I have a big lab and he lives here in the back yard while I am gone to work and doing other things. He is left to entertain himself. I think he gets bored. He has toys of course and loves to walk to the river every day, but I think he could use a companion. What do you think about us rescuing a dog from the pound to be his friend? I noticed there are always a lot of dogs about his age and size in the humane society pound.
2007-05-12 08:22:57 · 12 answers · asked by happydawg 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I think it would be a GREAT idea, my Lab adores his doggie companion and is happier with him.
2007-05-12 10:46:36 · answer #1 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is complicated. You have done so many of the right things and clearly you love him. That being said, I think you need to look at the grim reality of this situation. He sounds like a fear-aggressive dog i.e. he bites/snarls etc out of fear, not out of dominance. He probably was never socialized correctly, possibly abused/ignored and there could be a genetic component in all of this. The fact that you have kids, another dog, trying for a baby etc and this dog has already bitten and drawn blood 6 times is asking for disaster. You are out of money as far as training him goes and you are not capable of turning him around yourself. Frankly, it's doubtful that he will ever be normal and trustworthy. It's possible he could be ok in a home with one or two adults that are experienced trainers/behaviorists that could offer him a limited life where he does not have to interact much with the general public. It's doubtful that any shelter would offer him for adoption;he is not suitable as a pet for most homes. Fear aggression is a very hard thing to change;much easier to work with a dominance based aggression. I know you love him and you feel guilty. But consider the quality of his life. If he were my dog, I would not put him back into a shelter environment. I would only give him to someone with lots of experience with a dog like this. And obviously, they would have to be told that he has already bitten several times. He cannot be around kids, other dogs and can't be trusted with people. I would not want to be crated all the time. Would you? It's hard to hear but a humane euthanasia might be your only alternative. Personally, it's what I would do if I had reached a point where a behaviorist was not affordable. And honestly, no matter how closely you watch him, it only takes one second for him to bite someone. It could be your kids' face. If you love him, do what is right for him as well as yourself and your family. Even if a shelter took him (which I doubt given his history), you will never know how he ends up. I could not live with that. You could call the humane society and get an opinion and find out your options. Tough situation but it sounds as if you have done what you can. Not every dog can be rehabilitated, unfortunately.
2016-05-21 04:05:00 · answer #2 · answered by marlo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course, assuming that:
-your dog is already well socialized to other dogs,
-you can afford to double your vet and dog-food bills,
-your lab isn't jealous or protective (labs rarely are, eh?)
Two dogs _is_ twice as expensive as one, but there are many advantages to providing a friend for your one dog. If the two don't get along, tough, you've got a disaster on your hands.
Don't expect your lab to be thrilled at first, because he's used to being the center of attention. Most dogs figure out pretty quickly having a dog friend is well worth it. Also keep in mind that, in the dog world, there's not such thing as Equal Rights. If you have two dogs, one dog will always be the boss. That is completely normal, and nothing to worry about unless whoever is top dog becomes overly bossy or (shudder) aggressive.
Why don't you test-drive the situation? Offer to dog-sit for someone who's traveling, or contact your local rescue organizations. Most of them are in constant need of temporary foster homes that will take care of their rescues until they can be placed in permanent homes, plus they often help with the bills. Then you'll have a better idea whether or not you want to make a permanent canine addition to your home.
Best of luck and a big hug to your dog!
2007-05-12 08:38:21 · answer #3 · answered by twosweethounds 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my sister got her first lab from a pound - then she did a lab rescue program and she became a foster parent for dogs until they could find them an owner - they got reimbursed for all the vet bills and only had to pay for the food - this would be a great idea because you could help other dogs at the same time and if your dog doesn't really like the extra company, you can stop after your foster dog gets adopted. she ended up with a foster dog no one wanted (because it barked - HELLO isn't that what dogs are suppose to do?) but anyway, she adopted her and now she has 2 dogs and they love each other so much and hate being separated for even just an hour or so...so yeah - i would get your dog a dog - they need friends just like we do
2007-05-12 08:43:16 · answer #4 · answered by booboo1283 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead. There's always some risk of getting a dog with problems, but if so take it back and try another one, otherwise they'll be put to sleep anyway, and you seem to realize things like the importance of getting a dog of similar age and size. Be sure you get one of the opposite gender also, and talk to the people at the pound an tell them what you're looking for and give them a little time to find one for you.
2007-05-12 08:40:37 · answer #5 · answered by John F 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely!! Shelter dogs are great and they really appreciate you when you give them a good home. I have a couple of shelter dogs right now and they have been fantastic. I have noticed that when you have more than one dog, they really help keep each other entertained and they don't get lonely or suffer separation anxiety.
I think it's a great idea. And you get to rescue a deserving dog!
2007-05-12 08:31:33 · answer #6 · answered by Shanna 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its not a bad idea but I have to warn you, introducing another dog into a single dog family may create more problems than good. I'm not trying to discourage from rescuing a pound dog, just consider all aspects of doing so. I know behavior issues have arisen whenever I have had more than one dog. the last time I had two dogs I got rid of one and the best dog I ever had emerged.
2007-05-12 08:35:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Never get another dog for your dog. Unless your dog can foot the vet bills, buy more dog food, train, exercise and care for a dog, another dog would be for YOU, not your dog.
If you have the room, if you can foot the vet bills, buy more dog food, train, exercise and care for a second dog, then by all means look into it.
2007-05-12 08:30:37 · answer #8 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its a great idea not only are you making your dog happy but your saving a dog! I've adopted 2 huskies from a shelter and they are such good loyal dogs!
2007-05-12 08:34:32 · answer #9 · answered by XGlaMkiLLedHerX 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes u should cuz i hav the same problem with my dog
2007-05-12 08:26:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋