Dilemma with Charlie

wfin73 · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:58 am Post subject:

I must respond to all the suggestions and thank you. However I want everyone to know that we are working very hard with Charlie and we do love him to death. We try our best to puppy proof the house, but at times when you have small children you need to have a balance of fairness. In other words my 4year has a difficult time keeping all his toys locked in his bedroom as at times he wants to play downstairs with them. We do try to walk Charlie as much as possible, and do admit we need to be more faithful with that as a family. It is difficult for me, Erin (wife), to walk the dog with 4 small children (8, 6, 6, and 4) everyday after school as I work all day, teaching middle school special needs, and want to give my children as well as Charlie attention on top of getting dinner started, laundry done, and homework under way. I love having Charlie and will do whatever we can to try and keep him, yet in the end I cannot let my children suffer if Charlie does not take to obedience classes. I guess I am just feeling a bit overwhelmed and want to have Charlie get all the attention and care he needs along with providing the same for my "human" children:)

Also a side note in reference to Molly's asthma, it is definitely not stress induced, and it is not that bad with Charlie, just when she gets a cold it acts up a bit more. Molly is a twin and ahe has always been prone to respiratory issues, so it is the "real deal." Really as far as we are concerned her asthma is not the primary issue for considering having to rehome Charlie.

We will be looking into obedience classes and do whatever we can to keep him here in our home. We do love him dearly and it is a hard thing to even consider. Thank you all for your support. I know all the intentions are good. There are just many factors that have to be looked at.

Thanks,

Erin
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dgeggis · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject:

Hi Erin,
I was looking back at your posts and noticed that you adopted Charlie last August. Your posts indicated that he was behaving very well.

Could this change in behavior have to do with the fact that it's been a long cold winter and maybe he and the kids haven't been playing outside enough?

You mentioned that you have a hard time walking Charlie as much as he needs. It is alot harder in the very cold winter months.

Take heed! Today is the first day of Spring acording to the meteorlogical calendar.
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Jac · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject:

Just a quick note to address the allergy issues...it seems odd to me that the allergies are coming on now when they have not been a trouble at first (with Charlie)...it makes me wonder if Charlie is getting into things that stay in his coat, causing the allergies? Like playing with another dog or cat, or possibly getting some pollen in his coat...or even the scent of his shampoo.

Training classes are excellent...but you still have to take the time with the pup to reinforce, daily, what they have learned...and I am NOT suggesting that mother do this...it should be a family project where everyone joins because Charlie has to learn that commands from mom are important and that so are the commands from every child. The only way Charlie will find his place is to learn what you want...he can only do that with consistent training. (Ask about teaching him "leave it" and "drop it" as a basic command.)

He is going through a chewing phase, he has to set his permanent teeth, so he will try to chew on everything. I'd make sure he has lots of safe chewies.

Finally, the exercise is a huge issue. These dogs really are high energy dogs...they are retrievers. So, walks and ball playing are great. Be sure that your children know not to play too rough with him or he will think that is okay...no games of chase or keep away or tug...

Best wishes to you...you really have made it very close to his maturity...I hope that he settles soon...at least with good commands and obedience training, he should.
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Henry · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

Is there a doggie daycare near you. Even a couple of days a week (like Tuesdays and Thursdays) does wonders to completely tire them out - there is usually day after tiredness too. That way, when you come home you'll have a sleeping doodle instead of one with pent up energy.

We just took Henry to doggie daycare today - only for four hours and he is fast asleep on the couch. It is 4:00 here and this is usually his crazy time.

I hope things work out for you guys but if you have to rehome him I'm sure you'll get some help from this forum.

Good luck.
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lmtoth2 · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject:

I don't have any advice, but just wanted to say I hope everything works out for your family and Charlie. If you have to give him up, I hope you have luck finding a good family. I can only imagine how much work it is to have 4 kids much less an energetic dog on top of it Shocked

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Leslie M

Jac · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

Sheila · Senior Member Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 144 Location: NYC

Hi Erin,

I can see that you have a lot on your plate. Only you and your family can decide whether you have the time and energy to give Charlie what he needs. I know you're facing a very difficult decision. I would strongly urge you to go through a basic obedience class with Charlie before you make it. We just did obedience training with Pixie, and it's made a dramatic difference in her behavior. Ask around for a good trainer recommendation - your vet will probably know someone. The training is really for the people, of course, not the dog. I brought our 7-year old along to the first class, and I would suggest you do that with your older kids too - or even have the trainer come to your home to work with your family privately. I do training with Pixie for 5 minutes a day, and not even every day, and she's really learning.

I agree that Charlie probably has pent-up energy from being crated all day, and I know it's hard to exercise him and get everything else rolling in the afternoons at home. Pixie loves going to doggy daycare and it wipes her out. That might be an option, or perhaps hiring someone to walk Charlie at lunchtime on weekdays. It might make all the difference in the world.

I hear you about the toys - my 7-year old has had quite a few chewed up because he forgets to put them away. For me, the benefits of having a dog far outweigh the chewed-up toys. I know a 4-year old is a little young to remember to pick up toys, but the older kids should be able to pitch in, right?

Good luck - I hope you find a way to keep your Charlie.

sessa35 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject:

Just want to wish ALL involved the best of luck!! Either way, we support your decisions and applaud your efforts! Smile

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wfin73 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone for all the advice. We're going to try to stick it out a little longer and look into some obediance training. He is a pretty obediant dog, it's just the sneaky stuff he does when you aren't looking that is causing most of the stress. If he gets ahold of something he's not supposed to have, he'll usually drop it when you tell him. We just wish he wouldn't do it in the first place!
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Erin, Bill, the Kids, and of course Charlie!

annabelles mom · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear you are goign to try to work with Charlie to keep him part of your family- they are so loving and rewarding
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MaxandMe · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject:

Jac · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

Good news! I hope it works out perfectly for you all!
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Cinsmom · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

As for your daughter's allergies acting up right now, this is the time of year the trees start shooting off pollen. I know, it's still cold, but it's the right time for the trees. I have first hand experience with this as my daughter also went through all the allergy issues at this time of year. We didn't know for years why she would get sick this time of year, but a trip to the allergist told us a lot!

Have you tried allergy shots? DD had them for 2 yrs and it's worked wonders!! She had them 10 yrs ago and they are still in her immune system. Just a thought.

annieG · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

I think you are certainly taking the high road. If you as a family can make this work, your kids will learn a great life lesson. In our throw away society it is important to teach our children the value of family including the pets that become part of our family. I wish you much success with the training class.
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mtd885 · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

Just dropped by this thread to see how things are going. Hope things are getting better. Everytime Abby goes off the charts I keep repeating to myself "And this too shall pass" Smile

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