Having to Rehome your Dog
Sometimes personal circumstances mean that a painful decision has to be made to re-home your dog. However before you do, ensure you have covered every angle.
If you reasons to re-home are to do with training: Has the dog had the right training?
Or seen a trainer or behaviourist ? Have you played your part and given the dog time to make any adjustments?
If your need is due to a short term problem : Have you looked at temporary foster care? Maybe a friend, relative or rescue could help you out in the short term.
Or for those who are having problems with landlords have you checked out: www.letswithpets.org.uk
If you feel there is no other way, here are some options and some pitfalls to avoid to ensure that your dog has the best possible chance of finding a new forever home.
Options to consider
Return to Breeder - Most responsible breeders would want to be contacted if you are looking to re-home one of their dogs. Most responsible breeders will take back one of their dogs at any point in it's life or they will assist you in finding a new home. A responsible breeder who has put time and care into a litter would probably be upset to find one of their dogs in a rescue rather than being contacted.
Private Rehoming - This could be to a friend or relative or by advertising the dog on various websites and papers. A friend or relative would hopefully at least know your dog and it may also mean you might be able to still see your dog.
If you are advertising you need to ensure your advert is written in the right way to attract the best possible applicants and to deter the people whom interests is not for the good of your dog. You could also speak to your vet and see if they have a board where they can advertise and hopefully this will mean that the vet may know "of" the person.
We would advise that you have a contract drawn up transferring ownership and also ensure that you notify the company whom your dog is chipped with of change of ownership. That way you will not be liable if you dog causes an accident or any other incident, as failure to change ownership means that you will be the one contacted in regards of any legal claims or vet bills.
Private rehoming mistakes to avoid
1.Please never ever advertise your dog for "free" or "free to a good home". These sort of adverts attract the wrong sort of people. You can get people who will scour the adverts for "free" dogs whom are then sadly used for dog baiting. They use dogs as bait to train their fighting dogs.These people are cunning and will often pose as the perfect people to re-home your dog to and can often bring children along to look more convincing.
2. You also need to be aware that anyone coming forward is capable to look after your dog both emotionally and financially- where possible it is best if you visit their home and do a "home check" to make sure their home is right for your dog. Ensure you have a list of questions and careful vetting of all applicants is necessary.
3. Also ensure that any dog you re-home has been neutered if possible if they are at age suitable for neutering, otherwise they could be snapped up by back yard breeders and used solely for breeding purposes.
4. Ensure you have disclosed all the right information about your dog both good and bad points as this will help "screen" applicants whom apply and is also your responsibility as an owner to ensure that your dog is not a risk to others.
Re-home to Breed Rescues
Whilst breed rescues are normally for pure-breeds some will take on a crossbreed if it involves one of their parent breeds. It is worth contacting Cocker Spaniel and Poodle rescues to seek their advice as they may also network with others and may give you further contacts to try.Breed Clubs that take in rescues normally have "foster homes" where the dogs are looked after as opposed to kennels like the large Rescue Organisations. Contact the KC for a list of reputable Breed Clubs.
The Cockapoo Owners Club are happy to recommend The Doodle Trust ( used to beThe Labradoodle Trust )who often take in cockapoos for rehome or foster care : http://labradoodletrust.com
Re-home to Rescue Centres
The other option is to hand into a rescue. Again do your research and find the one that you feel happy with, one that has the necessary skill and experience in dealing with successful rehoming of dogs. Make sure they have a good reputation and that you are fully aware of their rehoming policies. You will also be charged a fee which is anything for £50-150 (on average)
However many rescues are full and cannot always take in dogs. Ensure you give them loads of information to help them make a good assessment of your dog and future potential owner. Any rescue you take your dog to you must inform them of any problems especially if it relates to aggression.
Young puppies : We advise that you contact your breeder in the first instance .
Looking to rehome a cockapoo
Cockapoos are sometimes available for rehoming, still not as common as some breeds, but we are hearing about more now up for rehoming. If you feel you are in the position to offer a home and have done your research on them as to regards exercise, life style and grooming requirements etc.. there are places you can look.
Where to look :
Rescues centre may get them in though may not always be described as cockapoos, may be down as a poodle cross or cocker cross so worth asking to see what they have in for all of these descriptions. Some rescues have websites where you can check to see what dogs are available, some smaller ones may rely on local advertising and word of mouth or social media like facebook.
Check out specific cockapoo rescues like The Doodle Trust, that deal with poodle crosses for rehoming.
Rescue centres usually do a home check and vet prosepective owners and will charge a donation fee. Some may have stricter criteria than others such as no children under a certain age, or need a fenced garden.
Breeders : Worth contacting as some breeders move their breeding bitches on to family homes after their breeding time has ended or they may have a puppy or older dog returned to them for rehoming.
Private Rehoming : Done via internet, social media , adverts in papers, vets, groomers, dog walkers, word of mouth etc...
Ensure you get all the relevant details and history of dog and info on vaccinations, their vaccination record, and medical history and their likes and dislikes, food they are on when last wormed or had flea treatment.
Make sure you have the micro chip details so can change into your name and also that the dog is theirs to rehome. A contract of sale or transfer of ownership is advisable. You could do one yourself, there are templates you can find on internet.
Take you time to ascertain if the dog is right for you and your lifestyle. Meet with the owners and the dog and ask lots of questions and trust your instincts. If you have another dog they need to meet to see if they will get on, best done on neutral territory like a park. It may require more than one visit. It's important for all concerned the best match is made.
Cockapoo Owners Club : We have a dedicated facebook page for our facebook club members to join where any cockapoos or cavapoos looking for a home from UK rescues can be advertised.
Cockapoos are sometimes available for rehoming, still not as common as some breeds, but we are hearing about more now up for rehoming. If you feel you are in the position to offer a home and have done your research on them as to regards exercise, life style and grooming requirements etc.. there are places you can look.
Where to look :
Rescues centre may get them in though may not always be described as cockapoos, may be down as a poodle cross or cocker cross so worth asking to see what they have in for all of these descriptions. Some rescues have websites where you can check to see what dogs are available, some smaller ones may rely on local advertising and word of mouth or social media like facebook.
Check out specific cockapoo rescues like The Doodle Trust, that deal with poodle crosses for rehoming.
Rescue centres usually do a home check and vet prosepective owners and will charge a donation fee. Some may have stricter criteria than others such as no children under a certain age, or need a fenced garden.
Breeders : Worth contacting as some breeders move their breeding bitches on to family homes after their breeding time has ended or they may have a puppy or older dog returned to them for rehoming.
Private Rehoming : Done via internet, social media , adverts in papers, vets, groomers, dog walkers, word of mouth etc...
Ensure you get all the relevant details and history of dog and info on vaccinations, their vaccination record, and medical history and their likes and dislikes, food they are on when last wormed or had flea treatment.
Make sure you have the micro chip details so can change into your name and also that the dog is theirs to rehome. A contract of sale or transfer of ownership is advisable. You could do one yourself, there are templates you can find on internet.
Take you time to ascertain if the dog is right for you and your lifestyle. Meet with the owners and the dog and ask lots of questions and trust your instincts. If you have another dog they need to meet to see if they will get on, best done on neutral territory like a park. It may require more than one visit. It's important for all concerned the best match is made.
Cockapoo Owners Club : We have a dedicated facebook page for our facebook club members to join where any cockapoos or cavapoos looking for a home from UK rescues can be advertised.
The adverts shown below are provided by Google and not the Cockapoo Owners Club and therefore we do not necessarily endorse the services offered nor liability for what is offered etc....