[Jay_Reemin]

I did this post over on mtbr too as these are my two sites I primarily visit...

A few years ago my ex and I picked up a great male yellow lab. I had him since he was a pup and have really built a pretty strong bond with him. Well the ex and I ended up parting ways and so did the house and yard. For about a year and a half now I've been managing him in an apartment. I take him out on a leash to do his thing, throw the ball with him (he loves playing ball) take him on some hikes from time to time, etc. I'm not sure when I'll be getting a house again, hopefully soon but I'm just not sure.

I'm curious if it's better (For the animal) to stay with his owner or to find him a home that will offer him a better life? (i.e. yard, maybe ranch, other dog's, more than one person around) I'm going to be taking a job here in the next couple of months that will probably consume a lot of my time, which means more time for him by himself in the house alone (which he hates) or if I'm lucky enough to get another house, a yard. I just know that Labs are people dog's and they love company be it other humans or other animals. They hate being alone. I love my dog, but I'm just wondering if maybe finding him a better suited situation might be better for him?

What's your thoughts on this? Can dog's adapt quickly to a new owner? I don't feel right finding him a new home but his life with me is rather blan, locked up in the apartment, and just plain lame for an energetic dog of his nature.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[BMXman]

well if you love your dog then the answer is simple...make time for him! Another solution may be to get another dog but that really depends on finances and space. I'd be willing to bet if your dog loves you he will be happier with you now then the possibility of being happy with someone else....a bird in the hand....D

 

[James]

Don't give him up, you'll be sorry you did. The relationship goes both ways, and it's really not fair to him to have to relearn a new family. I know my dog would rather be with me than with the backyard...

What about looking into doggy day care a couple of times a week? I know it sounds lame, but you drop him off, he spends the day playing with other dogs in a safe environment, then you pick him up, and he's exhausted from the day.

When the time comes that you have a yard again, you'll be happy you held on.

Just my thoughts, that's what I would do in your place.

JJames

 

[jimmydean]

Don't give him up, you'll be sorry you did. The relationship goes both ways, and it's really not fair to him to have to relearn a new family. I know my dog would rather be with me than with the backyard...

What about looking into doggy day care a couple of times a week? I know it sounds lame, but you drop him off, he spends the day playing with other dogs in a safe environment, then you pick him up, and he's exhausted from the day.

When the time comes that you have a yard again, you'll be happy you held on.

Just my thoughts, that's what I would do in your place.

JJames

I lost my Rottie in a divorce and my Boxer went to a rescue organization when I sold my house years ago. Both times I now realize I should have done anything to keep either of them.

 

[MtnBikerChk]

Do you take him for a nice long walk every day? Get up early and start walking him if you don't. It'll be good for both of you

Also, you said he hates to be alone - does he have severe anxiety issues? Do you leave the radio on during the day? Can he see out the window? He may need a friend if it's that bad.

Try giving him a special treat before you leave the house - maybe a kong filled with treats and peanut butter. Our dog practically pushes me out of the house so she can have her kong.

 

[James]

I lost my Rottie in a divorce and my Boxer went to a rescue organization when I sold my house years ago. Both times I now realize I should have done anything to keep either of them.

Amen. I'm probably coming up on a similar situation, and I'm not sure which way the dice are going to fall. We'll see I suppose.

Re: anxiety, I was at the vet's for an unrelated thing, thumbing through the Vet trade magazine in the waiting room, and I guess there is some new drug out that's supposed to help with separation anxiety with dogs. Mine is fine, she's crate-trained to boot, but I've seen dogs go ape-sh!t over their owners leaving.
I'm not the one to recommend doping the dog, but maybe talk to your vet?

 

[stevew]

Giving away my coonhound fvcked with me more than putting the family beagle mix to sleep.

Do whatever you can to keep him.

 

[Jay_Reemin]

Thanks guys, I love the bugger and would miss him dearly but I just feel bad that he has to sit at home all alone all day howling at the neighbor above...she doesn't like the howling too much lol... I'm going to enroll in some private training with a trainer and see if there's something I can do to help him out with the seperation anxiety issues. In the townhouse I was in, I had a huge outside kennel that I put together in the garage next to the window that I cracked. He was ok their for 8-10 hours a day till I got home. But he's been driving around with me daily for almost a year now so when I go to leave him at home in the house he just destroys things and howl's. I'm hoping to get into another house or townhouse situation where I have a garage or yard again, I think this would solve the issue of not having to find him a new home. I might look into that doggie day care deal, Colorado seems to be a great state that caters to dog's in this aspect. Now if we could only get rid of the leash law around here...

 

[Jay_Reemin]

Our dog practically pushes me out of the house so she can have her kong.

lol that's hilarious!

 

[PacificPointer]

Hey I'm a hobby dog trainer and check out what you can do with your dog http://www.myspace.com/pacificwhitedogs

Thats a nice dog, he should train well BUT remember "you get what you train for"........ check out some of the dog training kennels around your area AND ****** STAY AWAT FROM PETCO AND PETSMART******** they suck at dog training and will wreck your dog.

Train to keep the fire in him.... dont over train him ....and dont make him a robot.....

Here is a dog training site I hang out at........ http://www.teamhuntsmith.com/

one more thing.... do not use a clicker!!!!!!!!!

 

[PacificPointer]

Hey you have a gun dog and you have a nice looking one at that. I also have a black lab...... if theres only one dog to have its the one you got. keep him he will teach you everything he knows.....

 

[Jay_Reemin]

Hey I'm a hobby dog trainer and check out what you can do with your dog http://www.myspace.com/pacificwhitedogs

Thats a nice dog, he should train well BUT remember "you get what you train for"........ check out some of the dog training kennels around your area AND ****** STAY AWAT FROM PETCO AND PETSMART******** they suck at dog training and will wreck your dog.

Train to keep the fire in him.... dont over train him ....and dont make him a robot.....

Here is a dog training site I hang out at........ http://www.teamhuntsmith.com/

one more thing.... do not use a clicker!!!!!!!!!

Any suggestions on what type of trainer to look for? There's a ton around here.