Heartbroken - need to rehome dogs

[Candiss]

Quote:
That sounds crazy, isnt it your responsibility to keep the animals away from the livestock if they are your pets?? I can see wild animals, but an animal that you brought to your home is your responsibility to maintain, in what ever terms maintaining means, fencing, training, etc.. People take a life like it is nothing, dogs are only doing what comes natural to them. Although, thankfully my dogs live in harmony with my Orpingtons that run loose. And my pack of yard dogs include 2 pitbulls, 2 boston terrier mixes, a great dane x bulldog mix and another GP mix. I think that this situation is workable, key word is WORK..

 

[Okie Amazon]

Well, it was good advice, say it again sistah!


At least the dogs aren't small enough to fed as snake food, which is what happens to a lot of little kittens and puppies.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
We should all keep this in mind - the dogs are escape artists and untrained, there are 3 kids to keep up with and a DH who is gone most of the time. Pretty hard to find training time in there, and the OP has never trained a dog.

I would still suggest rehoming, but being VERY picky about where they go. Meanwhile, do your best to keep them away from the birds. Since the eldest child is a chicken person, perhaps he can devise and enforce a way to make that happen, as his personal project.

Best wishes and luck!

 

[GhostRider65]

Edited to remove quoted trolling comment, and it's reply.

OOPPPPs got so cranky over that post I forgot to answer the OP sorry
I would retrain your dogs if you have the time, I'll help as much as I can to answer questions ect. to get you started in the right direction, If time is not on your side I would do as someone suggested and list them on CL or local paper, or pet finder. someone will eventually take them, I garner 1 is a black lab what is the other 1? I have a boxer, a pitbull/mastif cross, a shepard/husky mix, (Adams Girl) and my newest is a rescued American bull dog. I have also owned dogs all my life and I'm 45, so I have some experience with training dogs to behave. I have always owned large dogs as well. Hunting, and retrieving dogs, cats horses and chickens LOL alot of critters over the years.
The worst behaved dog was my Tigger the pit mix who is now almost 13, she was the absolutely most god awful naughty dog I have ever owned, she would eat anything cute, fuzzy or furry, she hated all other animals, sent my 108 lb white shepard to the vets for stitches a couple times before I got her behaving, and she hated most other people too. though she has never to date bitten anyone but me by accident when she was fighting with Gidget, and I broke it up. She has been reformed she lives in a house with 2 other dogs, 2 cats and 22 chickens, and gets along with the 3 horses, and the outside dog just fine. I have not been able to retrain her habit of eating wild animals like squirrels , and gophers though. she does however sit and watch the neighbors Guineas when they come up here.

 

[dandydoodle]

Look for a no kill shelter. Sorry I have been there before and it stinks.

Quote:

 

[shchinchillas]

Edited to remove unhelpful comments.

Please review the OP.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

This is a tough situation and only the OP has the right to say and do what is best for her entire family.

I myself would NEVER get rid of my dog, she is my heart... but the OP certainly has her hands full right now and maybe it would be best for the dogs to go to a new home/homes where they will get the time, attention and love that they need. Sometimes the best thing is also the hard thing...

To the OP... do what you and your husband think is best for YOUR family... it may not be easy and you may feel bad, but know that your motive is doing right by everyone (human & critter alike) and don't look back.

We all have opinions but your's & your husband's are what count here.

Good luck and I hope you find loving homes for the dogs.

 

[hennyannie]

We have a jack russell that will kill any small animal that runs from him. We have to keep him leashed or on a cable when he is outside. We also cant let him run free because he jumps other male dogs. For the first 10 years we had him we didnt have our chickens at our house then we moved them here. We had already made a commitment to this dog and he was not a good canidate for rehoming so we work at making it work. If I got a new dog today that did not respect our livestock I would not keep the dog. Its just too stressful to try and keep everyone seperated. Our lab and rat terrier are with the chickens all day everyday, neither grew up around them. Sorry this is hard I know but just try your best to find the right home for them.

 

[Cetteia]

I feel for you, have been in that position myself. Have you spoken with your vet, sometimes they know people that could adopt or foster the dogs for you. I have dogs myself, one is outside at all times, he is terrified of stairs and wont come in the door because of that. He is a big overgrown english coonhound, he lets me know when anything is near the house. We can NOT let him run free, he destroys the neighborhood, is a MAJOR chicken killing dog and generally a pain. He is on a "run" that is 60ft long 7 ft off the ground and his chain is 10 ft long and trolleys up and down the cable. He has a blast. My other dog is a tiny mixed mutt that lives inside. He thinks the chickens are his buddies, he herds them into the chicken house at nite, if i need them in the house during the day he will help me herd them in there, he was shown the chickens from 8 wks of age and disciplined if he tried to "attack" them, he does play with them, i think the chickens like it. Have to video it one day.

Bahhh got off topic but yes try to rehome them, and like everyone has said, ALWAYS check out the person, if they are honest they would have no problems with you coming over. Approach it like you would a babysitter for your children.

Wishing you the best of luck

 

[Bengalcats1]

Edited to remove trolling comments. Please review the rules.