot take the chance going forward as children will always do things they should not do.

My husband and I have come to the heartbreaking decision that we will have to find another loving home for her.

If anybody can help me then please do contact me as we are desperate to see her find a loving home. I absolutely CANNOT put her in a rescue home in the meantime as it would kill her and us.

Any help or advice would be gratefully received.
 
Smokie said:
Sadly a few days ago, the dog was fast asleep in her bed and my daughter scratched her stomach and caught one of her teats, the dog woke from her sleep with a yelp and caught my daughters cheek.
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I would be treating this an a one off. I imagine that your daughter has learnt her lesson about surprising a dog whilst it is asleep, so look on it as an opportunity to educate her about behaving with consideration amongst animals.

We had two dogs when our boys were young (birth onwards), and it was an absolute rule that the children never, ever disturbed the dogs whilst they were in their baskets. It also meant that the dogs both knew that if they had enough of being played with, they could signal 'game over' by heading to their beds.
 
Tiddlypom said:
I would be treating this an a one off. I imagine that your daughter has learnt her lesson about surprising a dog whilst it is asleep, so look on it as an opportunity to educate her about behaving with consideration amongst animals.

We had two dogs when our boys were young (birth onwards), and it was an absolute rule that the children never, ever disturbed the dogs whilst they were in their baskets. It also meant that the dogs both knew that if they had enough of being played with, they could signal 'game over' by heading to their beds.
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I agree, it was hardly the dogs fault.
 
I would say the dog was shocked, half asleep and was just a quick reaction. I certainly would not rehome by beloved pet after 9 yrs of being loyal because of one isolated incident.
 
poor bloomin dog :( you need to learn to manage both your child and your dog. Its not rocket science. Just make some changes.

- control your child
- create a safe space for your dog where said child can’t bother her, crate train her if you can so she can sleep in peace, or make use of a utility room area or hallway using baby gates.
 
The OP was not asking for opinions or dog training advice. The decision is hers and hers alone. Does the breed society have a rehoming scheme.
 
Bit of an overreaction for a nothing incident! Why should the dog have to be punished for something your child did? Your child is of an age where they can understand and need to be taught how to act around and treat animals - specifically dogs. Surely it's not that difficult to manage the situation?
 
ladyt25 said:
Bit of an overreaction for a nothing incident! Why should the dog have to be punished for something your child did? Your child is of an age where they can understand and need to be taught how to act around and treat animals - specifically dogs. Surely it's not that difficult to manage the situation?
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I had to walk away from this thread and come back when others had replied - this, but I would have put it a lot more forcefully than ladyt25 did. I was brought up with boxers, which are a guarding breed, there was never a single incident because I was taught to respect the dogs and treat them properly.
 
AdorableAlice said:
yes, regarding rehoming, not questioning her management or decision.
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I read it as more open ended than that. However, if there is any doubt in the OPs mind as to whether a similar event can be prevented, then yes the dog should be re homed. I'm afraid that I have no knowledge of the best way to go about that.

If either of our dogs had shown any sign of aggression to our lads, then they would have been moved on sharpish. It's just that this incident, as described by the OP, sounds like more of an unfortunate accident.
 
I actually agree with everything that has been said, but it has to be remembered we all have different home environments, (my house has no doors internally so I could not separate a dog and a child). Equally views on animal safety and views on what is or is not acceptable behaviour will always differ. No animal is 100% trustworthy and accident or not if the owners cannot cope with the situation their decision has to be respected.

Many many years ago a friend was fatally bucked off her horse. Her husband turned to me to get rid of the horse. I asked him what he wanted me to do, expecting to hear give it away/sell it making sure the horse left the area. I was stunned with the two word reply - shoot it. I did not question the decision and never have.

When our nearest and dearest are potentially or actually in danger we will all react differently I guess.
 
Was the dog sleeping after a meal? Because it is recognised that they can be especially grumpy in those circumstances, (sleepy with a full stomach) and if she is the beloved family pet described, then there are ways to keep small children away and safe at those particularly sensitive times. TBH, rather than rehome the dog, I would teach the child to respect the dog, as a useful life lesson, and to safeguard her from strangers' dogs she might meet at any time.
 
Op - may I urge you to re-consider and not do something that you may later regret? It seems that the dog was taken by complete surprise and this is a one off incident. Apart from anything else, it has probably taught your daughter that disturbing a sleeping dog is a bad idea and that in itself is a good thing, surely ? Imagine if she did this to a strange dog and the reaction was a bite, not just a catch with a paw? Your daughter is 3.5, and old enough to talk this through with and to explain why Smokie reacted as she did. Give the dog another chance, she sounds wonderful - sending her away would be so upsetting for her, especially as she hasn't done anything wrong.

If you are determined, I may know someone who would offer her a delightful home, but still think you are reacting out of shock and panic at the moment, which is understandable of course.
 
I did something smilar when my daughter was newborn OP. I have always regretted it and I know now that it was my protective instinct overpowering my senses, rather than my taking a logical decision.

I'd take a breath and calm down first, then if your certain you still want to rehome her, do so. Good luck.
 
Try the breed rescues. They aren't a breed who take very well to rehoming, in my experience, but she may settle more easily than my bitch, who has taken a long time to find her confidence with us.
 
I agree with some of the others, this sounds like an unfortunate incident, if the dog has been fine for 9 years and ok with your child until this point. I would:

1. Get the dog checked out by a vet, there may be a medical reason why she was a bit sharp with your child.

2. If all ok at the vets, then get a behaviourist in to assess the situation and give you advice on how to manage the situation and show you stress signals in dogs. Children need to learn to respect a dogs space and rest time.

3. If you are dead set on rehoming, then bare in mind that rescues are full to bursting at this time of the year, with lots of dogs that have not 'gone for' a child. She will be very hard to rehome because of this incident and also her age. Those country homes with fields to run in and no children or other dogs that people want their dog to be rehomed to are pretty much non existent, her rehoming options are very limited.

It would be great if you could try 1 and 2 first. I fully appreciate that you are shocked by what has happened, but after 9 years, maybe at least give them a go before turning her world upside down.
 
I agree with most of the above posters.
This is a case where training is called for - of the child and of parenting skills as in why was the child allowed to hurt the dog?
It doesn't sound like an attack but a startled jump up.
The proverb "let sleeping dogs lie" became so for a reason and there is no reason to punish a dog when it has shown no aggression. Hopefully the child has learned a lesson.
If you do rehome this dog please consider rehoming the cats too before the inevitable accidental scratch happens & don't ever get another pet.
 
Please reconsider.
The only person at fault here were those supervising the baby. Accidents happen - no one intended this! Your dog was probably just as shocked as everybody.
Such a sad situation :(

ETA: Also agree with S4ugar - what happens if the cats scratch the baby?
 
Smokie any dog in that situation might well have reacted more forcefully, I think your dog showed remarkable restraint. I like many others have never had a problem with dogs and children because they are taught to respect the dogs from an early age. Because you have not taught your child to respect the dog she is going to pay the price for your failure. If you really cant bring yourself to keep the dog and change your management then have her pts, at 9yrs old she could sit in rescue kennels for months and her future would be uncertain, pts would be kindest for her and as S4sugar said dont get another one. Dont be tempted to put her on Preloved or Gumtree,she might find a home and salve your conscience but you would be lucky to find out what happens to her after that.
 
I read the thread heading, and thought "Oh Dear, someone's in for a rough ride"!!

Children need to learn that dogs on their beds are out of bounds, and the best person to explain that to the child, is the dog. The child wasn't injured, the dog got a fright, and that's probably about it. Live through it and allow your child to learn a lesson.

It isn't the end of the world, and had your dog intended doing damage, then she would have done so. Your little one has learned a valuable lesson, and it was free!

Alec.
 
I have to wonder whether this was a wind up? New poster now not replying? I hope so.
Poor poor dog, I hope she doesn't get turfed out. Sorry OP but if you are genuine I think you are over -reacting.
 
Please, please, please reconsider. From your description her reaction wasn't aggressive and was simply unlucky. It is up to YOU to manage your daughter and explain her that she shouldn't disturb a sleeping dog - I know 2 year olds who can easily grasp this. Whether or not you keep the dog, you need to educate your daughter better.
 
Personally I would re-home the child! The dog gets re-homed because your child annoyed it when it was sleeping?! Poor dog. Ever heard the expression 'let sleeping dogs lie' ? Dogs seem disposable to some people. Very sad.
 
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