In the case of dogs fighting, remember that if there is a huge difference in size between the two dogs the smaller dog may be severely injured or even killed even though it may be the little dog instigating the fighting. If one dog is constantly being bullied or kept away from other family members or family interactions, then the dog may be happier in a new home.   It’s always a tough call. Numerous times I have had to sit with a client and hand out tissues as we talk through this issue. I used to take the Owner Give Up calls from the Labrador Retriever Rescue line in the Potomac area of the US, so I thought this would become easier over time, but it’s difficult each and every time.

The good news is, in nearly every case where I have helped to rehome  a dog, the rehomed dog has landed in a very nice new home.

Oftentimes, out of guilt people feel that they should keep trying to make things work in an untenable situation long beyond the time that a trainer, behaviorist or their vet would have suggested rehoming. The injuries and vet bills I have seen are mind boggling! Sometimes rehoming IS the right thing to do.

I think dogs live very much in the moment. If they are in a new home/family, I don’t think they really look back and think about their previous house/garden/humans if their current situation is good. They are happy to see the familiar face of the previous owners, but in most cases once they have settled in, they do not appear to mourn for their old life.

By Amy L. Rapp