Help, need to rehome a dog :(

[Tuckervill]

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

[Zen]

Sundial?
I already have two. He sounds like a delight to me, those "problems" seem so minor

[Tuckervill]

Yes, but a mom with young kids? And she works 6 hour days 3 days a week. That's when he's at his worst. He needs someone to concentrate on him. She's just overwhelmed.

I have two dogs already, too. He can't fit through my doggie door. My husband doesn't want three dogs. I don't either, really. But, he is coming back here if he is not rehomed by my son soon (not til after my tournament, though).

He's great with cats and other dogs (they have 3 cats and a Great Pyrenees mix, so it's not like they didn't know what to expect).

I gave her every out before Mike went to live with them. She insisted it would be all right, but she's never really warmed up to him. Can't say that I blame her--she's rather distracted with the newborn and all. It's just really bad timing.

Just trying to get the word out.

Karen

[badger]

If I lived closer and didn't work full time, I'd take him in an instant! My rotti (lab?) cross was into garbage and food snatching as well. He didn't poop inappropirately so much as he ate kitty poop!

I seriously need to look for a job where I can take my dog or find a better paying part time position!

Good luck with your search, his perfect human's out there for him.

[sundial]

Tuck, there's a weimie rescue in your neck of the woods. I've worked with this rescue on several occasions to help transport dogs to their forever homes. Hermine is really helpful and if she's not able to help, she'll point you in the right direction. Here's the contact info.

DOGWATCH
Doggie Day Care and Boarding
Ric and Hermine Wilkins
http://www.dogwatchonline.com/?home

Bentonville
102 SW DogWatch Ave.
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone 479-464-9DOG
Fax 479-464-9334

rhw@dogwatchonline.com

[Trek420]

Yes, but a mom with young kids? And she works 6 hour days 3 days a week. That's when he's at his worst. He needs someone to concentrate on him. She's just overwhelmed.

Granted she has the baby the rest of the time but just 3 days a week and not 8 hours on those days. Can they get a dog walker? Maybe dog walker/nanny combo pack

A tired dog is a well behaved or at least better behaved dog

[Selkie]

Karen - It's very obvious that you care about Mike and are disappointed about what happened. I'm sure you'll find him a great home, as he sounds like a wonderful dog. Sending you lots of good wishes. His forever home is out there, just waiting for him. In the meantime, he has an excellent advocate in you.

[colby]

It's too bad we're on opposite sides of the country... my husband would probably kill me but I would love to find a friend for my rottweiler-boxer mix, and ideally a friend that could run longer distances than she can (she's becoming increasingly exercise intolerant, especially in warm weather). She's more rottweiler than boxer, except in her play and to some degree the way she greets people.

Hope you find a home for Mike. He sounds like a good best friend. Good with cats, good with dogs, good on a leash... most problems are already solved!!

[nancielle]

I was thinking along the same lines as Sundial, looking into a rescue to assist with the rehoming of Mike. Sounds like he's been quite the handful for your family. Hope you find a solution soon.

[Tuckervill]

I wrote her an email lending my sympathy and letting her off the hook, and she was totally backpedaling about getting rid of the dog, for my son's sake. But I know my son doesn't want to get anymore tearful phone calls while he's out of town, for her sake. It's the Gift of the Maji going on here.

I'm going to back off for now (unless Badger wants to come down and get him) and let them work through it together, unless they really ask for my help. I'm just glad they love each other that much.

Karen