What Do You Think Of This?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
Right, here I go.
So my best friend has a 6 year old English Cocker Spaniel (Maizie), to a doggy person it is clear to see that this dog has issues, it is snappy and stubborn with my friend and has some very bad behavioural/possibly pack ranking problems, however my friends mum sees very little fault with her and thinks she is a great dog. Now that isn’t my problem, this is!
So my friend text me a few weeks back saying that they were getting a puppy. My Instant response was,
where from?
what breed?
what sex?
Wow! From my mums friend, its a mongrel and it’s a girl.
I said, ‘do you think Maizie will take well to another female puppy?’, my friends response was, ‘probably not, Maizie will probably kill it but my mum said, she’s not having any ”willies” in this house.
I left the conversation topic there and moved onto something else.
Fair enough, if they want another dog they can get another dog, although it did baffle my mum and I as to what Maizie would think of it and also because they are going on holiday end of July, where is the puppy supposed to go??
Well, it gets worse. My friend phoned me up the other day and told me her mum wanted to get another puppy, and they were. I assumed it was from the same litter, but oh no, I was wrong. Another friend had Greyhound/Whippet puppies, surprise surprise, they were getting a *****. I said to her, ‘you must be mad. Not even I, a dog crazy orientated person who is knowledgeable on the species would ever get two puppies at the same time!!’ She told me it was three weeks old and she’d been to visit it that day. I asked her when they were getting the new dogs and she said in about two weeks ‘NO!!’ I told her this was very unwise and to wait until the puppy is atleast 8 weeks old to prevent behavioural problems.
To some it up, they currently have a temprimental cocker who is very possessive over her owner. Two people who know little about dogs (my friend couldn’t care less if they had a dog or not) and the family are out from 7.30am-5.00pm, during this time the three dogs will be left. Oh and because they think my dogs are so well trained they have asked me to help with training because they wont be taking them to training classes. They are not doggy people, their dog has to fit in with their lives and they don’t make compromises for Maizie, which means she doesn’t get daily exercise. My friends nan is also suffering from alziemers and so is living bed ridden in their house with them.
What would you do?
Maybe I’m over reacting because I would love to have three dogs.
Is this really bad?
Oh I don’t know what to say to my friend or anything?
Any advice would be welcomed, thank you.
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As someone who’s been in similar situations many times- feeling “helpless” while watching friends/family members make ignorant & foolish choices involving their pets…..
….personally, I feel you “can’t fix stupid”, and you’ll only give yourself an ulcer if you try TOO hard to make everything “right”.
What I’ve done, is been there to give ALL the advice I can, sometimes to the point of repeating myself. I keep things simple. Instead of expounding on all the reasons why 3 female dogs, two of them puppies, are likely to cause ultimate chaos & probably end up fighting later on…..I’d just keep saying, “You’re going to end up with big problems. You’re making a big mistake. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” When this “prophecy” comes true, and they’re nearing the end of their rope, they’ll be more likely to SHUT UP and LISTEN to details and specific instructions to remedy any problems.
If they’re willing to read anything- email links, or print out some information & give it to them.
But largely, if you’re like me and the type of person to be less concerned about the people & more worried about the dogs in cases like this…..I would be the person sticking around, ready to help do ANYTHING to help bring the dogs a better quality of life. If you think you can help with training without disrupting your personal life- go for it. I would.
Even if “helping” means locating a suitable rescue group or no-kill shelter, or finding a better home for the pups when the inevitable happens & Mum is pulling her hair out wanting to be rid of the new puppies. At least you’ll be there to ensure the pups get a PROPER home and not end up dumped anywhere it’s convenient. As thickheaded as some people can be when it comes to dogs, it may be the ONLY real way you’ll be able to help these pups, but it’s better than nothing. Good luck!
I agree with a couple of the posters.
I also want to put this out there. If you relent and help them train the dogs, be careful. I would hate for those dogs to have issues, bite someone, do something wrong and you get blamed for it.
What about getting them a puppy basket filled with good treats, a toy or two and some training pamphlets. Offer to help with specific things, potty training for instance, but then pass on the “harder” issues.
Oh my god, I would shoot my friend’s mom.
I have no idea what you could say to them. They are being immensely irresponsible! I don’t think you are reacting badly, but there’s not anything you can really do.
I don’t know if telling her straight up that this is all a bad idea would work, or if she’d get mad at you, but perhaps try.
[:
Peace.
And they wonder why their high prey, high energy dog has behavioral problems? The dog does not get any exercise, and they are thinking of getting two more, no offense but you’re friends mom is a moron that should not be allowed to have any pets.
They will not be doing that dog any good by bringing in two puppies. Besides it is not recommended to get two pups at the same time.
If they are not dog people why in the hell do they have them?
first of all, shorten your question. once someone comes across this question and realizes how long it is, they wont want to read it and they’ll not answer it. just like me.