Help, need to rehome a dog :(
I fostered a dog who was rescued from a bad situation back in January. He's a rather large Weimaraner mix, named Mike. I may have posted his picture here at some point. I took him because his rescuers only did cat rescue and he was out of place, and my son was looking for a second dog and his story was so sad I knew I could make a difference for him.
I kept the dog for about 4 months and trained him and got him back to health. He was 25 lbs underweight when rescued, but he's 110 now! Not fat, just big. Mixed with Rottie or Lab or something, but looks like a Weimaraner, dark gray. He was a perfect gentleman after he learned to let us know he needed out. My son fell in love with him, but his wife was due to give birth, so I just kept Mike until she felt she was up to another big mouth to feed.
They've had him about 3 months, and it just doesn't seem to be a good fit. He has lots of very fine qualities, but some of his bad behaviors which would be a cinch to cure for an adult with no babies to take care of, are just too much for my daughter-in-law who is the one home all day.
Specifically--he occasionally poops in the garage instead of the yard, both of which he has unfettered access to through a doggie door (he has never messed in their house). I think it's because he's kind of prissy about his feet, but we don't really know his reasoning for using the garage.
Second, he gets in the trash...even though they have taken steps to prevent it. He foils them. They forget. yada yada.
Third, and this was the last straw, he snitches food off the counter. Today it was an entire uncooked roast. She just can't watch him when she's nursing the baby.
I can easily solve these problems by changing my own behavior if he were my dog. But my DIL is just not into training a dog and a 4 month old and a 4 year old at the same time. She is somewhat unwilling and somewhat unable. It's a bad combination of dog and circumstances. She gave it a good shot, because my son was so in love with Mike. My son is willing to give up Mike for her sake.
He's really good on a leash, very loyal, very obedient (as long as you're watching!), knows sit, stay, come and shake, and needs someone to be there WITH him. He goes to work with my son sometimes, and he is a very good shop dog.
Neutered, shots, microchipped. I'll transport! Please PM me if you are interested. I will need to check you out pretty thoroughly, because I won't send him back to a situation like he was in. Thanks for reading!
Karen in Arkansas
