To think this dog's life is not right?

[Nicola19]

Opposite house to us have two older teenagers. They got a labrador pup about two or three years ago. He is sedate and sweet, he always used to be an indoor dog but would follow them out to the yard if they were busy out there. He was never left out. Got walked quite often but not regularly, he would go out on the paper round and up the woods sporadically on a flexi lead.

Last few weeks i noticed him barking and whimpering a lot and i saw that he was in the side yard, a fence away from where they come out of their doors. Walks seem to have reduced. He has now stopped barking and just stands still whimpering a bit. They go out to feed him but definitely no so much fuss is made of him and he is kind of held captive.

I plucked up courage to speak to the guy and we got onto topic of the dog. He said he was fine, banished outside because he has caused an allergic rash on two family members. He showed me and it looked like dermatitis, no evidence of any treatment/ cream. He said he had been to the doctors who said he had to choose between the dog or the rash!??

Dog has a new shed that he goes in as his new home. When i am out i can hear him softly whimpering for attention. Makes me so sad he is so miserable on my doorstep, keep being reminded of it. If they are fed up of him i would love to offer to have him but my DH would say no way! I wonder what others feel about this please? Is it a case of dog is probably adaptable and is ok?

Ah thankyou both recent posters, i dont think they do want him anymore, but they dont realise it yet. My DH is very wary of causing us any 'trouble' on our doorstep. I am based middle of the country. Talking about spiriting away, i did actually do this once, few years ago, in france, to a dejected and dread- locked old spaniel who was chained up permanently by a farmhouse. He was very happy with us in britain for three years! Now i shudder at my recklessness and just feel so much anguish for this poor dog who just has to hear the workd going by beyond the fence. Through the slats i can see him wag his tail when one of them go in but they hardly cast him a glance. They do take him out of sirts so there must be some appreciation of his needs, i just don't get it.

I would come spirit him away if you colluded with me

actually maybe I wouldn't
I like to think I would but I dont think I could actually steal a dog

if they wanted to rehome, I would have him

Thanks trinity, i will keep that in mind! Are you in the middle of the country?

Can you offer to take the dog jogging with you?

jog round the streets twenty minutes every couple days - could you take him with you? Tell them you'd appreciate the company.

Agatha and red, my nextdoor neighbour said this to me today when i was talking to her about it! I think i will ask!

Thats so horrible . Just because a dog is fed and has shelter doesnt mean they are being cared for. What about the mental wellbeing of the dog who has had love and affection for the last 2-3 years and now had that all taken away from him. They are being selfish in keeping him , when they are just going through the motions of 'caring' for him. So sad for the poor dog. A young labrador will get snapped up from a rehoming shelter, they always go so quickly because they are a lovely dog to have and perfect family pet. I'll have him! ;)

Oh good, let us know how you get on.

I have just been reading the animal welfare act 2006, it makes 'recommendations' about how long a dog should be left. It has made me feel that the 23 hours a day in the yard is not on. I would like to knockon the door and talk to the lady who is more anenable but under thumb to say that he is really alone too much and must be craving human company. This is sticking my neck out though as i will definitely be identified by the husband as being critical. Its a weigh up between anguish for the dog and falling out potentially.

Hi Nicola,
Personally, I think it's worth taking the risk. With winter approaching the dog's life won't get any easier. Maybe broaching the subject of rehoming the dog with the woman of the house would be helpful. I do think 23 hours a day in the yard constitutes neglect which is in itself a type of abuse. I honestly don't see the point of this family keeping the dog but it's getting them to see it :( Can you please keep us updated? My mind has been on the dog a lot since you first posted. :( I'm glad the dog at least has you on his side. As another poster pointed out, maybe the owners would at least be open to letting him accompany you while you jog?

no im not in the middle of the country but I have a car

Just a couple of quick points about rescue/rehoming centres. A couple of posters upthread have made rescue kennels sound pretty grim, and not a place for voluntary surrender of dogs. While this is true of some Council pounds, many rescue and rehoming kennels are extremely well run. Many rescues don't even use kennels at all, preferring to have all dogs in foster homes. This has many advantages, including being able to assess the dog's behaviour in a home environment. Many other rescues book space at local boarding kennels, the same ones many dog owners use for when they are on holiday, where welfare standards are extremely high.

For rescues with permanent kennels, in many cases the facilities are excellent, and there is a full programme of volunteer support for walks, socialisation, activities, etc. To pick one at random, take a look at Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue and their premises at Sun Valley (I know this one as a friend adopted her dog through them). Fantastic surroundings, well built facilities for the dogs, great volunteer programme, plenty of exercise, cuddles and treats for the dogs. Our local Dogs Trust has superb facilities and again, a great programme of volunteer enrichment activities. A good rescue will welcome visitors, will be clear about their facilities, will encourage volunteers, and will gladly answer questions.

OP, this poor dog is not enjoying a good quality of life, especially as we go into the winter months. If you would like help in finding a good rescue, please PM me. A young Lab like this would be able to find a caring family home incredibly quickly.

Any progress, Nicola?

This is so sad.

This poor dog thought it was living in a loving home.

My dog is so loved and happy and (as far as I can tell) doesn't have a care in the world.

The impact this sort of change of circumstance would have on her would devastate her. I'm pretty certain she would become depressed and develop behavioural problems, the way animals kept caged up in zoos do.

No, they are not being actively cruel to the poor thing, but they are being incredibly unkind. How anyone can think this is acceptable is beyond me.

Hope you can move this forward for the poor dog OP.

They are not actually doing anything wrong - many dogs live outside perfectly happily BUT it's really cruel to allow the dog to get used to living inside with the family, forming strong binds with them and then, three years later, booting it out.
I have quite a few dogs which I use as gundogs and they live outside in a very luxurious 'kennel' which is actually a converted stable block with underfloor heating etc. for the winter. They are allowed into the dog friendly parts of the house such as the boot rom, kitchen, hallways etc. in the day when we're home but they sleep outside and stay out when we're not home.
I think in this case the dog should be re homed with someone who will give it the level of care and attention it is used to. If that's not an option then they should move the dog outside, slowly reducing the amount of time they spend with it etc. rather than making the poor thing go 'cold turkey' and booting it out.
Mean people!

Hi everyone, thanks so much for taking time to read and help.

Firstly I spoke to my very dog experienced colleague. She said that she completely understands the plight of the dog but to go in guns blazing and do what I had planned is not going to get success. I wanted to knock on the door and talk to the lady and express my concerns gently and suggest rehoming.

She said the dog needs to be given up for rehoming but the trick is convincing the owners of this. Currently the weather is good (apart from a turn today to autumn!) and so they will not be feeling uncomfortable at all. At the weather gets cold and nasty there will be more clout behind the sentiment, 'I think he is not doing well in this situation'. She said I need to observe and be friendly and interested in the owners and not make any comments yet. I need to drip to them basically. In time it may start to dawn on them that the dog issue is a PITA and they hopefully will become ripe for the asking. Even though I can't bear to leave him like this each day I think she is talking sense. Offering to walk the dog is not the answer she said, it suggests criticism of them and also they will just drop their evening time thirty minutes to the shop and back (most days they do this, at around 8pm) if I walk him. Its the other 22 hours that he spends completely alone that is worrying.

He is such a good dog with good behaviour, whimpers quietly and does not go overboard when they do take him out! He emerges from the yard sort of blinking at the road at the world outside. But I am scared that over time if he is kept like this he is sure to develop behaviour disturbance.

The next thing I did was get in touch with the labrador rescue charity in my city. They have some members near me and I asked if they would observe/ educate when the winter comes on a bit. They said they might do, but seemed reluctant, I know its a big ask. They sympathised but like a lot of poeple are saying it is not actually an illegal situation. They said they would be able to home him swiftly if the owners gave him up.

My next door neighbours and I are both grappling with the wish to home him ourselves, my husband is softening and can see how much it is affecting me and he has been here several times before! It is a massive undertaking but if I 'rescued' him it would be quite hard to let someone else have him! This would take great thought and consideration though, I know.

So my plan is to wait, observe, approach her on one of her walks in the winter, just be upfront and say that I think he is isoalted,etc, have they thought recemntly about homing, can't the dog come inside at times, what about some antihistamines etc. Just be friendly. If there is no no no to all of that through the winter I am going to come on stronger, eg, say that I feel it is a bad situation for him, ring dog warden, RSPCA to go out and do education.

What do people think?

Scuttle, thankyou for you kind offer of help, I may well be contacting you!

Hi Nicola, Thanks so much for updating us. This little chap has been on my mind an awful lot. I think your friend speaks am awful lot of sense although I'd find it so difficult, like you, to continue to observe only... :( It might be the better plan for trying to secure a happier future for the pooch though. What is his name, BTW, if you feel able to share it here? :)

The onset of colder weather should strengthen your point when you speak to the owner, although they may just say they're aware and have provided extra blankets...then you're sort of forced into accepting that...so I do think the focus needs to be on the isolation. (BTW, I'm not sure how much you can see? Is he tied up? Does he have shelter? Is he kept in a dark place...just with you mentioning the blinking? Do you know for sure he has adequate food and water? Does he look okay when you see him on the road? No red flags apart from living outdoors now and the whimpering?)

Labradors are such softies, really beautiful dogs who are very bouncy and energetic and thrive on interaction with others. It's likely the situation is breaking his spirit. I think I would tell the owner, if at some point you can orchestrate' a chance meeting with them on one of their walks with him, that perhaps the dog thinks he is being punished as he's gone from being basically an indoor dog to living alone outside. I think I would risk being blunt but polite and appearing to be helpful at the same time - ie you have noticed he's been alone daily for a very long time, you understand it's because of allergies etc but that basically his life changed dramatically overnight. I would say that he seems to be in distress as you've heard him whimpering often (I think distress is a good word to use...has impact but doesn't sound like you're criticising them too much) and, while you understand their predicament, you are concerned for the mental well-being of the dog.
I think I would say something like, 'You must love your dog (hard, I know!!) as you are trying to keep him in spite of your allergies (I'd say something here like...antihistamines can't work or I guess that'd have allowed him to remain indoors)...but it might be better for him and you, especially as he's a young dog who previously lived indoors, if they thought about rehoming? I'd point out that, despite loving him, it might come as a relief if they are struggling with an allergy situation. I'd then tell them how you have a friend who could rehome him if a heartbeat if they'd like. Or, if you or your neighbour could take him on that might be even better as the kids would still see him around?
They may say no but you might make them think and their attitude/ behaviour may change a little...especially if they think people are noticing.
Maybe others could chip in and make suggestions? I'm not sure about what I've suggested but it's so hard. What you want to say is: 'Hey, you shits, your poor dog's life has become bloody miserable overnight and you don't seem to care about the poor bugger at all! What are you going to do about it?!' Grrrr! That'd get you nowhere though :(
I really hope you can make progress. Can you keep us updated?
:)

Thanks leo, what you have said is great and I want to completely print this off and keep in my handbag to rehearse, this is exactly what I want to say to them when the time is right.

I can see him through the slats, he is not chained and has a small shed with door propped open as shelter. I haven't actually seen them go in with food and water and I can't see any but I am sure that they are doing this. Blinking because, dunno, I think he has only has close focus on the yard which is a smallish area for hours on end, and when he has the chance for far away vision he blinks and look around kind of surprised. He does look OK physically when I see him on the road.

I better not say his name as if they are fans of this item they may google it and Mumsnet will come up! But it is the same name as a famous two wheeled vehicle! If you understand that!

I can't bear that they come home around six and then he has to wait a further two hours until someone randomly comes and takes him out. The welcome to him is joyless too, no pleasure evident or talking to him. He waits all day for this privelege. When I sit out on the front I can hear sfot whimerping ofetn and the very occasional woof. If they come out the house to do the bins the other side of the house he obviously thinks they are coming for him. Hoping and waiting are his occupations now.

I am encouraged by the wet today and drop in temp. Now i don't want any more sun.

Hi Nicola,

I'm happy the advice was helpful... Maybe some others here will chip in with good ideas. I think you are a star for looking out for this dog. So many animals suffer because people turn a blind eye.
It looks like this family just thinks that as long as they are providing food, water, shelter and the odd walk they are doing enough... :( I think some owners can underestimate the impact little contact (basically neglect) has on a dog, especially when its life was radically different from before :(
It's great that he has you on his side! :)
I think the blinking is a bad sign...it sounds like he is way too confined. It must be a pretty small yard which, in itself, is not great since he can't run about! Glad he's not chained though!
I hope and pray that the right opportunity will present itself for you to broach things with his owner (I think I got the pooch's name btw :) ) It could actually come as a relief to them. It looks like they've lost interest in him - he's basically been excluded from his pack...in his eyes anyway - and the idea of cold, wet, wintry walks will probably be a pretty unappealing prospect! The joyless welcome is a red flag too... I personally think if you give it a few weeks they may yield!
Do you think your husband will come around to the idea of your family having him if the current owner is amenable and open to the idea?
I think you've developed a real soft spot for him!
I was just wondering if you can pass the time of day with the dog when you go past...? Maybe just a friendly voice, a little bit of praise through the fence? The dog next door to us is often alone and I always pop out and chat to him though the fence, especially if I know the family's not home... I chuck the odd treat or two over as well... I know you have to be careful but I just thought hearing a friendly voice occasionally might give him a bit of hope.
I really hate people who treat dogs like toy they can put in the box when they're fed up with it. I know you have noticed no outward signs of physical neglect like weight loss but I would be vigilant. If you see anything that causes concern you can report it anonymously.
I will be thinking of you and him and hoping for a good result. Will you keep me updated? Feel free to PM me any time to keep me in the loop and just ask if you think I might be able to advise or help further. I am happy to help you help this sweet guy any way I can, any time!
x

Hi leo, had a quick look to see how i could PM you, please tell me if you can! Thanks.

I would love to gain his attention through the slats in the fence but when you approach he does bark. I retreat then because the guy has CCTV up. I dont want to attract attention.

I just was sat on the front doorstep and i heard him bark six or so times. The front door opened and the guy said 'steady' and must have had a look about. Now i have a sinking feeling that the dog has been moved out there to guard. The guy is really paranoid about his house, we've always thought that. It never occurred to me before but i hope this is not the case because he will not want to rehome. However when i asked i'm sure he would have told me straight why the dog was outside, he does not seem to have any insight into his paranoid personality!

Thanks for your kind words. I feel unsettled and angry and have absolutely got to gain success with this

Hi Nicola, I hope he's not being kept as a guard dog... If that was the case, why wouldn't the dog have been out there all the time, from an earlier age? Maybe they had a burglary or a scare?
I have to pop out now to drop some one off but I'll try to get back more tomorrow. You can PM me by going to 'My Mumsnet' at the top right of the page. Go to 'My Inbox' and you should be able to find a bubble thing with a + and New Message in it, that allows you to compose a message directly to another mumsnetter. Just type in my name...add your message and send.
TTYS... I hope the future is bright for our canine friend. You can only do your best.
x

Thanks will keep you updated and will PM you. Yeah odd to do it just now, not from a pup and what a breed to choose! I am going to bed to google 'RSPCA - what constitues neglect'! It is a very ordinary town victorian house, nothing makes it look like a target. He is a loon.

My husband is coming round to the idea... He usually does! But also will consider how great a home labrador rescue people think they can get.

Yes, it's amazing how many assholes become allergic to their dogs once they are not cute puppies. Most of my fosters come from sudden allergic reactions to adult or teenage dogs. Funny how they don't have a reaction when they are in the photo opportunity cutie puppy phase. Twat.