Should I Rehome My Dog?

This is a question I have faced both personally and professionally. It's one of the hardest questions to ask and even harder to answer. There are so many reasons why an owner might ask if rehoming their dog is the best option. Here are some of the reasons I have come across:

I'm returning to work and I can't leave my dog all day.

I can't cope with my dog's behaviour.

My health is getting worse and I can no longer give my dog the care he deserves.

My two dogs simply don't get along. As she's the last one in, she has to be the one to leave.

Having a dog is harder than I thought.

Whatever the reason for asking the question, it's the answer that's important! Sometimes the answer is obvious. But other times, an honest and realistic assessment of the situation is required. Are there ways to help the situation that would allow the dog to remain in their current home? For example, if someone is returning to working full-time hours, could they hire a dog walker, or make arrangements for the dog to be cared for by someone else during these hours? If the dog has behavioural issues, would it be good to first hire a dog trainer to help address the issues? Could a dog walker help if you have health issues? If having a dog is harder than you thought, are you willing to put in more effort, or get help from a dog trainer to see why it's so hard? 

If you are considering rehoming your dog, think carefully about ALL the options. If a dog is happy in their home, we want to do our best to keep it that way. If, however, after careful consideratin the answer is YES, I need to rehome my dog, what should you do? Firstly, don't feel guilty. If this really is the only option, then you are doing the best thing for your dog. Don't allow others to judge your decision. You are the one facing this, so only you can be sure that you are doing the right thing. Secondly, do not rush the process. Your dog is facing the difficulty of being removed from one pack and introduced to another. To ensure your dog finds the right home, make sure you ask the right questions from any prospective owners. Can they afford to care for the dog? Do they have the time/energy/patience to give the dog what it needs? If they have other dogs, ask a trainer or experienced handler to help you introduce the dogs and assess if they will get along. NEVER be afraid to say no to potential owners. You don't need to give a reason. Even if it's just your gut feeling telling you not to do it, hang back and give your dog the life and pack they derserve.

What if you are the one that took on a second dog in the hope of providing a loving home, but now things have taken a turn for the worse? Should you live by the last in, first out rule? That's a decision only you can make. But be aware that there are many reasons that two dogs might not get along. Consider hiring a dog behavioural therapist to assess the dogs and see if there is a reason that might be easily addressed. Consider taking both dogs to the vet for a health check to rule out pain or discomfort being a factor. After ruling out health issues and simple pack disputes, the answer may be that the two dogs simply cannot remain together in the same pack. As the pack leader, it is your decision as to which dog needs to be placed in a new pack. 

Could this question have been avoided?

There are things we can do before taking a new dog into our homes to avoid future issues and potentially rehoming the dog. We all know that circumstances can change very quickly, so there is no guarantee that the answers you give to the following questions will always remain the same. But when considering adopting a dog, it's important to take the decision seriously. Consider:

Can I afford the entire responsibility of having a dog?

Food, beds, leads etc are not the only financial factors to consider. The cost of vets is ever on the rise. Pet insurance is varies from breed, to age, to health. For example, For our labrador, combining food, vets and insurance each month, it's over £80/month. In comparison, a newly adopted puppy had a major medical issue the day before her insurance started. It cost over £1000. The issue is ongoing and not covered by insurance. Special dietry food alone costs £250/month for this dog.

Will I have the time to train/walk my dog? Should I hire a dog walker?

Remember that pups require a lot of care. As they get older, dogs can be left alone for longer periods. It is recommended that a dog should not be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time. Does this mean that it's fair to work away for 8 hours a day and have someone "pop in" to let the dog out for a quick toilet break? Would having a dog walker for an hour a day be ok? Consider this very carefully before deciding, especially if this will be the case for 5 days a week. One similarity between dogs and humans is this- they like company. Just having another pack member in the same room is comforting to a dog. Hours alone each day can lead to boredom, anxiety and other issues. 

I have another dog already!

If you are considering taking on a second, third or even 10th new pack member, this must be done responsibly. Just because your dogs already get on well or just because the dog you are adopting is said to be "fine with other dogs", this is no guarantee. Allow the dogs to first meet on neutral ground. If this initial meeting goes well, they can be walked back to the "den", or home territory together. Allow some quiet time for them to establish their respective positions in the pack. Remember: Just because your dog was there first, it does not necessarily mean that they are automatically higher ranking than the newcomer. Allow the dogs to establish this themselves. Consider hiring a dog behavioural therapist to help you with this. They will help you to assess the relevant points to determine if the newcomer will be a good fit with the pack. If it seems that they don't get along, don't try to force it. It might be that this is not the right pack for the new dog. 

REMEMBER: If you are an established pack leader, you will be better equipped to always make the best decisions for your pack.