Posted: 10/14/2005 11:54:23 AM EDT
First let me say, I am NOT a "dog person", I'm a cat person. It's not that I HATE dogs, I justprefer the company/energy of cats.  Okay, most of our neighbors have dogs. Someone just moved (last couple months) into one of the rentals that is across the fence. The dog is a big ole WUSS, but I took an instant liking to it anyway. (He has that whole, "I'm afraid of everyone, so if I pretend like I'm gonna EAT you, maybe you'll leave me in peace" "tude). Well, I was helping my grandmother w/yardwork, doing the trimming - and I got over to the side of the fence that was close to the dog. USUALLY, he would get as FAR from me as possible and bark - A LOT w/the whole 'tude. Not a problem, the weedeater drowned out the barking. But I noticed he wasn't very far away, then I noticed that his chan was in a KNOT, and he didn't even have enough slack to lay down, let alone, get away from the fence. Well, even though he's into the "snapping" thing... I set down the weedeater, and went over, keeping an eye on him but NOT looking RIGHT at him (that's supposedly a challenge or something??) I tried to get him calmer, but he just snapped at me and growled and barked a lot. So I figured I'd just try to get him enough slack to be basically comfortable until the neighbor got home from work, and he could "hide" behind the tree if he didn't want weed clippings hitting him. As I got him a little more and a little more slack, he got a LITTLE bit further from me. Then over came my grandmother. She commented he was REALLY "eyeing" me like he was NOT "buying" the whole "altruistic" thing. I wasn't trying to "make friends" really, I just thought it sucked he (now) had maybe 2.5 feet of "slack" in his chain. She was getting quite the laugh at the way the dog was behaving, I guess I was too. Then company came and she had to run. Pretty soon, the dog ventures a BIT closer, little shit still wouldn't let me PET him... but at least he wasn't cutting off his airway trying to get away from me. Pretty soon, he was actually pretty close, and he puts his front paw on my hand (repeatedly, actually (which, BTW, was endearing, but NOT really "helpful". In fact, while I continued to try to untangle the chain, I "told" him I thought I was making more progress when he was afraid of me. ) So then he does something that releases the chain, and he goes running. I don't know WHAT he did, but I didn't DO it. I've seen him loose b4, later his owner said he gets loose by tangling his chain, and I didn't worry about it TOO much as just before he did this, he had licked my hand. I figure it'll be a LOT easier to untangle the chain (and it was) w/o him "attached". So I got it ALL untangled, and wrestled around a bit w/the dog, and ran him some before putting him back on the chain. he had knocked over his food AND water bowls, so I went to get him some fresh water.So, now, it seems, I have a "friend for life" ... unfortunately, I also found out that the owner has decided the dog is "too much" and is looking for a new home for him. The "dilemma" is this: Now, everytime I go out my front door, I feel so bad the poor guy is mostly ignored, that I feel like I HAVE to go over and chat w/(at) and pet him, tell him he's a good boy - etc... and I took him more water today. He SEEMS really intelligent (for a dog) so one would THINK he'd NOT tip over his water bowl... but he does, or the owner (20-something young ditz - but generally a nice ditz) doesn't BOTHER to water him - not sure which. The ditz is the daughter of a friend of my sister's... so.... what do I do? Call the Humane society if I find out there's a problem? (I can get up early and see if she feeds/waters him next week). Tell my sister so it "filters"? I'd (and I cannot believe I'm saying this) LOVE to take him, but he's so HYPER, that concernes me, and we have an acre, so he COULD run, but my grandmother is NOT open to the concept - besides, IMO, he's much better ooff on a farm anyway - no shortage of those around here either. He'd make a GOOD farm dog, and I'm in town... not too keen on cleaning up after his BMs, etc.... but I feel rather compelled to do SOMETHING, but I'm just not a "dog person" and have next to no experiience w/them, and I'm pretty sure he knocks over his water dish, as I filled it this morning and now it's upside down again (I went out to get the pic). I think mostly I'm just rather fed up w/the "throw away" mentality these days, get a dog, it's not perfect, throw it "away", she's divorced, which may well be a GOOD thing... I just wonder, though if maybe that TOO is part of the "throw away" mentality these days? Relationship isn't "perfect"? Move on. Dog isn't perfect? Get rid of it. How long b4 it's "Kid isn't perfect, dump it". And I'm NOT saying that in certain situations, an animal or any relationship shouldn't be altered in some way... MAYBE. It's just IMO, for 10-20% "justified" situations, there's oftentimes 80-90% where folks just don't TRY because it's "too hard" or whatever.  Thoughts? Experiences? |
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I have a neighbor like this. Dog barks all the time and they don't take care of it. One day I got so upset I grabbed a hose to sprayed water at the dog hoping that would shut him up. Sadly, all the dog did is drink because he was thirsty. It aint the dogs fault, it's the crappy owners. So now when the dog barks all the time I step outside and yell with authority "SHUT UP!". That usually works for awhile. Once the owners of the dog heard me and and asked me why I was yelling at their dog, I told them because they were to lazy to do anything about the dog so I did. I have also been known to feed the dog.....I won't tell you how. The reality is this. I feel bad that the dog suffers and know it isn't his fault. But if nothing changes then eventually I will call animal control and not care if the dog is put to sleep. |
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You need to do something… quick. That knotted chain and knocking over the water could kill the dog very quickly on a hot day. Dogs depend on water to keep cool on hot days and without it out in the sun they can over heat and die. I had a neighbor that did this with a dog and neglected it… his dog disappeared one day I cannot imagine what happen maybe somebody called the local animal rights wackos and they kidnapped it.  Last I heard he the dog had lived out his life as a companion to a woman in a wheel chair. |
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When neglected, they tend to get nervous and bark. I have two dogs and am around them most of the day, no barking. You can't discipline barking out of a dog. When your around the dog and he barks, say NO, while putting your hand over his muzzle. If nothing works, a good professional dog trainer is fairly cheap and well worth the money. |
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It looks like he's at least part border collie. VERY smart dogs, right up there with German Sheperds. I'd take him if we didn't already have two. +1 on the settling down. You'd go nuts too if all you had to do all day was figure out how to get out of a chain. Ed |
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| Wow, cute dog, if i didnt have two already id grab him up. As for being a cat person, well i used to be. I couldnt stand dogs, simply because i had never had one. I grew up with cats and loved the little things to death. Me and the GF bought our house and she brought a dog home one night. I full blood Black lab only about 6 weeks old. I was majorly pissed ut after about a week i couldnt get enough of the little puppy. Now shes my 80lb lap dog..... We ended up fostering another pup and after 2 weeks of him and my lab playing together I couldnt stand the thought of sending him back to be put in a crate for god knows who to come and take him into an unhappy home. So i decided to keep him as well.. The dogs are now my life. There like my children and yes they are spoiled rotten. You may not like dogs now and may call yourself a cat person, but spend a week with that dog before your neighbor gives him away and I bet you keep him for yourself...Hyper dogs do settle down, usualy close to year two... He sounds like hes a fairly lonesome fellow who just needs a good friend. Dogs are indeed, mans best friend. |
That is discipline... |
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Wesley McNair... The Puppy From down the road, starting up and stopping once more, the sound of a puppy on a chain who has not yet discovered he will spend his life there. Foolish dog, to forget where he is and wander until he feels the collar close fast around his throat, then cry all over again about the little space in which he finds himself. Soon, when there is no grass left in it and he understands it is all he has, he will snarl and bark whenever he senses a threat to it. Who would believe this small sorrow could lead to such fury no one would ever come near him? |
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As stated above, the dog is barking because it's bored out of it's damn mind and wants some attention. Same thing with the water bowl. If it's the only thing to play with, that what he'll play with. That breed of dog is very active. I don't mean hyper, but they need to be able to run at least a couple times a week if not every day. Take the dog and give it the love and attention it is craving. You already like it. It likes you. |
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TAKE THE DOG I am a dog person...sounds like you want to take the pooch in...so do it. Pretty simple, huh? Welcome the most faithful companion you've ever had into your life. He'll never talk about you, screw your girlfriend, cheat you. All he'll ask for in return is food, water, and a little attention. |
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He knocks over his water dish out of boredom. I have a German Shepherd who did the same thing until we got a Lab and she wasn't lonely/bored anymore. It's not a stupidity thing.... she's the smartest dog I've ever known. Take the dog, you won't regret it; border collies are great dogs. |
He's a sweetie, I just can't take him on is all.  I've been over there at least 4 times today.I think he's being watered okay, as he HAD water when I went over at 7pm. But the owner wasn't home (but likely HAD been). <crossing fingers>
Well, actually, I think he USED to bark (at me) as a "front"... "Come too close and I'll eat you!" kind of deal. Because now, he just sees me and "wiggles" that "I'm trying to contain my excitement, but just can't QUITE pull it off" way?
Awww, you just don't KNOW any cool cats. I only "take in" cool cats. Also, cats - if you ignore them, just aren't sociable w/humans. And their "imprinting" happens early (can't recall HOW early, but early). They can "take or leave" humans. BUT if treated approprioately, they're great. Shoot, Tiernan's my BUD! I ask him if he "want(s) to go over to the grandparents'? And either he: 1. Meows LOUD, leaps off of the bed/couch/chair and runs over to the door in that "runner at the starting line" stance. 2. Leaps off of the bed/couch/chair and runs over to the door in that "runner at the starting line" stance. 3. Saunters to the door then looks at me w/the "well, are you going to OPEN the door or what?" look. 4. Lays back down and goes back to sleep. (this is rare). Then we WALK down the sidewalk to their house, he jumps up onto their deck and he waits by their door for me to open it. When he's ready to go home, he "meow"s LOUDLY. I ask him if he "want to go home now?" He meows loud again, my grandparents laugh then he does the "runner at the starting line" stance again. Sometimes, (ETA:when we're on the deck)when he tries to tell me he's ready to go home now, and I don't "get it" he'll just start walking home (slowly) w/o me, and sit on the step until I open the door for him (but I've never "tested" this for much more than 5 minutes. Also, he'll "roll over" for a kitty treat. Ask DigDug, he saw an AVI I made of him doing it, while we verbally coaxed him to do it. Cats can be trained same as dogs, they just (tend) to have different "motivations" is all. 
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