I regret Returning my puppy

Rehoming a dog is often a tough and emotional choice. It can be a very difficult decision for a dog owner to make and it can leave you wondering if you made the best choice and if you truly acted in the dog’s best interest.

 

I Regret Returning My Puppy

Regret when rehoming a dog is very common among dog owners. It is important to remember the reasons that you rehomed in the first place and reflect if that issue has been resolved or if it would still not be in your dog’s best interest to return home. Focus on your dog’s best interest and remind yourself that even though you miss your dog you have given them the best chance at a happy and fulfilling life.

 

Why Do Human Beings Adopt And Then Return Puppies, Dogs?

Many new dog owners often find reasons that they can no longer keep their puppy. There are several reasons new dog owners may decide to return their dogs including: Unexpected cost, health issues the owner may have, disobedience, destructive behaviors, barking, aggression, and hyperactivity.

 

Often new pet owners are unaware of how expensive it can be to have a dog when you factor in how much annual vet costs, medications, and unexpected costs they may incur. Dogs can also have expenses such as boarding fees and dog walking fees for owners who travel a lot or work long hours.

 

Dogs who are disobedient, destructive, or aggressive lead to unexpected issues for the owner such as having expensive property destroyed and dealing with undesirable behaviors which in extreme cases can make owners fearful when the dog is seemingly aggressive towards other people or pets.

 

When Is It Too Late To Return A Puppy (Emotionally)?

Generally, it is important to rehome the puppy soon if it is a bad fit for your home. It is important to make sure that the dog is rehomed before issues develop such as a behavior problem or a person or animal is hurt. It is important to identify the problem early so that the animal can be rehomed when it is still able to be rehomed. Often you can identify early based on the dog’s behavior and adaptability to the environment if your home would be a good fit.

 

How Cruel Is It To Return A Puppy?

Many people feel that rehoming a puppy is considered cruel but this may not always be the case if it is done correctly and in the proper amount of time. It can be considered cruel if you do not properly rehome the puppy before it develops a behavior and becomes aggressive and is unable to be rehomed.

 

When a puppy is not properly transitioned before undesirable behaviors occur you put them at risk of not being able to be rehomed which is unfair to the puppy and can put them at risk of euthanasia. If the puppy is given a chance to find a home that is a better fit or someone who can help train them it saves them from developing undesirable behaviors and becoming unadoptable or being at risk of euthanasia if it goes into a shelter or becomes aggressive. Ultimately, if you are acting in the best interest of the puppy, rehoming them properly may be the most human option and not considered cruel.

Can You Change Your Mind After Surrendering A Dog?

This can vary from situation to situation and depend on how the dog was surrendered and where. Generally, if a dog is surrendered to a shelter, the owner no longer has any rights to the dog.

 

Depending on the shelter and the program they determine at what point during the process the owner has no rights to the dog. Often the owner may be required to sign their rights over as soon as the dog leaves their possession and they no longer have rights to the dog.

 

Do Puppies Get Sad When You Give Them Away?

A dog’s reaction can vary from situation to situation and can depend on the level of attachment they have to the owner. For example, if a dog was in a home from a young age and bonded with their owner after being there for a long time they may have a much harder time coping with being given away than a dog who was older and was not in the home long and did not bond with their owners or enjoy the type of environment they were in.

 

Another determining factor is where the dog goes, for example, a dog who goes back to the breeder they were purchased from may enjoy going back to a familiar place with familiar dogs but a dog that is dropped off at a shelter may have a traumatic experience adjusting to the shelter and losing their family.

 

How Long Does A Puppy Take To Get Used To A New Owner Once You Have Returned It?

Experts state that fully adjusting to a new home is generally looked at in threes. The first three days the dog is adjusting to its new home and new surroundings, it is using this time to get used to the new sights and smells of its new home and the new people in its life.

 

After three weeks that is when the dog becomes used to the owner’s behaviors and routine and begins to develop their routine based on the new owner. After the three month mark that is when the dog truly starts to adapt to your home as their new home. They understand they belong there and become part of your routine. They have learned to trust you and understand what is expected of them in your home.

 

How Do You Know When To Get Back A Puppy?

If you are thinking it may be time to give a puppy back it is important to look at it from your dog’s perspective. Think about how this will impact the dog and communicate with the breeder, shelter, or wherever you may take the puppy and develop a plan that will be the least traumatic for the puppy.

 

Often, if you want to keep a puppy and are worried about behaviors, you can consult with a dog behavior expert and see if it is possible to put the dog through training that may allow them to stay in your home. If you notice that your home environment is not a fit for the dog you can work with experts, breeders, or a shelter to find an appropriate alternative and a transition plan.

Do Breeders, Shelters Put Down Returned Puppies?

This is something that will vary greatly and will be looked at on a case by case basis. For example, a dog that was kept in an inappropriate home for too long without proper training and has now become aggressive, or worse, has hurt someone, will often not be given many opportunities.

 

Recognizing inappropriate homes and behaviors and addressing them quickly is key to keeping a dog from being put down. It would also depend heavily on where the dog is rehomed as there are many shelters that are no-kill shelters and receive private funding to help as many dogs as possible. It also depends if the dog is able to receive proper resources from behavior centered training or if the behavior cannot be corrected.

 

Is To Ok To Return A Puppy After A Week?

In some cases, a week may be an appropriate amount of time to determine that a dog is simply not a match. As mentioned, after three days a dog had “detoxed” from its previous home and started to adapt to its new home. In some cases, a week may not be much time to really give a dog a chance but if you find that a home environment is simply not an appropriate fit for a dog it may be appropriate to return it. Returning a dog early can also help to increase its chance of a better outcome because it has not developed any bad habits or became difficult to properly train.

 

Am I A Bad Person For Returning My Puppy?

It does not make someone a “bad person” for returning a puppy, especially if it is done in the best interest of the dog. Not every dog will be happy in every environment and realizing and addressing this may actually be in the dog’s best interest. Giving the dog a chance at its best life can be much less selfish than keeping the dog just to keep it even though it is unhappy and not in a situation that it will thrive in.

 

Is It Normal To Regret Getting A Dog Or A Second, Third Dog?

Many people do feel some level of regret after they get a dog. Having a dog, especially a puppy, is a lot of work and people often do not realize what they’re signing up for with a dog. Dogs can be cute and fun but they are also a lot of work, especially when they are being trained. Many people also do not know the costs associated with pet ownership if they have never owned a pet. Pets have needs as much as humans and in addition to the basics they require such as food and water and shelter they often require vet care and medications. Many people only consider the upfront cost of a dog and do not think about the additional ongoing expenses and this can cause them to have regrets due to the financial burden. Often, regrets with getting a dog are temporary once you both adjust to each other.

 

How To Stop Feeling Guilty Over Returning Your Dog [Coping With Guilt And Grief]?

Unfortunately, we all cope with grief and deal with feelings differently so we may all find different helpful ways to cope with our feelings. One dog owner suggested the owner write a letter to the dog and explain their emotions and their reasons for their decision. It is important that you remind yourself of the reasons you made this difficult decision and why it is for the best. You may have made a decision that gave your dog its best chance at a happy life and it is important to focus on that. You also may have brought happiness to someone else who will be your dog’s new family.

I Gave My Dog Away And Regret It?

It is common to regret giving away your dog. Many owners feel this regret even when they made the best possible choice for their dog. It is important to remember why you made this choice, what you can do to avoid this issue in the future, and how much better of a life you may have given your dog. If you are in a situation that you know where your dog is and there is a chance you can receive photos and updates on them this may be helpful to your healing.

I Rehomed My Dog And Want Him Back?

Unfortunately, in many cases there is not an option for an owner to receive their dog back after they have been rehomed. Remember that rehoming can often be traumatic for a dog and going back and forth may cause more damage. It is important to remember your reasons for rehoming in the first place and see if this issue has been remedied or can be. Often, it may be in your dog’s best interest to be in their new home and trying to get them back based on your emotions can be harmful.

 

References

 

https://www.petmd.com/blogs/purelypuppy/lradosta/2013/march/when-should-a-puppy-be-returned-to-the-breeder-29959

 

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