We're thinking of gettting rid - of our dog :(

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: I don't know what to do. I love our dog so much and I have always felt that it was good to have a dog in the house with a child. But he is too much to handle lately! Especially because DH and I have been going out of town a lot to visit family and we always have to board him. And just so you know, my dog is not friendly with other dogs or people unless he REALLY warms up first. We took him to a new Doggy Camp on Saturday to try it out and he almost bit the woman in charge. He was totally scared! So now we have to drive him into Denver (an hour away) to the old place because he's used to them there.

We had the dog before the baby and everyone kept saying that having a dog was a bad idea. And I would get soooooo mad at anyone saying this. But now I agree. I have to lock him up when I have playgroup at my house and I just don't have time to take care of him like we used to. Poor dog never gets walks anymore...and it's not that I don't go for walks, but I can't take both him and Wil.

I don't know what to do. I love my Owen! He's such a good dog...sometimes. I hate to say this, but we used to baby him (he was so spoiled) and now it just feels like he's a pest. I feel so guilty.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Awww! Owen is so cute!!

I know just how you feel. I don't neglect our dog, but he sure doesn't get as much attention as he did before the kids came along. I feel so bad for that, too. One day the kids will be able to give him more attention. He is a little dog (shih-tzu) and he was my baby. Now that I have 2 other human babies I just don't have the time to baby Uga anymore. (he was supposed to be a bulldog ) He is more of a pest than anything. I wouldn't get rid of him...I just do my best to care for him, the house, the husband and the kids....

Boys r us replied: Well, obviously you've got to look out for Will and if Owen is causing problems in the house or becoming too much to handle, then maybe it's best for everyone involved, Owen included! I'm sure you love him, but if it's to the point that he's more of a pest, then maybe you can find a new good home with a family that has more time to take care of him and spend with him!! I know you would probably miss him to pieces, so maybe you could find him a new home with some friends of yours so that you could still visit!

Boys r us replied: I hope you know what I meant by my post, I reread it and it sounded kind of hateful..lol..I didn't mean it that way at all!!! I didn't mean to make it sound like you weren't taking good care of him, but just that like you said, you used to be able to really spoil him..

coasterqueen replied: I have two cats, so they are a bit more low maintenance but I do know what you mean about spoiling them. Our cats were our world before we had children. They sat on our laps constantly, we petted them 24/7, etc. Now with two kids they don't get NEAR the amount of attention they once got. I feel awful and suprised they haven't packed their bags and left me. But I do love them even when I fear how they will be around the kids or how disgustingly dirty they can be at times.

You have to do what's best for all of you concerned and if that's getting rid of your dog then that's what you need to do. I hope you can find a good home for him.

mckayleesmom replied: Ya....but you have to be carefull too....if he doesn't like anyone but you guys and tries to bite someone, they might put him down. That would be the scarriest thing for me to think about.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: He looks like a shepherd cross? They have a tendency to be over protective of their families. sorry you are having troubles with him. Maybe you and DH can walk with him and Wil after dinner?

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
No I didn't take your post the wrong way. I do wish we could be better parents to Owen because he really is a great dog and he didn't ask to have a brother! I feel awful. I feel like one of those people who get a dog for selfish reasons and then get rid of it for selfish reasons. But Owen is VERY high maintenance. We've taken him to obedience classes and I've read tons of books, but he is the way he is. And maybe it's just because I'm in the house a lot more than I used to be, but there is fur everywhere at all times. I vacuum every other day! And mop! He cries to go in and out..every two minutes! And the fact that we can't take him to a boarder that is close to our house totally bites! The last time we went out of town, it cost us $495 to board him!! They included some shots, but still...that's like buying a fourth plane ticket!!!!!!!

No one close to us wants him because they know how he is! If I were to give him up, I would probably give him to the boarding place in Denver. They love him there and he loves them! But like Brianne said, I would be afraid of someone putting him down.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
We rescued him from a puppy rescue...so we think he's a mix between shephard and akita. Definitely Akita...that's why he is soooooooo protective! Loves Wil to death!

A&A'smommy replied: awwww (((((BIG HUGS))))) I'm sorry hun dogs are SOO hard to take care of when you have a baby!!

kayla's mama replied: Sorry your thinking about getting rid of your dog. Hope you can find him a good home.

mckayleesmom replied: Maybe you can wait it out a little longer....Will will be on the move soon and be a great source of entertainment.

luvbug00 replied: I'm sorry you may need to let go of your doggie. If you need to let go of the dog please concider a rescue over the pound. the pound will usually put a dog down after it's first show of hostility OR Better yet. try and socialize him. Akitas are very much protector dogs but gradual intoduction to social situations may improve the behavor. That's sweet that it's attached to Will ( he thinks it's his puppy!! )

Mommy2BAK replied: That is a very tough decision to make.

CantWait replied: I'm with you there. When we got Dusty, Robbie was older and could do a lot for himself. When Anthony came a long he didn't get as much attention, or walks, I get irritated with the hair, and he is over 4 months late for his shots because the money just isn't there I love my puppy so much, but I don't quite know what to do either.