** UPDATE ON PG 2 ** Dog behaving badly - what would you do?

Dogs DO growl as a means of communication...it doesn't necessarily mean he will attack a child...I have 3 dogs and they are dogs, not stuffed animals.  All my kids are under 5 too.

Dogs might growl if they are frightened or startled, playing even--don't assume the worst.  I think it would be a shame to ban him from a family, JMO of course.  He is beautiful, if I lived closer I would take him in a heartbeat! 

I think you are doing the right thing finding him a home where they would tolerate his antics, and have the time to exercise, train etc...too much for a full term pg lady, don't be hard on yourself.

pixie97:

 Because you fear that he could bite a child in the future do you think it's the best idea for him to go to a family with children? 

Well I sent her an e-mail telling her that he's uncomfortable with younger kids (maybe because my DD used to pull his hair and climb all over him when he was a puppy) but he seems to be fine with older kids. I would not give him away without a warning! It's the least I could do!

By the way I am taking him to get groomed right now and had to call his vet to fax his rabbies shot info to the grooming service and the girl who answered the phone told me that if it doesn't work out with this family tomorrow to let them know - everybody loves Cody there! She's even thinking about getting him for herself so he can keep her 4-year-old black lab company!! Isn't it great? They know Cody already and she said they would have no problems finding a loving home for him. That makes me feel so good - knowing that we will get the love no matter what

I could have written your post! I just recently gave up my soon to be 4 year old Golden retriever 2 weeks ago. It was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make. [:'(] In fact, I wanted to post about it, but was still was too emotional and was afraid people would think I was irresponsible for giving her up. A little background...

We bought Niya as a puppy. I flew clear across the US to Niagara Falls, Canada to buy her. She was a light colored show quality English Golden Retreiver and I loved her to pieces. She was VERY, VERY high energy. We obedianced trained her. We crate trained her. We walked her. I even hiked with her. She was good on those days that she got her exercise, but still very hyper and out of control (would often run by and knock my 5 yo ds down in her excitment) when she did not. When I became pregnant last January, the hiking stopped and it was difficult to walk her as I suffered from a lot of ligament pain. Around April I began thinking about whether or not it would be best to find another home for her, but I really wasn't ready. I too, feel that when you buy an animal, it's a committment for life.

Niya was usually confined to the kitchen and only part of the family room. She hardly got any attention. When my baby was born in September, I knew that because I loved Niya so much, I had to let her go. I put the word out that I would like to place her with the perfect situation. I wouldn't just give her to anyone, it had to be a better life for her. In October, one of my friends was chatting with a friend of hers and come to find out they were looking to rescue a Golden Retriever. Their Golden had died nearly a year ago and they were at the point where they felt ready for another dog in their lives.

They have 2 older children (13 and 16) and the husband works from home. They came over the next week to meet her and we talked at length to see if this would be a good fit. It really couldn't have been more perfect.

Niya has been with her new family for 2 weeks now and she is doing fantastic. They brush her daily, walk her at least twice a day and she is really the center of that family's world. The mom has called me twice to teel me how she's doing and we have an agreement that when they go on vacation, I will keep Niya for them. I am happy to still be able to be a small part of her life. it was sort of an open adoption, if you will.

It was not an easy decision. But it was what was best for her. I couldn't be selfish and think about how it would make me feel, I really had to put my dog first and do the right thing for us at this time. My kids too were a bit sad, but they really did understand.

Good luck in you decision and please IM me if I can offer you any support or advice.

snakesandsnails -->> Thank you so much for sharing your story!! I can only imagine being with a dog for 4 years and then have to give it away... they do become part of the family. I feel the same way about Cody following me around the house all day long - with the pregnant belly I am not much fun to be around - without getting any attention or exercise that he needs so much. Our older dog is fine just laying around the house but not him. And when he does not get his daily walk he acts up and we both get really frustrated with each other. So I think that I am doing the right thing even though I know I will get emotional saying goodbye to my "wild child" And I also like the idea of "open adoption", I would love to get pictures and news of him once in a while!! Thank you for your support!!

Ok so this is our last weekend with Cody... We got 2 really good offers to take him: one from a child-free couple who have another young golden retriever and another from a mom who's looking for a dog to give to her 7-year-old on his birthday. Both of them live on a lake with lots of room for Cody to run and swim. DH and I will have to decide by Sunday where Cody is gonna go. It's such a weird feeling!! Now that everything is said and done I keep looking at him and I miss his sooo much already!!! (have tears in my eyes just typing this right now). I cared for him for a year, his 1st birthday was 11/23 and we even bought him a cake! Oh well I hope we make the right decision and that he will be very happy in his new home. It doesn't matter how much of a pain-in-the a** he is, I will miss him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awwww, good for you. Not an easy decision, I know. It felt really sad and emply around the house for the first week after our Niya went to her new home. Big (((HUGS)))

Thank you snakesnsnails!

We decided on the young couple with no kids... they have another golden (1,5 year old) and I think he and Cody will be great playmates! She's coming to get him tomorrow night, my DH is crushed because he won't be here to say goodbye (he's in Arizona for work right now)

I even bought a X-mas gift from us so they can give it to him.

Anyway I just took one last picture of him getting a squeeze from DD2...

Goodbye Cody!!! We love you and will miss you!!! 

He's cute!  Sending you hugs, I know it's hard to get rid of a pet even if it is the right thing for all

I got rid of our cat yesterday too.  It was hard but with a baby I felt it was best. (cats are filthy lol)  He went to MIL's house because my DH is convinced I will change my mind.  It was so nice last night to be able to sleep with our bedroom door open and not hurry to close it every time I went in my room. (I despise cat hair on beds).  I can take the baby gates down from the kids' rooms....ahhhh... I know we will all miss him but with Ava needing floor time without a mouth full of hair or cat litter it was best.

Do you get to still see him if you want?

 Awwww I am sure you are just heartbroken and I can tell you really love him.  I am sure he will be missed but he will love his new family and having a friend to play with!!!!  (((HUGS)))

two Tweens-n-a Baby:

He's cute!  Sending you hugs, I know it's hard to get rid of a pet even if it is the right thing for all

I got rid of our cat yesterday too.  It was hard but with a baby I felt it was best. (cats are filthy lol)  He went to MIL's house because my DH is convinced I will change my mind.  It was so nice last night to be able to sleep with our bedroom door open and not hurry to close it every time I went in my room. (I despise cat hair on beds).  I can take the baby gates down from the kids' rooms....ahhhh... I know we will all miss him but with Ava needing floor time without a mouth full of hair or cat litter it was best.

Do you get to still see him if you want?

Thank you! We have a cat too but he's so well-behaved that we barely notice that he's around... so is my other dog. Regarding seeing Cody I don't have any expectations because they live 1 hour away - although I would love to get pictures once in a while!!!

Michaela:

 Awwww I am sure you are just heartbroken and I can tell you really love him.  I am sure he will be missed but he will love his new family and having a friend to play with!!!!  (((HUGS)))

Thank you sweetie... Yes I am very heartbroken and feel like a "bad mommy" abandoning my pet! I really hope they treat him well and give him all the attention we can't offer right now.

It's done. His new owner just came to pick him up...

At least we had a good last day. I took him for a nice long walk (it's a rare warm day) and threw him balls after balls and played with him until he was ehxausted. Then we came home and I gave him tons of treats and chewys - hope he doesn't get a stomach ache... lol

I think animals have a sixth sense because the whole day he was snuggling with me as if to say goodbye.

I felt comfortable with his new owner and she promised me to send pictures and that we will meet at the annual Dog Walkathon. She is an animal lover and knows the breed well so I believe he will have a good life. She said his new "brother" is excited about his arrival! Now I have to deal with my other dog's depression now that he's on his own *sigh*

BTW of course he had to be naughty again today! He chewed DD2's mermaid doll and destroyed some more of the carpet...

That was Cody. Classy till the end!

Aww, sounds like he went to a great home. You always have to do what's best for the pet, your family and the non-chewables in your home. That's good they will keep you updated.

madlei:

Aww, sounds like he went to a great home. You always have to do what's best for the pet, your family and the non-chewables in your home. That's good they will keep you updated.

Talking about update, she was quick on doing that! Check out the e-mail she sent me today after I sent her his puppy pics:

"Thanks for the pictures, he was a really cute pup!  First night went very well.  Both boys and the cat all slept soundly on our bedroom floor.  This morning they got an hour walk and just got back from an evening run with Erik, they are very good on the leash together and are enjoying playing together.

Thank your husband for the manual for Cody, it was helpful to see the commands he is familiar with.  I don't think he'll have a difficult time adjusting, it seems that we have similar dog raising philosophies. Much of what you did with him is what we also do with Bender, especially the pack leader mentality and establishing boundaries.

Here are a few photos of his first night.  I will keep in contact and send more pictures.  Thanks for sharing Cody with us. I know it must have been hard to give him up, but he'll have a good home here and is doing well so far.  We're very happy to add him to our family :)"

Honestly I couldn't have asked for anything better

Aww, that sounds like a wonderful home for him!