Am I wrong to "re-home" my dog??

I think if the dog is not getting adequate care, it would be better off in a new home. The kids will probably be upset for awhile, but since they obviously aren't that invested in the dog (otherwise they'd feed her!) they'll probably recover really quickly. You can contact German Shepherd rescue and they can help you place your dog in a loving home. http://www.asgra.com

How can the dog itself handle with another environment though? I'd definitely not take that out of consideration, if the dog would be attached to you guys it might simply stop eating after being relocated. Also how old are the kids, are they at an age at which you could hold them responsible for taking care of a pet like a dog (I'd say 12+)? Or are they youngsters which can't really be given the responsibility for it in the first place? If they fall under the first category and simply refuse to walk the dog I'd just give them a last choice and if they don't change then try it out with the dog, see how he likes it in the other home.

Dogs are pretty adaptable, if the dog will be getting care and love, it will be better off in the new home then in a home where it is ignored or not being properly cared for. If the boys don't make good on their promise, make good on yours. It will be good for the dog and for your boys.

I do not belive you are wrong to re-home her. I think it is very responsible. Do you relize how many peopledump unwanted pets?

Before you re-home her.....try this: if the boys have a bike..take the bike away unless they plan to take her with them. Its that simple. She shouldn't be neglected by them. It will take a little time..but it's not her fault and she shouldn't have to re-locate because they are not being responsible. Take something important from them..and tell them they can have it back when they figure out how to use their time more wisely. Dogs are so much easier to train than humans, cus their needs are quite minimal. I really think that if you take the nintendo, or the bikes or something important to them and tell them they have to spend half an hour a day giving that dog some exercise then perhaps they will take more of an interest in her. AND if one of them is old enough...tell them to take the leash..the dog and a bike (because she is a big dog) and move their keisters down the street real quick like or find themselves without transportation. We have a dog that would simply die of boredom if he didn't get to haul the kids around. He's Retriever/Husky. He pulls 300lbs at least twice a month. He halls the kids, the cart..harnessed to it. He goes ski-jorring with dad in the wintertime..he is my protector if I take him on a hike in the woods.(We live in alaska..mooses and bears are what he gets to protect me from here). He's my 7r old's diabetes detection service. Force them to make her more a part of their lives instead of forcing her out of yours..sounds to me like that would hurt both of you more than it would them. Tell them they have a month. If they can stick to their word and give her the exercise and a little more time than maybe things will improve. Pick a date..stick to it. Make sure she's in the room every time you talk about this subject. Give her a little more lee-way with the kids too. Tell HER go get the kids if they are sitting down playing video games..I guarantee...she's likely to unplug the machine..even if just by accident. Tell her she's a good dog for doing it..in front of them. We had to get our dog to instigate playtime with our 7yr old. (He's diabetic and when he is high he needs to play but would prefer not to). SO, we taught our dog to "get him". Simply means the dog does everything he knows how to instigate a wrestling match, tug of war, or just tag. The dog learned how to play hide and seek for goodness sake..from the kids!!! He is now trying to master soccer (teaching a dog to kick a ball is interesting but he so wants to play...)Anyhoo, I suggest you make this the kids' fault..I can tell you don't want to give her up. She's your pet too. If after a month she isn't getting the attention at least at an improved level. (Like say its up to three times a week they take her on a run or something) Make sure they understand what kind of deadline you are setting. This isn't about them..it's about the health, happiness and welfare of your dog..and ask them if they would like to be cooped up all the time without anyone to play with. By the way, my dog is 8years old and thinks he is about 4. Gets super offended at being called old..and if we challenge his brain..he steps up and learns. Kids, you have to cajole a little more. Usually takes a little more convincing LOL...so..I suggest you convince them by taking things from them that they will miss. I will be interested to hear how this turns out. I hope that you don't have to re-home her. Keep us updated :) Oh and a suggestion...tell them they only get five days to implement this new plan.. and once they start doing it a month to prove that they are serious...if they just choose to ignore her anyway...then it is probably best that she go somewhere that will appreciate her more than they do. So no, don't feel guilty but feel like you've done everything possible. Hope this helps.

If its in the dogs best intrest to re house it then dont feel guilty. 1000s of pets are dumped each year because people cant be bothered to re house them so good on you for finding other options.. Where it might be hard for you to give the dog up and hard for your kids too, this particular dog sounds better off in another home. It may not be the right time for you to have a dog at the moment but this might change and then you will be able to enjoy having a suited dog to your lifestyle. Dogs do adapt very quickly to new environments as long as it is a good safe happy environment. I think its good that you have even thought about this option and I wish there were more people who would re house when they arn't able to look after a pet to the standard that they need.

I think it's probably fairer on the dog that she goes to a home where people have the time and inclination to look after her properly and spend time with her. I know your kids might be upset but maybe giving them a final ultimatum might be enough motivation for them to do their fair share of looking after her.

No, you should feel guilty for re homing your pet dog. You sound like a very responsible person. Who is thinking more of the animals sake than your own or your kids. If I was in your situation I would tell the kids one more time if they don't help out the dog is gone. Than follow through it. Don't get another dog if they beg or plead they will help out either. Because 9 times out of 10 they won't. It will be all you.....I do think you are doing the right thing.

Hi mzz if the boys arent taking care of the dog then yes you should find her another home. Your are right to do that. Animals need to be taking care of and its not right to own one if you dont.

If its in the best interests of the dog, and she is going to be loved and cared for , Why not ? Although it is a shame that she has to be rehomed.

I dont think i could do it, its a hard topic because if your children are not caring for her then she should be in a place where she is loved and fed watered and what not but then again shes been through the stress of going to a new home and having her go through that again is not nice i mean put it into perspective would you like to be picked up and placed in a new home right now? so yea i wouldnt do it but threaten to do it and if they still dont take her to a friends for a day and then bring her back and say that if they dont do it they will loose her permenantly thats how i would handle it

i'd tell your boys they have one week to prove to you they really want to keep their pet. That means they feed,water,walk and clean up after her. If they dont live up to that promise then re-home her. She deserves to be in a situation where she is getting the attention she needs to. Then maybe your boys can visit her.