I think my freind's dog is 'abused'....
Discussion
I have a freind who took on a fully grown German Shepherd about four years ago because it was not being treated well by a family member or something. This dog is really freindly and I have taken him out myself and he is not necessarily well trained but he doesn't go too far away and he comes when you call him and doesn't cause any problems etc.
My freind lives in a flat, and NEVER takes the dog for a walk, the dog gets let out the door to go down the stairs to a back alley to do his business and maybe gets to have a sniff around for a minute but gets no proper exercise. I have always felt sorry for the dog but assumed he was probably ok, if a little unfit.
I have just been round to their house after about a year and the dog can barely carry it's own wieght. It's back legs are limp and have no strength and although he appears to be happy enough he can barely get up on the couch. They had all the carpets replaced with laminate flooring about a year ago aswell and the poor dog has no grip on the floor at all.
I am wondering if the laminate flooring is the reason for his
ed legs, or is it lack of exercise? The dog is only about 5 or 6 yrs old i think, and really lively when encouraged.
I am tempted to ask him for the dog....
>> Edited by hedders on Friday 18th November 22:19
My freind lives in a flat, and NEVER takes the dog for a walk, the dog gets let out the door to go down the stairs to a back alley to do his business and maybe gets to have a sniff around for a minute but gets no proper exercise. I have always felt sorry for the dog but assumed he was probably ok, if a little unfit.
I have just been round to their house after about a year and the dog can barely carry it's own wieght. It's back legs are limp and have no strength and although he appears to be happy enough he can barely get up on the couch. They had all the carpets replaced with laminate flooring about a year ago aswell and the poor dog has no grip on the floor at all.
I am wondering if the laminate flooring is the reason for his
ed legs, or is it lack of exercise? The dog is only about 5 or 6 yrs old i think, and really lively when encouraged. I am tempted to ask him for the dog....
>> Edited by hedders on Friday 18th November 22:19
Thats really sad, Have you asked him why the dogs legs are so Bad.
Laminate flooring is hell for dogs and although funny at times watching them wheelspin it is dangerous and can easily cause them to slip and hurt themselves.
I think you need to ask about the dogs health first before moving on to other things. for all you know he may have been taken to the vets allready and may be arthretic(sp?)
BB
Laminate flooring is hell for dogs and although funny at times watching them wheelspin it is dangerous and can easily cause them to slip and hurt themselves.
I think you need to ask about the dogs health first before moving on to other things. for all you know he may have been taken to the vets allready and may be arthretic(sp?)
BB
Ballistic Banana said:
Thats really sad, Have you asked him why the dogs legs are so Bad.
Yup, he said the dog probably wasn't getting enough exercise and he should walk him more
Ballistic Banana said:
Laminate flooring is hell for dogs and although funny at times watching them wheelspin it is dangerous and can easily cause them to slip and hurt themselves.
I think you need to ask about the dogs health first before moving on to other things. for all you know he may have been taken to the vets allready and may be arthretic(sp?)
BB
Yeah, I thought it might be arthretic (sp) too
German shepherds are well known for back leg problems (aren't they?) and that might well be the case here. But he also doesn't get any exercise, which can't be good? >> Edited by hedders on Friday 18th November 22:32
I think they are one of the breeds which suffers from hip dysplasia. A genetic predisposition to dislocation of the hip in other words. Possibly brought on or aggravated by a fall on laminate floor?
Its actually easy to not notice the gradual onset of something like that, and to dismiss is as "ageing". It isn't until someone not so close to the pet points out the problem that it becomes obvious. Have a word with your mate, he may not have noticed how bad its getting.
Edited to add: the trip down the stairs will be hell for the dog if it is suffering from hip dysplasia. Like making an arthritic gran go to the upstairs loo. Not on really, and if that is the problem the dog should really go to a home where there are no stairs. If your mate can't get the dog rehomed himself there are charities who will find a home for the dog which is more suitable.
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Friday 18th November 22:45
Its actually easy to not notice the gradual onset of something like that, and to dismiss is as "ageing". It isn't until someone not so close to the pet points out the problem that it becomes obvious. Have a word with your mate, he may not have noticed how bad its getting.
Edited to add: the trip down the stairs will be hell for the dog if it is suffering from hip dysplasia. Like making an arthritic gran go to the upstairs loo. Not on really, and if that is the problem the dog should really go to a home where there are no stairs. If your mate can't get the dog rehomed himself there are charities who will find a home for the dog which is more suitable.
>> Edited by victormeldrew on Friday 18th November 22:45
I think I wll go see my mate soon and test the water. He likes the dog but as you say I don't think he see's the problem for what it might be.
It is a big responsibility though, I have a holiday planned for new years, so I can't do anything drastic until after then, then again...it would do my parents the world of good to have a big dog to look after for a week or so...
It is a big responsibility though, I have a holiday planned for new years, so I can't do anything drastic until after then, then again...it would do my parents the world of good to have a big dog to look after for a week or so...
hedders said:
I think I wll go see my mate soon and test the water. He likes the dog but as you say I don't think he see's the problem for what it might be.
It is a big responsibility though, I have a holiday planned for new years, so I can't do anything drastic until after then, then again...it would do my parents the world of good to have a big dog to look after for a week or so...
Fair play to you mate for trying to do the right thing by this poor dog... Its a huge responsibility owning a dog and unfortunatelty far too many people take it on too lightly. I hope you manage to get your mate to see sense!!!
los angeles said:A bit harsh LA mate.
It's back legs are limp and have no strength and although he appears to be happy enough he can barely get up on the couch.
From personal experience it is very difficult to make a rational judgement on when it is best to take action to end a pet's suffering. We had a Doberman who suffered from arthritis, and towards the end also lost bladder control. Looking back we probably should have taken action 6 months before we did, but at the time we thought we were doing the right thing.
It is incredibly hard to make a decision to end the life of a loved companion. I certainly wasn't happy for her to suffer; far from it. We moved a bed into the dining room and took turns sleeping downstairs with her so we were on hand to help her in and out of the garden. At what point does suffering become enough to warrant euthanasia? Not easy to answer, even if you don't have any emotional attachment to cloud judgement. I felt no more comfortable making that decision about my dog than I would about my wife or son - what right have I to decide their suffering is intolerable? Bear in mind also that dogs can deal with a lot without complaint, and they can't exactly verbalize the extent of their suffering.
I dont think that it is lack of walking that would cause that, however a mixture of lack of walking and the only place to walk is on laminate floors could have made doggy adjust the way he walks for more grip?
I'd agree with others about hip problems- first thing to look at. Could you ask outright- whats wrong with your dog- when you get used to a dog being there you dont always see changes in them- or naive to problems?
Tell him you need to borrow his dog for a weekend as you were thinking of getting one and wondered how one would fit into your lifestlye, then see how doggy reacts to carpets, walking and generally getting around.
Oops sorry, I have repeated what others have said
>> Edited by mxdi on Saturday 19th November 07:40
I'd agree with others about hip problems- first thing to look at. Could you ask outright- whats wrong with your dog- when you get used to a dog being there you dont always see changes in them- or naive to problems?
Tell him you need to borrow his dog for a weekend as you were thinking of getting one and wondered how one would fit into your lifestlye, then see how doggy reacts to carpets, walking and generally getting around.
Oops sorry, I have repeated what others have said
>> Edited by mxdi on Saturday 19th November 07:40
Sorry if I sound harsh and if I am repeating what others have said, but this is a clear case of a person having a dog who clearly should not have the reponsibility.
Dogs like GSD's need oodles of exercise, they positively thrive on it! Lack of exercise for long enough, along with inadequate diet and lack of mental stimulation will all contribute to the dogs suffering and eventual demise.
As far as I am concerned there are two forms of cruelty that are not tolerated: toward children or animals. It is simply not acceptable.
He/she may not be knowingly harming the dog but nevertheless it is suffering. Sometimes people need to be told that they are not capable of owning a dog, to end any further suffering.
The dog needs to be taken for immediate treatment by a vet, and either handed over to a dog rescue association (look up GSD Rescue on the internet) or taken to a kennel where they can not only try to make it healthy again but also potentially rehome it in a suitable environment!
I simply cannot stand hearing about cases like this, it breaks my heart.
Oh and before anyone says that I am a bit of a nutter, what if it was a child you were reading about????????
I dare say more people would be stirred into immediate action then!!
I truly hope this can be resolved. If you want any assistance/contacts etc then do not hesitate to mail me.
Cerby.
Dogs like GSD's need oodles of exercise, they positively thrive on it! Lack of exercise for long enough, along with inadequate diet and lack of mental stimulation will all contribute to the dogs suffering and eventual demise.
As far as I am concerned there are two forms of cruelty that are not tolerated: toward children or animals. It is simply not acceptable.
He/she may not be knowingly harming the dog but nevertheless it is suffering. Sometimes people need to be told that they are not capable of owning a dog, to end any further suffering.
The dog needs to be taken for immediate treatment by a vet, and either handed over to a dog rescue association (look up GSD Rescue on the internet) or taken to a kennel where they can not only try to make it healthy again but also potentially rehome it in a suitable environment!
I simply cannot stand hearing about cases like this, it breaks my heart.
Oh and before anyone says that I am a bit of a nutter, what if it was a child you were reading about????????
I dare say more people would be stirred into immediate action then!!
I truly hope this can be resolved. If you want any assistance/contacts etc then do not hesitate to mail me.
Cerby.
cerby4.5 said:
Sorry if I sound harsh and if I am repeating what others have said, but this is a clear case of a person having a dog who clearly should not have the reponsibility.
Dogs like GSD's need oodles of exercise, they positively thrive on it! Lack of exercise for long enough, along with inadequate diet and lack of mental stimulation will all contribute to the dogs suffering and eventual demise.
As far as I am concerned there are two forms of cruelty that are not tolerated: toward children or animals. It is simply not acceptable.
He/she may not be knowingly harming the dog but nevertheless it is suffering. Sometimes people need to be told that they are not capable of owning a dog, to end any further suffering.
The dog needs to be taken for immediate treatment by a vet, and either handed over to a dog rescue association (look up GSD Rescue on the internet) or taken to a kennel where they can not only try to make it healthy again but also potentially rehome it in a suitable environment!
I simply cannot stand hearing about cases like this, it breaks my heart.
Oh and before anyone says that I am a bit of a nutter, what if it was a child you were reading about????????
I dare say more people would be stirred into immediate action then!!
I truly hope this can be resolved. If you want any assistance/contacts etc then do not hesitate to mail me.
Cerby.
What he said.
LA and the subsequent poster make an interesting point that hadn't occured to me:
Euthanasia is widely practiced amongst domestic animals so why is it still illegal for people? If we can see in an animal's case it is the kindest course of action, then surely when dealing with a person, who also has the ability to request that course of action for themselves, it should be less controversial?
Euthanasia is widely practiced amongst domestic animals so why is it still illegal for people? If we can see in an animal's case it is the kindest course of action, then surely when dealing with a person, who also has the ability to request that course of action for themselves, it should be less controversial?
German Shepherd + Flat = Abuse.
Sorry, but thats the bottom line. Why do you think welfare and pet rescue organizations insist on vetting (poor choice of words, I know) owners before allowing them to take animals.
What on earth was your friend thinking about taking the dog on in the first place?
Sorry, but thats the bottom line. Why do you think welfare and pet rescue organizations insist on vetting (poor choice of words, I know) owners before allowing them to take animals.
What on earth was your friend thinking about taking the dog on in the first place?
Jon C said:
German Shepherd + Flat = Abuse.
Sorry, but thats the bottom line. Why do you think welfare and pet rescue organizations insist on vetting (poor choice of words, I know) owners before allowing them to take animals.
What on earth was your friend thinking about taking the dog on in the first place?
He thinks he is doing the right thing by the dog. I guess he didn't think it was fair for the dog to go into care when in reality that is probably the best thing that could happen.
hedders said:
German Shepherd + Flat = Abuse.
Sorry, but thats the bottom line. Why do you think welfare and pet rescue organizations insist on vetting (poor choice of words, I know) owners before allowing them to take animals.
What on earth was your friend thinking about taking the dog on in the first place?
He thinks he is doing the right thing by the dog. I guess he didn't think it was fair for the dog to go into care when in reality that is probably the best thing that could happen.
Indeed The Dogs Trust are the people for this kind of thing. They are very through checking out potential homes for their dogs and dogs that aren't suitable for re-homing are cared for for live.
www.dogstrust.org.uk/
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