Ironically I’m Concerned About A Dog’s Welfare, What Would You Do?
October 31, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
(Again, a lot of questions on this issue for me)
My sister (who lives with me) seems to have little concern for her dog.
He’s a greyhound x lab and they NEVER walk him, he RARELY goes to a park, he doesn’t go out in the yard much anymore as he barks at everything that moves including airplanes. He bit me tonight and my two dogs tried to kill him (he was pinned to the floor with blood pooling out of his head and face). Afterwards here was a gash in his head where I think I saw his skull, his tongue was bleeding, his ear is torn…. I called and called and she wouldn’t come home to take care of him. THEN seemed to think he was fine as I’d dumped a whack of quick stop on it to stop it from bleeding and being infected.
He’s not trained, he’s rarely played with and he doesn’t listen well.
I’ve tried to tell her the problems to no avail. “…. take care of your dog” “your dog is dominant” “walk your dog”….
As an animal lover, what would you do to make her listen and be a good owner?
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Well, as a dog lover, I’d cry.
I stand by my recommendation to take the whole household to basic obedience. It will help people and dogs bond, which should help her be more concerned with the dog’s welfare.
Why does she even have this dog if he’s never played with? That’s half the fun of having a dog!
You cannot make your sister be a good dog owner.
Now…you say that your sister lives with you? Are you roomies? Is she on the lease? Is she staying with you for a short period of time?
Her dog bit you. So…maybe you need to have her crate her dog, in her room when she is not home. Not only will this keep him from biting you but also keep the other dogs away from him and him away from the other dogs.
Or…you can basically tell her that she needs to do something with her dog as in training or whatever you want from her or her dog and/or her has to leave. If its your home YOU are the master of your home. You have to let your sister know that her dogs actions are not acceptable in your home and that her actions are not acceptable in your home.
So did your dogs attack because the dog bit you? Why did her dog bite you? What were the circumstances surrounding the event? Did the dog feel threatened? Was it over food or a toy?
if you care for your sisters dog try to walk him and give him some attention in a different room where your dogs arnt. you can report her to ascpa or report her to the animal police for neglect. if there are no other choice, give the dog to a NO KILL animal shelter. dont let your sisters dog suffer just because of your sister
SHE SHOULD GIVE THE DOG UP TO SOMEBODY WHO WILL CARE ABOUT HIM. THE POOR ANIMAL IS NEGLECTED. YOU CAN NOT MAKE SOMEBODY CARE IF IT IS NOT IN THEM TO CARE. I FEEL SORRY FOR THE DOG. ASK HER WHY SHE GOT HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE AND IF SHE REALLY WANTS HIM. SEE IF SHE WILL GIVE HIM UP.
She shouldn’t have gotten the dog if she doesn’t have the time to do anything with it! I really don’t know what to tell you. Maybe you should tell her that you are going to be finding a home for him. Actually, before she gets arrested, honestly……she could be in trouble. The dog is not being treated right. He should have been taken to the vets also after this bleeding incident. Has the dog ever even been to the vets?
Its the people like your sister, that make dog people look bad. No sense of responsibility for her dog. I am sure the dog isn’t the only thing she is not responsible for. Its funny my friends that are married had a dog years ago. I always said, how can you be so neglective with your dog. They would be like, “its only a dog.”Well they have kids now and they really such as parents too.
That’s terrible! I feel for you and how hard it must be to deal with.
I think you should try to look after the dog yourself. If you live together, it must be possible for you to sort of “take charge”. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you started to train him, play with him and generally look after him. She doesn’t sound like she’s very involved anyway.
I know it souns harsh, but if you have been talking to her and it’s not working, tell her that if she doesnt take some responsibility (or let you have the dog) you will call the SPCA and she will be in trouble for animal cruelty.
The other problem is that he doesn’t get along with your dogs. Is it possible to keep them seperate where you live?
If you simply dont have the time and money to look after an extra dog, suggest to her that she gives him to the SPCA. I know it’s really sad, but he’ll have more of a chnace there than he does where he is right now.
Good luck
First what is you’re sister doing with a dog?? Sounds like that’s the last thing in the world she needs. I think you need to help her find a loving home for this innocent animal.
i would definatly take the dog to obedience before telling her to eithier take responsibility or get out with your dog. I don’t think it is fair that she makes you care for her dog and provide first aid to him although that was good on your part. One i hope you take him to the vet to get his wounds inspected and 2 tell your sister to move out – as mean as that may seem.
The dog can be re-trained your sister – well i have my doubts but taking her to obedience school with the dog may help her to realize her responsibility
Good Luck.
Have fun deciding what your personal relationship is with your sister. That will affect whether you remonstrate with her, or move out, or kick her out, or report her dog for biting, or steal her dog & lie to a shelter about it being your own dog, or take over its care & training, or do something else.
I am somewhat concerned that you didn’t take her dog to the vet yourself, if the rips are as bad as you suggest. I believe that your phone call shouldn’t have been “Stop working & come home”, it should have been “I’m taking your dog to the vet because xyz – do you want me to give you time to come straight home so that you can go with us?”
As for the dogs:
It certainly sounds as though there needs to be physical separation between her dog and the rest of the household when she is not home with it. I suspect that from now on the 2 sets of dogs are going to have to be physically separated even when she IS home.
WHY her dog bit you is highly relevant, but not mentioned.
Also highly relevant is whether a Court would consider the degree of violence used by your dogs was justifiable or whether you should have established control more quickly.
Les P, owner of GSD_Friendly: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GSD_F…
“In GSDs” as of 1967
well it sounds like your sister shouldn’t own a dog at all. Dogs need the same attention as humans do, I think you should have her find a better owner to adopt him. well good luck it’s going to be tough no matter what you decide to do.
that poor dog is screaming for attention, whether it is good or bad. Whether you want to admit it or not this IS ABUSE. Anybody who has a pet and no longer has the time to take care of it, should not have that pet.
With that breed mix too..those are both working breeds, and need activity. Before anybody can train him he needs to be put into a loving home that will actually be willing to dedicate them selves to it. And understand the breeds that he is a mix of.
Why does she even have a dog?
If it were me it would be so easy.
Just quietly make some calls to everyone you know asking if they’d like to have the dog explain the situation and what this dog needs to be happy and you’re looking for someone who can provide it with a home where it’s needs will be met completely because it breaks your heart to see it being miserable.Tell your friends to put the word out for you.
If all else fails take the dog 3 towns away from where you live and drop it at the nearest shelter telling them you’re turning it in as a stray after you remove it’s collar.Make sure it’s a no kill shelter tho.
I would’nt feel a bit guilty about it either.If that dog bites a child visiting your home YOU will be held liable.
Your sister does not deserve to have a dog if this is the way she’ll continue to care for it.She has it but wants you to do all the work.She’s irresponsible and as much as I hate seeing dogs dropped at shellters it’s better it spends it’s entire life their where it will be cared for than left with an idiot who does not care about it.