Advice for giving up a pet

[NiX]

I have to give up my dog because my work schedule has picked up over the past month and he's becoming destructive because I'm never home. Maybe it's people going PETA crazy, but I've heard tons of horror stories about posting ads online for finding a new home for a pet and was wondering if anyone had any advice.

He's so adorable

[Krakrok]

I found homes for 5 kittens on craigslist. Maybe the people I gave them to chopped them up and ate them; I have no idea. Good photos help. If the people show up to look at your dog and they are scary you can always tell them no.

[Merusk]

Ask around work and ask your neighbors if they know anyone/ want a dog first.  If you go to church, ask there as well. That's how my coworker just got a collie/ shepherd mix that someone else had to give up for similar reasons.

[MahrinSkel]

Alternatively, get another dog, or a cat.  When I got my cats a few years ago, I deliberately got two, one a few months old and one a few years old, because I knew I was going to be working 60-80 hour weeks at times.  One pet, you're its only social contact, two of them can keep each other company.

--Dave

[NiX]

Ask around work and ask your neighbors if they know anyone/ want a dog first.  If you go to church, ask there as well. That's how my coworker just got a collie/ shepherd mix that someone else had to give up for similar reasons.

I've been trying for a month now because I'd prefer to give it up to someone I know. The only people interested are my college friends who have just as little time as me to spare, so it would just be one problem moving somewhere else.

Mahrin - That's the only advice I've gotten from people on keeping the dog. I don't know if I can afford another pet though.

[Baldrake]

Dude, that's an amazingly cute dog. If I weren't allergic I'd take him myself.

[angry.bob]

Mahrin - That's the only advice I've gotten from people on keeping the dog. I don't know if I can afford another pet though.

A second dog is a small cost after the first. It's pretty much a bowl and twice the dog food after you get the shots taken care of, your dog will be much happier (usually), and it;s a feel-good end to a problem. It's win-win-win.

[Viin]

What breed is he and where is he?

[NiX]

Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier and Duck Tolling Retriever. I live in Ontario.

[Viin]

If you want to send him freight, I might be able to convince my wife to take him. 

[NiX]

Send him and THEN convince her? Brilliant! I'd rather prefer giving him to someone I can hold some credibility to. Craigslist scares me.

[rattran]

You could always consider giving up the job instead.

[NiX]

Along with the job goes my apartment

[Signe]

Move in with a cute girl who works nights.   

[NiX]

Funny story, we broke up and she moved out

[stray]

I say give it to a girl or a family. Not to say that girls instantly make better pet owners all the time, but it's usually a better bet. Especially a lonely girl. Lonely guy would just kill him --- either that, or overflow his bowl with food and make the dog as fat as he is.

Uh, and if you do give it to a family, don't be surprised if the kids rename him.

[Hawkbit]

Talk to a dog trainer/behaviorist.  It's possible that you could keep him, if you're willing to go through their recommendations.  They'll likely want you to start kenneling/caging your dog right away.  Most dogs enjoy having a place of their own to sleep the day away.  You'd also have to be VERY committed to playing with him when you are home... walks every night, extra time on the weekends. 

Dog behavior is pretty malleable, if you're dedicated.  Most dogs can go 10 hours caged before they need to potty, and frankly, if you're spending more than 10 hours at work a day then you're missing out on life!!

Otherwise, I'd suggest a no-kill shelter.  Visit and get a feel for how the animals are treated.  My best friend's wife is the PR manager for a shelter in the Columbus, Ohio area:  http://cahs-pets.org/  Not all shelters are equal!!  Some give only basic care and keep them in cages.. if nobody adopts in 6 weeks then they're euthanized.  Others (like the one listed) only kill if the animal is unplacable due to aggressiveness or bites. 

I wish you and the pup the best... he's a cute little guy.  If we lived closer I'd meet him to see if he would be a good fit here at our house.  Then again, he'd have enough to do all day with three cats. 

[Yegolev]

Crate.

[apocrypha]

Argh, I could not do that! I've got two cats that I've had for ~12 years and if I was in the same position I'd be looking for a new job :(

Only thing I can think of that would make it possible would be if I could get close friends or relatives to take them.

[Paelos]

If he's young enough, getting a second dog will actually do wonders.

[Sky]

Or you could double your problem.