Heartbroken

[rockymtngirl]

I have posted previously about a dog we rescued from the highway - abandoned. We took her in not knowing her particular breed, etc. We have determined that she is absolutely a herding dog and we do love her. But with both of us working all day here in the city, she is absolutely bored/destructive and we think she deserves to be on a ranch or farm where she can 'do her job'. BF is heartroken - he has rescued many dogs in the past ( including our other dog we still have). We just really feel she is not suited to stay with us. Oh I don't want to take her to a shelter and possibly risk her being put down. We really want her to be in a good home and be able to have some say where she goes.

Any advice or thoughts? I'm almost in tears about the thought of letting her go!

Thanks all

Kirstin

[MYellowRose]

Ask your co-workers and ask them to ask around. I found a home for a pet goat that way. My best friend hubby had a co-worker who lived on acerage in the country that wanted her. She loved her new home and followed the woman around like a dog.

[CarolAnn]

Do you walk her? I love to watch "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan - (or at least, I did when I had a TV!) - and one thing he did was to make a back pack like saddle bags for the dog. They can carry a few pounds on either side as their "job" and it gives them a little extra work out during a walk. Working dogs love it.

Cesar also put on roller skates and had the dog pull him! Or if you can skate well enough, it gives the dog a run without killing you running beside him! Some good, hard exercise might just make this dog able to live more peacefully with you if you can't find him a home. Another thing he did was to get the dog on a treadmill. It really worked and the dogs loved it once they figured out what it was for.

If he's really active, he might also be destructive on a farm or ranch unless his energy is well utilized. Even folks on a farm don't always know how to work their dogs enough to keep them out of mischief.

[ladystar317]

:'(

Hugs,

*My heart goes out to you - I adopted a high energy girl, too. We're working it out!

*Some things that have worked - having her wear a backpack when we walk, having her wear a gentle leader when we walk (Shaina hated that at first, still sometimes weakly protests it, but she is starting to look forward to wearing it after 5 years, as it means she's going for a walk!), getting her into a routine, when she looks at me, she must be the one to look away first, going through doors first always, designating an area that is her "kennel," using kong toys, and more.

*I had to gain Shaina's attention first, then her trust ( which she only granted me after 3 1/2 years of consistency), and learn how to see the world from HER point of view, then be the strong Alpha she craves. Then she relaxes.

*I know you think a farm would be ideal, but it's really not, unless it comes with a motivated family/person. Agility is another way for her to "absorb" some of that energy, and it's fun!

*IF I can be of any assistance, just let me know! Oh, Shaina's dog aggressive, too, and we've come a long way on that one, yet are still working on it.

*Blessings... * * * * *luv, Jess

[rockymtngirl]

Thanks Jess and everyone. We have decided to work through this and will take all your suggestions to try out! Will let you know how we progress :)

[EarthMama]

Thanks Jess and everyone. We have decided to work through this and will take all your suggestions to try out! Will let you know how we progress :)

How are things going by now?