Rehoming Dogs
Rehoming A Dog
Rehoming a dog can be a tough decision to make. Many of us fall into the trap that only I can provide the quality of care this dog deserves or I made a commitment to this dog so I have to keep it forever.
Sometimes you realize you have too many dogs to be able to care for adequately. It's ok to rehome a dog!
Sometimes a dog isn't meant to be your dog. Sometimes the dog's personality or breed traits don't match you or your lifestyle. With any dog, there are variations in character traits and personalities that make them ideal for different types of people. A mismatch does not require you to be frustrated for the lifetime of the dog.
Despite what social media might tell you, not every dog who needs a home has been abused! A dog that is scared in a situation might not have been exposed to that situation or the context in which the dog is is outside the norm for when they usually hear/see/experience something.
If a dog doesn't work out for you, you have options. The first and best option is to return the dog to the breeder. Any breeder worth their salt will gladly accept the dog back and find it the right home. It is your duty to deliver the dog back to the breeder or make arrangements to get the dog back to the breeder.
There are times when a breeder is unable or unwilling to take the dog back or you don't trust them for whatever reason, only then should you consider other options. If the dog hasn't been neutered or spayed, it is probably best to do that before considering other options. Your next option is to find the dog a good home on your own. After that, options are breed rescues endorsed by the parent club then other rescues. You need to do your due diligence with rescues because sometimes they are operated by hoarders and puppy mills. Don't deliver to a rescue you are unsure about. Your last option is a shelter.
What about emergency situations?
In an emergency situation, call the breeder and/or parent club first. Do not get animal control or the police involved. This creates more stress on the dog(s). It also establishes a barrier between the dogs in need of help and people with the personal connections and information about those dogs. Dogs disappear into the system when this happens. If the emergency isn't permanent and you want to make sure a person gets their dog back, don't get animal control involved. This is also why rescues must be vetted for quality before going to them.
The importance of buying a dog from a good breeder is that you are getting a lifetime of support not only from the breeder, but their connections to others in that breed. Breeding is friendly competition, not conflictive competition. People collaborate and know each other within the breed. This is why the parent club is so important, it connects your dog into a lifetime support network even if you aren't there anymore.
