We have a dog (shih-tzu male) he is super adorable but he pees and poops around the house all the time. My mom decided to put him in the basement and thats where he spends most of the day and sleeps at night. He comes upstairs sometimes but not really. Is that bad? Can he get lonely or depressed? I personally hate it but my mom said she's the owner so she decides what to do with him.
2006-12-13 04:03:32 · 22 answers · asked by Alejandra2008 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Find him another home.
2006-12-13 04:09:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Shih-Tzus are a social dog. They were bred as a companion to people. These types of dogs can get a serious depression problem which may cause him to be hard to place with any one else due to a developed mistrust of humans or just a behavioral disorder such as becoming hard to train. I have a cavalier, these are along the same lines. They are a loyal and loving pet, and yes they can be hard to housebreak if there is not a constant and consistant housebreaking method used. Get her a book, and maybe even go online for housebreaking tips, otherwise she should look into either getting a cat, a hamster, or having no pets at all. They are like children, just because they don't do everthing right or easy doesn't mean you lock them away.
2006-12-13 12:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by sc_slic 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
WHY get a dog just to stick him in the basement for most of the day and to sleep at night?
I think she needs to hand him in to a shelter because she does not know how to take care of a dog.
He'll get very lonely and depressed, and possibly antisocial. Ever seen Animal Cops on Animal Planet? I've seen that stuff happen before.
Sad really. The dog should go where it will be taken care of and not hidden away in a basement.
2006-12-14 18:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not believe it is okay. The dog should be potty-trained - that is the answer. Potty training is a process that takes dedication from the owner. There are several books you can buy that will teach you how to do it, and there's many more free websites with information. Generally, it takes consistency from the dog's owners. You have to take your dog out as often as possible, and praise him every time he does good outside. If you catch him going inside, say "NO" and take him immediately outside. No need to punish beyond that. If you don't catch him doing it, don't punish at all. Moreover, if the dog isn't trained, it's not his fault but instead the owners who haven't devoted any time to him. Why have a dog if you're just going to keep him in a basement? That's certainly not fair to the dog. Dogs are social animals and need companionship. If your family can't give that to him, perhaps you should find another family who can.
2006-12-13 12:11:37 · answer #4 · answered by downtoearthandclassicgirl 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That poor thing!
Dogs are pack animals and should not be kept alone like that. I'm sorry that your mom feels this way. She' not being fair to the animal. The dog obviously has some issues (just a guess, but based on what you've shared about your mom, I would say from lack of proper training and exercise).
If she's not willing to do the work involved in keeping this animal healthy (exercised, housebroken, etc.) then the dog needs to go to a better home.
That is cruel to lock it up in the basement alone all the time! What the heck is the point of having a pet that you keep locked up and that you don't interact with? That's terrible.
2006-12-13 12:10:51 · answer #5 · answered by KJ 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that is helping his potty training, because he is going in the house. Geeze...She needs to bring him upstairs and crate train him. That way when he comes out she can take him out and let him play and eat and then back in. I can't tell you what a difference that has made with my yellow lab, he is 5 months old now. He was 99% potty trained in just a week or so when I started using the crate. He loves the security of it also. I heard a person on here say that she will tell her dog to go "night night" and he went in the crate...I trained my baby to do the same. Dogs are really smart and want to please. You need to tell your mom to have patience and put some effort in it and he will be just fine and a pleasure to her. If she don't have this, he needs someone who will.
2006-12-13 12:21:14 · answer #6 · answered by ransdoll90 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If the dog is left alone almost all day and night why have the dog?? Find it a new forever home who will spend the time to get the dog properly housebroken and give it the attention, time, and love it deserves. Remember, dogs are pack and animals..whether it's another animal or human it wants to by nature want to be with it's pack.
2006-12-13 18:47:41 · answer #7 · answered by smurf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find a new home for the dog. Yes it is bad. Why own a dog if it spends all its time in the basement with virtually no contact. The dog will end up with all kinds of behavioral problems.
2006-12-13 17:40:54 · answer #8 · answered by Shepherdgirl § 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone who posted above me is right on the money. Small, toy dogs like shihtzus were bred to be companion dogs -to be around people most if not all of their day.
Urge your mom to give up the dog. If you can't, see if you can find a home for him on your own or get someone to help you get him to a rescue group. You can say you accidentally left the door open or something and he got out.
I know this sounds extreme, but think about it. How old is your dog? Some small dogs can live to be twenty years. Think about how many years he will have to spend alone, and how miserable he will be, if you don't help him.
2006-12-13 13:13:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
That's most definately not a good idea.
So instead of housetraining the dog, she's just stuffing him in the basement so he can go to the bathroom wherever he wants down there? So you have a dog that is running wild down there, living in his own filth, doesn't get human interaction, and rarely sees sunlight even? Does this sound good to you?
If I were you, I would find this dog a new home. Your mom is NOT a responsble pet owner, and she's doing more harm than good. Steal the dog and give it to someone else if you have to.
2006-12-13 12:25:41 · answer #10 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Bobbie... shoving him down in the basement is like throwing him away. Owning a pet comes with many responsibilities, including training. If YOU weren't housebroken (or had some other issue) would your mom throw you in the basement?
Your dog needs a new home, where experienced dog owners can train him, play with him, and let him see some sun!
I feel bad for your dog.
2006-12-13 12:10:05 · answer #11 · answered by leaner 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋