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How do I give away a dog?

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T

Twilight Gap

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Alright, to make a long story short, my parents picked up a lab puppy a few years ago on a whim and they quickly realized that it was a mistake. He didn't exactly mix well with our current living situation, and since everyone has become busy with school and work, the responsibility of taking care of the dog fell to me. Now I love animals and I've had several pets, but I've never raised a dog before and even I was too busy to look after this one. I did what I could and researched tips, but I didn't have much success. It's gotten to the point where it's more frustrating than anything, and I'm concerned for the dog's future.

He needs attention and he needs proper training, and he is currently unable to receive either with us. I explained this to my folks and we tried to search for a new home through Craigslist (where he's from), local shelters, and fliers. That also didn't bring success, and they've pretty much put his situation on the back burner.

So I'm still scrambling to find time to walk him and train him, but I know this can't go on much longer. What should I do? He's very wild so we cannot keep him indoors, as we have a baby and a cat that he makes a habit of chasing. He's not a bad dog or anything, but I don't think they anticipated the responsibility he would bring, and our lives are just too hectic to give him the attention he needs. I don't like seeing him bored all day, but at the same time it's frustrating trying to train or entertain him since I'm no dog expert. I mean, you'd think they'd research these guys more before bringing one home :/

Pic related. That's him graduating his training course, even though the only thing he learned was how to sit.

WHrkhsL.png
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I don't want it to seem like I'm abandoning him, because I'm not. He deserves better and I know he does, so I want him to have it. I always try to educate myself on what's needed to care for a pet, but this guy just came at a bad time regardless.
 
Shelter is the only answer. It's the responsible thing to do to make sure the dog doesn't get taken in by another family that has to give him up right away again.
 
Seandor said:
Don't ever get another pet.
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Tell that to my parents. I've wanted a ferret for years and I've researched everything I need to know about it. I even have a permit for one and I've handled several of them.

This was completely out of the blue. None of us have had experience with puppies and they did little research on it before they got it.

I love animals and I have no problem with dogs. But this isn't the time or dog for us.

Wag said:
Aw, he's a cute little devil. He's smart too! What's wrong with him?
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He's very wild and very difficult to train. We've had him for two years and have tried at least half a dozen training methods, but we haven't had much success.

I'm honestly just concerned for him at this point. Our household lifestyle is too busy to devote any attention to him, let alone take him to the park or out for walks. And the worst part is he has to be caged or tied outside because there's a baby in the house. He's already bitten me twice and broken several pairs of glasses by jumping on my face. He needs a home where he can get the attention he deserves and be himself.
 
My sister got another puppy just when the first one was getting into adulthood and relaxed. This one is way more hyper active and she refused to teach discipline to this one, the first one got yelled and pointed when he piss and took dumps out of the pads and it learned not to do so.

Also the little one is an asshole that keep biting the other one in the face, It's gotten to the point when I don't even want to get into my own house. Dogs are the worst.
 
Contact a local no-kill rescue/shelter. Offer to foster the dog until they can place it in a new home.

It is your responsibility until a suitable home can be found.
 
vivftp said:
I'm allergic to my friends 3 dogs... the only things in the world that I know myself to be allergic to. Dogs are not this mans best friend.
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must be a rough life, being allergic to dogs.
 
put up flyers

DOG NEEDS NEW HOME

*insert most adorable photograph of the dog you have*

NO ADOPTION FEE

LOOKING FOR A LOVING OWNER

CALL (YOU)RNUMBER IF INTERESTED
 
Poor little guy. He deserves a good home. :( Goddammit :(
 
Lyphen said:
Labs are notoriously energetic, and for way too long a period.
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I have a lab collie mix. So trust me. I know how active these dogs can be.

I was wondering what problems OP was having. And my guess would be not being able to keep up with an extremely active dog.
 
You've had him for two years and you're now deciding to get rid of him? That's cruel. I hope a better family can take him from you guys and actually raise and love him.
 
OP do you live in a house or an apartment?

don't feel too bad, OP, these things happen just focus on what's best for the animal right now

stay consistent in finding a new owner

your dog does seem like the kind that requires loads and loads of open space

thats the kind of dog that lives life to the absolute fullest

that motherfucker needs a farm and a field
 
Sunflower said:
must be a rough life, being allergic to dogs.
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Feels weird. I used to have a hatred for dogs. One little shit named Toby ran me over once when I was 3... I saw him running down the sidewalk towards me on his own and I ran as fast as I could back to my house. Just in front of my house, he jumped on my back, I got plowed into the ground and wound up with skinned everythings :(

I kinda got over my dog hatred a bit years later when one of my friends got one, but this whole allergy thing has been negatively imacting my view of them :(

Anyways, enough of that...
 
The fact is, his behavioral problems are his owners fault. :( No one is going to want a dog that is, as you describe it, wild. You need to work with him. I don't care if you say you've tried several different methods. You are doing something wrong.
 
Like the above poster said, stay consistent. Poor little furry thing might take some time to find the right home for, but he deserves it, he really does. Keep plugging away. I'm not gonna criticize you "oh god two years how MEAN" because that isn't what this is about - but definitely do your best to find a new home, and contact a no-kill shelter if you have absolutely no recourse. It's a damn tragedy, he looks so nice :(

Fiction said:
The fact is, his behavioral problems are his owners fault. :( No one is going to want a dog that is, as you describe it, wild. You need to work with him. I don't care if you say you've tried several different methods. You are doing something wrong.
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This is absolutely true, I had some issues with mine and eventually I found out what I needed to change, and the dog just clicked right into place. Now I can't imagine life without her. I mean, you say you're at the end of the line really but...if you could, still try some more things.
 
Try to find a humane, no-euthanizing shelter. That would probably be your best bet. At least that way you'd know it would go to a good home.
 
big_z said:
I see you edited a post above. basically you or your family should not own any pets.
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I have had a cat for 12 years and I've owned several cats before. I also had a dog many years ago and we didn't have any trouble with him.

EDIT: I should clarify that the dog we owned before was an older golden retriever. He was very calm and mostly trained already, so a puppy is new territory.

I really don't appreciate the blame being put on me personally though, as it was never my intention of owning another dog. My folks didn't anticipate the responsibility he would bring, and now our lives are just too busy to include a hyperactive dog who needs a lot of attention. We want to find him a new home that will give him that attention he deserves.
 
A 3 Legged Goat said:
I have had a cat for 12 years and I've owned several cats before. I also had a dog many years ago and we didn't experience any issues with it.

I really don't appreciate the blame being put on me personally, as it was never my intention of owning a dog. Our lives are just too busy to include a hyperactive dog who needs a lot of attention, and we want to find him a new home.
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Just keep trying to find a home for him. I understand how tough it is, but while you look for a new home, and I'm sure you've done this, but sacrifice more personal time to walk the dog more than usual - and lead the walk. I know it's easier said than done and you might already be doing this, but a lot of dog problems work out based on the walk, the walk is one of the most important things you can do with a dog and sets a standard for them with regards to behavior.
 
id pull that animal right out of your hands if i had a house, im just sayin

too bad i live in a flat

im going to get a dog when i eventually move into a house

dogs are the best
 
This is why, every time I talk to my dad, I have to almost yell at him not to buy a dog. He wants one, but he is the laziest son of a bitch still living today. He won't take it on walks, train it, ect. It will end up being my dog because I give a fuck. Will Smith was right, parents just don't understand.
 
Sunflower said:
Just keep trying to find a home for him. I understand how tough it is, but while you look for a new home, and I'm sure you've done this, but sacrifice more personal time to walk the dog more than usual - and lead the walk. I know it's easier said than done and you might already be doing this, but a lot of dog problems work out based on the walk, the walk is one of the most important things you can do with a dog and sets a standard for them with regards to behavior.
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This, so much. Walk him as often as you can, for as long as you can. You get the bonus of getting exercise too. Control the leash, don't let him pull, etc. If you can't, get a pinch collar.
 
I've been told by multiple people that doggie treadmills work wonders. Obviously if you want to give him up that's your decision but it might be worth calling around to see if a shelter would donate one
 
HamPster PamPster said:
I've been told by multiple people that doggie treadmills work wonders. Obviously if you want to give him up that's your decision but it might be worth calling around to see if a shelter would donate one
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Treadmills aren't bad and great for extra exercise, but not used to replace the walk itself. The walk's a pretty significant thing that can't be duplicated like that, but they are definitely worth having if your dog wears YOU out (like seriously does, not "I just don't feel like walking anymore"
 
This is why I shouldn't buy a dog. I want a pet in the worst way but I think a cat would be a better choice for me, they're generally more independent, easier to take care of (plus I won't have to walk them in the Boston Winters).
 
Try finding any non kill dog rescue organizations in your area. They could likely find a foster family and eventually adopt the dog out.
 
Fiction said:
This, so much. Walk him as often as you can, for as long as you can. You get the bonus of getting exercise too. Control the leash, don't let him pull, etc. If you can't, get a pinch collar.
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We have one and it hasn't been a very good experience. Even at full strength he still manages to knock me off balance, and the collar doesn't seem to affect him. I do walk him daily, but he really isn't following the routine. For a while, I would walk with a treat by my side, but he no longer shows interest in them.

I know it's just a lack of experience on my part, so I personally want to find him an owner who can train him better. He is very smart, but his stubbornness also needs to be broken. I alone am not capable of that since this is the first puppy I've been exposed to.

I'm really disappointed in my parents. I agree with all of you that a dog is a big responsibility, and I tried to explain that to them prior to this. I'm not trying to shift blame for the way he's been brought up, but please understand that I do all that I know how to.

Wag said:
This is why I shouldn't buy a dog. I want a pet in the worst way but I think a cat would be a better choice for me, they're generally more independent, easier to take care of (plus I won't have to walk them in the Boston Winters).
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Dog's make great lifetime companions and they are very intelligent pets (usually). You should make sure you find a dog that's right for your household and your lifestyle though. I'd have loved to own a dog someday, but this time in our lives is very unstable and I know that's not where he needs to be. If we had a house with a couple acres of land, he'd be just fine running around all day and enjoying freedom. We but have a joke of a yard and a neighborhood that ain't worth writing home about. I want him to have that freedom.
 
suaveric said:
Where do you live? Have to tried looking for lab rescue groups in your area?
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Atlanta suburbs. There are plenty of pet stores and animal clinics around here so I imagine I'm just not prodding at the right ones.

HamPster PamPster said:
I've been told by multiple people that doggie treadmills work wonders. Obviously if you want to give him up that's your decision but it might be worth calling around to see if a shelter would donate one
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If that would help to release the energy he has then I could look into them, because the 2-3 times a day walks haven't done it. I think we'd have more success improving his focus if he'd relax for just a little bit.
 
A 3 Legged Goat said:
We have one and it hasn't been a very good experience. Even at full strength he still manages to knock me off balance, and the collar doesn't seem to affect him. I do walk him daily, but he really isn't following the routine. For a while, I would walk with a treat by my side, but he no longer shows interest in them.

I know it's just a lack of experience on my part, so I personally want to find him an owner who can train him better. He is very smart, but his stubbornness also needs to be broken. I alone am not capable of that since this is the first puppy I've been exposed to.

I'm really disappointed in my parents. I agree with all of you that a dog is a big responsibility, and I tried to explain that to them prior to this. I'm not trying to shift blame for the way he's been brought up, but please understand that I do all that I know how to.
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It depends on the dog, but there's a sense of purpose you can have in your walk and it'll help nudge the dog subconsciously into its role in his pack - like it or not, your family is his pack and since it sounds like your parents are doing absolutely nothing, you'll need to take charge and be the leader.

A few things I've found helpful - don't wind them up for the walk, even though it is cute to see them get excited. Keep them pretty calm, go out, take the lead as quick as you can (exit first) and do your best being in charge of where you go.

If you need to correct behavior (which it sounds like you do) pull the leash off-balance, not back. A dog that meets resistance may dig in (probably does) and it might escalate their rowdy mood whereas pulling off balance, to the side, lets them know they are not being held back but they need to adjust.

Another thing you might consider is a weight harness - not a lot though. This will tire them out a bit quicker and make them feel like they have a job, so to speak. Dogs love to work - almost every dog has an instinct in them to work, and to get them in that kind of mode where they are doing a task (transporting something for instance) can really help establish that you are in charge.

It will all take time though. Keep your dog focused on the walk, lead as much as you can and don't let your dog meander around while walking - if they're sniffing their way through the walk and basically doing what they want, you'll need to fix that. Always move forward, always have a destination in mind, and most of all, don't expect it to happen overnight. These things can take time. I hope some of this helps. I just don't want to see your pet A: unhappy or B: given away hastily. Do what's best for you, and I hope my advice helps because ideally, in my mind, the best case scenario is his behavior being corrected and being a great part of your family, and one of your best companions.
 
A 3 Legged Goat said:
Long story short, my 'rents got a lab puppy a few years ago on a whim and it's just been nothing but headache ever since. I love animals and have owned several pets, but the responsibility of training this dog fell onto me alone. Between a busy schedule and lack of experience with puppies, it's gotten to a point where I've had enough. I've tried to find him a suitable home via Craigslist (where he's from), shelters, and fliers, but I've had no luck.

What do I do? Keeping him is out of the question, as he's too wild to be indoors and our lifestyle is too hectic to give him the attention he deserves. Unfortunately, nobody's making any effort to do anything about it. I don't like seeing him bored all day, but at the same time it's frustrating not knowing where I'm going wrong with his training.

Pic related
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I would seriously take him. Where do you live though? I am in FL.

Pretty sure Misaki city is some anime shit.
 
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