Pets lack training. The main assistance I am with helping rehome dogs is training. Having trained for many years, I am able to help pets learn proper behaviors that will then enable them to be that well-behaved pet that so many expect. Just as important, however, is that the humans realize that any pet, or person for that matter, is not perfect and may have a problem occasionally. Finding Fido on the sofa when he knows it’s against house policy should not be grounds for immediate dismissal. Any training needs to be reinforced and continued. Seek the advice of a good trainer for help.
If you are the original owner or breeder, ensure that pup has a good start in training before rehoming. At the very least, he needs a strong start with his Mom teaching him house behaviors and should learn a few basic words such as come, off, and don’t touch it. If he is only 8-10 weeks old when rehomed, he will need a great deal more training, but a good foundation will help with that.
If you adopt from a shelter or another rehome, remember Fido didn’t get to the shelter by being tops in his obedience class! He will definitely need training and retraining, and probably a good confidence boost as he has already lost one home.
Lifestyle change. This one can be understandable or just ridiculous. All too often I hear how they just love little Fuzzy but now that the baby is coming soon, they won’t have time for her. Or the kids are grown now and we’d like to travel and we know that at 12, Brutus won’t be able to travel with us.
This is a good time to help your children understand that with life changes, all family members will be accommodated. Yes, you are moving out of state, but Fluffy will move with you. If Grandma passes and your apartment doesn’t allow pets, help find another home for Fluffy, rather than just a ride to the shelter. Also, remember that during devastating times, such as divorce, having a pet can help children adjust and be of great comfort.
Pets and babies have been together in families forever. Yes, your little furkid will have some adjusting to do and a bit of training prior to the baby’s arrival will help, but unless he is aggressive toward children and retraining is not possible, he will be quite an important part of your child’s life. It’s not an exchange; it’s an addition!
Moving to a new home. Please take your children and your pets! If you must move to a home that does not allow pets, give yourself plenty of time to find the perfect home for your furkid. But ideally, he goes with you and learns to adapt.
Not enough time for a pet. Ahem. I’m sorry, but this one usually makes no sense. Maybe you are a single person and your job suddenly begins sending you away from home a great deal. But in most cases, it’s more a matter that the owner feel the pet has become an inconvenience. Look for a home that has time for him, or adjust your priorities to include him once again.
Cost of pet ownership. Yes, this can come on suddenly. The loss of a job, immense hospital bills, or even extreme vet bills might be cause for needing to rehome. Some solutions might be:
Find a rescue to assist with costs until you can get back to a permanent solution. Then I would encourage you to pay it forward and help someone else in need.
Find a temporary home for your pet until you can resolve the financial issues.
