This really is a question concerning my dog...?

Question

Ok so I have a 10 week old Lab puppy. He is the light of our lives! A WONDERFUL addition to our family, and I have owned all sorts of animals over my lifetime from cows to hermit crabs, so I'm not uneducated...but my crazy neighbor is starting to freak me out....I was talking to my neighbor and told her that if she heard some whining coming from my garage for a couple of days not to fret because I was going to let the puppy get use to the garage for a couple of days before I introduced him to the dog door (in the garage) leading to the fenced in backyard. She totally flipped and told me she'd call Animal Control because I was more or less torturing him by leaving him in the garage while I'm at work. What should I do? My landlord now tells me that she stole the last guys dog who occupied our rental property and was forced to give the puppy back...I'm scared to take my dog outside now! Suggestions?

Please note, I use to live on a farm, I just moved to a major metropolis 2 months ago.

Just to make sure everyone is on the same page, my garage is not stock piled full of poisons. It's a brand new place, and there's nothing in the garage for the puppy to rip up or get into (other than designated toys) so take a pill....

Answer 1

If I follow what you're saying, your neighbor feels that putting your dog in the garage, with a doggy door leading to a fenced yard, is torture?

I should start by saying that my dogs are, right now, in a kennel in our garage, with a doggy door leading to a fenced yard.

Here's the thing, though:

1) we set up a kennel in the garage using chain link kennel panels (they join together) high enough so that our dogs can't jump them. The kennel has a gate inside the garage, and a door and doggy door at the other end. They don't have run of the garage, because there are too many thing (ant bait, slug bait, auto coolant) that they could get into which could kill them.
2) inside the kennel is a very comfy dog bed and a large bowl of water (on a stand, so it's at head level, not "splashing feet" level). The water is changed and the bowl cleaned daily. There are also tough "Kong" bones to chew if they get bored.
3) neither dog had run of the kennel or yard at 10 weeks old, for their own safety.

At 10 weeks, your guy doesn't have complete bladder control, so he can't stay for more than a few hours at a time in a crate, but is there anything that might injure him in your yard?

Loose boards, things he might go after on tables, etc. It's like babyproofing your house - you go through the garage and yard and look for ANYTHING that might be a hazard to your dog baby if he knocked it over/chewed on it/licked it.
If there is, it has to be secured, high, so he can't get into it, or be tempted by it.

The inner kennel (inside the garage) means your pup isn't in danger from vehicles going in or out, plus he can't get into things like motor oil or paint in the garage if they're outside his kennel area. When you move, the panels are portable, so you take them with you - instant kennel, in case you find yourself in a new place where there isn't a fenced yard, or the fence needs work..

If your yard's secure (and your garage), and you get your puppy used to the doggy door, then he may be better off with that arrangement when you're out, since it provides a safe space, with water and shade... BUT...

... your landlady told you she stole the last tenant's dog and had to be forced to return it. You'd better put a lock on that outside kennel gate (and maybe the inside one). Puppy can go freely in and out of the garage without being a tempting target.

Just as you wouldn't give a human toddler free run of your house, garage, and yard, your puppy isn't ready for it. He doesn't know enough. He's stil a baby.

Your neighbor has probably seen people abuse their pets - leaving them in any weather, without shelter, shade or enough water. I know I've seen it. So she's worried. If you take steps to assure your pup is safe and comfortable, then you can tell her what steps you've taken and reassure her. Also, if you sign up the family for Puppy Kindergarten now (the precursor to Basic Obedience class - it helps to socialize your pup and start you on the right road to teaching him what he needs to know), she'll see that you are genuinely trying to do the best by your dog, and will probably relax.

Answer 2

First off, depending on the temperature in the garage and the living situation that you have set up for the dog will determine if this is torture or not. The dog must have a sleeping area as well as a eating and play area. If the garage is either to hot or to cold then i wouldn't recommend leaving the dog there. You might also want to make sure that there is NOTHING in reach of the dog that can hurt it. Nothing for the puppy to eat or scratch or get into any trouble with. I know that you lived on a farm but the animal control laws for someone living domestically are a little different. So if this woman feels that the garage is unsafe or inappropriate for this dog to live then she can very well call ASPCA on you. As far as her stealing the dog i would report her to the police before any incident should occur.

Answer 3

Sounds like you are a real dog lover. Well, by law you are required to provide adequate living conditions for your pet. I don't know where you live, but is the garage too hot/ cold during the time you are away? Is there water available to the pup at all times? Also another thing you wanna watch out for is if your puppy whines or barks for extended period of time when you're gone that disturbs the neighbor. This whining is pretty common among puppies, (separation anxiety). Typically start when you are gone out the door, and stops as soon as you comes back so you may not be aware of it. If the neighbor claims the pup is barking nonstop and it's disturbing the nighborhood, she can legally call the authorities and they MAY take your pet away.

But if you meet all the above conditions, your non-animal loving neighbor has nothing on you. Good luck with the pup!

Answer 4

Your neighbor is a nut job!!! Although your puppy, at 10 wks, should be in a crate, not roaming free in the garage without supervision. I wouldn't do the doggy door thing until he is quite a bit older either, so you can be sure that he won't jump the fence or dig out. I would get a crate and keep him in that, in the house (away from your neighbor!) until he is much older and better capable of being alone. As for her calling animal control, don't worry. As long as your puppy has food, water, adequate shelter and shows no signs of physical abuse, you have nothing to worry about from them. Good luck

Answer 5

Hi your puppy is only whining because he doesn't want to be left alone,have you tried giving him a teddy, if that don't work leave some garment that has your smell on it that will sooth him, and leave plenty of toys with him so he doesn't get bored, the best toys to give him when he is on his own are the ones that you put food in them, and they have to work for there food, not only does it keep them occupied but it makes them tired, and so they sleep. and as for the neighbor, well let her know :you know about the puppy she took: but why not give the animal control a call and ask their advice on your neighbor,
hope i have been some help and good luck

Answer 6

If the issue gets to be serious and your neighbor threatens you or the dog you can get a restraining order and if she violates that then she'll go to jail. Keeping the pup in the garage is not cruel by any means, just make sure there is plenty of circulation and water so it doesn't get dehydrated. If she calls Animal Control all they will do is come out to your house and check on the animal, see that its ok and as long as its not in immediate danger leave it be. Don't worry it'll be fine.

Answer 7

Whoa, your neighbor sounds like a whack job! There is nothing wrong with you leaving your dog in the garage as long as it has fresh water and a warm place to lie down up off the cement floor. I would make sure that the doors to the garage are locked securly so she can't get at your dog. Then I would call Animal Control and inform them what you are doing and ask if there is anything wrong with it. Advise them of your whacky neighbor and tell them your address. I would also recommend you looking for another place to live. She sounds like she will be nothing but problems for you and your dog.

Answer 8

How long are you at work? If it's more than a few hours, then you should not be leaving your pup in the garage! Aside from it being neglectful, garages are FULL of poisons.

Really, if your dog can't stay inside while you are gone, then you probably shouldn't have gotten a pup. When he's old enough, bring him to doggie day care so that he won't be left alone all day. But for now, you really need to come up with something better than dumping him in the garage and in the backyard.

Edit: lol. Just because a bunch of neglectful people think that it's ok to dump your puppy in the garage for 8+ hours a day, doesn't make it so. A good breeder NEVER would have sold a dog to a person like this. But, what do they know? lol.

Answer 9

your doggy is fine (might want to put down some paper or a puppy pad so your doggy can relieve himself and some toys water, bedding etc.) if your neighbor does say anything to the police or whatever..they will come check on your dog..see that he is fine...(I assume there is also record of your neighbor stealing the last tenants doggy) which will also work in your favor.
bottom line is though, your neighbor still lives there..if they take your dog..call the cops and get your pup back and get a restraining order against her (him?)_
Also, as others have said, be sure there are no dangerous chemicals where puppy can get to them..I had assumed that you had done this..but have since figured it never hurts to mention it...

Answer 10

Every neighborhood has one of these!! No, she is off base on what is abuse or cruelty. As long as he has food/water and certainly shelter there is no neglect.

I would encourage someone to be watchful while he is out in fenced yard, just in case. If she continues to be a issue then you call animal control your self. Advise of situation and your address in case she does call them. They have so many real cases to deal with they do not normally go looking at nuisance calls. All require a safe yard area, food/water bowls full and available and rabies tag when old enough.

Also, have proof from vet, medical record, of vet care, shots, etc to show them or her, if needed. Don't be intimidated!