Rehoming sweet dog prooving difficult - Advice?

[jamiebartlett]

I am so frustrated! I have a beautiful sweet 6ish year old Chow/Retriever that I adopted from a shelter in March 2005. They have given me the OK to re-home the dog myself. We have to do this because my husband has turned ill and we have to downsize to an apartment. He's a 60 pound dog, and can't go with us. I searched through craigslist and freecycle to find a family for him and finally found a family similar to ours. He went to their home and the very next morning he began to act strange and when one of their kids approached him, he nipped the kid in the lip leaving a very small mark. When the mom tried to go get him he cowered and was very scared so she allowed Rosco to go outside, and called me. For the sake of their children I went to their house to see if we could figure out what was going on and he was PERFECTLY FINE. He allowed the kids to hang on him and play with him as long as I was there. I work from home and so he's around me alot. However, I leave home alot and have had him go to a friend's house when I am out of town and he did perfectly fine.

Sooo.. Long story short, I told the woman it'd be better for me to take him home with me, so that he doesn't do anything else to her kids - since this behavior is very NEW. I brought him home and he acts as if nothing happened.

I called the shelter I adopted him from for advice and they say call the vet and put him on medication or if it doesnt work take him to the nearest humane society. I don't want to take him there because I am sure if he shows the same behavior again he'd get put down.

I need advice, anyone else have something like this that has happened to them and how they dealt with it? SHould I get the medication for him and see if it makes a difference? It just seems wrong to medicate him if he's fine at home. Not to mention an additional vet bill to acquire the medications. I just hate seeing animals doped up if they don't need to be.

Maybe I just needed to vent, who knows. I just want to find him a new home that has the paitence for him to warm up and re-connect. Can dogs re-connect? Or are they forever traumatized if they are re-homed?

Thanks for listening and any advice in advance!!

 

[jeaucamom]

I can't really give any advice on the behavior, but another great resource for you to find a family is petfinder.org You will have the whole US looking at their pic and description. Good luck!!

 

[Southern28Chick]

There's no way you can take him with you to the apartment? Poor guy, he just wants to stay with you.

 

[jamiebartlett]

I know! iT's breaking my heart. I want to take him with me! But from a 3 bedroom house, 1/3 acre to a a 1 bedroom apartment, 2 adults, 1 small dog, 1 large dog. I'm not sure what to do... I'm still thinking. I told hubby to give me a few months more to decide. Is it even healthy for dogs to be this ATTACHED?

 

[pooderpie77]

You did the right thing taking him back home with you. I've worked for a vet for almost twelve years and did Pit rescue for two years before my second child was born. I can sayfrom my experinces that most(not all) chow crosses I've seen can be a bit iffy with strangers. They tend to be very protective and loyal to their person they were originally gaurdian dogs hence the suspicious nature. He sees this new family as strangers. Was he around children at your home or was this his first experience with them. Kids can be intimidateing to a dog not used to them. They are at eye level with a dog that it is easy to take their moves as a threat.He is attached to you and it will take some time and training to get him a little more unattached. I would seek professional dog training classes if you want to rehome him. If you take him to the shelter and he bites someone there he will get put down. They can not place a dog that has the potential to bite. Also have you contacted a Choe Rescue. Just Google search Chow Rescue and what ever area you are in. Not the shelter but a org that deals only with Chow Chows. They are a invaluable source when it comes to rehomeing. They can give you pointers to on training. He may be half but they will have insight on his breed behavior. Chow traits can tend to run strong in chow mixes. But just be aware that it may take time and training to get him a little more independent of you. We all love a dog that is completely attached but in the long run it can be unhealthy for the dog as in the case of rehoming. I hope it all works out for you! I included a link for a very informative chow webpage. I think it has a link for rescue groups also.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chowchow.htm
Kirstie

 

[arlee453]

My advice is to find him a home where there are no small kids.

Dogs who are not used to living with small children around see them as 'puppies'. How do dogs discipline puppies in the pack? By nipping at their muzzles.

Totally reasonable and natural behavior on your dog's part - the kid was probably getting on the dogs nerves (not that the kid was doing anything mean or bad to the dog - maybe was just being a kid - loud and moving around a lot - makes a dog nervous)

Dog sees kid = annoying puppy and gives the nip.

People see dog nip kid and freak out - dog knows instantly that was not the right thing to do but is confused and in unfamiliar territory, and so reacts by cowering, etc.

Find him a home where there are not kids running around and I'm betting after a few days to get used to the new people he will settle in fine.

 

[peeps7]

Dang, that stinks. I could never rehome my poodle cause if I did I honestly think I would die of depression or he would. We are so close, in fact I also have an american bulldog and if I touch anything(or dig a hole) my poodle will guard it from the 100lb bulldog. I hate you have to find him another home.

 

[jamiebartlett]

We do foster care, so we have had kids ages from 3 months on up to 18 years old. Currently we have 5 kids. Ages 7,8, 11, 13 and 18. The home he went to had 6 kids ages 5 months to 8 years old. So it's the same amount of people, but they had slightly YOUNGER kids.

THank you for the chow info link. I will definately read up on that.

I'm with you. I was so depressed when he left that night, and was soo worried about what he was thinking and how he felt, and how scared he must have felt. UGH! I can't even fathom going through it again!

He is extremely attached to me, whatever room I am in - he is there! WHen I walk around, he's always at my knee walking with me. Sometimes I have to tell him to sit - stay. So that I am not walking on him! He's the sweetest dog ever and most loyal! I think I may just see if I can find an aptartment at ground level with a big enclosed patio so he can still enjoy sitting on the sidewalk in the warm sun.

Hmm.. THanks everyone for your advice! I knew I could find better ideas here than what the shelter gave me!

 

[paganfish]

Quote:
Wow! This thread was depressing me...not just for the dog but for YOU too! Then you write the last part and I let out a huge breath of relief! I will hold good thoughts (as I am sure everyone on here will) for you...

I hope...really hope, it works out and you don't have to re-home the poor guy...

...not to give you any more guilt over what you're going through. (I can't imagine it) but, because it sounds like you and the dog were meant to be together.

It does sound like a tough decision for you...I am sorry.

Cheers-

Pedro~:-V