Our family recently got a puppy. She is a mixed breed we got from the neighbors. She was such a cute puppy. Of course, the kids all wanted her and wanted to help when we first got her. Now, I am doing everything. Our family does not have time for a dog. I knew that, but gave in when I saw that cute brown face and now I am stuck. She's about 9 months old and has taken over our lives. We put her outside, but now she is making a mess of the yard and roaming the neighborhood and I worry about her getting pregnant. I know we should have not even taken her from the beginning, but now I don't know what to do. Does anybody have suggestions?
After discussing with the family, we decided to give her away to a someone who could take the time to care for her. I realize that it was a mistake to take her in the first place and it won't happen again.
Spend the money to get her fixed and she should not roam, if possible, fence off the back yard or a small area for her to play. Most places have a leash law so her roaming
may give you poblems. Good Luck D.
First, go get her fixed before you have more than one puppy to worry about.
Second, I would not get rid of the dog. Your kids decided they wanted a dog, and now that they have her, they need to take care of her. You're a teacher... what message does this send? That they can sign up for a commitment but if it's too hard, they can just back out? That if they don't feel like being responsible, just don't do the work and someone else (you, mom) will do your work for you?
I don't mean to be so blunt, but you would be teaching your kids a huge lesson about commitment (especially in today's world of overnight "just because" divorces) and responsibility if you let the dog stay. And if they spend more time with her, she may grow to become an inseparable part of your family!
Once you reintroduce her to the house, you can crate train her to not go in the house. Each kid can have certain responsibilities (like picking up the yard, feeding, etc) and they can trade so the same person does not have the same bad job all the time. Your 5 year old is old enough to help. My 4-yr old princess feeds and waters our two as one of her weekly chores, and both the kids help wash and brush the dogs and let them in and out when it's time to go outside.
Be strong, and good luck. You can do it!
I cannot feel sorry for you or your family. I feel sorry for the dog. When you decided to bring her into your family she was supposed to become a MEMBER of your family. Not tied in the yard or left to run loose and become a nuisance to the neighborhood. This is a major problem in society today - if it becomes an inconvienience get rid of it. You as the adult in the family need to step up to the plate and assume responsibilty for your decision. The way people treat their pets and other animals is a good indicator of how they will treat anybody and anything that they consider beneath them. Animals are living breathing beings and not disposable like day old trash. At this point I don't think I would be bragging about the fact that you are a teacher at a "Christian School."
Can you try to look for a new home for her? Get with a local agency and see if they will help. A dog is a huge responsibility! Some families are not ment for them and it looks like you found out the hard way. Do your best to get her a new family as soon as possible. I got our puppy 2 years ago and still wonder "What was I thinking?" Everyone was happy to help at first and now I have to beg to get them just to go pick up the poop in the yard, which is my biggest complaint. Not to mention all the dog hair, everywhere, that adds so much time to my cleaning everyday. But, I love him, he's a sweetheart, and I do sometimes feel like he deserves a more active home where he is not alone most of the day. I am trying a new Puppy School next month and hopefully I will learn more techniques to get him to calm down. Please start looking for a new home for yours today, it is easier for young dogs to get adopted. Explain to your kids that you guys are just not the right fit and she has a new family that will have more time for her.
You should have her fixed for starters!!!!!!
First and IMMEDIATELY make an appt to have this dog spayed, otherwise you will have a pregnant female to adopt out. If you think you can't afford it, imagine feeding 7 more puppies. This is NOT an option and should be done before the month is out. Then consider getting her some training and listing her on Petfinder.com. It is much easier to adopt animals that are spayed and have some manners.
Make a chore list and include the dog on it, meals, cleanup, playtime. A bored and neglected dog will eat your house, your yard and your life.
This is a learning moment for your family and the kids. You made a classic mistake, unfortunately, the animal gets the short end of the stick. Teach your children about responsibility buy taking care of this animal, and by finding her a home in a responsible way. Stop her from roaming the neighboorhod and get her spayed. The cute puppy is still there, but without proper care and some attention to training, all that was cute will become destructive. You are the master, the evolved species. You took her into your home and family. Do right by her, research all of your options for adoption but GET HER SPAYED right away.
Good Luck, D.
My best friend has a busy schedule too, with gymnastics, dance, soccer, baseball, school, plus she works. They have 10 goats, 3 dogs, 4 cats, and numerous fish. The kids are 6 and 9. They know the animals can't feed themselves so they have to be fed before the kids eat. They have their chores to do while dinner is cooking or as soon as they pull in the drive, because as busy as they are they don't make it home every day for home cooking.Your children have to step up and have responsibilities. Make a chart and have them choose when they will do the deeds. They can have 1-2 days a week each, it can be morning or evening, it should be consistant but tell them the dog is going away if they don't step up.
Have the names of the shelters handy so they can see you are serious. Tell them the facts, chances are the dog will be put to sleep if they don't want it.
Contact your local shelter - they probably have a spay/neuter program. If not you need to find a new home for her or take her to the shelter.
I think the most important thing to do is to get her "fixed" if you are worried about her getting pregnant. If you don't, in a few short months you might have more than one puppy on your hands!
If you can't find a good Pet Parent for your dog try calling some local rescue groups. They can help you or give you some good suggestions.
Nearly all of us have been in that situation with a pet at one time. Your puppy's age put her in the status of a baby/toddler that doesn't know how to behave without the proper time and guidance. Not every family has time to commit to raising a pet and it's unfair to keep her without that mindset. You just need to take control of the situation and to say you're "stuck" is just the frustration speaking. There is no situation that can't be changed. Immediately send out an email to all your friends and let them know you have a dog that is good with children and is free to a good home. Attach a picture, if possible. Ask your friends to share the note with all their friends for a larger amount of publicity. We did this recently for a friend who had young puppies and we had more people who wanted them than puppies we were looking for homes for. We were thrilled and surprised by the results. Good luck!
The first thing you need to do is get her spayed. Even if you re-home her, you don't want to have puppies to deal with on top of everything else.
Dogs are pack animals. They don't function well alone. Every dog pack has an alpha dog, and every other dog in the pack strives to please the alpha. Humasn are the alpha dogs in a pet dog's pack. If she doesn't know what behavior will please you, she doesn't know what behaviors will displease you either. Obedience training wil help here. It undeiably sets you as aplha in her mind, and lets her know exactly what behavior is expected of her, and what behavior is forbidden. Of course, that also requires time - you have to practice each new command with her repeatedly until she gets it set in her brain. But she will be a happier dog if she knows what behavior is expected of her.
Dogs generally engage in destructive behavior out of boredom. If she's out in the yard all day by herself, she's going to find ways to amuse herself, and you're not going to like them. Get her some chew toys. Can you spend even an hour a day giving her your undivided attention, playing fetch or something? Dogs thrive on routine - if she knows that she has play-time with you to look forward to every day, sh'e less likely to go looking for other things to do.
Some breeds are natural diggers. Terriers were originally bred for hunting burrowing animals. If she has any kind of terrier in her, digging is just part of what Mama Nature has hard-wired into her brain.
Sell the dog on Craig's list or give her to an animal shelter if you no longer want to care for her. Don't neglect her or put her out on the street - it's not safe for her or for other animals. Puppies are always cute, just like chicks are, but if you're not committed to caring for the adult, it's best to find someone who is.
Now, if you want your children to learn responsibility, then you could try reading a John Rosemond book and using your common sense, and leave them responsible for the dog. Give the 5-year-old the job of filling food and water bowls, and a teenager the job of walking the dog or playing with her, and the other one the job of grooming or what-not. And then, if they fall down on the job, have them clean up the mess and deal with it. Your children won't take responsibility for themselves if you are constantly taking responsibility for them.
