[Striker2807]

OK well at the end of February, early much I took in a lab/chow mix puppy that was around 3 to 4 months old with the permission of my aunt and uncle, who I live with. Well fast forward 5 months and I am not thinking of giving her up for adoption, but I would like to get your guys opinions animal lover to animal lover.

The problem I am having isn't with my puppy, but my aunt and uncle especially my aunt, who says my puppy is out of control, which she is with my aunt because she doesn't know how to use the commands I have taught her such as "leave it", "off", and "no play" when the dogs are playing a little to rough. So when I am not home she is out of control, but even if I am home and I am watching her she can't even so much as sniff my little cousins toys without getting yelled at. My aunt is constantly yelling at her when she doesn't need to be if she would just use the commands I use and stop yelling, but they won't because they don't believe in positive reinforcement they believe in punishment/intimidation based methods.

So all that aside you can clearly see that it is not a great place to raise a puppy and I just wanted your advice as to weather you think it would be better for my puppy if I gave her up for adoption. I just hate to fall into the statistic that most puppies are given up due to behavioral issues, but my puppy just isn't allowed to be a puppy in this house.

[Mudra]

From the looks of things, it really is better to find a more suitable home for your dog. Unless your Aunt is willing to change, which I doubt, the pup is better off with a much better home. =)

[harrise]

Havig a dog in a situation where you're not in control is afwul. I feel for you.

[Striker2807]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I know it is the right thing to do for my pup, but it isn't going to make it any easier.

I am not saying my aunt is totally wrong with some of the things she complains about, but I know if she would just get on the same page as me things would get better, but like you said my aunt isn't willing to change which she isn't.

In fact, I remember telling her one day (nicely) to say off and not down when she is up on the couch or what not and her reply was something along the lines I have always told my dogs down so I why should I have to change for another dog.

So it is clear she is not willing to change even if it would be in her best interest.

[Twinney]

Yeah, my parents just started to listen to me about how to work with the dogs, up until now I had no control over my dogs. My brother doesn't see anything wrong with hitting a dog when it's begging, but when it won't stop he'll give up his food...But the dogs know the commands 'right' and 'down' 'right,right, down' would solve that problem, wouldn't it?
Is there anyway you could rehome the dog to someone you know would take good care of it, and so you could see it, instead of taking it to the animal shelter?

[Striker2807]

Originally Posted by Twinney

Yeah, my parents just started to listen to me about how to work with the dogs, up until now I had no control over my dogs. My brother doesn't see anything wrong with hitting a dog when it's begging, but when it won't stop he'll give up his food...But the dogs know the commands 'right' and 'down' 'right,right, down' would solve that problem, wouldn't it?
Is there anyway you could rehome the dog to someone you know would take good care of it, and so you could see it, instead of taking it to the animal shelter?

Well I wouldn't give her up to a shelter I would be handling the adoption personally. She was given to me by a lady at work so I am hoping she will take her back, but I don't know if she will because she already has 2 dogs and can't really handle one more. That is why she gave her up in the first place, but I am going to mention to her tomorrow morning that I am giving her up to adoption because it just isn't working out anymore.