You’ve come to a conclusion: “I need to rehome my dog”.

If you're contemplating whether to rehome your dog, you probably have been struggling for some time with the root cause for this decision. When help from your vet, trainers and other pet experts has been exhausted, sometimes the best solution for you and your dog is to find a more appropriate home to better support their needs.

Before making a decision like this, it’s important to thoroughly exhaust any and all options for keeping the pet. If your pet is experiencing behavioral issues, there are trainers and specialists who may be able to work with your dog before resorting to rehoming. If experiencing financial or housing insecurity, there are programs and resources that can assist in providing aid.

In the event that rehoming your dog is the necessary course of action, there are a few tips outlined below to help with dog rehoming.

Assess Your Dog’s Needs

Depending on why you need to rehome your dog, your first thought may be, I need to rehome my dog urgently. The best rehoming dogs advice is to take a step back and assess your dog’s needs. Think carefully about what your dog might be missing in their current home. Here are a few questions to ask when rehoming a dog.

1. Is Your Dog Needing Rehoming Due to Relocation?

Many people find themselves in situations that require them to move to a new home or location that doesn’t allow pets. If there aren’t alternative living options, the result may be rehoming. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common reason for needing to rehome a dog. The obvious need would be for the dog to find a home where there are no restrictions on dogs of their age, breed, temperament, etc.

2. Are You Rehoming a Dog With Behavior Problems?

While there are resources that can help alleviate or resolve challenges related to pet behavioral issues, sometimes an owner must resort to rehoming if a situation proves irreversibly dangerous or outside of their resources and capabilities to successfully address. However, it’s important to understand what those behavioral issues are and where they stem from, so that the rescue organization will be properly informed on how best to rehabilitate and/or rehome your pet for success.

3. Has Your Family Situation Changed?

If you have recently introduced a new family member to your home (e.g., a new baby, a new pet), this change in environment can be difficult for some pets. If your dog is having trouble with the adjustment, this could mean rehoming for the safety of other family members. You’ll want to be clear at the time of rehoming that the dog does not do well with children or other pets.

4. Has Your Financial Situation Changed?

The reality is that there are financial requirements for taking good care of a dog. Whether your dog is completely healthy or experiencing a health condition that contributes to veterinary visits and subsequent veterinary bills, these can easily add up. Talk to your veterinarian about payment plans, or if affording dog food is a challenge, research local pet food pantries in your area. If you’ve exhausted all your options and decide to rehome a dog for financial reasons, be sure to be up front with the new owners about any medical expenses involved in caring for your pet.

How to Rehome a Dog: Tips and Advice for Finding a Loving Home

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