Falon, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with giving up Aikon. If he's not the right match, he's not the right match. I know you love him and are heartbroken over it, and I just can't even imagine how painful it has to be for you to give him up. But in the end, you're making the right choice. I'm sorry other people can't seem to understand that it's not. I'm sorry you have to make this decision at all.
Logan was supposed to be a SAR dog. Because Logan was not the right dog at the right time for his future SAR handler, he became my service dog instead. This is what happens when dogs from a good breeder with a good safety net are rehomed. They're not euthanized, they're not abused, they're not put on Craigslist on a first-come first-served basis. They are placed in a new home that will love them just as much AND that will be the right fit.
Rehoming service dog candidates when they don't pan out is VERY common. Most people can't afford to keep washouts AND still have a working service dog. If Logan had washed out, I wouldn't be able to have another shot at a service dog until one of my dogs dies (this is because I am very attached to my dogs and it would be MY CHOICE to keep them. Gavroche is my heart dog and there's no way he's going anywhere, and I really couldn't have parted with Logan after I had him for two years. This is for me, emotionally, and NOT something I think is right or wrong). Many people don't have the option of waiting 10 years to try for another service dog. Sporting dogs or other working dogs shouldn't be any different. If you need a dog for a specific purpose, and the dog you get doesn't pan out, there's NOTHING wrong with trying again. Heck, the same goes for a pet - if the dog is just NOT a good match for your family, why should you make yourselves miserable (the dog included) and stick it out, when the better option would be to return the dog to the breeder and try again?
I just really, really don't get the hate going on here. This is why we get dogs from responsible breeders - because if anything happens, they have a place to go back to!
Logan was supposed to be a SAR dog. Because Logan was not the right dog at the right time for his future SAR handler, he became my service dog instead. This is what happens when dogs from a good breeder with a good safety net are rehomed. They're not euthanized, they're not abused, they're not put on Craigslist on a first-come first-served basis. They are placed in a new home that will love them just as much AND that will be the right fit.
Rehoming service dog candidates when they don't pan out is VERY common. Most people can't afford to keep washouts AND still have a working service dog. If Logan had washed out, I wouldn't be able to have another shot at a service dog until one of my dogs dies (this is because I am very attached to my dogs and it would be MY CHOICE to keep them. Gavroche is my heart dog and there's no way he's going anywhere, and I really couldn't have parted with Logan after I had him for two years. This is for me, emotionally, and NOT something I think is right or wrong). Many people don't have the option of waiting 10 years to try for another service dog. Sporting dogs or other working dogs shouldn't be any different. If you need a dog for a specific purpose, and the dog you get doesn't pan out, there's NOTHING wrong with trying again. Heck, the same goes for a pet - if the dog is just NOT a good match for your family, why should you make yourselves miserable (the dog included) and stick it out, when the better option would be to return the dog to the breeder and try again?
I just really, really don't get the hate going on here. This is why we get dogs from responsible breeders - because if anything happens, they have a place to go back to!