I'm afraid of my friend's dog?

Question

A girlfriend of mine has a 2 yr. old Pit/Bullmastiff mix. I cared for him while he was a pup, and he was an angel. She did not keep up with his training and socialization when I stopped sitting for him. He wears a prong all the time, is rarely (if ever) walked or exercised, and her BF disciplines him physically. Because of all of these factors, he has become very wary of strangers (he lunged at my Mother during a visit) and extremely animal agressive. I've tried to help my friend turn all this around, but she hasn't th time to work with him. I have my hands full with 3 dogs of my own, so I can't help. She invites me over all the time, and I always make up some excuse not to go, because I'm afraid to be in the room with a dog that unstable. I used to take the dog with me and my dogs for rides, but I can't anymore due to his unpredictability. My friendship is suffering b/c of this situation. How can I explain to her that something needs to be done. She's about to have a baby & I'm scared

Answer 1

Rachel, is this the same friend that you ask about all the time? She still hasn't gotten the message? I really don't know what to say hun.

I would say contact a local rescue and the local animal control officer and see if they can help you with the dog. My only fear is he'll end up being put down. But if you are that afraid of him, I have to wonder about the dog itself. He needs help. Your friend just needs a brain transplant if she's still with that idiot.

I would also be afraid of what the dog is going to do ahen that baby is born and brought home.

Anyways, I wish you luck and I hope I have helped a bit.

Email me if you want to :)

Answer 2

This is a very unfortunate situation. The sad thing...is that if she had kept up with his training, socialization, and exercise...he probably wouldn't be as unstable as you say he is. It also DOES NOT help that her boyfriend physically disciplines him. That would make any dog unhappy.

I know you really want to help her, and the best way to do that may be to suggest that she finds the dog a new home. If she does not have the time to work with him, then she needs to find someone who does. Also, you say she's about to become a mother, which is obviously a huge responsibilty. If she doesn't have time for the dog now, do you think she'll have time when she's trying to care for an infant? And it's really not safe to have an unstable dog of any breed around a baby.

Personally, I think that she needs to give the dog to a rescue that is familiar with big, strong, untrained dogs. They can work with him until he is suitable to enter another home, and then find him a new family that can properly care for him. A family that is willing to put in the time and effort. Your friend should not have gotten any dog, let alone a large, energetic dog, if she did not intend to exercise, train, and socialize him. These things are all key in having a well behaved dog.

I think that you need to sit down with her, and explain your concerns. Tell her that you are worried for your/her/the baby's safety. Explain that you are not trying to insult her, but trying to help her. Tell her that you will help her find the dog a rescue organization (if you can get her to agree that she is in over her head). Tell her that you will be there for her through the hard times, like when she makes the difficult (but right) decision of giving up her dog to someone who can properly care for it.

Good Luck!
I know it is going to be hard, but if you are really concered, you need to take action and do something about it.

Answer 3

I think there have been a lot of good answers to this question. The one thing I noticed was that she leaves a prong collar on him all the time. Obviously this dog has a lot of problems but the prong collar is probably making it worse. I have been told by multiple trainers that putting those collars on a pit is the worst thing you can do. They mimic a dog bite, which is what they do to the dogs neck when they force these dogs to fight. So what I have been told is that prong collars on pit bulls make them more aggressive and should never be used. We don't even us a choke on our girls, the only thing we ever do if they are being too hyper is to turn their leash around backwards like Cesar Millan does and it works great. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

looks like you just did except she might not see this. You need to tell her what you told all of us. You hit everything dead on and all are valid worries. The dog is unstable and you should tell her how uncomfortable you feel being around her dog. Can you imagine if you don't say something now and after she has her baby the dog was to bite the baby. How bad would you feel.

Speak up, a true friend will listen, obviously you have experience having 3 dogs of your own. Don't be scared because scared sometimes leads to regret and that is harder to get over.

Answer 5

The temperament and size of the dog are a definite cause for concern.

I would be open and honest with her, explain that you don't feel comfortable in the house with the dog, and that you feel your friendship is strained because of this.

Also, with the new baby on the way, the dog definitely needs training, by someone other than the BF, and physical discipline, such as hitting, kicking, etc., will only cause the dog's aggression to get stronger.

If she's a true friend, she should also be feeling the strain on the friendship, and will hopefully be open to what you have to say.

Answer 6

Oh dear, I see a train wreck coming. Between the BF and your friend not keeping up with the dog's training, I won't be a bit surprised if the dog attacks the baby.

Tell her the problems you see with the dog and point out what could happen with that baby, since she seems unwilling to notice her BF's behavior problems. Offer to help her find someone who can help her with a troubled dog: I wouldn't suggest that either you or she try to tackle this alone.

If she doesn't have the time to take care of the dog, she might be better off giving him to someone who can.

I wish I had better news.

Answer 7

The physical punishment needs to stop. Treats are really effective for training.the most effective training tends to happen when the animal is little.If your going to change how the animal acts start with little things work on up until the animal is nicer.The longer the animal is like this the less likely it's going to change. the owner should at least start with walks. Dogs are pack animals so it will be lonely if it dosen't get enough attention.if the owner can't take it for walks play with it. balls are a good way to start and if/when it starts to behave bring others dogs one at a time so they can socialize. be careful and good luck.

Answer 8

I lost a friendship over her situation with her own pets. She had a child and kept her dogs outside all the time, and the put her cats on the porch. But you need to tell her how you feel and how dangerous this dog can be to her child, and maybe she can find it a home that is willing to work with him. If you don't warn her, her child when he/she comes can be in danger. I know it's hard to confront a friend, but it needs to be done. Either they start working with him now or find him a new home.

Answer 9

Sit her down and have a nice long talk with her about the responsibilities of dog ownership, especially for the owners of large strong dogs. Maybe tell her you're afraid for her baby. I hate to say it but your friend sounds like she shouldn't be allowed to own a dog. If she can't/won't spend the time he needs with him she should give him to someone that can/will

Answer 10

I think that if you and her are very close friends she will listen to what you have to say and try to make you feel comfortable about coming over. Maybe she will lock the the dog up during your visit or maybe she will agree that he is out of hand and needs to put him in a bteer situation. I know how you feel though. A friend of mine had a husky who became very unpredictable. One day I was over her house and flipped my hair down to put it back in a pony tale and when I started raising my head, her husky was right in my face with every intent to tag me if I moved. I told her than I wasn't coming over again as long as she had that dog. She agreed he was becoming more and more unprovoked aggression and she put him down for the safety of others even though it was hard for her, she knew it was right. A couple friends of mine are scared of my dogs and I just put them in the crate when they come over. Maybe your friend will take what ever advice you have for her to heart.