How do you tell a friend...

Probably... you aren't going to be able to tell her until she's ready to hear. Maybe bring the poor thing a couple of toys to play with and an old blanket or something to lay on?  

I once dog-sat for a dog that wasn't really neglected, but not quite in the condition or being treated the way I would like even a novice owner to be treating their dog.  I never said anything to the owners, but while they were gone, I cleaned out her kennel (she lived outdoors unfortunately), spend days grooming her (cleaning her fur - this was a Malamute - and brushing every day), and working on her manners while walking.  I figure if people are open to seeing what needs to be seen, results speak for themselves.  I simply left the house key and note describing what I did so they knew I had stopped by every day.  They did e-mail me back and say she looked great, so I explained what I had been doing with the brushing.  They can take it or leave it.

jennie_c_d

Probably... you aren't going to be able to tell her until she's ready to hear. Maybe bring the poor thing a couple of toys to play with and an old blanket or something to lay on?  

Already did it. I brought her the bed we originally got for Apollo, but it was way too small, and his kong that he never uses and a squeeky. She LOVED them.

Liesje

I once dog-sat for a dog that wasn't really neglected, but not quite in the condition or being treated the way I would like even a novice owner to be treating their dog.

That's exactly how this dog is...she isn't neglected, but she isn't well cared for. It's like she's in the grey area....between good ownership and bad ownership.

I'm sure she's really thankful for the toys and beddie. If her mom asks why, you can just tell her that Apollo didn't use them, and you thought her puppy would appreciate them. 

Yah, she's SO tiny though, about 5-6lbs and Apollo is 100+lbs...so the kong and squeeky are like the same size as her...and the bed is HUGE, but comfy!

Would you be willing to give the dog a bath and brush her out?  I think maybe if she comes home and realizes you did all the stuff that dog owners should do, she'll be embarrassed enough to start doing them?  Or at least she could no longer be ignorant to the fact that she hasn't been taking good enough care of her dog. 

Hast the dog ever been to the vet?  I know you said no vaccs and not spayed. No vet care is kind of neglegent IMO, not that there isn't anything you could really do, but it's maddening to hear.

LillianD

Would you be willing to give the dog a bath and brush her out?  I think maybe if she comes home and realizes you did all the stuff that dog owners should do, she'll be embarrassed enough to start doing them?  Or at least she could no longer be ignorant to the fact that she hasn't been taking good enough care of her dog. 

 

Hast the dog ever been to the vet?  I know you said no vaccs and not spayed. No vet care is kind of neglegent IMO, not that there isn't anything you could really do, but it's maddening to hear.

I highly doubt it. The only reason I knew she had no vaccines and wasn't spayed was because I told her how much it was for Apollo's annual recently and she said "You're nuts to pay that! That's exactly why my dog hasn't had anything done".  I don't have a problem bathing and brushing when I get some extra time. It just drives me crazy knowing my friend has money to go on vacation but doesn't want to pay for her dog....

Liesje

I once dog-sat for a dog that wasn't really neglected, but not quite in the condition or being treated the way I would like even a novice owner to be treating their dog.  I never said anything to the owners, but while they were gone, I cleaned out her kennel (she lived outdoors unfortunately), spend days grooming her (cleaning her fur - this was a Malamute - and brushing every day), and working on her manners while walking.  I figure if people are open to seeing what needs to be seen, results speak for themselves.  I simply left the house key and note describing what I did so they knew I had stopped by every day.  They did e-mail me back and say she looked great, so I explained what I had been doing with the brushing.  They can take it or leave it.

I think this is probably the best thing you could do... especially the note... another option, which is probably what I would do, is absolutely refuse to have anything to do with her or her dog until it's vaccinated. Say it's a health risk for YOUR dogs. Not having toys or a bed or even trimmed nails doesn't bother me that much, honestly (as long as the dog is healthy and has adequate food/shelter, even if it's not the greatest), but having zero vet care is so *absolutely* unacceptable to me that it would make me want to physically shake some sense into her. It's just NOT an option. If money isn't an issue, there's less than no excuse. It's like not giving your children clothes to wear - you just can't do that!! Argh!

Could you maybe call AC on her and explain the situation, then see if they'd be cooperative enough to pretend like it's a "random check" for registration? She can't get the dog registered without its vaccines, and having an unregistered dog is a fineable offense, so maybe... :-\ 

 That's not a bad idea about notifying AC - not having a rabies vaccine is a major deal around here at least...

Cita

She can't get the dog registered without its vaccines, and having an unregistered dog is a fineable offense,

Not everywhere, LOL. People around here would be appalled if they were asked to register their dogs with the county!

Does the dog stay inside all the time, does she get to play with other dogs? If no then why would she need all those vaccines I wonder.

nataliem

Does the dog stay inside all the time, does she get to play with other dogs? If no then why would she need all those vaccines I wonder.

 I would say she's inside 80% of the time, maybe more than that. I know my friend didn't take her outside at all during the winter. Hence the pee pee pads My friend doesn't allow her near other dogs because she's afraid of her getting stepped on.

I took her for a walk and the dog acted like she hasn't been outisde ever.

nataliem

Does the dog stay inside all the time, does she get to play with other dogs? If no then why would she need all those vaccines I wonder.

To me  vaccines are a personal choice, although rabies is required in my city.  Lack of vet care is the dangerous part.  Who knows if the dog really has a medical condition or has parasites or anything if it hasn't been takne to the vet?   It doesn't sound like this person is making an informed and carefully thought out decision regarding vaccines though, it sounds like she's just too cheap to take the dog to the vet, and that's wrong.