Can we make a new rule on DK: No more rehoming discussions on the main forum!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I don't know if anyone has ever suggested this before but I'm just wondering since people aren't allowed to advertise puppies or breeders on the main forum, why are members allowed to come on here to advertise their adult doodles? It's particularly irritating when it's a new member who only joined for this purpose and will be gone as soon as they find someone to give their dog to.

 

I think there should be a group for "owner rehomes" so people looking to dump their dogs can go there to make all their silly excuses and the rest of us don't have to see it and be saddened by it. And people looking to adopt adult doodles can go there and sift through the 'advertisements". All of these posts about rehoming supposedly perfect dogs makes DK a very sad place to come to sometimes. I came here to see pictures of cute doodles to liven up my crazy day at work, and instead I see another completely ridiculous rehoming post that leaves me sad and angry. I'm starting to feel like coming to DK is like gambling with my happiness, one day all is good, the next day, sadness and frustration.

 

I really don't know how other members, particularly those who have been here a long time, have managed to deal with this for so long, but I'm asking nicely could we please find a way to stop all this rehomeing nonsense on the main forum and let's get DK back to being the happy place it was when I first joined. pretty please? :)

[Gail and Bailey]

Did any of you go to the girls page and see that she is only in her early 20's?  She has her own doodle and the one she was talking about belongs to her parents.  I think she was looking for help and did not know where else to turn.  She was not giving up her own dog!  She is trying to save a doodle who belongs to her parents. She can't be held responsible for their decision.  She was just pointing out things that she knows are not options in her parent's community.  I am not saying that there should not be a special group to handle these requests for help...but please realize that sometimes they are simply requests for help, not judgement.  I feel just as strongly as you all do about rehoming dogs!  I am going out on a limb here and certainly do not want to alienate myself from the group but I felt bad for this girl who was looking for advice from us.  The best and only advice we should give is to contact DRC and IDOG because most folks who want to rehome their dogs are going to rehome their dogs no matter what we say. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I don't think anyone said anything mean to this girl. Everyone did give her suggestions that were meant to be helpful and nobody was blaming her for what her parents are doing. BUT, The situation was ridiculous. The dog was clearly poorly trained and she made it seem he was an angel. That isn't right by my standards, and it made my blood boil.

 

You are right that most people who want to rehome will do so anyway and we should just point them to rescue. But I feel like if we are accepting, kind and tolerant of such posts without giving an education than more and more will come out of the woodwork and DK will turn into the craigslist for doodles (it already feels that way sometimes)

 

All I'm saying is the whole thing makes me sad and I hate constantly coming to DK to see these types of posts and I wish there was some way to better manage it. I think that's a fair request.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I went to her page and noticed her age and I felt like my response was helpful and I thanked her for helping Wally. I also thought the responses all showed concern for Wally and we tried our best to offer other solutions....long lead, e-collar, different fence, electronic fence, and tall shrubbery. I was clear that I knew it was her parents, although my additional comment did not post because she closed the discussion. I agree that most posters are going to rehome their dogs once they post, but I think it is our responsibility to point out that a 100 pound, black dog who leaps tall fences is going to have a very hard time getting adopted and hope she can relay that information to her parents. Training and an e-collar (which she was familiar with) was an option, but then it came back to the parents not having the money and if I felt they truly would go this option and not re-home that dog, I would be the first one to contribute to this cause. She also came on a dog loving website and talked about her parent's dumping the dog at the pound and later wondered if we knew where she could drop the dog off at a no kill shelter and anyone who has spent even a second on DK knows these are some huge hot buttons to push. Despite all this, I thought we tried to help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

 "She also came on a dog loving website and talked about her parent's dumping the dog at the pound and later wondered if we knew where she could drop the dog off at a no kill shelter and anyone who has spent even a second on DK knows these are some huge hot buttons to push"

Not to mention that anyone who spent even a second on DK would know about doodle rescue.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Amen. I don't understand her reaction at all. So you either ask for advice and help, or you don't. She did. And she got a lot of good ideas to pass on to her parents. So I don't get it. Everyone is looking for a quick fix and results these days. It does not work like that with animals. You are either willing to work on the training and correct the behavior or just just dump your dog. You can guess which one is faster.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I haven't even seen the discussion in question yet but what you say makes sense.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

If this is to me, can you repeat the last part :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry but I meant it for Gail and Bailey : )

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Oh Fudge :)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I did go to her page and what you say is correct.  Her doodle's name is Tanner and her parents Doodle is Wally.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that her parents "new home" is a retirement type place and they are now "too old, too busy playing golf" to deal with having a pet. 

[L.M.]

These people need a lot of direction....they want an easy way out, but if they really want to "do the right thing" then they need to consider DRC and rescue groups.  These dog owners "advertise" here on DK as if someone is just going to take their dog from them the next day and then they can wipe their hands clean of the poor dog.  Today's post really got to me....and I agree with you, Sherri...it took a lot of effort from me to not "swear and scream horrible insults" as well!! Maybe a group run by someone who knows the DRC inside and out can offer some guidance to people making these posts.  Of course, on the other hand, I completely understand that it would be a huge responsibility (it seems especially lately)..... but it does seem that maybe the main forum is not a great place for such posts, especially because lately it leads to fights and arguments between truly valued DK members.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I disagree, Sherri. I have not read the replies yet so as not to be influenced but I will read them later and change my mind if need be. We often get inquiries from people looking to adopt doodles and they too are usually new people. If they don't inquire they might not find a separate group. Things on the main page get a lot of attention and that's the best place, like the DRC/IDOG section, to get it. People looking for a dog will spot the post easily. Others can direct the person looking to rehome a dog to the right spot.

In the end it doesn't matter if we agree with the person looking to rehome a dog or the reasons for the request. In rare instances we can convince the owner to work things out and keep the dog. Otherwise the dog has the best chance of a good outcome if more people are aware of the situation. I get most upset by all the angry posts these rehomes bring about. To my mind it's main purpose is venting and maybe that's helpful to the person venting. It doesn't do anyone else any good. We can all choose to disregard any post and sometimes I do. Sometimes DK can be a sad or upsetting place but I guess it can all be fun and games since it's a reflection of real life.

If I want to be with people who share many of my views, demographics, and make me laugh I spend some time with my friends. But sometimes they too have problems going on that make me angry or sad. And vice versa. But that's part of friendships and relationships. It's not all happy all the time.