Transitioning dog to new owner

I put an ad on FreeCycle offering Muttley to someone who could give him a
better home, and offering to help by taking Muttley back for short periods
of time if they needed to go on vacation, or for any other reason. I got
one response that indicated this might cause him to become deeply
depressed. I have on two occasions had a friend keep Muttley for about a

Judy...

I think it is entirely an individual thing.

We used to dog-sit for some friends who would leave their dog here for a
weekend or even a week or two at a time. She always adjusted, although it
was clearly a little confusing for her at times. When the friends could no
longer keep her, and we didn't want to add another dog to our household,
they found her a new, wonderful, home. They took her there for a few days'
trial and when it all worked out well, just never went back and got her.
They said they were concerned that it would confuse her but I suspect it had
more to do with them.

My SIL used to board her dog a half a dozen times a year. The place was
rather free and open - the dogs all lived together on one floor of the
house. While happy to see his family again, he always seemed to look on it
as his own vacation time.

Our breeder currently has a dog out "on loan" with a woman who has some
serious health problems. The woman wanted a dog but, because of her short
life expectancy, it really wasn't a good idea to make that commitment. So
she has a loaner. The dog is a real cuddler, quiet and just what the doctor
ordered. When the woman dies or has to go into a nursing home, the dog will
return to the breeder's house. She was never "for sale" and the breeder
will be very happy to get her back when her job as Full Time Therapy Dog is
over. (The dog has already made one trip back home and then was returned to
the woman when her health improved enough to stay at home again.)

My only hesitation in your situation - not knowing the dog or the people
involved - is that the dog's history is one of being moved around. For some
dogs, this will make them more adaptable. For others, it may make them more
worried each time their household changes, not knowing how it will affect
them. If I were in your position, I think I'd mention that I was willing to
board the dog in the future as long as it wasn't distressing to the dog.

week at a time while I was away, and he seemed to be OK. I feel like I
would enjoy seeing him again from time to time, but it might be better for
him (and also possibly for me) to have a "clean break". Of course I would
want the new owners to contact me if they had a problem with him, rather
than taking him to the pound, but I would think he would be happier with me
rather than at a boarding kennel, especially with his dislike of being

montana wildhack...

I think a clean break would be best and offering to take him back
rather than have him going back to the pound is also ok.

I wouldn't suggest they they board him with you. If they bring it up,
it's one thing, but I would not suggest it.

I don't want to sound harsh, but your experience with Mutley may differ
from his potential new owners. It will be much easier to place him if
you can tell people that he's had some training.

confined.

It will probably be a while before I find the right person to adopt him,
but I'd appreciate your opinions about this.

pfoley...

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I don't see anything wrong with telling them that. I, personally, would
prefer someone who likes my dog mind my dog while I am away, rather than
boarding her in a kennel. Some dogs get depressed and can also pick up
germs in boarding kennels. In fact, that is what I do, I hire a friend of
my daugher's to live at my house with my dog if I go away for a few days.
She loves my dog and my dog loves her; so it works out good. My dog does
not do well in a kennel; she gets too stressed out and then stops eating.
I would also clearly state to the the new owners that you want them to
contact you first, if they decide they do not want the dog any longer for
any reason, and you will gladly take the dog back, if that is what you wish.
Some people might not have the right facility for such a large dog, and
since the dog is not trained yet might find the dog just too much for them
to handle.

Paul E. Schoen...

diddy...

I think Muttley would probably be better off with a kindly selected home
than where he is now.

I just talked to someone this evening who will be meeting Muttley tomorrow,
and hopefully will be a good new owner. She has a 12 year old daughter and
also an older dog, and she feels it would be good for the dog to have some
company. I told her that he was scheduled for obedience training and could
continue with them. I will see how Muttley reacts to her walking him
around. It will take a physically strong, and mentally dominant, person to
be able to handle him. She says she has a large fenced yard. Hopefully it
will be secure enough to allow him to run. He has jumped over a normal 4
foot fence. She is in Glen Burnie, about a half-hour drive. I'd prefer
closer, but maybe this is better.

A friend has found two people who are also interested, and each of them has
2 or 3 acres for him to run in. I would like to interview each of these
prospective new owners to make sure Muttley has the best environment. I
have very mixed feelings, a combination of relief and sadness at his
impending departure, but I'm sure it will be for the best. Photon expresses
a very heartfelt mee-ow!