The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [95]
A Sometimes, despite all efforts, things do not work out with a particular dog. Even though you have made a concerted effort to make this situation work, this is a case of the wrong dog in the wrong household. It is telling that the dog does not appear to have bonded with any of you. Perhaps he feels overwhelmed by the number of people in the house.
Your first option is to contact Buster’s breeder if you know who that is. A conscientious breeder will usually take back a dog who doesn’t work out, or will at least help you find a new home. If you did not buy the dog from a breeder, I suggest that you contact a collie rescue group. You can find one in your area by checking the Internet for a national collie rescue organization or asking local collie breeders to put you in touch with a group in your area. Breed rescue groups, for the most part, do a wonderful job of matching the right dog with the right home.
Rescue groups are most successful when they are armed with detailed and accurate information. When you speak with the representative, be as specific and as honest as possible. List Buster’s habits (good and bad) and the efforts you made to try to train him. Instead of staying in a cage at an animal shelter, Buster will probably be placed in a foster home with people who know the collie breed until a suitable permanent home can be found. It sounds as though he may fare better in a household without children or one in which there are definite daily routines for him to heed.
Don’t automatically discount shelters, however. If there is one in your area, call and ask if they euthanize dogs and what the chances are of Buster being adopted. Even if you do not surrender him, the staff may be able to provide you with some good information.
Another option is to find a new home for Buster on your own. Although feasible, this can be time-consuming and frustrating. Plus, there are no guarantees or assurances that Buster will stay in home number two before being booted out to a third home, or worse, a shelter where he may face euthanasia. Still, it may be worth the effort to solicit the help of friends and relatives to alert others about the need to find Buster a better home. There may be someone out there who proves to be a better fit with Buster.
Whatever you do, please do not place a “free to a good home” ad in your local newspaper. You are just inviting people who are not serious about adopting a dog or making the financial commitment that pet ownership requires. They may neglect Buster or sell him to places that perform lab tests on dogs. Finally, do not be in a hurry. Yes, Buster is a handful, but you want to place him in a safe environment and one that will last.
SNIFF IT OUT!
Consumers spend $1.5 billion a year on pet food. That is four times the amount spent on baby food.
GIVING UP THE DOG
Every year, millions of companion animals are surrendered to shelters around the country. A recent survey of shelters ranked these top ten reasons that people surrender their dogs.
Moving
Landlord issues
Cost of caring for a dog
No time for a dog
Inadequate facilities
Too many pets in the home
Dog is too sick
Personal problems
The dog bites
No homes found for litter
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS
I was fortunate in having the assistance of three animal behavior experts in the writing of this book.
PATRICK MELESE is director of Veterinary Behavior Consultants in San Diego, a clinic that serves practitioners, clients, breeders, rescue groups, and institutions with specific companion animal behavior issues. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Dr. Melese earned a master’s degree in zoology and doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of California in Davis. Visit his Web site,