I am just sick... My 5-year-old chocolate lab - a licensed therapy dog and AKC K9 Good Citizen - killed the toy poodle puppy next door (8-weeks old). He got out and went over to their garage where he knows there's cat food he can munch on. When he entered their garage, he came upon their new puppy who had gotten out as well. I think he probably thought it was a rabbit or cat or toy, but regardless I want to do what ever is the most responsible thing. Advise please?
2007-01-21 14:47:17 · 18 answers · asked by screaminray 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The puppy waaaaaaaaaas on his owner's property while your's wasn't. I would swallow my pride, and go over there and apologize for your own AND your dog's bad behavior (your's for not making sure that your dog was in the house or yard where he truely did belong) and for him killing the puppy. Offer to get another puppy and explain to you neighbors that you know as a dog owner yourself that you getting them a new pup will not in any way replace the one that was killed. I would also make doubly sure that if he DID escape from the yard that you find, repair and ENFORCE where he got out previously. Also pay for the expense of having to dispose of the poor little puppy.
2007-01-21 15:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You need to be straightforward about this. Do you have the doggy corpse? If not it won't take long for them to figure out HOW it happened, so the sooner you tell the truth the better. Your dog was running around with no leash? Sorry to say, THIS is why there are leash laws, I'm sure your dog is wonderful, BUT dogs are dogs are dogs, and dogs will do what dogs will do. My only suggestion, is the the more honesty you use in this situation, the better it will go. (If you're dealing with people like me.) Maybe they'll understand, work out a replace our puppy deal with you. But be prepared, because I know people, and if it doesn't go right, there goes your K9 good citizenship, he'll go from therapy dog to dangerous dog in two seconds flat... This is a toughie, but I'd say honesty is the best policy... even if it is in a letter in their mailbox.
Good luck.
2007-01-21 15:09:31 · answer #2 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is devastating, for you and for them.
The first thing I suggest you do, is brace yourself, walk over, and put yourself on the line. Offer your sincere apologies. Tell them and assure them that you will do all in your power to make sure your dog does not get loose again. Install a chain link or invisible fence around your yard (front and back, if need be) to show that you are serious. Do this as soon as possible to give them a little piece of mind.
Offer to purchase them a new puppy, or pay the adoption fee for when, if and when they are ready to open their wounded hearts and home to a new canine companion.
You can also get a memorial stone or plaque made for their pup, and offer that a sign of you condolences. http://www.shurepets.com has a nice one.
Be prepared for them to say hurtful things. It may or may not happen. Just take it, and remind yourself that it is raw emotion that is fueling their words. Don't argue, or get angry...remember your dog got loose and did this to their puppy in thier garage. If you open yourself up to them, calmly, and apologetically, you are more likely to keep the peace between ya'll in the long run.
Pet loss can and does cause serious grief in animal lovers and owners. I'm sure you know that. I have been through something similar.
My friends' puppy was killed by my dog a few years ago when I was puppy sitting..I was devastated. I'm not telling you to do these things blindly...I'm telling you based on my experience and what worked with me.
While I don't feel "as close" to these friends since the incident, we still occasionally hung out and spoke often until they moved. It may cause a rift, but it may not be so bad as you think.
I just want you to do things that will keep the peace between the both of you, as you are neighbors and don't want things to get ugly.
Be warned, though. This may cause legal problems for you, if they choose to go that route. Your dog could be labeled dangerous, which is not good for a therapy CGC dog. Please do the above as soon as possible to reduce the amount of potential long term damage.
I will keep you in my thoughts. I know how sick you feel...I to was there.
Hugs...
2007-01-21 15:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by libertydogtraining 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with a lot of people here. Apologize to the owner and then make some sort of agreement to have your dog never on their property again by some sort of restriction then offer a new puppy or a dog.
That will probably be the most responsible thing.
poor puppy though.....
2007-01-21 15:22:36 · answer #4 · answered by Panda WafflesZilla 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Apologize to them and then replace the dog or give them the money to replace the dog . I think that would be the most responsible thing . Then when this is all done please use reasonable care and put your dog behind a fence in your yard . Or keep him in the house with you. I'm sorry for your trouble.
2007-01-22 00:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh man. As a new owner of a toy dog, and a previous owner of retrievers, I feel for both sides. All I can say is that your dog might need some behavioral therapy, as no dog should kill another dog. As for your neighbors... well, ask what you can do to make it up to them. Do whatever it takes.
2007-01-21 15:25:24 · answer #6 · answered by prtty_patricia 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If their dog was out as well, thats a fine example of good pet ownership for both of you!
Do the right thing, tell the owner and sort something out, noone can give you the right advice, noone knows how the neighbour will react.
2007-01-21 14:53:59 · answer #7 · answered by <^^Em^^> 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Oh no, that is just awful - I feel for you! Explain the situation to your neighbours and apologise. Offer to buy them a new pup to replace it.
You'll need to watch the labbie after this though, it's worrying that it will kill something, even if he did think it was a cat etc...
2007-01-21 17:35:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree with most people on telling the neighbors (if they dont know already) it was your dog. i do not agree with offering to "replace" the puppy but to offer the amount they paid for the puppy and any vet bills incurred during the situation
2007-01-25 12:25:23 · answer #9 · answered by g g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should tell them the truth say sorry get them a new puppy and both of you need to be more responsible and get one of those collars where you put it around there neck then put something around your yard are where ever they stay and whenever they try to leave they'll be electrocuted it may cost a lot of money but it's either get sued,move,put your dog to sleep,or spend some cash
2007-01-21 15:03:58 · answer #10 · answered by boo-bear-360 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋