care for a puppy

[womanofdulwich]

my neighbours have a new puppy for christmas and it has been tied up outside for the past 3 hours in the cold. it looks like a little scottie dog - like you get on a bottle of whyte and mackays whisky. i dont know anything about dogs/ puppies - but is that ok?

[daizie]

Poor little thing. Im not sure. I love dogs and i wouldnt do it. My neighbours daughter has left her large dogs in the garden all day whilst she visits.. i feel very sorry for the dogs .

[womanofdulwich]

neither would I but I know there are lots of rules about being strict with dogs it just does not seem right. puppy has stopped barking now and i hope that is because it has been let in.

[first mate]

No, this is not right, it is animal cruelty and if this is really only a puppy (first few months) I would go so far as to report them. No dog, let alone a puppy, should be left tied up outside for three hours (though I know some people do this). The puppy could be traumatised. It sounds as though these people have no idea how to care for a dog. How big is the pup, is it black or white? I feel very concerned by what you have said, would it be possible to check that the pup has been taken in?

[womanofdulwich]

yes it was taken in. i am so glad as i did not want to criticise not having had a dog myself. lets hope that it was a one off.

[daizie]

Experience tells that it is the beginning not a one off . Hopefully they'll realise they cant cope with it and pass the dog onto somewhere that can.

[woofmarkthedog]

Call the RSPCA

[womanofdulwich]

i really would rather try and have a conversation with the owner as i don't know what is acceptable? i have tried googling puppy care but cant find a specific detail. i know it is very young as they have not taken it our for a walk yet, or loose in the garden- because of presumably its immunizations. can anyone direct me to a good web site because i feel i will have to do something if it happens again and i would rather do it in a friendly and informed manner.

[daizie]

I dont know what to suggest , apart from reporting them. My guess is they wont hold on to it for long. Thank god for you, womanofdulwich! :)

[first mate]

I do know about dogs and puppy and dog care. Please be clear that if, as you say, this is a very young puppy that has not been vaccinated then what these people have done in tying it up outside for three hours is nothing short of outrageous.

Dogs are highly social animals, separation from the pack or family group is something that has to be learned over time. This pup will only have just left its mother and littermates it will be trying to adapt to a new environment and will need security. To be tied up outside in the cold on its own is punishing and unnatural and the first stage to creating a traumatised pup that grows into a problem dog. It goes without saying that a young pup should not be awake for three straight hours, like babies they eat and sleep regularly. I dread to think what else these people may be doing. I am seriously concerned about this.

The very best information on puppy care can be found in Gwen Bailey's publication "The Perfect Puppy".

It sounds like this family could not cope with the pup under their feet at Christmas and one can conclude that they are not properly prepared and may have gone for a cute, impulse buy. These people need a puppy pen. This can be set up in the kitchen, with the pup's bed etc in it. This way, at busy times the pup can be with its family without getting under people's feet.

If you continue to witness more abuse of this pup (tying it up outside is abuse) then please report the family.

I just have to add that the thought of a perfectly decent little pup being totally screwed up for life by some feckless, irresponsible family really makes my blood boil. Our rescue centres are overflowing as it is. If the family are simply clueless but receptive I would be happy to give them advice or point them in the right direction. You can PM me

[womanofdulwich]

Thanks first mate. I did not want to impose human standards on a dog but it seemed wrong to me too.

I am so hoping this is a one off as i know their children wanted a puppy. Christmas day is a stressful time so lets keep our fingers crossed this was a one off.

[The Eye]

http://lordwhatsmymotivation.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/cruella-1.jpg

[katie1997]

agree with woof, daizie and first mate...I hope that you manage to resolve this womanofdulwich...very good that you noticed this early on. Cruelty to animals is unforgiveable and I don't think leaving a new pup tied up outside is the best way to introduce him/her to the household. I really really hope that things work out okay!!!

[womanofdulwich]

ok puppy lovers .Thinking caps on please. the good news is no more puppy tied up outside ( it was a one off). but he is left outside for a few hours a day in the garden ( untied)( now it is not so cold) continually barking. Then he goes inside more barking or crying. I am resolved to knock on the door this weekend and say "did you know your puppy barks / cries when you are not here?" . I would then like to point them to some advice/ website/ classes. Can anyone recommend anywhere I should direct them to?

Thanks in advance.

[first mate]

womanofdulwich,

These people sound a bit of a disaster to be honest. If the dog is barking/crying continuously it does not take a genius to work out that it is distressed. Anyhow, no use me venting here. Probably the best contact is Bobs Broadbent at Dog Knows. She's based in SE6 and is APDT registered as well as having other behavioural qualifications. being a professional though she will have to be paid. Her contact details are:

Website: http://www.dogknows.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07867507774

Dog Knows and Puppy School, based in South East London. Specializing in resolving puppy problems and training kind reward based methods. Puppy and Dog Training, Problem Solving, Dog Walking and Puppy Care.

Pre-vaccination Puppy Consultations Puppy School training and socialisation classes - vaccinated to 20 week old puppies Home consultations to give advice, or for if you have a puppy trouble or dog behaviour problem Private training programmes for puppies and dogs Exercising and Puppy Care service

Pre-vaccination Puppy Consultation

Puppy Training and Socialisation Classes

Private Puppy & Dog Training

Puppy Troubles Solved

Dog Behaviour Consultations

Puppy Care and Dog Walking

Address:

London,

London,

SE6 4XN

UK

I hope this helps. If, as I suspect, they are not the kind of people to spend money on their pup/dog then please come back. I would have a word with them about the pup barking. I don't understand why it is left out for two hours. If it is being properly exercised etc.. according to it age, it could be left inside, in a puppy pen, where it would happily sleep for two hours. If it is older it could be going through a teething phase and being destructive, but there are ways round this and if they are responsible dog owners who properly considered a taking on a puppy, they should have known what to expect and how to deal with it.

Please keep us updated and well done to you for being concerned. Unless this is sorted I can see another dog heading to rescue.

[katie1997]

womanofdulwich - makes me wonder why these people wanted a puppy in the first place. Its so sad to hear about it continually barking (not very nice for it or surrounding people) when it is either indoors or outdoors. I can see you have been given some local advice above so hopefully that helps, I don't know anyone in this area that I could recommend to help other than the Dogs Trust charity.

Seems like these people aren't giving the puppy proper exercise or much attention. I hope that things improve and I am glad that there are others out there who are concerned for animal welfare. xxx

[thexwinglessxbird]

Pets for christmas presents is such a terrible idea. I don't think puppy training is what this family needs. They sound as though they have very little interest in owning one altogether?

A neglected puppy only leads to further & more serious problems in the near furture (as we all know)...

Well done, womanofdulwich ^_^