Message from discussion Transitioning dog to new owner

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From: "Judy" <doub...@cableracer.com>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Subject: Re: Transitioning dog to new owner
Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 17:09:16 -0400
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"Paul E. Schoen" <pst...@smart.net> wrote in message 
news:44fb3b73$0$10206$ecde5a14@news.coretel.net...
>I put an ad on FreeCycle offering Muttley to someone who could give him a 
>better home, and offering to help by taking Muttley back for short periods 
>of time if they needed to go on vacation, or for any other reason. I got 
>one response that indicated this might cause him to become deeply 
>depressed.

I think it is entirely an individual thing.

We used to dog-sit for some friends who would leave their dog here for a 
weekend or even a week or two at a time.  She always adjusted, although it 
was clearly a little confusing for her at times.  When the friends could no 
longer keep her, and we didn't want to add another dog to our household, 
they found her a new, wonderful, home.  They took her there for a few days' 
trial and when it all worked out well, just never went back and got her. 
They said they were concerned that it would confuse her but I suspect it had 
more to do with them.

My SIL used to board her dog a half a dozen times a year.  The place was 
rather free and open - the dogs all lived together on one floor of the 
house.  While happy to see his family again, he always seemed to look on it 
as his own vacation time.

Our breeder currently has a dog out "on loan" with a woman who has some 
serious health problems.  The woman wanted a dog but, because of her short 
life expectancy, it really wasn't a good idea to make that commitment.  So 
she has a loaner.  The dog is a real cuddler, quiet and just what the doctor 
ordered.  When the woman dies or has to go into a nursing home, the dog will 
return to the breeder's house.  She was never "for sale" and the breeder 
will be very happy to get her back when her job as Full Time Therapy Dog is 
over.  (The dog has already made one trip back home and then was returned to 
the woman when her health improved enough to stay at home again.)

My only hesitation in your situation - not knowing the dog or the people 
involved - is that the dog's history is one of being moved around.  For some 
dogs, this will make them more adaptable.  For others, it may make them more 
worried each time their household changes, not knowing how it will affect 
them.  If I were in your position, I think I'd mention that I was willing to 
board the dog in the future as long as it wasn't distressing to the dog.

Judy