I have this friend....

[anna_66]

She just emailed me last night, right after I got off Pet Talk, & was telling me about her Rottweiler-K-Oss. She says she's out of control, she stays in a big kennel outside w/a doghouse. This is a quote from her letter; "She won't stay in her kennel when we're not home, she's ripped holes in the fence two feet wide and I'm so scarred she's going to run off and get hurt! I jsut don't know what to do. Do you have any suggestions?" Well, what a surprise, if I don't some of you should have some suggestions! Personally, I feel that they have not been spending enough time with her. She works all day, then goes to school at night. Of course her boys (teenagers) are probably too busy to have time for her. Should I tell her that? Maby they should think about getting ride of K-Oss. What do ya'll think?

[Pam]

I think most people reading this would agree that obedience training is definitely in order. Of course in order for it to help, the dog must be worked with daily. It sounds to me like no one has much time to spend with her, let alone work with her. Is she a puppy? It sounds like they need to re-think why they got her. I hope I'm not sounding too critical.

[purrley]

I agree with Pam - this baby desperately needs time and attention. Right now!!!!

[KYS]

I agree with you and the others, I would say she
is not getting enough human contact time/exercize.
Obedience is a good idea, too.
Get the teenage boys to keep her busy with play,
walks, and training etc. and get her tired out. : )
Don't rule out a medical problem either.
If everyone's suggestions do not pan out,
may I suggest to your friend to take her to
a vet for a check up.
When I was growing up our family had a GSD that was quite an escape artist.
She even chewed/clawed through a solid wood gate to get out.
We found out later she had a brain tumor and her
escape behavor was because of the pain. :(

[aly]

I may be a bit harsh but I don't feel these people are able to properly care for a dog with their busy lives. You should tell them that dogs are pack animals and need to be with their "pack". Of course the poor thing is going to rip holes in the fence if she never gets any attention :(

[Rottie]

It sounds to me like the dog is BORED!!! Secondly, it doesn't sound like the dog has had any training, so he doesn't know that is is wrong to dig holes.

They should either reorganize their schedule and find time for training classes, and more play time with the dog, or should consider rehoming the dog.

[carrie]

Please, please, email me this problem - my new computer is refusing to let me post more than two lines!!

[carrie]

My computer has now seen the error of it's ways and is working beautifully (thanks for emailing though!).

My feelings are much the same as everyone else's. This dogs problems are going to escalate. It will become more and more destructive and harder to control the longer it is left in that situation.
To put it bluntly the dog is being seriously neglected and I feel you should point out to your friend (in a much kinder and more sensitive way than I am!!!!) that this is a form of abuse. It is unfair and, although very hard when she probably thinks the world of the dog, she should allow the dog to go to a home where it can reach it's potential rather than become a serious problem. It would also ease her guilt and stress about the dog.

[anna_66]

I agree with you all, and I'm finally getting the nerve up to tell her. Hopefully I can do it in a way to not upset her. Wish me luck!

[sabies]

Good luck, you never know, your friend may want someone to tell her that she can find a better home for her dog and she wouldn't be a bad person if she did. She asked for your opinion, so she deserves to hear the truth.

[carrie]

Good point - well made Sabies.

[anna_66]

I talked to her & she says:

K-Oss is outside from about 7 or 8am till about 5, after that she is in the house with them & never leaves their side, she even sleeps with one of her sons.
She has had her to the vet and he says she's fine physically
She also says she is very loyal, loving and smart, and knows lots of tricks. When she "breaks out of her kennel", she only runs down the street never very far, but
she has never had any obedience training.
Well.....any suggestions, I don't know what else to tell her, but take K-Oss to obedience school.

[sabies]

Now that sounds like a completely different story - more like a behavior problem than a case of neglect. Obedience training sounds like a good idea, maybe even get a behaviorist to the house to see what K-Oss's life is really like.

[carrie]

That is still nine or ten hours a day when the dog is left to it's own devices to relieve boredom and cope with situations it has no control over - weather, people and other animals passing by etc.

Training class is a very good idea - if only to ensure the dog is socialising and that it has some mental excersise.
I would still be concerned that the dog is alone for too long and is able to break out of the kennel.

Why not suggest your friend looks into a dog sitting service or maybe employ a neighbour to walk and visit the dog during the day - if only for the dog's safety if nothing else?