Pets
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Re: Want a Dachshund?
Yes It will be a life lesson if I decide that another home is our best choice. I don't take it lightly and no matter how awful everyone thinks that decision is, it will hurt me. I know it will hurt my baby, I'm hoping my friend will take him on if we decide to get him another home so that I can visit.
I would contact the breeder first about taking the puppy back. Although it's not a good sign that you signed a contract that does not have a clause that the breeder assumes ownership/responsibility for any of their dogs that do not work out in the homes they have been placed.
I disagree. To be honest what was described sounds more like a small scale puppy mill. I tried to respond but my post disappeared. "Facilities" should not be breeding dogs. I think the dog would be much much better going to a rescue.
There is actually really good information in the FAQ about how to identify a good breeder and why it is important. Obviously this isn't the time for a new dog, but I think it is good information to know.
I disagree. To be honest what was described sounds more like a small scale puppy mill. I tried to respond but my post disappeared. "Facilities" should not be breeding dogs. I think the dog would be much much better going to a rescue.
There is actually really good information in the FAQ about how to identify a good breeder and why it is important. Obviously this isn't the time for a new dog, but I think it is good information to know.
I'm sorry then, I worded that wrong. It wasn't a puppy mill. It was a really nice place. Home. It was definitely a home. On a nice big piece of property. Their contract may be lacking, but the husband and wife that owned it were wonderful.
I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt LinZem, I must have missed where she posted that she got it from some kind of puppy mill/facility. I agree that it appears the puppy probably came from somewhere irresponsible. I hope the OP will learn how to identify responsible breeders in the future if this is the avenue she ever decides to take to get a dog.
I do agree that going back to the puppy mill is a bad idea.
Just because your puppy came from someone's home and the people were nice, does not make them good/responsible breeders.
Puppy mills don't always look like puppy mills. "Nice" people can run them.
Katie Talks About...
I agree. I think most people don't really know what to look for when trying to identify a truly reputable breeder. That is a topic that gets discussed quite a bit on this board. Like I mentioned, the FAQ has good information about reputable breeders.
But back to your original question, if there is nothing in the contract that says you have to return the dog I would still lean to the rescue personally. I think they would probably do a better job of screening homes.
I'm glad you feel that the place was reputable. I think there are so many "shades of reputable" that I admit I have difficulty determining which breeders are truly bettering the breed and which are close and well-meaning but not truly reputable. I usually use conformation (show the dog) and making sure the dog comes from championship lines (not just AKC registered) as an initial guide but I know it is more complicated than that. I adopted my pets so I don't have too much experience selecting breeders.
I personally still think I would choose a rescue to re-home. I would just have more confidence in their screening process I think.
Are we really going to do this?
How old was the pup when you got it?
What titles do the parents of your dog hold?
How did you pick your puppy?
Describe the health testing that was done on the parents of your puppy.
Did you meet the sire and the dam?
What was the application process like?
Just because people are nice and have a beautiful home doesn't mean they're reputable breeders, breeding to better the breed.
My Lunch Blog
Your possible program is only going to last 3 months? So you're thinking of rehoming your dog because you have a 3 month period which may make you be away from home for 13 hours a day. But you're not even sure what your schedule will be, or if your DH's pay will be affected. And if DH's pay is lessened you said you'd skip the school and take a job. So you've already stated either you'll have the $ for daycare, or you'll work instead of school. So either way, rehoming shouldn't be an option.
I'm all for being prepared, but I think this is a permanent solution, to a temporary issue.
If his pay is affected I will take a job. Then there won't be a problem. If his pay is NOT affected I will go to school. This is where there is a problem. I may be able to afford doggy day care for a couple months in this case. I said I would have to look over our finances.
If he does get the pay cut and I have to get a PT job I still will not have the money because I don't have a good skill set for making the kind of money we would need to make up for what he's losing.
I edited my original. I meant IS affected.
You won't need the daycare money if you need a job. You stated you would skip the class.
Still not seeing a need to rehome your dog.
So if your H takes a pay cut, you'll get a part-time job and postpone school. If your H doesn't get a pay cut, you'll go to school.
In scenario 1, you won't be gone 12-13 hours a day and can keep the dog. In scenario 2, you won't be taking a pay cut so you can afford a few bucks a day for someone to come over and walk the dog.
So why do you want to get rid of your dog again?
You said it much better then I did. Thank you.
I've gone from angry to very, very sad. This poor puppy
If I was in Colorado, I'd take him in a second.
He's a BABY. He most likely loves you and trusts you. Now you are talking about talking him away from what he knows, taking him away from what is safe, taking him away from his HOME.
My girl that I adopted was bounced around a couple of shelters and a couple of owners. It does something to them. She isn't that trusting of people. Even dogs need stability.
I would much, much rather have to come home and clean the house. I'd put Baby either in his own room with a doggie bed, toys, blanket, food, and water OR gate him off to a part of the house with those items.
My girl is too afraid to alert us in the night if she has to go to the bathroom, so it's pretty often I wake up to a small accident somewhere. We're working with her on it.
I know things are going to be tough for you for a while, but please don't abandon your baby. You say you love him, but at the same time, it doesn't seem to bother you to get rid of him.
Take the dog to a rescue.
Email bartonhounds. She'll help you figure it out.
This dog deserves better than you.
This, exactly. I just finished my undergrad in December. I live an hour from school and 45 minutes from work for both DH and me. I worked 20-40 hours a week (now 40+), DH works 6 days a a week and 50-60 hours. We have 3 dogs and 4 cats. We just started flyball with two of the dogs, and all three dogs get exercise and training every day. I am also actively involved on the board of a local pit bull rescue, and have weekly meetings/tasks to do for the organization.
I recently interviewed for a position across the country that would force DH and I to do long distance, and for him to be the sole caretaker of our animals and house for several months. Every decision we make is with the assumption that our animals are here for life. If you had a kid, or a parent that had to be checked in on periodically, you'd find a way to make it work. The same applies to making it work with your dog. I would also say that making that work for one dog should be pretty easy.
Keep in mind, that we're 21, and can hold down a mortgage, school, work, life, and pets. Is it difficult at times, yes, but we made the commitment to each of our animals. When I get home from a 10+ hour day, the last thing I want to do is go for a run with Bueller, but I do, because he needs it.
I get that this may be worrisome for you, but like Katie said, is it the best time for you to go back to school? Should you be looking at student loans to help get you through the three months? Are you able to save like crazy for the next two months so that you can afford to have a neighbor let your dog out to potty during the day?
Bermuda? Italy? Australia? I'm not following. I've always wanted to go to Italy, though.
If you're grown enough to tell people to go to "you know where" then you're grown enough to actually type out "hell". Until then, I will continue to guess that you meant somewhere like Hawaii, because surely you're not immature enough to tell a bunch of internet strangers that we're "so mean and judgmental" and we should "go to hell".
Snow!
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home DKatie Talks About...
IF????? I am sorry but good pet parents don't have IFs in this type of situation! They find a way whatever it takes to keep their "babies". Obviously this is not true for you, so that poor puppy might be better off with someone else who will try harder to make things work first before giving them away.
It does not matter whether you keep the puppy or not, the fact that you are finding him another possible home for 2 months from now, because you and your husband can't make sacrifices for THREE months is beyond ridiculous! It is not easy to give him away? Not buying it! Make the necessary sacrifices and prove me wrong then rehome him if after EVERYTHING you have done to keep him has failed. Geez! And please never get another pet. They do not deserve a mom like you.
I think I could squeeze into your suitcase. Just sayin'.
Your post says "Want a Dachshund" you can't backtrack now. That sounds like "take the dog off my hands right now" not '"if".
Wow, you are really thick. I have had two of my dogs for 10 years. They have been through a 1500 MILE MOVE, full-time schooling (oh I had someone come and take the dogs out when I had 12 hour plus days, but gee, I guess that solution is beyond your comprehension). I was married, horrendously sick with hyperemesis BOTH pregnancies. I have fostered three dogs - one when my son was completely NON VERBAL AT 2 years old and had a slew of doctor / therapy appointments. So, at that time I had one child, four dogs of my own and a foster.
While I was in school, I also had a dog that had epilepsy.
I also fostered a dog who was left tied to a pole and ridden with cancer. *I* had him for a month and was the one to put him to sleep because owners were too chicken $hit to do it themselves.
...and you are rationalizing that it is ok because you will find a good home? News flash: there are millions of dogs euthanized every year. When you just 'give' your dog away it takes away a home from a dog in a shelter. So don't even try to convince anyone on here you are not contributing to animal overpopulation or the like.
Now, I spend a lot of time mending to my 90lb incontinent collie who can't control his bowels and poops on the floor. You want to know how I manage it? I clean A LOT. I disinfect the floor constantly. I get up in the middle of the night to take him outside.
Because here is a novel idea, when I get a pet, it is not something that is just to enjoy 'in the moment' but rather, a lifetime commitment that you make time for...You think I am rich with a baby / a special needs kid and four dogs??? Hell, I don't even have caller ID because it is too damn expensive. It is called PRIORITIES!!!!
No one is going to pat you on the back and congratulate you for being a $hitty pet owner.
You will forever be my best friend. I can almost feel our hugs. I will ensure everyone will know (now and in the future) what a genuine, kind, loving person you were...I already miss your laughter and our daily conversations. I love you, Samantha. May 20, 1983- February 20, 2012
I have only read the first page, so let me summarize to ensure I cover everything.
1. You have a 7 m/o doxie you are trying to housebreak.
2. You have just moved to a new area and have no friends yet.
3. You have decided to go back to school, and will be gone for long hours.
4. Your DH has taken a huge paycut and you now cannot afford anything.
From what I have heard, doxies are not the easiest breed with regard to housebreaking. But since you likely (right?) did your research before getting this puppy, then you went into pet ownership of this breed fully knowing that. Right?
I get that life changes- for whatever reason, you have decided to go back to school, which is good, but it honestly doesn't sound like the best time. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices to care for things other than ourselves (like pets, for example).
Leaving your puppy in his crate/alone for 12 hours a day is going to be cruel and you do need to find a way to avoid that. That may mean scheduling classes around a play time/pee schedule, it may mean having your DH come home for lunches rather than work through them, it may mean figuring out holes in the budget that you can re-allocate to a dog walker or daycare.
There are options out there. But if you don't want your dog, then I hope you find someone a lot more loving and responsible to take him. I wouldn't want him to be such a burden to you as you pursue other interests in your life since realizing he's just not "good enough" by your standards.