Dog, Dilemma Keep or Not
Discussion
In May I was asked to look after a dog, won't be for long two weeks I was told. Originally there was two of them, I had the other one for a few days he went to the guys sister, although I volunteered to look after both, he went permanently to the new owner.
Three months on I have been told I can keep the dog or they can rehouse him with someone else.
Now I have become attached to him, he is a lovely dog even though he gets me up at 6am and has destroyed a few things around the house and although it will present me with some major changes in my plans my instinct is to keep him.
But, he was with a pal for all his life and he is not capable of playing by himself, he doesn't want to chase a ball, play tug and so on, although I have been trying to get him to. He lies in various places around the house and all he wants me to do is scratch his chest. Won't stay outside, although he used to with the other dog.
The other people have a dog and I am wondering if he will be better off with them for that reason?
Three months on I have been told I can keep the dog or they can rehouse him with someone else.
Now I have become attached to him, he is a lovely dog even though he gets me up at 6am and has destroyed a few things around the house and although it will present me with some major changes in my plans my instinct is to keep him.
But, he was with a pal for all his life and he is not capable of playing by himself, he doesn't want to chase a ball, play tug and so on, although I have been trying to get him to. He lies in various places around the house and all he wants me to do is scratch his chest. Won't stay outside, although he used to with the other dog.
The other people have a dog and I am wondering if he will be better off with them for that reason?
Some dogs don't naturally play, either due to their breed type or their upbringing. It's common, for example, for racing greyhounds not to understand how to play, because they don't really get puppyhoods.
Likewise, we have an ex puppy farm dog who doesn't know what toys are or how to play with other dogs (and doesn't really seem bothered by what she's missing - our two other dogs play with each other/toys regularly, so she does see it).
How old is the dog and what breed/type? Did he used to play with the other dog, or were they just company for each other? Again, some dogs are perfectly happy just chilling out.
You sound as though you'd quite like to keep him, but (as Fermit says) it is a long-term commitment and does affect your life. I can't imagine life without at least one dog, but I've been brought up with them since age 5, so don't really know any different.
Likewise, we have an ex puppy farm dog who doesn't know what toys are or how to play with other dogs (and doesn't really seem bothered by what she's missing - our two other dogs play with each other/toys regularly, so she does see it).
How old is the dog and what breed/type? Did he used to play with the other dog, or were they just company for each other? Again, some dogs are perfectly happy just chilling out.
You sound as though you'd quite like to keep him, but (as Fermit says) it is a long-term commitment and does affect your life. I can't imagine life without at least one dog, but I've been brought up with them since age 5, so don't really know any different.
Oliver Hardy said:
In May I was asked to look after a dog, won't be for long two weeks I was told. Originally there was two of them, I had the other one for a few days he went to the guys sister, although I volunteered to look after both, he went permanently to the new owner.
Three months on I have been told I can keep the dog or they can rehouse him with someone else.
Now I have become attached to him, he is a lovely dog even though he gets me up at 6am and has destroyed a few things around the house and although it will present me with some major changes in my plans my instinct is to keep him.
But, he was with a pal for all his life and he is not capable of playing by himself, he doesn't want to chase a ball, play tug and so on, although I have been trying to get him to. He lies in various places around the house and all he wants me to do is scratch his chest. Won't stay outside, although he used to with the other dog.
The other people have a dog and I am wondering if he will be better off with them for that reason?
Dogs take a long time to settle into a new home with new owners. As long as 12 months, maybe more.Three months on I have been told I can keep the dog or they can rehouse him with someone else.
Now I have become attached to him, he is a lovely dog even though he gets me up at 6am and has destroyed a few things around the house and although it will present me with some major changes in my plans my instinct is to keep him.
But, he was with a pal for all his life and he is not capable of playing by himself, he doesn't want to chase a ball, play tug and so on, although I have been trying to get him to. He lies in various places around the house and all he wants me to do is scratch his chest. Won't stay outside, although he used to with the other dog.
The other people have a dog and I am wondering if he will be better off with them for that reason?
So the not being capable of playing by himself and only wanting chest scratches is early days.
People think that dogs think like humans, but they don't. They think instinctually, so not having his 'pal' is also not necessarily a huge thing for him in the long run.
That's not to say he wouldn't welcome a companion, just that its not absolutely necessary.
If you want to keep him, keep him. Just ensure you're committed, obviously. But give him time.
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