Posted: 12/4/2009 6:45:31 PM EDT
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Just to start off I got my dog 8 months ago, before I got married, because I live way out in the country, just me and my wife with a schizophrenic dude living nearby. My German Shepherd does her job (letting me know when I am sleeping if anything is around our house), but since I am in college I leave her at my mother and father in laws house during the day (I am gone 10 hours a few days of the week so its best for her). She is a great dog, very puppyish, loves people and goes anywhere that she hears them. She is coming along as far as obedience is concerned and I take extra care to make sure I punish her appropriately (but not to harshly) and shes turning into a wonderful dog.
My mother and father in law live on 25 acres of woods and fields. She has a big yard, cats, a jack russel, and food. During the day she should be content. However, on occasion the neighbor girl (100 yards away) whos seven or eight, gets on he gold cart and rides around her yard. My dog loves anybody, so she naturally goes over and follows her around, just . . . following. I dont like that she goes over there. She doesnt seem to bother anyone but I have yelled at her and used her shock collar but the call of playing with the little girl is too strong for her. Anyway, I got home tonight and I got out of my car to say hi to her and reach down to pet her and she acted like I was going to beat her. I tried and tried and she wouldnt come within two feet of me. It really breaks my heart. I am pretty sure that the neighbor guy got ahold of her and beat her bad. She doesnt seem to have any cuts or bruises but I am livid. Is there anything I can do? I know she shouldnt be over there, but I cannot watch her 24/7. Should I ask the guy if he beat my dog, and be polite and ask him not to do it again? Do I even have the right to ask that of him when she wanders over there? Sorry this is so long, needed to vent. |
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I rescue bouvier des flandres,had a bitch, who was scared of men. Yes beaten,abused. She was 18 months old. Loaded her up in my truck,extended cab. Took treats.
Kept handing her some,then held them gharder. She never bit,but son learned I wasn't going to hurt her. She never left my side after that. I miss her a lot. Letting your dog run unsupervised is asking for a lot of trouble. I hate them ,but get a shock collar and some wire around the perimeter. Just a few months is all you should need. |
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You have the responsibility of keeping her in her yard or leashed. As much as I know you love your dog, not everyone else does. Letting your dog run loose, even if she is a sweetheart, is bad news waiting to happen.
Depending on how long you are gone, consider crating your dog ah home if you can't fence the yard. Dogs are "denning" animals, and as long as she doesn't associate the crate with punishment, she will actually (in time anyways) look at her crate as a place of refuge. Jack, my yellow lab knows that when the grandkids get to be too much for him, (hardly ever, but there is a one year old involved) he can go lie in his crate and not be disturbed. Think of it as a very airy doghouse. |
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If something happened to your unsupervised, loose dog it is 100% handler (your) error. She'll get over it.
Don't put your dog on a tie-out. Either keep her in the house (can still guard), or put up a nice big kennel enclosure close to the house for when no one's around (can't guard though). Since you're already using an e-collar, go the next step and also get an "Invisible" (underground) fence to confine her to the immediate perimeter of the house when outside but not fully supervised. And work on recall training, for real. |
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if she's 8 months, hopefully she will be ok. I'd either figure something else out or make damn sure she stays away from tthe neighbor. I'd also do some research on how get over this setback. Dogs live way to long to have one with mental issues. My sheperd I 6 months, and I'm being very careful with him.
good luck. Sounds like you will do what's best. |
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Quoted:
Depending on how long you are gone, consider crating your dog ah home if you can't fence the yard. Dogs are "denning" animals, and as long as she doesn't associate the crate with punishment, she will actually (in time anyways) look at her crate as a place of refuge. Jack, my yellow lab knows that when the grandkids get to be too much for him, (hardly ever, but there is a one year old involved) he can go lie in his crate and not be disturbed. Think of it as a very airy doghouse. Have any tips on turning a big roomy doghouse into a retreat? I had a kennel, but she literally tore it down getting out (it was bolted to the side of the barn, she busted one of the walls down). She is a strong dog. The reason I ask is because I have never had a dog that "liked" their dog house, not because I used it as punishment, more of just because they would rather be playing! I know its my fault, I just didnt expect to have problems with her, I would have expected the neighbor to complain to me before doing something like that. I bought a shock collar, and she is already learning fast. Because of the risk of the neighbor doing something worse I decided to just get a remotely controlled one and watch her carefully. All it took is one shock [:  Shes a very, very fast learner.
In thanks for the suggestions, heres a picture of Sophie. 
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