8yo Labradoodle, Wally, needs a home

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Hi Everyone,

 

It really pains me to have to type this because I can't stand to see my family dog go. My parents are very close to dropping him off at the pound and I just don't think that's the right thing to do.

 

My family and I have had Wally since he was just a puppy. He's a fantastic family dog that would do ANYTHING for a belly rub. Unfortunately, my parents moved to a home on a busy street corner and he keeps jumping our 4 foot tall fence. (and by jumping, I mean absolutely clearing it) He's the type of dog that loves people and other dogs and every time he sees someone pass our house he jumps the fence to chase the people down. Despite the fact that he comes back home, we have to find him a new home. He's had too many close calls on the main road with cars and almost causing accidents. He's also terrified half of the neighborhood becuase they see this big black labradoodle barreling toward them and they have no idea who he is or what he'll do.

 

He is THE sweetest dog ever and I just need to find him a good home, preferably with another dog and a high fence/not near a main road. He's a 1st generation labradoodle, about 100lbs, has soft straight black fur with white patches on his chest, face, and foot. He does shed but not a ton.

 

If anyone has any advice on where I can take him where he won't be put down, please let me know. We're in the Northern Virginia area.

 

Thanks for your help,

Leslie & Tanner

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I hate to see an 8 year old dog re-homed. This will be so hard on Wally.  Is there any way you could invest in an electronic fence or e-collar to train him to his boundaries? I know there are many debates about both devices, but it seems to me this is far better option than re-homing Wally.

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My dog Tanner is ecollar trained and he's an absolute angel. I've offered to get Wally trained the same way and they just don't have the money for it right now. We had an electric fence on top of the 5' fence at our old home and he'd jump it and run until it didn't shock him anymore.

[Katie and Sophie]

You can get the electric fence wiring and install it yourself for really cheap and its very easy to do.  It seems like there has to be a better solution than rehoming.  

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My parents live in a community where the HOA says that the fence has to be a certain type and height because they're at the entrance of the community. If we were able to have a board on board fence where he couldn't see people and dogs passing by then we wouldn't have any problems. Unfortunately we have to have the split rail fencing with "chicken wire" and it can't be any taller than 4' by HOA rules. Trust me, my family doesn't want to get rid of him but he's putting himself and other people in danger by running out in front of cars.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Laurie. There are doodle rescue groups and private all-breed rescues that you can contact, but it is going to be very hard on an 8-year-old to be rehomed, and to be honest, not many people are looking to adopt an 8 yr. old 100 lb dog, even a very sweet one. Large black older males are the last dogs to be chosen in any shelter or rescue.

Maybe your parents could get a tie-out and attach a long line, so he could run around the yard, but still be tethered?

I have a corner lot with four-foot high chain-link fencing on the street side, and I planted 6-7 ft. arborvitae evergreens along the fence. A dog might be able to clear the fence itself, but not if they also have to get over a row of evergreens that are 6 feet deep and 6 or 7 feet high. Maybe a similar type of shrub barrier would keep him in the yard?

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Thanks for your advice about the trees. My family's community that they live in has strict HOA rules and they can only put a certain type of shrub around their fence.

 

I've told my family time and time again that people will not want to adopt him. I go to volunteer at dog  adoptions all the time and the older dogs are always there longer than any other dog.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

I have to agree with the other posts. I think there are other issues and you are not being forthcoming. Having a dog for 8 years and then just deciding to get rid of him for this would be questionable. If you are honest you might have a better time finding a better home for Wally. 

I have only had my dog for 2 years and CANNOT imagine giving him away for ANY reason. There are possible solutions if you and your family are willing to explore them and make the needed effort to make it happen.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Leslie, I would also like to add if your parent's minds are made up, someone owes it to Wally to do better by him than just dump him in a shelter. You are right in that it isn't the right thing to do and  8 years ago when they decided to get Wally, I feel they made a commitment to him to take care of him and if that changed, then they need to make sure he ends up in a safe, FOREVER home, so he will never have to know the pain of being re-homed again. Karen is right...large, black dogs are often overlooked at shelters and rescues. I hope your parents change their mind and find another option, but if they don't, please work with a reputable rescue group to re-home Wally. They will screen applicants and make sure he is safe. Meanwhile, try and convince your parents to try some training options first.  Thank you for trying to do right by Wally.