Rehoming a springer

B

BGG

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It is with the heaviest of hearts that I type this but I am considering rehoming my 3 year old springer and wondered if anyone had any ideas/is looking for another dog/knows someone who is. The reasons for this are that I have just had a baby, my husband has just opened a new business and my marriage is on the verge of breaking down :-( My boy is not getting the exercise he needs and while he never "complains", he deserves better.

I have contacted several springer rescues but they all want dogs to be placed in foster homes before they are found new homes and I don't want that for my boy, it will be enough upheaval for him as it is without having to go to a foster home first. He is my absolute world and it will genuinely break my heart to let him go but at the moment I cannot physically give him what he needs and believe me, I'm busting a gut trying!

He is 3yo, fabulous with other dogs and people, including children although he is bouncy (obviously!) so would need to be careful with young children. He has a fantastic recall and will play fetch all day, his retrieve is fab, despite never being "taught". He doesn't walk well on a lead unfortunately. He's used to being left for up to four hours and isn't destructive, doesn't bark, he really is the most perfect, happy boy and I just want the best for him.

Please no lectures/negative comments - I never in a million years thought I would be in this position :-(
 
So sorry to hear you are having to make such a difficult decision. Whereabouts in the country are you and do you have any photos? I will share with my springer loving friends. Sadly is he probably a little too old to consider donating him to the police as a potential specialist search dog, although it might be worth contacting your local force if you think he would benefit from a working home, as they may consider him if his ball/search drive is strong.
 
They were my first port of call, he would LOVE that but sadly he's too old :-(

Thank you though.

Sorry, meant to add, we are in North Yorks and have hundreds of pics I can send once baby is in bed!
 
It may be worth investigating the possibility of a home as a gun dog. You could ask a local gamekeeper/farmer it would be a good busy exciting life.
 
They are in Ireland but Gundog Rescue and Rehoming retrain and rehome working dogs. They may be able to help, they always have homes waiting. They are on facebook. Druid on here knows the couple who run it in real life and she has recommeneded them before. Or perhaps you could convince motherofchickens on here she needs a springer!? Best of luck with him.
 
WorkingGSD said:
Another thought, could you look into getting a dog walker to take the pressure off you until your baby is a little older and your life back on track?

If that isn't an option then these people have an excellent reputation
http://www.perthgundogrescue.com/
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Thank you! Unfortunately I can't afford a dog walker as I'm only on statutory maternity pay which ends next month. I've even signed up to Borrow My Doggy but had no luck on there.

Thank you everyone for the replies, you've all been so helpful.
 
FWIW I got my springer through ESSW. They honoured the previous owners wish to allow her to stay until a new home was found. We visited twice before collecting Bramble. To be honest as the owner waved her off it was pretty awful as you could feel the anguish! Their decision but they obviously loved her.
Bramble didn't pine AT ALL! Think it would have been fine for her if we had been the foster home. Five years on and she is the best dog I have ever had. :-)
 
BGG said:
He is 3yo, fabulous with other dogs and people, including children although he is bouncy (obviously!) so would need to be careful with young children. He has a fantastic recall and will play fetch all day, his retrieve is fab, despite never being "taught". He doesn't walk well on a lead unfortunately. He's used to being left for up to four hours and isn't destructive, doesn't bark, he really is the most perfect, happy boy and I just want the best for him.

Please no lectures/negative comments - I never in a million years thought I would be in this position :-(
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He sounds a perfect candidate for flyball! Too far for me i'm afraid but there is a spaniels in flyball facebook page. Maybe you could ask to join that and see?
 
Going into a foster home is a positive thing not negative, from a rescues point of view owners dont always tell the truth. Im not saying this about you but no rescue will rehome your dog without him being thoroughly assessed as much as for the dogs safety and welfare as for the prospective new owner.

A good fosterer will treat him like their own and he will get lots of exercise and his new home will be thoroughly vetted to make sure its his forever home thus making sure the dog is getting the best home available.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Going into a foster home is a positive thing not negative, from a rescues point of view owners dont always tell the truth. Im not saying this about you but no rescue will rehome your dog without him being thoroughly assessed as much as for the dogs safety and welfare as for the prospective new owner.

A good fosterer will treat him like their own and he will get lots of exercise and his new home will be thoroughly vetted to make sure its his forever home thus making sure the dog is getting the best home available.
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This ^^^ plus I've noticed on spaniel aid that many spaniels get adopted by their fosterer as they get attached to them!
 
Dobiegirl said:
Going into a foster home is a positive thing not negative, from a rescues point of view owners dont always tell the truth. Im not saying this about you but no rescue will rehome your dog without him being thoroughly assessed as much as for the dogs safety and welfare as for the prospective new owner.

A good fosterer will treat him like their own and he will get lots of exercise and his new home will be thoroughly vetted to make sure its his forever home thus making sure the dog is getting the best home available.
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Great points actually and dogs are very adaptable creatures. A good foster home would certainly benefit your dog now in terms of time spent with him and exercise, and will make for a smoother transition into his new forever home - as the fosterer can fully assess him and his needs and then match him up with the right people to provide for those needs.
 
I am fortunate in that I have never had to rehome a dog but I think I agree with the OP that I would prefer to choose the new home, with a fosterer you will never know where they ended up. Possibly a good thing for the transition but not for my piece of mind.
I would look at it like a horse, I like to know ones I have sold are getting on in their new home.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. I completely understand the reasoning behind rescues wanting to place dogs in foster homes first, they absolutely need to be able to vouch for the dogs character however as Clodagh said, it is essential for my peace of mind that I am involved in finding his new home. I'm in no immediate rush for him to go anywhere so can take my time finding him the best home possible.
 
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