How many dogs can people really have and still give all equal attention?

Question

Not really a pet person myself, but we have this lady in our neighborhood whose house is like a kennel...

I like the lady, she is really sweet. I was just thinking about all those dogs and wondering if she can give them all the attention they need and deserve or if some are becoming "wild" due to lack of human contact.

Animals can get that way even if they live in a house with a person because they get no attention.

Just a curious question. Like I said, I like the lady.

Answer 1

it really depends on the person. i have a dog and i cat and i wouldnt be able to handle another pet but i know people who have up to 8 dogs and they are very well taken care of.

do all the dogs belong to her? maybe she rescues them and finds homes for them. if all the dogs look really well taken care of and are happy you should just leave her alone

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Depends on the person attending to them. I've seen people with a pack of dogs, all happily interacting with other dogs. If you follow the "pack training" that Cesar Millan, Jan Fennell, etc teach the dogs are just as happy with other dogs as they are playing with the human. There also may not be need for equal attention. Some dogs are happier with a chew toy or playing tug with another dog than they are to sit there and play fetch with a human. The bigger problem, I think, would be are they all healthy and getting proper vet/grooming care. Is the home clean or does it look like a giant litter box because she's not taking proper care.

Answer 5

4

Answer 6

Small dogs? well I could handle 6. But for large dogs I would put the limit at 3 or 4 depending on their size. It isnt an issue of whether or not you can give them all the attention they need because dogs, like their wolf ancestors are accustomed to live in packs of up to 15 individuals. They not only get attention from you but they get plenty of social interaction with one another.... The reason why a large number of dogs becomes difficult to care for is because of all of their needs.... grooming, vet bills, food, toys, collars, leashes, fences, dishes, spay/neuter, excercise, attention, training, time, energy... and trust me tons and tons of cleaning, vacuuming, disinfecting, scrubbing, scooping and mopping. Thats what you have to worry about... not lack of attention... thats easy compared to the dedication it takes to properly care for only 1 dog.. However the smaller the dog, obviously the less mess, and vet bills are cheaper, less excercise required easier to control etc. About 6 small dogs equals 3-4 big dogs... and although handling 3-4 dogs is an expensive and difficult undertaking it can be done if you are sure of your financial situation. I can easily take care of my 2 dogs and 4 cats... but that is the limit for me I know I could not properly afford to care for anymore than I already have. Some people do hoard animals beyond their capacity to care for them and the animals end up suffering because of it... If your neighbour has the money to feed and care for the amount of dogs she has PROPERLY then there isnt a problem.... hell if I was a millionaire I could keep hundreds of dogs because I would have the means to ensure they were all cared for.... but when a person cant afford to properly care for the amount of dogs they have then it is a problem. If you see that your neighbours dogs are emaciated, malnourished, chained, abused, or neglected in any way, or if you notice their house and property is filthy and covered in dog excrement then you SHOULD call the ASPCA or Humane Society.. but if the dogs seem healthy and happy, and the owner cares for them well, then there is no reason you should bother your neighbour about the amount of dogs she has.

Answer 7

I agree with "jimstock", because you say you are not a pet person. So way do you really care. Seems like you want to get those dogs out of her house. Just leave her alone with her pets. What's it to you anyway.

Answer 8

IMO, there isn't a set number of dogs, pets, that a person can have, and still take good care of them. It depends on a lot of things: finance, time available, health, size of house/yard, size of pets, and zoning restrictions come to mind.

Answer 9

If you have more than 2, then you have a pack and giving equal attention can cause confusion about what the pack order is. The "alpha" should get the most attention. Dogs are not children. It's not about "fair" and "equal" with dogs. Pecking order is very important to them socially.

Answer 10

So is the question really about the dogs or how to get rid of her? Sounds like your building a case to try to force this lady to give up some of her dogs.