I have a close friend that has recently taken an interest in getting a dog, but she wants an english bulldog which is way out of her price range. Long story short, she found one that is up for adoption but is incontinent. My friend is VERY absent minded and she is very impatient! Despite my explaining that it is a medical problem, she thinks she can house train this pup! I know it doesnt sound like its my business, and maybe it's not, but I just hate to see this dog go to someone that I know wont have the time it will require to be cared for properly. So my question is, what do you think is the remedy for this situation?
Any suggestions help! (Sorry it was so long!)
2007-11-28 08:30:21 · 24 answers · asked by Jen 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
ADDED: She is not purchasing from a breeder she is adopting it from a bulldog rescue from what she told me. I do not know which one, though I am trying to find out.
2007-11-28 08:49:30 · update #1
Get her some reading material on incontinence to show her this is not a "training" related issue.
2007-11-28 08:35:08 · answer #1 · answered by Yo LO! Aussie Grins 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Listen to "Streaker." She has the right idea. You not only should go with your friend when she visits the pet rescue, but you should contact them in advance. Explain the situation to them so that they counsel your friend, even make it a legal requirement in the contract, that she provide proper care and that if at any time she is unable to do so, she must relinquish the dog back to the rescue.
Your "friend" sounds very immature and self-centered. She is thinking only of herself, not of the best interests of the dog. This sounds like a scenario doomed for failure - but the one that will be traumatized by this is the DOG, not your friend! I know you probably have already done so, but you might remind her that un-housebroken dogs leave pee and poop everywhere. Is she in an apartment? The landlord won't appreciate the carpeting being ruined. Does she work? It would be unconscionable of her to leave the pup alone for 8-10 hours. She has to consider her lifestyle, not what is fashionable.
You sound as though you are a thoughful person and much more mature than your friend. Thank heavens she has you.
2007-11-28 09:15:39 · answer #2 · answered by D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Talk to your friend very firmly about this and that it is only going to hurt the dog if she brings it home and then can't handle it. If you need help talking to her, find the "all breed rescue" for your area - and listed on their website should be a contact for this specific breed - call them and tell them the situation and perhaps you can meet someone locally with your friend and have them talk to her as more of an expert. Bravo for caring about the welfare of the animal and looking out for it's best welfare -- if this is a rescue that is adopting out the dog and not a back yard breeder just selling it, they should be very concerned about the home this dog is going too - to make sure it is a "forever" home..
2007-11-28 08:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by Tracy R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time an incontinent puppy will outgrow the problem at around the age of one.
You need to see if the incontinence is due to being dominated... this is often the case. Sometimes they get excited and loose their water.
For the dominence issue be sure that no one reaches down and over the puppys head... palms up and go under the chin... then you can inch your way with kind of a scratching motion until you are actually petting the dog.
For the excitement incontinence... try picking up the puppy from its cage or bed instead of doing that "happy - gotta go potty" routine.
We also had a GSD with incontinence and it was usually when she got excited around me... so this one my hubby took over and she outgrew it "right on time"....
Tell your friend to become well informed on the subject and take it from there..
Once incontinent / Always incontinent -== NOT
Good Luck
H.O.T. Dog
Handler Owner Trainer of GSD's
2007-11-28 08:40:51 · answer #4 · answered by H.O.T. Dog 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your friend wants this dog for the look of it, not because she really wants a dog at all. She has no idea of the responsibility and the strain of dog ownership - especially the first few months - it is like having a baby!
Ring the people re-homing the dog, give them a brief run over your fears and let the professionals make the decision for both of you. It sounds like she will eventually get a dog from somewhere but you know she won't cope with this one and he deserves better than what she has to offer him.
Ring them and put your mind at rest
2007-11-28 08:54:35 · answer #5 · answered by Stripey Cat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know you are concerned with the welfare of the animal, and it's quite possible this dog needs a different owner. But if your friend is dead set on this, tell her that there are doggie diapers made just for this situation. I have a friend that uses them because she's too lazy to housebreak her dog. But they were actually developed for older or incontinent animals, because you are right, it is a medical problem.
they have them at petsmart and a few bigger walmarts.
2007-11-28 08:44:02 · answer #6 · answered by ♥willow♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's impatient she doesn't need a puppy period. All she has to do is take the dog to the vet and they have medicine for incontinence. My sister has a German Shephard that has the same problem and he was prescribed medicine and he's doing fine.
If she gets him she may to invest in diapers until she get's him to the vet.
2007-11-28 08:48:15 · answer #7 · answered by Shay~Shay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She would be saving that dog from euthanasia since no one wants to adopt such a dog. Dogs like to pick a spot to curl up. She could get an old comforter and keep it on the floor and wash it periodically. She could train the dog to stay off of furniture. She could buy clear vinyl by the yard at a fabric store and keep it on the floor. She could replace carpet with tile. Murphy's law: the dogs with medical problems are the most loving.
2015-04-15 09:07:50 · answer #8 · answered by Waynes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To save the pup from the pain of being rehomed twice tell her she is being selfish by taking the dog. she will not cope with an incontinent dog. If the worst comes to the worst tell the person trying to rehome the dog that she is not right for it.
2007-11-28 08:35:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are certain that she will not be able to care for the dog, then you need to do whatever you can to prevent her from getting that particular dog. Try to get her to find another dog. Or if she won't budge try and call up to the place where she wants that dog, explain the situation and see if they will help you out. You need to do whatever you can to ensure that dogs safety.
2007-11-28 08:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by Ashley . 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋