[Dogs; Rehoming] I've said it before and I'll say it again: as much as I advocate for good research and careful selection before bringing an animal into your home, rehoming a pet you can't care for is not wrong.
In fact, in most cases, rehoming in these situations is the best thing possible for the animal in question.
I don't care if it's unexpected financial trouble, a behavior problem you didn't expect and aren't equipped to deal with, a change in your own health status, etc. Shit happens. Admitting you're not the best home for your pet is extremely difficult but sometimes necessary to make sure both parties aren't suffering.
The fact of the matter is there are way more dogs with serious behavior problems out there than there are homes able and willing to work with them. That's sad, yeah, but I can't stand here and say people should put themselves and their families through emotional distress (and sometimes physical danger) for the sake of being a "forever home".
Sometimes promising to your pet that you'll do what's best for them to the best of your ability their whole lives does mean finding a new home for them.
Now, I do get frustrated when people run across perfectly normal aspects of owning the animal/breed they chose and try to use that as an excuse for rehoming ("My GSD sheds too much!" "I didn't know it'd be so expensive to feed a St. Bernard!" "My puppy bites and pees in the house!")
But in those situations, well, the damage is already done. I still wouldn't want to force a household that can't even manage very basic, normal aspects of dog keeping to hang onto a pet that makes them miserable. Because the dog will likely be miserable, too.
IMO the former set of circumstances are just... life. And can't fully be prevented. We should be kind to the people who find themselves in those positions. The second set of circumstances? Those need to be combated by a social change in attitudes around getting a living, feeling creature as a pet.
IE that we as a society need to do everything possible to minimize compulsive pet buying, and encourage research and improve understanding of the responsibility you take on when you take in a pet. Any pet.
This is off topic for everything but dogs being dogs
but we have a new member of our agility club
she works at a university in animal sciences
and is an honest to god vet behaviorst.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED IN MY LIFE
Oh my gosh I'm excited for you!