Re-homing a Dog - any advice

boogerballs

We have a 4 year old German Shepherd who we are considering looking for a new home for. The reason for this is we have a 1.5 year old baby with another baby due in the next few months.

Since the first baby arrived we have found it difficult to spend enough time with the dog and this is only going to be more difficult with baby no 2.
It will break our hearts to give her away but its not fair on her, she needs a home where people can spend time with her.

My question is where could we start looking for a new home for her - I dont want to put an ad on done deal, adverts etc.. I would rather find a more personal way to do it. I would want to view any places that she will live in, she needs a large secure garden. Also I would want any re-homing to be a gradual process, I'd prefer to bring her to any new owners a few times instead of it being a instant thing.

As for the dog herself she is a beautiful friendly dog who has lots of energy. Great with older kids (a bit too lively for younger kids) We used to keep her inside but for the last two years she has been living outside.

Can anyone give any advice on whats the best way to go about this.

Bullseye1

Most people here would prefer you made an effort to keep her. A couple of walks a day are obviously needed for the dog but they are also good for the owner.

If you have your mind made up your first port of call should be to contact the breeder, assuming it was from a legitimate breeder. Explain he situation. Most dog clubs have a facility to try and rehome unwanted dogs. Do your research. Interview all interested people. Make sure she is spayed, you do not want her to end up in a backyard breeding puppy farm.

I'm sure you will get more advice but seriously consider adapting your lifestyle to accommodate keeping the dog. Dog pounds are overflowing and it is going to be very difficult to rehome her at 4 years old. Best of luck wih whatever decision you take.

hfallada

The OP is concerned for the dogs well being. At least she isnt someone who keeps the dog outside and feeds it 3 times day and thats about it. She acknowledges it can have a better home else where and wants it have the best home possible. The same cant be said for about 75% of dog owners.

You could an ad in the adverts section of the Irish Times. It will be pricey but at least you know someone reading the times isnt going to be using the dog for fighting. Or the buy and sell if your sell if your stuck for cash. But try and not put it into a shelter

Tranceypoo

hfallada wrote: »

The OP is concerned for the dogs well being. At least she isnt someone who keeps the dog outside and feeds it 3 times day and thats about it. She acknowledges it can have a better home else where and wants it have the best home possible. The same cant be said for about 75% of dog owners.

You could an ad in the adverts section of the Irish Times. It will be pricey but at least you know someone reading the times isnt going to be using the dog for fighting. Or the buy and sell if your sell if your stuck for cash. But try and not put it into a shelter

Actually the OP said the dog had been kept outside for the last 2 years!

And scumbags don't read The Times?!

hedgehog2

Op,
Could you not get up 30mins early in the morning and bring her for a walk.
The same goes for the night,turn of that tv and bring your dog for a walk.
My parents raised 5 kids and the dog was walked daily.
The dog will be happier with you no matter what,im not having a go at the op but 1-1.5hrs a day is all it takes maximum to give the attention needed to the dog.
When the house is dirty you clean it,when the fridge is empty you go shopping abd when the dog needs a walk you walk them the time is always available once you manage it effectively.

DBB

At this stage, I think it has been made clear to the OP that there is an option to keep the dog. However, this is not what the OP asked. Now that one option has been put to them repeatedly, can we now get back on topic and give advice on how OP might best go about rehoming the dog?
Thanks,
DBB

DBB

OP, there is a rescue group who specialise in rehoming GSDs. With any luck, they'll try to help you. I'll pm you their contact details.

boogerballs

Thanks to everyone for their response, as I had said we are only considering this at the moment. We are getting her out for walks but she really needs more interaction than this. When I see her looking in the back door window at us inside it breaks our hearts as I think she gets so bored and lonely by herself.
Don't get me wrong I would have to convinced any new home is perfect for her before we let her go.
Re the comment about someone taking her to be a fighting dog, were you serious about that???
The though of that is scary. Also she is spayed

maggiepip

You really do need to rehome this dog to a good home, its a sad lonely and boring life for a dog just being in a back garden all the time and not part of a loving family. Its not right to keep a dog living like this. But at least you recognise this.

Any potential future owner/s should be "interviewed" by you and they should allow you to visit their home to where the dog will be going. If they are genuine good people they will have no problem with this request.

cocker5

Op,

It's a difficult situation to be in but you are right in researching all your options before jumping feet first.

You mentioned you feel sorry for her when she's looking in the back door... Do u mind if I ask why she's not allowed in the house? As you mentioned before she was an indoor dog up until 2 years ago?

I understand you have a baby but can you not try and integrate her back into the family a bit. Dogs need companionship not just exercise.

I know lots of families with young children and babies who have their dogs in the house with the family, there should be no reason why your dog can't be included in the family unit as an everyday occurrence. If she is left outside all day and night as ur posts suggests with the exception of walks and you can't / won't bring her into the family unit then yes please rehome her as its cruel on her and its not a life she deserves.

If you do want to integrate into ur family then I'm sure lots of people on here with young child can give you good advice on how to do this successfully.

It's really up to you op. one thing say is a dog should be for life unless an extreme situation occurs for me and most dog people having a baby shouldn't result in a dog being left in the garden or rehomed. At the end of the day dogs should be part if the family, they adapt to new situations and if you give her a chance and try and bring her back into ur family unit she will be an asset to you, your family and yours kids lives.

It's up to you op...

maggiepip

+1 cocker5......Excellent post.

Inexile

Im sad to say that I think will be difficult to rehome a dog of that breed and of that age. But it can be done if that is what you need to do and others have already commented on that so I wont repeat it all.

But would you consider getting a dog walker in a couple of times a week to help out with the exercise or even put the dog into a doggie creche a few days a week. That way you wont feel guilty for not walking the dog, the dog is excercised and you may even be able to get a few hours to catch up.