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Babies: 3 - 6 Months
NBR: What should I do?
So we have had our dog for almost 6 years. He is a ton of work, he has a lot of health problems and behavior issues too. He sheds a lot and pukes all the time. Now he has started peeing in the house a lot too. I just feel like our house is unsanitary because of him and I don't want do deal with it anymore. I really want to give him to a rescue but DH doesn't only because he says he's our responsibility. I work, have 2 young kids and try to keep up with the house. I don't have time to clean up dog pee and wash the couch cushions because the dog puked all over them. What would you do?
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Re: NBR: What should I do?
Whooooo boy. Be prepared for some flames on this one...
Before I answer, I feel like I need more info--you say that the dog has both health problems and behavior issues, but which is which? Has the dog been to the vet? Are you sure that both the peeing and the puking aren't health issues?
Oh he has been to the vet so many times. They have no answer for us. He is a french bulldog so they said the puking is because of his palet.
Oh he has been to the vet so many times. They have no answer for us. He is a french bulldog so they said the puking is because of his palet.
Oh he has been to the vet so many times. They have no answer for us. He is a french bulldog so they said the puking is because of his palet.
Ok health issues are:
- he has a disk disease which required a $4.5000 surgery and two other very expensive visits since. He is not allowed to jump on couches, beds and not supposed to go up and down the stairs. He is supposed to stay away from other dogs too because he might play too hard and hurt his back again.
- is is allergic to grass, if we put him outside on a long leash he is all scratchy and scratches himself until all the fur is gone, so he can't play outside.
- he pukes all the time, because of his palet. We have taken him to the vet SEVERAL times in regards to this and to multiple vets and no one has an answer. one vet told us once that he is just a "lemon"
- he is allergic to dog food. so he has to be on this crazy expensive stuff otherwise he will puke even more ( I am talking a couple times a day) in addition to the other puking because of the palet.
Behavior issues:
- he barks at everything, including leaves outside and then he pukes
- he can't go for walks because he tried to attack other dogs
-he has to be put away when people come over because he freaks out and barks horrible and scratches them and then pukes
- if he is barking at something outside and you try to move him away from the window he will try and bit us, including my toddler
there ya go!
Man, this makes me both sad and angry. I understand its hard, I truly do. But how can people just decide "I don't want to do it anymore". I don't get it.
So, you think the peeing is a behavioral issue? Could it be that you're not giving the dog enough attention or letting it out enough to go to the bathroom?
FWIW, I'm not someone that believes that animals have the same status in the family as humans. If an animal were causing physical danger to my child after trying lots of behavioral modification techniques, I would certainly consider finding it a new home or taking it to a no-kill shelter.
However, I don't think that peeing and puking fall into the same category, and I'd probably spend a lot more time trying to find a solution opposed to just taking the dog to a rescue.
If you're worried about sanitation with the kids, is there a room that could be off limits to the dog, like the living room, or another room where the kids frequently play?
ETA- I was writing this before I saw your response regarding all the medical issues...what does your vet recommend in light of all the medical issues. What is his quality of life going to be like without the surgery?
all of this.
Plus, what do you think will happen to the poor thing? What do you think the odds are of someone adopting a dog with so many health issues ?
Again, I have been putting up with this for several years. I work, take care of my kids and do household things I truely do not want to clean up puke and pee anymroe from a dog and I don't think it's sanitary that there is puke and pee in our carpet where my babies lay on and crawl around on. You can judge me and think that I'm a bad person but I live and deal with it every day
I'm sorry you're having issues, but maybe you should have trained him??
The barking and all that comes from not training. The aggressiveness comes from not training (in most cases).
I'm willing to bet that the peeing in the house has stemmed from attention issues with the new baby.
aaannnddd, this is probably rude, but..... if you are going to have a dog, train him. He doesn't deserve to be gotten rid of because you don't want to take care of him.
I will say, however, that the safety of your child comes first. Take him to obedience class and try to help him. Finding him a new loving home should be a last resort. Not something to do because you're lazy.
I know this sounds rude, but this is a touchy subject for me.
what does DH think? Does he care about the dog? Does he clean up after the dog?
This.
Google Megasophogus. (I think I spelled that correctly.) My sister had a cocker that threw up all the time due to this illness.
I'm so sorry that you're going through all of this. It's hard. I would probably be debating (like you) whether or not to keep the dog...has he actually bit your toddler? Or does he snap often? That would be the deciding factor for me.
Me too. If you don't want to do it anymore, then it is your responsibility to find him a good home.
Listen, I think when you make a commitment to a living, breathing being (like a dog) you need to honor that commitment, even when it gets "too hard" for you. Period.
Now, if the dog is biting the babies, you need to do something to prevent that from happening. You need to keep them apart. If doing that means the dog suffers and has a horrible life, then perhaps it is a good idea to find a new home for him.
However, I do NOT think simply dropping him off at a no-kill shelter is the solution. Thats not finding the dog a better life. Thats making it someone else's problem and you get to walk away scott free. I think you need to put some effort into locating a family that can take the time to be with this dog and love him for the rest of his life.
Have you taken him to get a second opinion?
Have you thought about making an outside area with wood chips for him? That way he can get outside and play.
My dogs are a pain in my asss, sometimes
. This has also included money to keeping the yard up to par with their habits, trainer and daycare. They were doing so well until Zaiden came along. We have found ourselves starting from ground zero with them. It's a process, but we decided to adopt them and they are our responsibility.
We did train him! We went to training twice. We do all the stuff they say to do, he gets completely out of control and then when I try to move him he snips at me or my daughter. He has never bit her, just snipped at her. I know it's a touchy subject for people and people get worked up but the bottom line is we have tried with him and I know in my heart we have tried.
He sounds like he has a medical issue. We had the same issues with our cat and she ended up having all sorts of badder and anxiety issues that couldn't be fixed with medication or behavioral training. The poor thing was miserable. We ended up having to put her down.
As for the hair just shave her. Our other cat sheds a lot so we shave her once a month. She looks funny but our house is relatively hair free.