Need good home for dog

[Patrolman]

Our dog isn't handling our 9 month old baby as well as hoped. He gets anxious and needs a quieter home. He is a good dog, and keeps his distance from the baby, but just is going stir crazy. The baby is crawling good and will be walking very soon.

We have had him almost 5 years and think he is about 8 or 9 years old. Doesn't act like it as he is still full of energy and very active. He is a yellow lab mix (partial shar pei). Very soft and a cuddler if you let him. Never chewed on a single piece of furniture or anything else. Doesn't get on the furniture. He is definately an inside dog who really enjoys having a dog door to spend nice days outside. He also loves just curling up in the corner and sleeping all day. He has some training for basic commands (sit, stay, etc). He is very protective of the house and won't let anyone in who we don't give permission to.

Some important things to know if you want to consider taking him. Just being as honest as possible. He is really a 1-dog household kind of guy. Doesn't socialize the best with other dogs. Our other dog laid down the law with him when we brought him home. He never challenged her. He has food allergies so his food has to stay consistent and only certain stores carry it. Also, the one longer road trip we took with him he got sick. It is likely my fault as I didn't think and fed him right before leaving.

Anyways, as much as this pains us, we hope to find a good home for him...

[Patrolman]

Forgot to mention, we have all the stuff for him too. 2 beds (one for living, one for bedroom). Collar, leash, etc. He is current on his shots and such. Only thing needed is a water bowl as our two dogs share one.

[96blkbeauty]

Hope he finds a good home man! I couldn't imagine giving up my mut.

[glacierpaul]

Jeff, good on you for thinking about the baby first. I have had a bad situation involving our family dog and our then baby girl, had to put the dog down. Also know other folks whom have had similar incidents, remove the dog if there could be any problem and avoid the could/should/would have scenario. Clear Creek County Animal Shelter is a "no kill" operation and always finds good homes for all the animals, just another option for you.
Kids first!

[Patrolman]

Actually, just as a side note, my wife was bitten just above her eye as a small child by a dog. I think it has made her very nervous about our baby and having the dog in the house. He has never made any aggressive moves towards either of us or the baby. It is our one and only baby though, and my wife is being over-protective like moms do. It is hard to disagree with her. I can see how he is stressed out by screaming and crying. It stresses us out, so I can't blame him. That said, just trying to work in the best interest of the baby/mom as well as dog. We won't take him to a shelter. He needs the right house and we want to make sure he goes somewhere nice.

[Chris]

I'm allergic to them but just want to add support for your decision to be over cautious. My daughter was bit when she was about 2 by a neighbors dog after asking if she was friendly and could pet her. The dog was killed shortly after that, would have been sooner but the owner chose to deal with it. Risking a kid isn't a choice.

[Heather]

He's a very pretty pup. Hopefully you won't have any trouble at all. If we didn't already have three...

[Patrolman]

Yep, keeping our fingers crossed to find him a good home sooner or later. He is one of the better dogs I have had the chance to be around, just anxious when the baby starts chasing him (she can sort of walk now) arms flailing through the air. He is a quiet household kind of guy.

I also wanted to thank everyone for their support in making the right decision. As tough as it is, I know it is the right one, for the sake of our daughter as well as the dog. Hopefully everyone would be happier and better for this.

[Jackie]

X-bazillion on protect the child first.

I know you love your dog, but the kiddo has to come first now in every situation. My eldest girl has a pretty nasty scar from a friend's dog "scratch". No charges pressed or drama, but we really wish the scar wasn't there... It was not a "vicious" act, and we liked the dog too.

I hope you find a nice home for him.

[Brody]

Not having kids, but having had to sew myself up (8 stitches, 6+ miles hike into the climb, 11,000') because of a 'friendly dog', probably a good thing to do, however hard. Came very close to my eye. Be a lot worse for a kid. I was very close to unzipping the dog because I wasn't all too pleased...and I like dogs...but that was my first response to being attacked.

People tend to forget that dogs are still animals, mainly because we apply so many human attributes to them. We would take him in a heartbeat if we were living in a place where we could have one. We babysit for friends with dogs (spoil them rotten, too) every chance we get to get our doggie fix.

[Patrolman]

Anyone? Bueller? :(

[Patrolman]

Bump. We are hoping to find a home for him still. Otherwise we may have to take him to a shelter next weekend. He just had a vet checkup last week. All is good.

[Cr33p3r]

Wishin we could take him but w/ our other dog it is a no go for us, Hoping you can find him a good home Jeff!

[glacierpaul]

Jeff, sucks that you cannot find someone to take him here. As I mentioned before CCC shelter is a "no kill" shelter, not sure about the ones in town.

[Patrolman]

I looked at the CCC shelter, but it isn't clear if you have to be a resident. I found some no-kill shelters in town as well. Just hate to send him to one. He deserves better.

[Brody]

Let Robyn know Jeff. I hate taking animals to shelters of any kind. we would take him if we could, too, but it isn't possible for us. We both like your dog, too.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Jeff, have you tried http://www.safeharborlabrescue.org/? Looks like they take lab mixes too!

[Java]

Safe Harbor is AWESOME!!! They take any sort of lab, I have a customer that fosters their less adoptable older ones- 3 legs, 1 eye, masive lumps, no problem. I'd let Robyn get him first though, IMO. re: that; nice offer, Robyn. :thumb:

[Brody]

What is the update on the pooch Jeff? Might be nice to let people know.

[Patrolman]

Robyn is apparently willing to take him this weekend if nobody else does. She is trying to find a home for him, and said she can take him until then. She didn't want to see him go to a shelter.

I also want to thank everyone for all their efforts. There have been multiple people helping to find him a home, both on and off this site. Times are tough right now and I know many people just don't have the means. Thanks again for those who helped!

[Patrolman]

I appreciate the pointer to the lab rescue. We have never bought a dog, or gotten one from a shefter. Just "acquired" them. I am in love with labs though. Great breed and our next dog (when the daughter is older) may very well be from the lab rescue. They look like a great organization from their website!

[Patrolman]

Looks like Safe Harbor Lab Rescue ONLY does fostering rather than being a shelter. They are still an option if nothing else works. At least he would have a foster home to live in.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Looks like Safe Harbor Lab Rescue ONLY does fostering rather than being a shelter.

If the thing with Robyn doesn't work out and you're concerned with him going to a good home, I can assure you Safe Harbor is the way to go. We submitted an application last week for Gunner: http://www.safeharborlabrescue.org/English/Dogs/Available_Dogs/Gunner_201111.html and we're picking him up tomorrow. With a foster family they seem to get the individual attention they need verses being lost in a group of other dogs locked up all day. They do quite a bit of screening too, calling your current vet, they ask for references, one neighbor and a friend (both of which are called) and then conduct a phone interview and possible home inspection.

And no offense Jeff, he's a good looking dog and I thought about it, but we have one already and need one who will not have a dominating character or that will at least be okay with another dog in the household.

[Patrolman]

Bump. Still looking for a place.

Safe Harbor seems like a great place, but not necessarily a good fit for our dog. He gets along fine with our other dog, but not with most dogs. They only do foster homes, so he has to be able to reside in a house that likely has other dogs. They also shy away from older dogs. He is about 8, so considered older, even though you would never guess he is 8 based on his actions or his looks. That said, still looking for a good home. :)

[Patrolman]

Found a temporary home for him with my brother, whom he lived with previously. Still looking for a permanent home though. Thanks to everyone for the help.