Tough decision to make

phisherman

phisherman

Joined Oct 2005
2K Posts | 1+
Lost in translation
Hey guys,
My wife called me today to tell me that she wants our family dog to leave. I am crushed. She is always complaining about him, but loves him deep down, but with us trying to sell our house and possibly being without a house for a month; its not really the ideal situation for a large dog. I am torn. On one hand it would be a lot easier to show the house and move without the pet. My wife also now considers him a large annoyance while she is doing her child care gig. She almost refuses to take him out anymore or feed him. She is also the one that bought him for me for my birthday 4 years ago. On the other hand; its my dog. My buddy. I love him to death. I just don't know what to do. She already found a home for him.

What would you do? All points of view are welcome and feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

-Dave
 
I dunno man, I'm hesitant to come between and man and his wife or between a man and his dog. I guess I would just try and figure out what is best for your family, (and that includes taking your feelings into consideration) and go with that.


All the best,


Joe
 
The responsibility to be a parent is voluntary. You and she volunteered. You have a responsibility to that dog. What that means is that you need to do what's best for the dog. Even if it sucks for you. Sometimes that means sucking it up and taking them for walks, sometimes it means finding a better home for 'em. But then I view pets more like children than 'things', and not everyone does.
 
Phish, I wish you all the best with this situation. I believe that a man and his dog need to be together, maybe you could talk about a comprimise. She said she has a good home for your dog to go to, what about the possibility of boarding the dog for a few monthes until you have moved into the new house? Some where where the dog feels safe and happy and you could go everyday to visit. That way she can have the house all ready for showing and you can be with him when you want. That would be my suggestion. I really hope this all works out for.

Best of Luck,

Rick
 
Well we had a talk last night. She said that if he gets more training (for what I don't know) and we talked to the vet about puppy prozac he could stay. He is a very energertic dog; and I have to admit that I do not walk him as much as I should. So we both have to take better care of him, and he should come around. He is a great dog, and the thought of him leaving the family is just aweful. Its not just me that would miss him, the kids would too. My son can't say my name, but at 18 months he can say Cody clear as day. My daughter would miss him too. So Cody stays for now. We just have to amke sure we buy a house with a yard for the dog and get it fenced in.
 
Yeah, but how do you train; calm down and don't bark at cars you can see pass by in the window; my wife's two complaints.
 
phisherman said:
Yeah, but how do you train; calm down and don't bark at cars you can see pass by in the window; my wife's two complaints.
Click to expand...

Those are definitely two toughies.

The latter can be trained out, but its not always bad for a dog to bark at strangers. The former is usually just a matter of burning their calories off.

With my old dog (border collie + black lab = very engergetic, but fortunately also very smart) the trick was to train him to stop and chill when we told him too. We taught him that "thats enough" means to chill out. Which brought him down if we were playing and I was done but he wasn't. And when he was flipping out about a car/noise/etc. It was just a matter of repetition when it came up.
 
phisherman said:
Yeah, but how do you train; calm down and don't bark at cars you can see pass by in the window; my wife's two complaints.
Click to expand...

There are several medications used: Prozac, clomipramine are two of the most common...they can be formulated into chewy treats to make them easier to give...I used to make them at my old job and the price isn't too bad...maybe a buck a treat. It's just a matter of finding a pharmacy to make them.
 
I hope you still have the dog. I just noticed this thread. IMHO, why would you want to give your dog ANY medications like that? Medications are not a replacement for a lack of exercise. Walks do not do any good for larger, energetic dogs. Only the owners benefit from "walking" a dog. They need to RUN!!! Not only will letting them run be great exercise, it takes LESS time to wear out a dog that is running, than just walking it. Please, do your dog a favor and stay away from the meds. It is not fair to him. I couldn't tell you the last time I waled my dog. I always take a good 1/2-1 hour a few times a week to let him full out run, or swim. He likes it, plus they tend to"stay out of trouble" when they are properly exercised. Remember, "A tired dog is a good dog, but a quiet dog is up to something". Please do not take anything I said personal to your choices. I think you will be much happier with a little bit of exercise vs. medications. And,its safer for the canine.

And by the way, NO ALCOHOL!!!!!!!!
 
Capt,
I appreciate the sage advice. I was think more along those lines; the wife was thinking more along the medication lines. The one thing I will admit to using is a bark collar. When its on he calms right down. Half the time I don't even have a battery in there and he will not bark at things, but once he figures out that the battery is not in or that it is dead; he will start going at it again, so I buy a new battery. I have to find a good fenced in park around here. He has been getting better at coming when I call him. He just doesn't come for my wife, she is not the pack leader.
 
Phish I pm'd my phone number. Please give me a call asap.

steve
 
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