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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel really sorry for next door's dog

62 replies

Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 19:38

I know IANBU. But wondering what to do.

Next door have a retriever which is just over one year old, so quite big now. They are a couple and it was his idea to get the dog, but then expected his dw to walk it as he works a lot.

He was your typical boisterous puppy which pulled on the lead and was a bit over exuberant, so basically, they've stopped walking him. Not sure how long exactly ago that was but a good few months.

So now he spends most of his day out in the tiny back yard, where he does about 5 shits a day, or the front garden which is tiny and not big enough for him to run around in.

I asked the ndn's dd in a sly way if the dog had been for a walk lately and she said 'no, we can't take him for a walk because he pulls his collar over his head.' Erm...buy a harness?

Feel so sorry for him never getting any exercise. He's lovely and it's no life for a young dog full of energy. Not sure if the rspca would see it as a problem as he has food, water and shelter. I reported another neighbour a few years ago for never walking her dog and they came round and said there's nothing they can do about it :(

OP posts:
ThatBloodyWoman · 28/04/2015 19:39

Offer to walk it?

judypoovey26 · 28/04/2015 19:43

Oh poor thing, retrievers need loads of exercise. My MIL had a rescue one who had been fed and watered but never walked and the poor old thing had the worst sores on his legs from sitting around all day. If you can, offer to walk it. If you can't, please for the sake of the dog have stern words with your NDN and if that doesn't work, I'd suggest calling the RSPCA, although it isn't strictly a case of outright neglect or cruelty. YANBU

likalixer · 28/04/2015 19:44

Yes, instead of reporting them, why not offer to walk the dog for them? You must have a lot of time if you have the time to monitor what this couple and your neighbours every move!

Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 19:45

I could but have quite a lot on my plate right now (to the point where my own dog is staying with my ex because I don't have much time for him). Also I'm hoping to move soon so don't know if that would be meaner, getting him used to having walks and then stopping again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 19:46

I don't monitor their every move. No need to be a bitch. I'm just worried for the dog.

OP posts:
BastardGoDarkly · 28/04/2015 19:48

likalixar What twatty thing to say.

Op I'm on the same position, with 2 dc, a job, and a dog of my own to walk. It's not always possible to walk every dog that doesn't ever go out, there's 3 in my close, and its really sad :( but the rspca don't consider it cruelty unfortunately.

Bringing back licenses for dogs would probably make these arses give them up.

Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 19:49

Apart from anything else, the woman ndn doesn't work whereas I am a single parent, full time student and work 30 hrs per week!

OP posts:
Corneliusmurphy · 28/04/2015 19:50

Sad my neighbour does this with her dog, although is a Pomeranian she says 'it's an indoor dog so doesn't need walking'... Madness I don't understand why you would get a dog if you weren't prepared to walk it.
They were leaving the dog in the garden for hours at a time so obviously the 'indoor' bit included the garden, where it barked incessantly though the neighbour said it was 'playing'
The other neighbours have complained about the noise so now it never leaves the house. I really think it's cruel.

Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 19:51

bastard I know, it's so sad. Why the feck do people get them?

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 19:52

:( cornelius

OP posts:
Lovelydiscusfish · 28/04/2015 20:04

Sadly I think this is an all too common scenario. Countless people in our village never walk their dogs. Luckily, they have massive gardens, so the dogs can run about a bit, but it must be so boring for the poor things, and also makes them shockingly territorial.

As Bastard says, I'm pretty certain, though not exactly straight out of the RSPCA's recommended tips for how to care for your dog, it wouldn't in itself be considered neglectful. If the dog is obese to the point of serious ill health then maybe (again I'm not sure - so many poor dogs are obese!) This is not to say it's not worth a call though - maybe one of those fab RSPCA officers I see on Animal Rescue could at least call round to advise them (again, I don't know).

Would it also be worth your mentioning a few ideas while in conversation with them - different types of collar, local puppy training classes, anywhere local dogs can be walked off the lead? I should say here that at 9 my (lovely, otherwise impeccably behaved) spaniel is appalling on the lead for me, so I always take her job walks where she can be off the lead 98 per cent of the time!

I know she may well ignore you, but at least you can feel you've tried. You are clearly a very caring person to be so concerned, btw.

likalixer · 28/04/2015 20:08

I don't monitor their every move. No need to be a bitch. I'm just worried for the dog.

So I must have mis-read the part where you said you reported one of your other neighbors to the RSPCA (for the same thing) as well? Confused

Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 20:10

It wouldn't be so bad if they had a massive garden. I grew up on farm and to be fair our dogs rarely got walked as they were always free range outside buggering off exploring.

But their garden is probably 4x4 metres at best. I could try dropping it into conversation but not sure how well received it would be.

Oooh, I've had an idea. Maybe I could buy him a harness and say my friend got it for her dog but it didn't fit, so maybe they could have it for their dog. That might shame them into walking the poor thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 20:12

Yes likalixer. When you live next door to someone it's not hard to gleen that they never exercise their dog.

Like I said, no need to be a bitch.

OP posts:
likalixer · 28/04/2015 20:13

They may walk it at night (when you don't necessarily notice)
I know lots of people that do this.
I bump into more dogwalkers round our way at night. than I ever do during the day.

(They're usually the ones who don't clean up the mess because they think nobody will notice them )Hmm

Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 20:16

Since you are so good at reading posts you seemed to have missed the bit where the dd confirmed they don't walk him.

They go to bed really early so they definitely don't do late night walks. And before you accuse me (again) of spying, that's called having ears, the walls aren't thick and I'm normally sat in silence studying or working at night.

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 28/04/2015 20:17

YANBU Sad

It is a vicious circle though, isn't it? The less the dog is walked, the worse his manners and behaviour are likely to be and the less fun it is to walk him, so he gets walked less etc etc…

If you are prepared/able to buy a harness and offer it to them, that is v kind of you. I'd just worry that it won't work tbh - they have found a way to justify to themselves why they don't walk a dog and are likely quite happy with that. Anybody who tolerated their small garden being full of dog shit, is not all that interested in looking after the best interest of their pet IMO.

I have no idea what to suggest - helpful, I know, sorry.

Are they actually enjoying their dog? Where does it stay during the day? I'd imagine a young dog with loads of exercise requirements who is NOT exercised would develop all sorts of behavioural problems including destructiveness?
Would they maybe be keen to relinquish their dog to a breed-specific rescue?

likalixer · 28/04/2015 20:19

Chill fluffyclouds Biscuit

I said they may walk their dog at night.

MrsDeVere · 28/04/2015 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 20:21

I did hear the man bollocking him tonight which is what prompted me to write this post :( not sure what he'd done but it's no wonder that he's sometimes a bit naughty.

Their garden is immaculate, as is their house. They are clean freaks and every day the man clears the shit up from the yard and disinfects it. If they took the poor thing for a walk that would be one less job for him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Littlefluffyclouds81 · 28/04/2015 20:23

You're not listening likalixer. They don't walk him. At any time of day.

Biscuit to you too.

OP posts:
SunshineAndShadows · 28/04/2015 20:27

Unfortunately there's a correlation between exercise restriction and behaviour problems in dogs, not to mention the impact of social isolation, boredom and behavioural frustration Sad so he's unfortunately likely to develop psychological issues.

Would they consider rehoming him?

PacificDogwood · 28/04/2015 20:28

Lots of retriever rescues here

Parsley1234 · 28/04/2015 20:30

My feckless neighbours are on their third dog all. Bought within two months of their three kids being born first sadly died second re homed cavapoo due to non. Walking issues because they had a baby then third a chiwahwa who bit the babywhen it grabbed its food and then bit the mother. Never walked left in the garden all day bark bark bark non stop so sad. It went to be rehomed last week (hopefully) oh did I mention the two chinchilla cats that came for two weeks then were rehomed due to not being indoor cats WTF ! Now they are getting a Maltese because we have one and they love it !! You cdnt make it up

YANAgurl1973 · 28/04/2015 20:32

What a stupid thing to say likalixer. Op please report them.

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