Should I rehome my dog if my family wants him outside and ignores him?

I would strongly recommend that you take Marley to a Veterinary Behaviorist. They are very different than dog trainers, and can help you and him become more comfortable around other people. This should be done as soon as possible because it will take time for him to adjust. I would also have a sit down discussion with your family on what you expect his care to look like while you are gone. Somebody will have to feed him, take him outside to potty, give him mental stimulation, and be able to take him to the vet for care when needed. I understand that this is a very difficult time for you, and I hope that things will work out for Marley!

You are looking for the perfect dog, and he doesn't exist. Dogs do not want a "well clean comfy dog house." they want to be with their people (or, as you state, "a family dog"). A dog that primarily stays outside will not be a family dog! You mention wanting a "guardian." If your dog lives ourdoors much of the time, that area may become his "trerritory" and, if a killer got past the yard to the front door, your dog might do nothing since he may believe that the house is not his territory to protect. Very often separation anxiety is created inadvertently by the owner. Another concern I have is that you state, 'I am busy." A new dog, regardless of breed or size, needs a lot of care in order for him to acclimate to new surroundings. It does not sound to me as if you are ready to have a dog just now. Perhaps you could volunter at a vet's office or shelter to get an understanding of just how much work and time a dog can require in order to be well-adjusted and happy. If you would like to talk about this, you can click on the prompt and start a consult, where we can discuss your situation. It may be that, with a few adjustments, things might work now.

Poor Milo! It sounds like he's lonely and bored outside by himself. Dogs are social animals, and don't do well with living outside alone. I would either consider making Milo an inside dog so that he can spend time with you and your family, or work harder at getting him an appropriate amount of exercise and mental stimulation - things like going for long walks or hikes, taking him to training classes, playing with him for at least 30 minutes each day, etc.

Honestly, the best option is to consult with a professional, in-home dog trainer. In the long run this is going to be the most cost effective and will give you the best chance at resolving the issues without making them worse. These are times a professional needs to intervene. If you don't know what you are doing you can certainly make them worse. The trainer need to come to your house to see the behaviors and see how all the family members and/or other pets interact with him. Behavior problems are not quick fixes but you must consult a professional and be consistent. I really like BarkBusters and SitMeansSit but they may not have a trainer in your area. If not, call the closest one to you and see if they can refer you to someone else. You can also contact the rescue organization or your veterinarian for a training referral. ( https://www.barkbusters.com/dog-training-california-experts ) ( https://www.barkbusters.com/dog-training-sacramento-roseville-folsom ) ( https://sitmeanssit.com/locations/ ) In the meantime you can try some Adaptil diffusers, spray and/or collar to see if they help. You can usually buy these products at your local Petco. ( https://www.adaptil.com/us ) Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can always opt for a private consultation where we can chat back and forth. That way you can ask as many questions as you'd like. Best wishes.

He’s probably lonely living out there by himself when he’s been used to being in the house. I’d keep him in with you at night and sometimes in the day. He would enjoy walks outside of his fenced area also and playing with you or perhaps other dogs. That life is boring so I recommend doing more with him so he doesn’t develop behavioral problems. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rocco.

I'm so sorry about Thor. If training hasn't worked and he's still biting, especially without warning, he cannot be rehomed. I get where you are at with this. I had a Basset Hound I adored. He started getting crankier, and snapped at my kids a couple of times. Then one day, he bit my son in the face right next to his eye. If he had gotten his eye, my son could have been blind. As much as it hurt me to do it, I put him to sleep because my kids' safety was most important. I couldn't live with myself if he disfigured one of my kids. It's a hard hard decision, but in his case, putting him to sleep may be what is best for your family. I'm sorry.

I strongly recommend you consult with a professional, in-home dog trainer. You need a trainer to come to your house so they can see the behavior and the interaction of all the family members with Max. This is your best bet. Aggression problems need special care and it is not recommended that you try to correct this on your own. You may give him the wrong signals and make him worse. Especially with his breed you need to do this correctly and since his life start was not good that plays into his issues. This is a situation that definitely needs professional intervention. I suggest you call your vet to get a referral for a trainer or do an online search for trainers in your area. Best wishes.