How To Discipline This Dog????
By FloatingGum
@FloatingGum (346)
United States
January 31, 2007 11:39am CST
We have a friend and his kids staying with us due to their housing situation and his health. The original plan was that they fixed up the basement and we just shared the bathroom and kitchen. That plan sort of fell by the wayside. For the most part that's been all right, except for his dog.
The dog wasn't part of the original plan, but when they couldn't find the dog a home I caved. For the first 3 months the dog stayed downstairs and the kids would take care of the dog when they got home.
Well, since it's gotten cold and they never finished the basement, the family has spent more time in our part of the house. That's fine we all get along pretty good. The problem is he's also been letting the dog up.
The dog is destructive. A large part of the problem is his ex-wife used to do nothing with the dog. He was chained out all day and confined to their mud-room at night. SO now he is with people. I understand that. But now he whines at the basement door ALL THE TIME. I tried to get my friend to put him in a crate and he won't do it. The dog is strong and would probably get out of a cheap one, but I was willing to get him one more expensive. He won't hear of it.
Yesterday they left the dog upstairs "by accident" when they left for the day. I was sleeping (I work nights). I woke up to go to an appointment I had and the dog had gotten in our pantry and had bread crumbs all over the living room, plus ate a whole box of dog treats and a box of Ritz crackers. He also peed on my good boots. Today he woke me up a lot earlier than I had to with his whining and pawing at the basement door. The door is getting destroyed, that's a given and doesn't bother me as much as the other stuff.
To top it off I have a Sheepdog puppy. I keep that dog crated when I go out and when I sleep.
So when I called him, intending for him to come get the dog and deal with him so I can get some sleep, he wants to have the dog put down. I feel bad because the dog isn't a bad dog and I think with a little firm discipline and boundaries the dog will be fine.
Do I let him take the dog and put it down or do I stop him? Any other suggestions for getting the dog to quiet down and not destroy stuff during the day?
2 people like this
8 responses
@CFREvilMistress (213)
• United States
3 Feb 07
if the dog isn't bitting anyone or if the dog isn't tring to kill someone NO you shouldn't put it down.. what it needs is more time spent with it as in disaplin.. if they can't do that then take it to a place where they take in dogs but don't put it down.
2 people like this
@FloatingGum (346)
• United States
3 Feb 07
See, it's not up to me to put it down or not, it's not my dog. I just don't know how to stop it from happening at the same time I'm firm about the rules in my house. It seems to be a lose/lose situation as far as the dog is concerned. I was willing to buy the heavy duty crate myself to solve the problem, but he won't even hear about putting him in it.
1 person likes this
@ShadyGrove (996)
• United States
2 Feb 07
That is so unfair! You are letting them stay in your house and I think they need to be more respectful of the whole situation. On top of that, just deciding to put the dog down instead of coming up with a reasonable solution is not right either!!!
I think it is not too much to ask to crate him - especially since you are doing the same thing. He is destroying your property and something needs to be done now.
Since he is not your dog, it is the owner's right to do what he wants, but what vet is going to put the dog down for that reason? I think if he wants to get rid of the down he could call animal rescue or some other organization to take the dog - even a no-kill shelter. It is not the dog's fault that he has developed these behaviors.
I think a serious talk with your friend is in order. House rules need to be made and honored. He should be helping out, not letting things like this go on.
Hope it all works out for you.
2 people like this
@FloatingGum (346)
• United States
2 Feb 07
He couldn't find a place to take the dog back in October which is why I caved rather than letting him be put down then. It's like yesterday when I was fed up he told me to call animal control and have them take the dog. Well, he knows I won't do that!!!
But I think he got the message because the dog has stayed in the basement again. We will see what happens.
1 person likes this
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
1 Feb 07
I would make him buy you a new door. On no circumstance would I put up with the dog having a free run of the house or put up with the destructive behavior. It does sound like the dog needs a little training. If he doesn't want to give the dog the proper training or allow you to do so. Than he must get rid of the dog.
2 people like this
@FloatingGum (346)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Well, the door is a no-brainer. It's just right now with him still there it doesn't make sense.
I think I got my point across because the last two nights the dog has been downstairs or outside on the lead where I wanted him in the first place. We will see.
1 person likes this
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I guess it comes down to who has the stronger will, you or him. He doesn't want the dog crated, and you don't want the dog put down. I would think it would be better to crate the dog for a few hours than to put him down.
I know many people who crate their dogs at night for the very same reason, and it doesn't hurt them a bit. Some dogs actually prefer to sleep in a crate at night.
@FloatingGum (346)
• United States
9 Feb 07
He (the dog) has been behaving a little better lately. We will see how it goes. We already had a discussion, though, that the situation can't continue as it is. I even offered to buy the crate but he won't hear of it.
1 person likes this
@jencat70 (82)
• United States
1 Feb 07
this is a tough one as you have to live with these people. personally, i would tell the guy that if he doesnt care about the dog enough than to put it to sleep because he's not willing to train it and take care of it, then i would tell him , "as it is my home and belongings that are being destroyed, i am taking responsibility of the care and training of this dog." end of discussion! your puppy goes in the crate, his dog goes in the crate. i'm sure the dog will be much happier for it!!
2 people like this
@FloatingGum (346)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I know, I don't understand why he's so opposed to the crate. So many people use crates for the dog. I used ti for my Doberman who was a lot bigger and stronger than this dog and it did fine. The puppy now even knows to go there when we tell him to.
I think he got the message, though and the last two nights the dog hasn't been upstairs all that much except to go out. If he's crate him during the day I wouldn't mind as much, so that's his choice not to do that.
1 person likes this
@lisado (1227)
• United States
20 Mar 07
Oh man. :( We went thru this whem my sister lived with us. Her dog ate our new sofa, kept getting into the trash and so on. We made her confine him during the day but it was a real source of tension with all of us. The poor thing just needs some good boundries and disapline. All dogs can learn and usually want to. They don't want to get into trouble! They want to please us and we have to show them how to do it.
It sounds like he needs to be crate trained, if nothing else. That would be way better than putting him down. That seems harsh. Another home isn't an option? No one else would take him? If there is still time, crate training would be a good choice. The first few days will be rough as he won't understand why he is locked up and will cry, but he will get used to it and not mind being locked up when everyone is gone.
Good luck! I know I am late in answering this! I hope you were able to work something out!
