can a re homed dog have problems?

[pixieblonde]

ok if a dog is re homed 3 times is it likely to have problems adapting to the new family (there are no small children). The dog was abused in his first home and the second home dont have enough time for him so in the 3rd home will he have more problems? he had bitten someone when he first came into his 2nd home but he had fear issues and he has been in training classes and has become very manageable, but a border collie needs more to do being a high energy dog so would taking him on be a even bigger problem? risks and benefits does anyone know? or have been in the same positions?

[jules77]

Any dog has the potential to bite, and fear aggression needs to be handled correctly, sometimes by a behaviourist. It sounds in this case like it has been corrected and some ground work put in with the training classes. Border Collies have a strong herding instinct and not only need exercise but mental stimulation, each dog comes with its own unique personality, some are more laid back than others. If you have the time to commit to a couple of hours exercise and mental stimulation each day there is no reason why he shouldnt adapt to a new home. Good luck.

[boxtops]

I have never kept one, but I am told that border collies have a lot of energy - and this one must be very confused by now, being on his third home. Lots of love, lots of toys, lots of walks - these are energetic dogs, my neighbour has one - and hopefully he will start to feel secure in his new home.

[carmalee]

I foster for a Border Collie rescue centre and imo you are going to need some help from experts in the breed. BC's are wonderful dogs but their high intelligence and work ethic can cause problems - they pick up bad habits and behavioural problems just as easily as they pick up good habits and behaviour. They need a lot of time and a committment from the owner to exercise them mentally and physically. Having said that, they are a wonderful breed in the right home and if you are prepared to put in a lot of very hard work and patience with this dog I'm sure you'll end up with a loyal and happy companion.

[boxtops]

Btw, my neighbour found her border collie very highly strung when he was the only dog - when she acquired a second dog, the collie became a very happy boy and is now much more settled.

[daisya]

I would imagine that any dog pushed from pillar to post would have issues and find it difficult to adapt to new surroundings. It would need far much more care and time dedicated to it than a dog who hadn't been abused or treated unkindly. It would take a lot of work to gain the animal's trust but it can be done though a risk if you aren't prepared to work at it for the animals sake and it's the animal who matters in every case. Collie's are very highly strung in the beginning without having had issues with horrible humans. I think personally unless you have the time and energy to give to the dog and all the love in the world, you might find it a very difficult thing to take on but good luck to you and the dog if you do.

[riptide]

Well how would you like it if you kept on being moved around from home to home. Some dogs just have problems, normally because the original home did not have a clue how to look after the dog. It is normally the original owner that is the problem. If a dog comes to you with problems it will take time and patience to sort it out. If you do not have the time, and I means months, then do not take it on. Collies also need lots of exercise to let off steam. If you decide to go the whole way, good luck, I am sure in the end the dog will reward you with love and become a truly wonderful pet.

[daisya]

Agree riptide, just as I said too. Will take a lot of work but worth it in the end to give the dog a loving, compassionate home it will reward you with love and faithfulness to the end of its life.

[Postdog]

I can't really answer on this type of dog, but two years ago I got another rescue, and he was hard work at first. Didn't like cuddles, was possesive about toys and other stuff, and could get very aggressive - I had some nasty bites on occasions he turned into a demon dog.

But I made subtle changes about the home and over time he has changed so much for the better. He still growls and shows teeth when I cuddle him, but he will not bite. He lets me play with his toys too, and at night is lying next to me on the sofa.

The point I'm making is that they can change. He was very very close to actually being put down at one point because of the biting and aggression but now he's a different dog entirely.

[daisya]

Awww PD how wonderful, shows what perseverance does for an animal and indeed the owner who is kind enough to take a problem dog on and work with it to give it a chance in life. That's a lovely story.

[lankeela]

It is possible to rehabilitate a dog like this in the right home. What you have to remember is that this is likely to be his last chance, so it needs to be someone who is willing to put the work in and take the not so good days along with the good ones. Don't expect too much too soon and make sure the dog understands what is expected of him. There is nothing so rewarding as turning round the life of a hopeless case, but nothing so distressing as failing them yet again. Good luck if you do try, but quite understand if you decide its not the dog for you.

[notasyoungasiwas]

daisya, postdog and lankeela I agree with everything you say, wise words indeed. I have a resuce dog (part collie), poor litle devil was petrified when I first got him, especially of big men. He suffered, and still does, from separation anxiety which has caused many problems over the years that I have had him, but he's a happy boy now, knows he's loved and has the best of everything that I can give him. Worth persevering with a rescue dog in my opinion.

[daisya]

Notsoyoung, that's really lovely that you took him on like that and given him all your love and care, I wish there were more people like about you when you hear of such horror stories for poor animals. At least your little one is safe and knows how much you love him and no doubt he loves you back unconditionally.

[notasyoungasiwas]

Thank you daisya. I think there probably are a lot of people out there who care, it's just that we always hear about the bad don't we?

[craft1948]

My westie was a re-home, this was his third home in 2 years and he is very difficult to train, in fact 3 years later he is still a nightmare to take for a walk. He's also a very needy dog and won't let me out of his sight.

[notasyoungasiwas]

And people wonder why dogs have problems. Because of irresponsible owners that's why who pass the dog on from pillar to post. Two or three homes for a young dog doesn't give it the stability or socialising it needs. My dog, who was six when I rescued him, never knew how to play and still doesn't, he just has no interest in toys or balls at all. Sounds like yours suffers from separation anxiety like mine craft1948.

[ruthann58]

we rehomed a gsd x collie when she was nearly a year old we were her 5th home for the first 6 months we had a lot of problems but we persevered and she was brilliant once she learnt to trust us , we had her till she was nearly 14

[bimbo123456]

We took on a collie who was 5 months old. despite giving her all the love and attention in the world she has never recovered. I would only take him on if you live in the countryside and have somewhere to run him ragged. Preferably away from other people. Collies as a breed can be snappy so keep away from children at all costs. Good luck. Incidentally our Pippa is now 12 years old and still has the odd snarl at an unknown person. Particularly bad in the house. Go figure!

[masma]

We were Jetspoon's 4th home, the first 2 she was abused, the third neglected along with fighting and shouting in the house. She was 18 months old when she came to live with us. She was always quite nervous and got more so as she got older but.... she was the best dog ever (Coco's coming in at a very close second) I was always at home with her which probably helped. The benifits we had from her far outweighed the few problems. We had her for 13 years.
p.s. she's my avatar.