What to <span title="do...................................?">do..........................</span>

Question

It's so easy on here to tell strangers what they should do before getting a pet, or when training a pet, or in some cases--when having to get rid of one. But right now I'm having to tell one of my best friends that she is being an irresponsible owner. And I don't know how to put it in a way that will be effective--without being too offensive.

Here's the deal. Her old dog died a few months ago, and soon after she rescued a Welsh Corgie, "Jiggs". Jiggs came from a home where he was kept outside, abused, and had a few dominance issues. His biggest problem was that he constantly demanded attention. When he wasn't being petted, he would whine, bump, woof etc. He had a particular dislike for my friend, because, as she did with her former pet, she would constantly provoke him [i.e. touch his paws [which he disliked acutely] until he snapped, be rough with him etc. to the point where he would snap and make her back off]. The whole family babied him, which fostered his natural dominant nature.

Long story short, now she's returning him to the shelter like a broken piece of merchandise because the family was not consistent in their training. Now she's getting a PUPPY [heeler x c. spaniel mix--obviously from two active, "bite prone" breeds] from a store. I told her essentially that as someone who couldn't handle a house broken, somewhat trained adult dog, I don't see her being able to handle a puppy, along with all the things about how puppy mills are bad. I doubt she'll listen, and I know that this dog will end up back where it came from probably sooner than her last dog--is there anything I can do--any sources I can show here that will make her think twice? I know in the end it's her family's decision, but after watching a great dog be denied what could have been a potentially great home and family, I don't want to see it happen again.

Any sources/advice are greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Tell her that pets are not a commodity.  She can&#039;t get one then take it back and expect to get another one that&#039;s perfect.  It doesn&#039;t work that way.  My old dog, Blue, had dominance problems.  Well, more, protective problems.  Whenever I was around him and another dog came toward us, he would make the other dog submissive.  Blue was a puppy when he was abandoned and he was one when we got him.  He had no real direction in his life.  When training him, I knew it was going to be hard because &quot;sit&quot; meant that he wanted the treat and if he didn&#039;t get it, he left.  Finally, when I said his name firmly, but not loudly, then he knew to behave.  If she and her family weren&#039;t willing to stick to a full grown dog, a PUPPY is going to be SO much harder.

Answer 2

you cant call any type of law man because she isnt &quot;technically&quot; doing anything wrong...but morally we all know the story.

Unfortunately there is not much you can do. If she gave up on dog A, she may give up on dog B. It&#039;s not your call, though. The best thing you can do is sit your friend down, tell her what you saw happen with the last dog and try to talk her into waiting on a new dog, or maybe considering a new type of pet altogether. like a fish....

Or, let her read all the responses you get from this question. Maybe when she sees just how many people think that what she is doing is inappropriate she will think twice. I know I would! You are doing a great thing to worry about the mishandled animals in your friends wake, however I would hate to see you lose a friend so make sure you let her know that you care about her and you dont want to see her go through the emotional stresses of having to rehome yet another animal she gets attatched to if things dont work out. I wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 3

I find the problem with these type people is that they are know it all.  They are right and the world is all wrong.  They are going to do what they want to do no matter what.  You could try to contact the people she is getting the puppy from, but she would just get a new puppy from someone else.  It is not like you can train the puppy for her, because puppies take a ton of time.  You might try printing your question and letting your friend read it, but I don&#039;t think it would do any good.  Maybe you could get her a set of Dog Whisperer DVDs. I would just try to help the puppy as much as you can when you are at their house.  Sometimes I show other people how to train their dogs, but I am arrogant that way.  

Answer 4

That is a touchy subject. Honestly, I would call animal control and let them know what she is doing. Let someone else do the dirty work. In all honesty, you aren&#039;t her mother and it isn&#039;t your responsibility to tell her she shouldn&#039;t have a dog.

Answer 5

Just explain to her that no dog is born perfect. that any dog, with any bad habit can be changed. that she just has to work at it and possibly change the way she treats her dog. (like praising it for bad behavior) even if she doesn&#039;t realize it.

Hope that helps

Answer 6

Tell her straight up she doesn&#039;t desevre an animal, they are not toys or objects, you can&#039;t just throw them away like that, animals have feelings too.

She is a terrible pet parent!!

Answer 7

But if she returns him to the shelter..isn&#039;t there a chance he could be euthanized if no one else adopts him? Poor Jiggs :( that would be enough to change my mind and keep him!! He had finally found a good home where he wasn&#039;t abused and now she wants to get rid of him. I hope she changes her mind and just has a little more patience with him :)

Answer 8

Perhaps you can recommend a good obedience school to her where she will learn more about dog behavior.

Although I have to say that if it were me I would just come right out and say it to her.

Perhaps recommend some on line courses to her.

I would hate to think of what will happen to that pup the first time it pee`s in the house.

It is a real touchy subject and it may cost you a friend but some one has to be able to either teach her or just come right out and say dogs and you don`t work.

Good luck and God bless