__crazy_canine__ Posted January 11, 2004 Posted January 11, 2004 My aunt has a dog that she got for her children to play with. She is a lab mix, they think and she is really sweet but has many behavioral problems. Recently they have been thinking about getting rid of her. I am sooooo mad at them for that because I knew before they got the puppy that they wouldnt have time for her. tHey have 3 children under 8 years of age and they all were so happy at first but now Slippers is like an old toy, unused and ignored. I love her so much and I would hate to see her leave but Im starting to think it would be best for her. Maybe I could help train her so that they wont get rid of her but I will need ya'lls help. First of all I will give you a basic summary of her behavior. When she sees somebody coming outside (she is an outside dog only so its like her kingdom) she will either bark and act dominant or completely submit and run to you with her tail tucked and pee on the ground. With me she knows I wont hurt her and I am her playmate so I personally dont see too much wrong with her but everyone else thinks she is cowardly or even worse too hyper and uncontrollable. Second, once she does know you Slippers will jump up on you ALL the time!!! I know shes still a puppy (10 months) and she wants to play but she wont just sit with you and be calm she HAS to play. If you sit on the ground she tackles you, if youre standing up she jumps, if you start to run she chases you and treats you like her own prey. She just wont stop being active! lol Also, I would love to take her for walks on the leash but she hates to leave the yard. I think she is afraid of being away from her territory and is insecure. Shes afraid of water too but thats no big deal as she doesnt need to be in water except for baths. Oh and she has a chewing problem! Slippers is biting EVERYTHING in the yard. That is the main reason they wanted to get rid of her. Bitter apple is something suggested but will it work? If not we need something that will be child safe. Overall she needs basic obeidience and maybe even a sport or activity to release her energy in. Almost any toy can keep her attention so I think as long as the sport involves an item she will accept it. Thanks for your help everyone and I hope you reply because we really need your opinion! It coudld be a life or death matter, if they return her to the shlter who knows what will happen to her... Quote
imported_Cassie Posted January 11, 2004 Posted January 11, 2004 That poor dog...bless your heart for trying to help the poor pup out. :angel: she is an outside dog only First off, a dog cannot learn to be a good companion or house dog by being an outside dog only...and the excitment or fear of an unsocialized dog is quite normal. To fear going out side her yard is very common for dogs which are left kenneled or tied. Another thing, its wonderful of you to want to train the pup and take care of it...is there any way you can move the dog in with you??? if not, its going to be a dead end street...you will train the dog and the training will soon be forgotten by being left alone again and the dogs owners not being consistant with the training you teach...as for social manners, if I were left by myself for long periods of time and some one came to visit me...I would probably be so starved for attention I would jump all over that person as well, or I could be frightened or defensive, or perhaps a little aggressive...dogs are social animals and live in packs...being away from the family is very very hard on a dog...can you imagine how lonely it must be to sit out side just waiting for some one to come out to see you...how horrible. Another thing as well, a dog can get defensive or aggressive when it comes to "their area" . All I can say is this dog would probably have a better chance in a new home...I know that there are thousands of dogs and pups looking for a homes...and to return her to the shelter is a pity...but, is her quality of life good??? I don't know which is worse for a dog...being left alone...or going to the shelter and possibly finding a good home with people who will keep her indoors and train her. The older she gets and the more bad habits she forms the less the family is going to want to be with her... This is just my opinion...perhaps some one else on this board will give you better advice... :( Quote
DogPaddle Posted January 12, 2004 Posted January 12, 2004 Jumping and spazzing - sheer joy at seeing people, relief from boredom - being left in yard, needs some obed. training. Chewing everything in yard - BOREDOM - being left in yard. Barking at strangers - territory thing, contributed to by being left in yard also may be plea for attention. Leash thing - unfamiliarity??? Either see if the dog can become an inside/outside dog and work on obedience and make sure it has plenty of daily excercise and intereaction and "good" chew toys or contact a local dog PLACEMENT group in your area and see if they will foster the dog with someone who will work on the dogs socialization, training and will keep the dog indoors while having it posted for adoption somewhere. Sending this dog to a shelter will only enhance its behaviour issues and possibly make it difficult to adopt out so that is why I suggest a placement group or animal resuce group - also look into Petfinder and maybe convince the current owner to do what a placement group would do to make the dog more adoptable. Quote
kendalyn Posted January 12, 2004 Posted January 12, 2004 Her behavior problems really sound like they are a product of being left outside in the yard and ignored. The poor thing is bored out of her mind! You already know your aunt doesn't have the time or inclination to work with this dog. It sounds like talking to her is not going to help. Have you suggested moving the dog indoors and if so, was she even a little receptive to it? If not, than I really believe the dog should be rehomed. This is not a good life for her :-( No matter how much you want to help, unless you move in and start making real changes, it's not going to work. Quote
__crazy_canine__ Posted January 12, 2004 Author Posted January 12, 2004 Thanks you all, I think Ill try to hepl the situation from your suggestions. Ok, I know this sounds selfish that I want her to stay there just so I can see her because I have REALLY grow attached to her. I know shes going to need a better home though. Its just going to be so hard for me to let her go... OMG Im crying right now. The only problem now is finding her a shelter, that is if they will give her up. If they arent going to Im just going to have to try my best to teach her myself, though as most of you have said if they dont renforce it my teachings wont work too much. Does anyone know of a good toy or something that will keep her busy in her lonesome time outside? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and thanks for your help everyone!!! Quote
__crazy_canine__ Posted January 12, 2004 Author Posted January 12, 2004 Cassie napisał(a): Another thing, its wonderful of you to want to train the pup and take care of it...is there any way you can move the dog in with you??? ...I wish I could but I live in an apartment :x and I have a cat so it wouldnt work out. kendalyn napisał(a):Have you suggested moving the dog indoors and if so, was she even a little receptive to it? I talked to her about it once but almost the whole family has alergies. Ill try again, they can always take pills for that. Though Im not going to say that to them, I dont wanna be too rude, even though they deserve it for what they are doing to the poor puppy. Im so mad about the whole situation.... Quote
kendalyn Posted January 13, 2004 Posted January 13, 2004 the whole family has alergies :o That is ridiculous. Obviously they have no business having this dog. I know it'll be hard for you, but she needs a new home. Will the place you volunteer at be able to take it in? Then you could still see her. In the meantime you could try giving her a kong with cream cheese inside it to keep her busy. Or maybe some rawhides or pig ears to chew on. Anything to keep her entertained and not chewing their stuff. Quote
DogPaddle Posted January 13, 2004 Posted January 13, 2004 Try looking at this site for shelters and foster groups to start with: http://www.uexplore.com/directory/txnokill.htm However, I strongly encourage you to find a group that does foster only if possible because this dog needs the indoor experience for a successful adoption into a good home. Train the dog while it is still in its current home - you will be helping the process greatly, giving the dog a better chance and the people who adopt her will greatly benefit from it. Also check out http://www.petfinder.org/ they allow the dogs to be posted continent wide and there is a spot for a pic and you can keep the dog where it is while the adoption process progresses. This has the added benefit of the family seeing the whole process which may teach them more about pet ownership and the concequences. to make the process easier see if the owners will allow you to work on training lots and move the dog inside "to make the adoption easier", many people are leary of taking an outside only dog and having her indoors may calm her some. Good Luck and Good Job! Quote
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