NWR: Need help - dog related ***UPDATE***

Ladies, I need your help ... something.

My family adopted an abused german shepherd mix at the age of 2 or 3 in 2000 from the ASPCA and he's been with us ever since. However, he has terrible separation anxiety, which has only increased in his old age and since I moved out. He needs to be around people or other dogs and my family can't do either (small house + full-time jobs). My mom called me last night to inform me that taking care of him has become too much for her. Despite being walked at least five times a day, he still goes in the house multiple times (and locations) a day and has started tearing up everything he encounters. He has ruined all of the furniture, floors, doors, anything he can get near. He tears up the garbage and eats everything he can reach. She wants to bring him to Bideawee tomorrow because she just can't handle him anymore and can't give him the care he needs.

I'm so devastated. I am so attached to my dog but I am unable to take him in because our apartment does not allow us to have pets. I don't know what to do, and I am so angry and guilt ridden about this that I'm not speaking to my mother. My dog and I were best buddies when I lived at home and I'm heartbroken that my mom is going to give him up, but I realize I have no say in what she does because I'm not at home anymore and he is not my responsibility. She just can't do it anymore.

Is Bideawee a good place to bring a dog? I know they are a no-kill but I don't know much else about them. Is there anywhere you would recommend bringing a dog? Or ... is there anywhere you know of to bring troubled dogs? Maybe someone willing to adopt my baby?

I cried the whole time I was writing this, I am such a mess today and I don't know what to do.

UPDATE!!!

Girls!

My mom just wrote me an e-mail telling me she changed her mind, she just can't do it. I am THRILLED. We are going to take him to the vet, make sure nothing is wrong with him physically, and see about putting him on some sort of anti-anxiety medication to see if it helps. I've offered to pay for everything because I am so grateful I got my mother to change her mind.

I have cried so much in the past two days and racked my brains and thought of endless plans and possibilities to make her change her mind ... and it worked. Thank you for all the hugs, prayers and helpful ideas, but most of all, for listening. I didn't tell anyone 'in real life' because I was so humiliated and depressed, so it's wonderful to know you were all here for me.

Keep praying that we can get to the bottom of whatever is wrong with him and have him for the rest of his days.

Aw...Im so sorry for you. I dont know anything about those places but I really hope everyhting works out for the best

This is terrible and I am SO SO sorry that you are going through this. I have a dog and I was heartbroken to read your post.

Have you tried a trainer yet?

I don't know anything about Bide-a-wee but I assume it's a no-kill shelter? So, sad. I'll ask my sister, she works at a Doggy Day Care for any advice she may have for other resources. I really hope something works out.

Have you tried crate training him? My parents have done that with their last two dogs and it has worked wonders. It may be worth a try before giving him up. If all else fails, would you consider contacting a German Shepherd rescue group? They may be able to place him with a family with experience with this kind of situation.

Good luck.

I'm so sorry and I would be so mad too!

Bide-A-Wee is a no kill shelter but there is usually a waiting list to bring animals there. If you just 'drop him off' and they don't have the room for him then he may end up in the shelter down the block.

In my opinion...why don't you talk to your lanlord and ask if the dog can stay with you until you find him a home. Does your landlord live in the house too? Is there anyway you can sneak him in without them knowing?

I know this is a tough situation but your parents are going to have a very hard time placing him and if he does get placed he may not ever get adopted. Do you know of someone that can take him? Maybe an older couple that is retired and can give him the attention he needs? We had a yorkie when I was younger that did the same thing and we ended up finding this nice older woman who was retired and gave him a wonderful home. Ask around.

---

Posted by meg922

Have you tried crate training him? My parents have done that with their last two dogs and it has worked wonders. It may be worth a try before giving him up. If all else fails, would you consider contacting a German Shepherd rescue group? They may be able to place him with a family with experience with this kind of situation.

Good luck.

---

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!

---

Posted by MrsBlueRibbon

AWWW! I am so, so sorry! I really hope your mom reconsiders giving your dog away. I don't know how Bideawee operates, but I know that at North Shore Animal Leauge, which is also a no kill facility, it usually means your older animal will live the rest of it's days out in a cage. I saw their overstock cat room once and it broke my heart. Hundreds and hundreds of cages of cats that will never see the light of day for the rest of their lives because there are just too many animals that need to be adopted. I hope you can at least find another family that will take your pet. I am so sorry you are going through this!

---

It breaks my heart to go to North Shore...I can't go there because I will end up hysterically crying because I want to give them all a home.

---

Posted by nraboni



I know this is a tough situation but your parents are going to have a very hard time placing him and if he does get placed he may not ever get adopted. Do you know of someone that can take him? Maybe an older couple that is retired and can give him the attention he needs? We had a yorkie when I was younger that did the same thing and we ended up finding this nice older woman who was retired and gave him a wonderful home. Ask around.

---

This is what I would love to do, I am trying to find people now but I just don't know anyone. I would much rather this than anything else. I know these shelters are no-kill which is better than some others but still, I don't want him to live in a cage either. I just don't know what to do.

---

Posted by nraboni

---

Posted by meg922

Have you tried crate training him? My parents have done that with their last two dogs and it has worked wonders. It may be worth a try before giving him up. If all else fails, would you consider contacting a German Shepherd rescue group? They may be able to place him with a family with experience with this kind of situation.

Good luck.

---

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!

---

He broke out of the crate and actually broke the crate when we tried this a few years ago ...

Call a German Shepherd Rescue and tell them what is going on. They may be able to help.

Website for Rescue

What about a doggie day care with some extra training. At least while you are searching for other options this might help.

Did you also have him checked to make sure that it is seperation anxiety? Sometimes that drastic of a change in behavior could mean something else.

Good Luck!

---

Posted by anneandchris

What about a doggie day care with some extra training. At least while you are searching for other options this might help.

Did you also have him checked to make sure that it is seperation anxiety? Sometimes that drastic of a change in behavior could mean something else.

Good Luck!

---

He has always been a 'bad' dog, but it was when I moved out that he went downhill. Nothing my mom has tried has helped him. I just feel awful. She said she has made this decision over the course of months so I don't know how much longer I can persuade her to hold on to him until we find a better option.

Omg Im so sorry!!!

Have you ever tried a trainer? Also, how old is your dog?

Wow Im surprised after 5 walks a day your dog still manages to go inside the house. Ceasar Milan said ' A tired dog is a good dog' so maybe the walks aren't long enough? What about putting your dog on a tredmill if you dont want to walk for so long? I've tried that before and its worked...but twice my dog did manage to poop on the tredmill....it was funny lol

I'm so sorry you're going through this right now. It's still a loss of a pet, even though he's still physically here, and I certainly know how that feels.

Maybe you can look into Little Shelter in Huntington. They are no-kill, and I am going to be working with them for my donation favors.

I am so sorry, I can imagine how hard this is for you..
I really would try every other option available besides brining him to a shelter...even a no kill shelter, which in some cases can be worse especially for a dog with separation anxiety...tehy tend to go crazy, pacing, barking and then they are even more unatractive for adoption, not to mention his age is an issue.

First, does your mother have a tredmil? You can try that option, also doggie daycare is great for releasing energy. Does he have enough interestig toys to keep him occupied at home? I know once my boys toys roll under the cabinet or they get bored of them, that's when destruction happens..

Is there a dog park near you or can you set up a playdate a few times a week?

My FH built a tie out for his bike and hooks our dog's leads to it so they can run while he rides, that works in no time...

I am sooooo happy!! That is the best news!! I am such an animal person more than a people person and it broke my heart hearing your story (that's why I was trying to come up with ideas for you).





Please keep us updated on what the Vet says and how the medicine is working!

Oh sweetie!!! I'm SO happy to read your update
Glad he's going to the vet, I think a trainer will also help- the family can do a training session together....fun for all. GOOD LUCK