rehoming Oliver

[Michele]

Can I just ask, was Oliver bought with the whole consent of the family, or were some of them against it?

[Oliver21508]

My brother was against him, and it really shows. My parents wanted another dog, but I think they'd thought it would be like our old dog, who was the soppiest, dopiest thing you'd ever seen and no trouble whatsoever. They just didn't realise what they were getting into I think. I was the main push for a dog, and my parents keep telling me that and use it in arguments.

[Michele]

That's a real shame  I do wonder however hard you try you are going to have an uphill struggle. All dogs are different and to expect Ollie to be like your old one is unrealistic. Did they have the other dog from a pup as all of Ollie's "problems" are him just being a puppy, but also because he's receiving mixed messages. As was said very early on, until you all 'sing the same song' training Ollie will be hard.

I have no doubt though that one day when you have a dog solely for yourself (or with a partner) that you will work hard and do your best for him/her.

[Cotswold Girl]

As a rehoming co-ordinator one of the things I do is talk to people who are looking for new dogs and organise all the checks etc. What is vital to me is that the WHOLE family are committed to the family. If anyone in the family is not sure then I will not rehome a NESSR dog to them.

I am not sure how old you are but a dog is a huge responsibility that can last for 15 years ... I know in my late teens and twenties my life changed so much and as much as I wanted a dog of my own I put it off until I was settled and ready for the committment.

A puppy was never going to be like an old dog even if it was the same breed. Our oldie still has alot of energy but she is not really that demanding ... in contrast in september I had a sprocker pup the same age as Oliver and he was knackering ... great fun but sooooooo demanding and such a baby.

Hopefully his breeder will be helpful but sometimes I know they are not so if you want to give me a call feel free to PM me I am happy to have a chat with you. I don't think anyone is angry or upset with you they are just trying to help you and Oliver.

[PennyB]

Sometimes you can't guarantee how a puppy will turn out as it depends on their parentage as well as their upbringing. Puppies trained postively from a young age with confidence etc. can turn out differently than may be say a similar pup who has had no training or is trained very badly.

In hindsight it may have been better for your parents to have got a young adult rescue dog that was already mature and calmer than a puppy as most if not all can be hard work plus sometimes you forget how difficult puppies are if its been a long time since they had one, plus the breed is not always the easest if you're nto set up for one.

When taking on any dog a new owner should consider the breed and research how you will walk the dog if you don't live near a park or similar open space --- I even chose my house on the basis of closeness to offlead walks (and safety of the cats). Daft as it may seem I assume you have looked to see if there are any closer open spaces so may be he can get more out of his walks more often (I use ordnance survey maps to look for different places to go with my two).

May be also do some training exercises as well rather than just walking him when out and about --- I used to walk mine then may be do a 20min session outside the house and round the block (I also used a 3-way training lead as well).

Every dog is different (even among the same breed) and may be your parents should try to get out of the mindset of their other dog as this is also holding you all back --- think of the present and towards the future and not the past.

Dogs can go on public transport and I know my dog trainer will tell you I was often one of the only ones who would turn up on rainy nights even though I was the only one who used public transport --- I had two trains to catch (shortish journeys though) and then a walk to get to them (or I used the bus the whole way!), and later on when it was lighter and they were older I would catch the train 10 min up the valley and then walk for 45-1h to get to the class along a trail where I practised recall all the way (when they were younger I would carry them part way if necessary).

Even now I go all over the place by bus/train with my two (they both travel free) and go off to agility training when i can or just to walk them somewhere different. Plus its fun using public transport with a dog as its amazing how mnay people talk to you plus its good socialising for your dog. Not being near somewhere or not having a car or someone to give you a lift shouldn't be a barrier.

[Henshallboys]

I really think you should look at re homing now....I think a few of us may not have realised that you are not the head of the family.  You must have the full co operation of the whole household to provide a stable environment for Oliver and commitment from everyone, I don't think this is the right time for you to have a dog at the moment.  Please look sensibly at re-homing. 

[Hurtwood Dogs]

If you are going to rehome, now might be a better time than after Christmas too as there may well be a lot of unwanted puppies around then and Ollie will possibly also be hitting the teenage years at that time..

Ollie's long term future in your household seems very unstable too as you are at an age where you will soon start working full time or leave home - is now really the right time to have an active working breed pup?

[minimoo]

have you thought what would happen in a couple of years time, if say you meet someone or leave home, im only asking as a lady i work withs daughter insisted on getting a bulldog puppy when she was 18, then met a bloke who she moved in with and took the dog with her to rented accomodation , she then bought a 6 yr old bitch off the same breeder, a year later she split up with said bloke and moved back home with her parents,never has time for the dogs or walks them at all . she has now decided she wants to be a vetinary nurse and is going away to coll next year, she doesnt know what she will do with these 2 dogs,her mother cant afford to keep both as she also has her own dog  and she said to her mum, " i didnt realise i would have a different life and want to do other things when i got them " im not saying this applies to you but if in a couple of years something happened would your family keep oliver,by your previous posts i would say no , none of us on here want to sound horrible we are just mainly older and can see problems ahead for you,  

[Oliver21508]

I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.

[debsallen]

I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.

surely training classes should have been what you did first!

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.

Why see it as a last resort? It should have been one of the first things that you did with him. I've had 3 dogs and taken them all to puppy classes and ongoing classes throughout their lives. Why is it such a big deal?

This battle of wills between you and your parents is not the right environment to be handling this dog. It's beginning to sound like you're all more interested in proving a point to each other and 'wining' than actually owning this dog or doing the right thing by him. I'm going to bow out now too i'm afraid, these threads have become ridiculous and I don't think they are actually about the dog and I don't think you will be able to put the long term commitment and consistency in that he needs. I hope I'm wrong but I can't say anymore now.

[Joules]

I'm taking him to training classes, as I feel the only person my parents will listen to is a dog trainer. It's a final resort.

Why see it as a last resort? It should have been one of the first things that you did with him. I've had 3 dogs and taken them all to puppy classes and ongoing classes throughout their lives. Why is it such a big deal?

This battle of wills between you and your parents is not the right environment to be handling this dog. It's beginning to sound like you're all more interested in proving a point to each other and 'wining' than actually owning this dog or doing the right thing by him. I'm going to bow out now too i'm afraid, these threads have become ridiculous and I don't think they are actually about the dog and I don't think you will be able to put the long term commitment and consistency in that he needs. I hope I'm wrong but I can't say anymore now.

I agree too - I really think the best thing for Ollie would to go to a home where they can give him what he needs - ie a loving home with firm and consistant boundaries and an owner who has the time and dedication to teach him how to behave.    Sadly, I do not think you can offer him this at the moment.  I would love to be proved wrong but I doubt that I will be.   The very first thing I did with Coco was take her to a puppy training class - I am disappointed that you see this as a last resort 

[Magic Star]

You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.  Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much.  I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own.  I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already.  I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do

[Elisa]

You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.  Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much.  I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own.  I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already.  I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do

Here, here Emma. 

Good luck with Ollie.  Sometimes it's a case of "wrong dog, wrong home".  Nobody's fault, just the way it is.  Puppies are very hard work, and a cocker puppy can be very challenging.  If you do decide that rehoming Ollie is the way to go, then like others have said, it is imperative that a good home is found, either through his breeder or an excellent rescue centre.  I'm sorry your family couldn't have been more supportive of you 

[Michele]

You know I think the OP is trying her best here, I feel very sorry for her, she seems to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.  Wanting to do her best for Ollie and of course not having the full support from her family, I understand fully that some of you are upset and are thinking of Ollie, but I think some posts are quite judgemental and a tad harsh are not helping this youngster much.  I am glad you have had some helpful advice Ollie I applaud your courage in posting this, training a pup doesn't come eaily to everyone, sounds like your family are finding it tough, you are doing your best but you can't do it all on your own.  I think you need to think long and hard about Ollies future and I think by being realistic and considering all options you are doing this already.  I wish you all the very best with whatever you decide as a family to do

My thoughts too Emma