[pipistrelle]

Hi! I’m new here. Reading through different threads of people’s experiences and kind responses has helped me feel a lot less alone.

My partner bought a chihuahua, Coco, who’s 15 months old, and he moved in on Saturday (that’s four days ago). The previous owner was very helpful, and Coco has been settling in really well - no significant behavioural issues (visible yet anyway), sweet and affectionate, smart and a quick learner, and we’ve been keeping to the same routine he had before. Unfortunately my partner is far more allergic to him than they realised, and his (normal) barking really panics them - like, full panic attacks, which I haven’t seen in a while. We can’t look after this guy.

We’re going down the list of contacting previous owner, putting out feelers to friends and the local area, and giving him up to a local rescue (this is the last option, not least because he’s scared of big dogs so would probably not do great in a kennel). I’m just really broken up about it. I’m feeling very guilty, even though he’s my partner’s dog and I don’t blame them, and I feel like I have to mourn the future I’ve been imagining with him. It’s hard to deal with how intense these feelings are.

Any experiences from people who had to give up a dog, or tips on managing my reaction to it so I’m not crying on him all the time (don’t want to give him too much salt ), very much appreciated.

 

[JoanneF]

If his previous owner can’t take him, don’t rule out rescue. They should have the knowledge, resources and experience to do thorough home checks so he doesn’t end up somewhere unsuitable or even as a bait dog.

 

[LMMB]

Hi! I’m new here. Reading through different threads of people’s experiences and kind responses has helped me feel a lot less alone.

My partner bought a chihuahua, Coco, who’s 15 months old, and he moved in on Saturday (that’s four days ago). The previous owner was very helpful, and Coco has been settling in really well - no significant behavioural issues (visible yet anyway), sweet and affectionate, smart and a quick learner, and we’ve been keeping to the same routine he had before. Unfortunately my partner is far more allergic to him than they realised, and his (normal) barking really panics them - like, full panic attacks, which I haven’t seen in a while. We can’t look after this guy.

We’re going down the list of contacting previous owner, putting out feelers to friends and the local area, and giving him up to a local rescue (this is the last option, not least because he’s scared of big dogs so would probably not do great in a kennel). I’m just really broken up about it. I’m feeling very guilty, even though he’s my partner’s dog and I don’t blame them, and I feel like I have to mourn the future I’ve been imagining with him. It’s hard to deal with how intense these feelings are.

Any experiences from people who had to give up a dog, or tips on managing my reaction to it so I’m not crying on him all the time (don’t want to give him too much salt ), very much appreciated.

Hi.

If you have to rehome him and his previous owners won’t take him back, then contact a rescue centre, preferably a Chihuahua breed rescue or a reputable local one - not the local pound.

 

[pipistrelle]

Hi.

If you have to rehome him and his previous owners won’t take him back, then contact a rescue centre, preferably a Chihuahua breed rescue or a reputable local one - not the local pound.

Hi - there are no Chihuahua-breed rescues here, but there are several local centres run by national pet welfare charities. One of them recommends asking family, friends or neighbours if a dog you want to rehome would suit them before surrendering them to the centre, which is why it’s on my list. Thank you both for the guidance. I’ll keep it in mind and contact centres first.

 

[Shadowmom]

There's allergy treatments like allergy immune injections which have worked really well on my cat. There's also very helpful therapy and medications for panic attacks. Your partner could work through their issues to keep this dog. Shouldn't have gotten a dog in the first place if they knew they were allergic.

I've personally ended any romantic relationship where the person wasn't accepting of my pets or expected me to eventually be pet free because I could never not have at least a dog and two cats in my life. So I wouldn't even consider going without pets or returning a pet that already bonded to me for anyone. That's just me. But there are effective allergy treatments and anxiety treatments that are worth trying before giving up the dog.