So I've had my dog since he was a puppy. He's a beagle pug mix and while they are energetic they are also very friendly dogs. For some reason he doesn't see my wife as the pack leader and definitely doesn't see anyone younger than 10 as being in charge of him. When I'm home he's behaved but I'm gone three nights a week. He's trained and listens to me well but not the wife.
Mama bear says he needs to go since we have two small children and I agree with her but I want to find a good place for him to live. She's ready to drop him at the pound.
I've looked at rescue groups and I don't want to saddle them with another dog. Is there a website people use for this kind of thing or any other advice?
Find someone you know to take him is the only real answer here. I gave my pup to my grandmother once. I gave her (the dog) a job. Protect grandma. Thats what she does. A job is what a dog needs to keep it out of trouble.
In reply to Gimp:
His profile says: Orange County, CA
Strizzo
UberDork
11/16/12 12:39 p.m.
perhaps mama bear needs to let the dog know who is boss.
i always run into this when i go out of town and the fiance spoils the dog by giving her food from her plate, "dropping" food while she's cooking and when she's on the couch. when i come home the dog things people with food on the couch are there to give her something, so she wants to come take it off the plate. when we're in the kitchen she is always underfoot because she wants us to drop something for her. when we're eating the dog constantly nudges her for treats. when i get back i have to re-teach her that this is not OK. then when i leave again it starts over.
the dogs behavior is not its fault, it is the owners (your) fault. if you want the dog to act different you need to react different to the dogs actions.
Thank you Bumboclot, yes I'm in Southern California but could really fly the dog nearly anywhere to make sure he's in the right home. I'd love to find a family member for him to live with but my family tends to either travel a lot or not like dogs.
Anyone used petfinder.com?
Edit:
I absolutely agree about the dog behavior being the fault of the owners. It's obvious since he's much better behaved when I'm home. The fact of the matter is that my wife has two small children (one of which has daily medical needs) to care for on her own four days a week in addition to running her business. Our female dog is low maintenance but my wife can't handle the additional load of the male dog with insecurity issues. I wish things were different and training (for owner and dog) were an option but at times that isn't a reality. I love my dog and have a good pack leader relationship with him. My wife does not and will not have that. Believe me I've fought this for a long time.
Cotton
Dork
11/16/12 1:58 p.m.
what about medicating the dog when you aren't home? Something to calm him a little. Have you talked to a vet about this? I would hate to see a dog you've had since a pup get re-homed.
I tried some natural calming meds, the sonic anti-bark thing just freaked him out and made him skittish, a training collar is not effective unless properly used. Really those things don't fix the dog like proper training will.
I hate the idea of rehoming him too but he doesn't respect my wife and gets irritated with little kids. It's time to find a home for him with older kids or adults and a yard to run around. When my job didn't involve so much travel I did agility training with him and he loved it. I wish I could go back to that but my career is in major transition right now.
