You have a developing situation at home involving behaviour that is making the relationship with your dog difficult. It might even be a safety concern.
Should you consider rehoming your dog or call in the professionals to do some training?
A good animal behaviouralist or trainer (so called dog whisperers) will be able to assess the situation, provide a practical written program and step you through how it should be implemented. For the most part it will work too. Unless, you are not in a position to uphold your part of the bargain.
Committing to a training program is a bit like signing up to a gym membership.
You still have to turn up, every day and do the work. Over weeks and months.
Despite your very best intentions, if you don't have the time, skills, experience or support it is unlikely to work.
Meanwhile, your dog's behaviour may deteriorate beyond a point where it can be rehomed.
Owners should understand they are not failing their cherished pet by putting their hands up and admitting the situation is beyond them at this time of their lives. Owners are however, letting their pet down if they do nothing and allow a situation to escalate despite knowing something needs to be done.
Dogs are here for a short time but a good time. If they are exhibiting problematic behaviour like excessive digging, barking, escaping, fighting, peeing in the wrong place etc, this often is their way of showing you they are unhappy, anxious or depressed. Medication, without behavioural modification, is unlikely to work and will simply sedate your dog. Is it fair for you to keep your dog when there is a family out there ready to make them a central focus and give them everything they need?
We know you love your dog, but if an owner is unlikely to be able to commit to a long term training program (and do the work every day) professional behavioural support might be wasting valuable time. In this case, if you truely love your dog, let it go.
Should you consider rehoming your dog or call in the professionals to do some training?
A good animal behaviouralist or trainer (so called dog whisperers) will be able to assess the situation, provide a practical written program and step you through how it should be implemented. For the most part it will work too. Unless, you are not in a position to uphold your part of the bargain.
Committing to a training program is a bit like signing up to a gym membership.
You still have to turn up, every day and do the work. Over weeks and months.
Despite your very best intentions, if you don't have the time, skills, experience or support it is unlikely to work.
Meanwhile, your dog's behaviour may deteriorate beyond a point where it can be rehomed.
Owners should understand they are not failing their cherished pet by putting their hands up and admitting the situation is beyond them at this time of their lives. Owners are however, letting their pet down if they do nothing and allow a situation to escalate despite knowing something needs to be done.
Dogs are here for a short time but a good time. If they are exhibiting problematic behaviour like excessive digging, barking, escaping, fighting, peeing in the wrong place etc, this often is their way of showing you they are unhappy, anxious or depressed. Medication, without behavioural modification, is unlikely to work and will simply sedate your dog. Is it fair for you to keep your dog when there is a family out there ready to make them a central focus and give them everything they need?
We know you love your dog, but if an owner is unlikely to be able to commit to a long term training program (and do the work every day) professional behavioural support might be wasting valuable time. In this case, if you truely love your dog, let it go.
