Dog Community

Please help, I feel bad for this dog.

Posted : 8/18/2006 6:52:35 PM

So my girlfriend and her mom have a nice, about 5 years old, black lab. Anyways, it lives in it's crate from 8:00am-5:30pm comes out for dinner and while her mom is up and then goes back in the crate all night, 10:00pm - 7:00am. So, it's maybe out of it's crate for about 5 hours a day or 19 or so hours in the crate everyday. I feel bad for the guy, he's a big lab mix and he can barley turn around but if they let him out when nobody is there he will find things around the house and eat them so they have to lock him up. I would like to get them to stop and try to let him out but I can't just say that, I don't want to be a jerk to her mom and look like an ass-hole. Any ideas?

The reason this story came up was because I didn't get any sleep last night, the damn dog barked all night in it's crate and then wined...

Don't get me wrong, my girlfriend and her mom loves animals but they feel tied up since he eats stuff when their not there. Actually, he will go in rooms when they are there and drag things out and eat them too, I think he need attention.

cakana

Posted : 8/18/2006 7:00:03 PM

Is it possible for you to offer to take over exercising and training him? Maybe just say "hey, I'd love to have a pal to go run with" or something like that. Then maybe suggest finding an area he can be in, such as gating off the laundry room or kitchen, so at least he has room to move around. If nothing else, he really must have a crate large enough to turn around or stand up in. You're in a tough spot, but if they love him as you say they do, I'm betting they'll be willing to listen to your advice, especially if you're willing to help.

sierra2002

Posted : 8/18/2006 7:04:25 PM

I also think that this dogs problems could be greatly helped with some exercise. The poor guy is a retriever, and was bred for exercise. Perhaps you could take cakana's suggestion and offer to run with him?

Ryan Detzel

Posted : 8/18/2006 7:06:48 PM

I would but I am at their house maybe twice a week for maybe 2-3 hours when I get off work.

I made the suggestion they try to leave him out one night. They picked up everything he could get but he cried at her door and her mother door all night so they put him back in the crate.

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Posted : 8/18/2006 7:17:47 PM

WOW, thats crazy! I couldnt imagine, pleasse dont take this the wrong way but why the heck did they get a dog in the first place? I mean obviously there are he is fed, warm, and secure but its a different type of abuse. Dogs are pack animals and you are right to be concerned. What if they baby gated the kitchen off and left him in there? He would have some more space and feel more like part of the household? The mom wont put the crate in her room and leave the crate door open for him? All the lady has to do is put her shoes and such away. Not giving him exercise IS a form of abuse though, thats just wrong.

miranadobe

Posted : 8/18/2006 7:51:49 PM

They picked up everything he could get but he cried at her door and her mother door all night

Man, they really don't want to be around that dog, do they?

olinda

Posted : 8/18/2006 9:25:02 PM

Wow poor dog, why do they have him in the first place? All I can say is that when there is a will there is a way!

If you don't mind me asking what to they do all day that they cannot find a couple of hours a day to walk him? what about weekends?

Sometimes is better to have a stuffed animal than a live one. I am sorry I don't mean to come off rude, but that is cruelty. [

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If they don't have time for the dog, can they find a walker or maybe a responsible neighborhood kid to exercise him a couple of times a day? Have they thought of maybe trying to find a better home for him? [

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gradyupmybutt

Posted : 8/18/2006 9:57:51 PM

Um, can they afford to possibly send the pup to Doggie Daycare to burn off some energy? I feel badly for the pup & for you to be in this situation.