Need advice...

[Vette]

All paws an fingers crossed that your daughter has luck with them. being civil an patient can go a long ways sometimes.

[cyber-sibes]

I just don't understand someone not even brushing a silky furred dog like that till they are all matted - I can't imagine how miserable that poor little thing is. and I agree, if they intend to keep their dog outside, they should get a breed that is suited to their year-round weather.

I know some disapprove of keeping dogs outdoors, but as long as they have an appropriate space (fenced, protected from the elements, plenty of clean water, dry sleeping quarters & regular interaction with their family or another dog), there are many dogs who would just as soon be outdoors. What's unacceptable is when they're abandoned to be stuck in the open tied to a tree or living in squalor. And no dog should be ignored.

[elisabeth]

Count me in as one who does not approve of keeping dogs outdoors - esp. not the way your daughter's friend is doing it. I have someone in my life that did this for years and it drove me crazy. If I had to have my dogs outside, I wouldn't have them. Sorry, hot button issue for me! (Edited to add: I understand when people have working dogs, like on a farm where they are out with the other animals all day and then sleep in a warm barn with them. No offense to anyone with working dogs meant! )

I hope your daughter is able to sit down with her friend and gently explain why this is not the best situation for these little creatures. Maybe she could get her a couple of books on pet care for Christmas - ones that explain how to board them and has a section on outdoor no-nos. That small of a breed? It hurts my heart to think of those poor babies shivering.

What about this: Does your daughter have enough money (Or could she pool together with other animal lovers at work?) that she could get the dog groomed as a Christmas gift? Maybe if they see the dog groomed, they will understand how dire unkempt coats can become.

Another suggestion: Maybe she could go to one of the local pet supply stores with her and walk around looking at things to help her understand what she needs to be a responsible pet owner, but under the guise of "shopping"?

I hope she is able to help her friend see that she needs to be a good mom to her animals - they aren't lawn gnomes that you buy and stick outside to be beaten down by the elements day in and day out.

[wolf_Q]

So sad. You'd be surprised how many people have small dogs like that as "outside dogs." I groomed a matted schnauzer yesterday that lived outside I told them after I was done with the dog (had to be shaved down) that it better live inside. I've seen a lot of schnauzers, poodles, shih tzus, even yorkies, etc. that live outside...and I live in Utah! I remember a guy throwing a fit because we had to shave his silky terrier (matted) in the winter, and now his dog was going to freeze to death because it was an outside dog. Ugh, seriously, even with the dog having a full coat, its still going to freeze to death because silkies do not have the undercoat to keep themselves warm anyway! Their hair is like human hair.

I don't agree with "outside dogs" period, obviously as I have three huskies and a lab mix in my house but I know some dogs can live outside and be well cared for, and sometimes with working dogs and such its not feasible for them to be in the house. My dogs love being outside, Nebo would happily live outside, I have to drag him in the house at night he wants to go sleep in the snow. But seriously, if you're going to get a dog to live outside, get a bigger dog with a coat that can handle the weather.

Maybe you could offer to buy them a crate so they could at least put the dog in the crate in the house at night to sleep?