Can anyone rehome my springer spaniel?

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Can anyone rehome my springer spaniel?

46 posts & 30 voices | Started 4 months ago by SiB | Latest reply from pete68

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SiB - Member

I posted a similar question a couple of months ago and mentioned I was only thinking about getting him rehomed as the opportunity to work from home may arise which wouldnt make me feel as guilty about leaving him in house all day (neighbour does pop in twice a day to let him out for a wee but this isnt enough)........but working from home is a no go now.

He's a beautiful dog(Finn), fantastic nature, not a mad one but like most 8 month old springers he's a lively thing! Loves nothing more than getting close and snuggling in. And I know it shouldnt come in to it but he is a good looker. I've got two teenage daughters who he's great with and when toddlers have visited he's great with them too.

It breaks my heart to let him go but I just want him to have a better life where there's somebody around most of the time, where he gets more attention than he does at the moment (he gets buscket loads when everyone home at night), where ideally someone has a couple of acres of garden he can go and roam in whenever he wants. Does such a home exist? I just want a better life for him and want my guilt of leaving him alone as we go to work to disappear.

As I said he's a lively thing but like most springers he responds fantastically to attention and training, he hasnt had alot of training but fine with the basics and heels well on a lead. He gets two good walks a day over open fields and I can let him out of my sight knowing he will come back when called (without the need for a treat these days!).

I dont like this feeling of thinking I've failed him but I just want him to have a more interactive life where somebody is around most of the time. Oh dear, fighting back the tears here as its the last thing I want to do but know its for the best, I just want him to have a more fulfilling life, do whats best for him.

Posted 4 months ago #
DezB - Member

Feel for you mate.

Where are you based?

*wonders if could cope with 2 dogs*

Posted 4 months ago #
stevious - Member

Can't help I'm afraid, but your post might be more successful if you mention where you're based and add in some photos.

Posted 4 months ago #
Wiksey - Member

Knowing whereabout in the country you are might help?

Posted 4 months ago #
don simon - Member

Good luck. Not an easy decision to make.

Posted 4 months ago #
SiB - Member

I live on the Wirral (penninsula between north wales and liverpool).

All I've got are photos on my phone...can I upload direct from phone without flickr etc?

Posted 4 months ago #
sugdenr - Member

Oh cripes, that is sooooo tempting. Kids and wife are pestering me like mad, love spaniels and they are so trainable. Have you trained him at all?

[Edit: must remember to read all OP - question answered]

Posted 4 months ago #
DezB - Member

Phew. Too far away to consider!

Posted 4 months ago #
oddjob - Member

Glad you're not in Denmark, otherwise I'd have trouble saying no

Posted 4 months ago #
porter_jamie - Member

have you considered a dog walker? we use one, she is amazing. our dog has a good 2 hours running around with his friends in the middle of the day, and has a good kip until we come home.

Posted 4 months ago #
corroded - Member

Phew. Too far away to consider!

Ditto. But hope you find him a great new home. A trail dog in the making perhaps.

Posted 4 months ago #
sharkbait - Member

I've asked a mate of mine (Chester), might not come to anything.

Posted 4 months ago #
SiB - Member

He's good at 'sit' 'down' 'stay' and recall, could be better though, I'm not going to lie, he's an 8 month old springer that could be trained alot more! If in a confined space (indoors) he's great at these basic commands, may need telling twice (shouting at!) if he's running round the fields with his nose to the ground following a scent! Again, its a time issue.....would love to be at home to train him to a high standard. He's certainly responsive and like most springers is very attentive and enjoys attention (training).

Posted 4 months ago #
SiB - Member

I know money shouldnt come in to it but I'm afraid it does.....£10/day for dog walker soon adds up. I've also got a Spanish Water Dog, Lola, but she's a lot more mellow and seems content to lay around all day, never felt guilty about leaving her maybe because she's not as active although she can run all day.

And yes, feel very guilty as Finn and Lola are 'best of mates', worried how it will affect her if Finn goes?

Posted 4 months ago #
carlphillips - Member

I've been toying with the idea of a playmate for my choccy lab for a while now....

mmmmuuuuuust resiiiiiiissssst....

pics WILL help

Posted 4 months ago #
mysterymove - Member

Gutted for you

£10 a day? we pay £5 for 1/2 hour twice a week for our 18 month old springer, this is enough to keep him out of trouble. (he does get loads of walks from us on top of this though!) It may be worth looking into...

Posted 4 months ago #
BoardinBob - Member

It breaks my heart to let him go but I just want him to have a better life where there's somebody around most of the time, where he gets more attention than he does at the moment

I think you got this advice before, but dogs sleep most of the day. My spaniel certainly does. Leaving them at home during the day is no big thing as long as they get a good walk before and after with bigger walks at the weekend.

In fact, I think my dog gets the hump when either me or the missus are at home during the day as that's his alone time.

Posted 4 months ago #
Mantastic - Member

I agree with Bob. I have a collie cross and a Springer Spaniel they spend the day chilling. They get really hacked off with having their daily routine messed about with.

Mine live in the conservatory and have the door into the garden open during the summer and a dog flap in one of the panels for winter use.

Isnt there any chance you can get some access he can negociate for him into the garden?

Posted 4 months ago #
catflees - Member

Just down the road from you and looking at rehoming a dog, how is he with cats?

Posted 4 months ago #
headfirst - Member

I think you got this advice before, but dogs sleep most of the day. My spaniel certainly does. Leaving them at home during the day is no big thing as long as they get a good walk before and after with bigger walks at the weekend.

In fact, I think my dog gets the hump when either me or the missus are at home during the day as that's his alone time.

And on this basis, my advice would be don't get rid of him, get him a mate! When we're around all day all week (xmas holidays etc) our two dogs put themselves to bed earlier as they're worn out from all the 'disturbance' through the day!

And IME two dogs together don't go for walks, they go for full-on sprinting runs when you take them to a big open space, so they burn off more energy each time and are happier for it. (fully under control before the usual comments start)

Posted 4 months ago #
flatfish - Member

Mail me.

Posted 4 months ago #
chugg08 - Member

And on this basis, my advice would be don't get rid of him, get him a mate!
+1

Although I think you state you already have a 2nd dog? Are you looking to rehome both?

I have 2 springers and agree with the old saying - 2 dogs are less work than 1.

Posted 4 months ago #
don simon - Member

Leaving them at home during the day is no big thing as long as they get a good walk before and after with bigger walks at the weekend.

I could agree with this, but each dog is a bit different. Mine was quite happy on her own to the point that when I was at home and the front door was open, she'd spend all her time in the garden away from me. Even when I was there, she didn't need contact or company. It was a factor in having her rehomed though.

Posted 4 months ago #
b r - Member

He'll have already got use to the fact you aren't around during the day - tbh I think you are worrying too much.

4 year old Field/Sporting Cocker here - his life is feast/famine depending on what we are doing, currently he's laid down knackered as my wife took him out while riding her horse - but he can just as easy have no contact all day (we have an outdoor run though), except sometimes for a neighbour who'll take him for a short (off lead) walk.

Posted 4 months ago #
alexxx - Member

I'm looking to rehome a springer to come and live in Morzine with me. I'm ideally getting my friend who is a professional dog trainer to work with the dog first whilst im getting his/hers passport sorted and then i'll drive back in spring and bring him/her out with me for a funpacked active lifestyle...

drop me a message if you'd like Finn to do such a thing

Posted 4 months ago #
SiB - Member

Catflees......he's fine with our cat (inquisitive like a puppy would be!) but not so fine with other cats. Im sure he would be though once introduced. Where are you based and would there be someone with him most of the day?

Posted 4 months ago #
Wiksey - Member

Hopefully by now you will have been persuaded to not let your dog go for anything, but if you're still looking for a home our neighbours are looking for a Springer. They've had lots of dogs over the years and are are outdoorsy people. Finn would have their 100 foot garden to play in and there's a way through into our garden (same length) if he wants to call on our 2 year old border collie (called Fidget) to have a play.
They're looking for a dog as their current dog (Toby) is about 14 years old and has really started to struggle with his back legs/hips. You'll know yourself it's easier to have a good overlap between dogs.
Anyway, if you are still looking for a home for Finn, drop me an email to "superwix AT googlemail DOT com" and I'll swap contact details with you.
Thanks
Wiksey

Posted 4 months ago #
sharkbait - Member

I still think that you should stick with it. If he hasn't destroyed the house through boredome yet then it can only get better.
When it comes to comes to stuff like this I think that STW is actually very good - take the advice
Where do you work?

Posted 4 months ago #
idiotdogbrain - Member

I'd agree with the advice above - have a 2yr old Boxer X Spaniel who is more than happy to laze about the house most of the day. If yours hasn't torn the house to shreds through boredom then I'd say you're worrying unnecessarily, especially as there's two of them to keep each other company.

Posted 4 months ago #
sharkbait - Member

ideally someone has a couple of acres of garden he can go and roam in whenever he wants

Let me fix this for you.
We live on what used to be a farm and are lucky enough to have about 6 acres of land. We've been here for 10 years and I work from home; although it's great to pop out for a wander around whenever we like, none of our three [working] dogs have spent much time wandering around the paddocks on their own.
They'll come around with us but basically they just want to sleep. As I type my one year old cocker is alseep on her bed in my office when she could be outside terrorising the chickens.
Seriously, don't beat yourself up about this. You sound like a great owner and, to be honest, the best place for Finn is with you.
Does he have an outside run? If not, that would be the one change I'd make.

Posted 4 months ago #
1981miked - Member

I'm sooooo tempted by this post. Been looking into getting a dog for ages now and between a springer and a beegal. I live up in Scotland and have a cottage on some nice private ground where he could happily chase scents and wander around! I'd also be taking him with me to work occasionally and be with him all weekend. I'd walk him at night and the missus would walk him in the morning. The days when I couldn't take him to work I'd get a dog walker in.

We get married in May tho and we're looking to do something after that... But this sounds great and a real possibility.

Email mikedonald@hotmail.com and we can take it from there.

Oh and my sister has 2 Wymaranas (probably spelt wrong) that are as daft as a box of frogs and I know they would love a play mate to charge around the fields and parks around with.

Posted 4 months ago #
bullheart - Member

For the record, the OP got in touch with me two months ago after the original post, because my Mother in Law was looking for a springer to replace the family dog that had just been lost to old age. The email from the OP showed a real sadness to have to move the dog on, and both my wife and I were impressed by his desire to make sure the home was the right one for Finn. I would echo the fact that my springer is very happy sleeping during the day, even now with my wife at home on maternity. Sure, he loves his nutter time, but that comes in the evenings and early mornings. Finn is probably the same.

Good luck fella. Whatever your decision is, the dogs welfare appears to be at the forefront of your decision making.

Posted 4 months ago #
Dorset_Knob - Member

Sure, he loves his nutter time, but that comes in the evenings and early mornings. Finn is probably the same.

I was wondering this. OP, is Finn actually unhappy? You don't really go into much detail in your post, but it sounds like he gets plenty of family attention when you're around.

Be a shame to lose him just because he pulls a sad face at you when you leave for work in the mornings...

Posted 4 months ago #
SiB - Member

Thanks for all your advice, comments and offers, its a minefield, an emotional one at that!! I am just trying to do whats right for Finn, he never seems unhappy. A coupe of days a week my eldest daughter is home by midday and gives them lots of attention (no walks though and wont, kids hey!), not sure what the signs are for an unhappy dog are though but he doenst seem it to me, always wagging his tail (not docked) and not destructive when nobody in. His welfare is top of the list and thats why Im being hard on myself about leaving him when Im at work. Ironic really as we got him to keep our other dog comapny in the daytime!!

I still havent made a final decision and I expect that everytime I leave him/them alone I'll feel guilty, maybe I need to MTFU?? And although I havent made a final decision my heart is still fully in to his welfare, couldnt be anything else as he is adorable and full of character.

Again, thanks for all offers and advice, I'm not just trying to string out this saga as I realise the sooner the better for any decision I make, and I dont want to give anybody false hope that theyre getting a fab dog. its just such a tough one to make and stick to.

Looking forward to weekend for long muddy walks and guilt free times!!

Posted 4 months ago #
headfirst - Member

I missed this post:

I've also got a Spanish Water Dog, Lola, but she's a lot more mellow and seems content to lay around all day, never felt guilty about leaving her maybe because she's not as active although she can run all day.

And yes, feel very guilty as Finn and Lola are 'best of mates', worried how it will affect her if Finn goes?

when in my earlier post I said get him a mate, oops.

I really think that you've created a problem in your own mind - he (Finn) shows no signs of distress with the current situation, so there's no need to change it! You would be able to tell if he was unhappy through his body language and possible lack of diet, the same way you can tell when they're sick.

Posted 4 months ago #