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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be really fed up of my dog?

128 replies

SweepDoggyDogg · 06/02/2018 11:51

Name changed as I know I'm being unreasonable.

But basically I have been begging DH for a dog for years. I always had dogs growing up, clever working dogs like labradors and collies. When I got my first house I got a Rottweiler which unfortunately escaped and got run over and killed. After that I had a German shepherd which was a rescue. Unfortunately he had been badly mistreated before coming to me and turned nasty so I had to rehome him to somewhere without kids. I've been desperate for a German shepherd ever since.

DH always flat out refused saying they were too big and he got bitten by one as a child. No amount of reasoning would work and I was so desperate for a dog. As a compromise he said I could get a small dog but it had to be a French bulldog as he'd always wanted one Hmm. Out of desperation for ANY dog I agreed.

We've had him now for two years and I'm so fed up. He's completely untrainable. Doesn't seem to learn anything and when he does, he'll refuse to do it depending on his mood. Example, he knows "sit" and "down" - 50% of the time he'll obey, 50% of the time he'll just go wild and start biting and barking as soon as you say the words.

I can't take him for walks as he'll simply sit there refusing to move unless we are on a route he approves of. Many times I've had to drag him home as no amount of praise or encouragement will shift him.
He'll be sat a few feet from you but will flat out refuse to come to you when you call him, he'll simply turn his head away or go off and do something else. Even a cheery "come here boy!" With clapping and enthusiasm is met with the equivalent of a raised eyebrow and he'll simply ignore you unless you have something he wants.

And he's so destructive. Wrecks everything he can get hold of. Still not house trained as he refuses to go out if it's cold.

We've had dog trainers and behaviourists in, they just say it's his personality but sometimes he's quite unlikable! I said to DH last night we may as well have just got a cat, we'd get the same interactions (or lack of) without the mess.

He has tons of toys and chews and god knows what else, gets loads of attention - well he did but the kids don't like him anymore as he constantly attacks them for no reason.

I went into a house yesterday and they had a staffie. She was the most beautiful creature ever, responsive, loving, obedient - made me pine even more for a "proper" dog.

I 100% regret buying him and feel awful for it. It's the first time I've ever felt like this towards a dog.

OP posts:
SumThucker · 06/02/2018 13:44

To echo others, don't get another dog. You don't deserve one.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 06/02/2018 13:48

He's attacking your children. The dog shouldn't be around them. One day those attacks could prove fatal. Please please do not wait until then.

RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 06/02/2018 13:58

I find it hard to believe a 2 year old pup (because essentially he still is a puppy) is constantly biting you and your family. At the most he is trying to play/get your attention in the only way he knows how (on account of being a bulldog) and because you haven't taught him how to do it properly.

One of mine is a rescue, I got her when she was 6 months old and she had never learned how to play, I actively had to teach her how to do it. You may find that you now need to do that with your pup as he probably just doesn't know what to do.

However I do tend to agree with all the other posters that the situation is untenable and this poor dog is living with a group of people who actively dislike him and won't engage with him so he probably would be better off rehomed.

It's so sad though, dogs love humans, they want to be with humans and they actively want to make us happy. And we treat them like this, disposable, unwanted, rejected. It makes me furious.

mimibunz · 06/02/2018 14:10

Best to find a rescue group to take the dog and then don't adopt or shop ever again. A dog is for life.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 06/02/2018 14:15

Dog is inbreed, made stupid because of it.

Seriously, the humane thing would be to let those breed die out, and keep only the healthy races and the mutts. Rule of thumb would be to evaluate if they would survive alone in the wild. If not, eliminate.

hibbledibble · 06/02/2018 14:16

Op, in the nicest possible way, it sounds like your family isn't suited to having dogs.

I think it would be kindest to find a good rescue for this dog, and then don't get anymore.

Maybe a small pet that doesn't require training eg a hamster would suit you better?

Tainbri · 06/02/2018 14:17

Sorry YABU. This is a case of first train the owner!! You don't have a good track record with dogs of any kind, so dogs aren't for you however much you like the idea. It's just not working. Rehome the dog and don't get another.

PipGirl404 · 06/02/2018 14:17

My cocker spaniel would not survive in the wild because he is thick as mince, surely not many domesticated dogs would survive in the wild?

OfaFrenchmind2 · 06/02/2018 14:21

(I really like cocker spaniels) Is your dog stupid because as a pet, pretty much none of its instincts are required to be used, or because it is indeed naturally very daft? Being a pet is incredibly easy, like staying a child in a good family forever. Maybe it makes them lazy, even intellectually.

seXXyLady · 06/02/2018 14:24

Oh, op.....I think that this particular dog is just not a good fit with your lives.

I'm don't think you shouldn't stop having dogs at all, I'm sure the next one will be a much better fit with your family dynamic.

I think frenchies are more of a 'one man' breed, as in, they need one devoted owner.
Let this one go to a new owner.

PipGirl404 · 06/02/2018 14:25

See he is quite hard to describe. He is almost never on the lead as he comes back immediately to me shouting his name, he doesn't dart across roads, he sits, stays, rolls over and doesn't eat until he's told to but he's just a bit... daft. He walks into things, knocks things over, throws himself all over the place when he wants something and he's just a bit of an idiot... but kind of an intelligent idiot? He's a wimp too, runs away from dogs if they bark at him but he'll bark at the fridge for no good reason?! Just can't see him doing well in the wild Grin

seXXyLady · 06/02/2018 14:25

Wow....the syntax error is high with my last post! *should stop

Bluelonerose · 06/02/2018 14:25

No advice op I was just musing over how many people were brought up with dogs so thought they knew what they were getting into?
That sounds more like what's happened in your case rather than you just saw it and had to have him.

stickytoffeevodka · 06/02/2018 14:31

What did you do to train him when you first got him? It's pretty unusual for dogs to get to two years and old and to still be toileting inside the house.

And why pick a fashion breed that you clearly knew nothing about? I really hope you didn't buy it off a puppy farmer on Gumtree....

emma94 · 06/02/2018 14:33

I think the issue is you, looking at your track record. Rehome the dog, it's not fair and I wouldn't recommend ever getting another sorry.

MyKingdomForBrie · 06/02/2018 14:36

pipgirl sounds like my standard poodle! Easy to train but just so silly.

I don’t think OP is coming back..

PinkHeart5914 · 06/02/2018 14:42

I think some people no matter how much the like the idea of having a pet just are not suited to looking after one, maybe you are just one of those people?

There is no dog that can’t be trained so I’m sorry but where did you find the dog trainer that said it’s “personality” I hope you didn’t pay them!

It’s the poor dog I feel sorry for, maybe re homing would be best but for crying out loud do the dogs of the world a favor and don’t get another one

Yettilegs11 · 06/02/2018 14:43

A PP said you didn’t research the background of your rescue dog. - we have a rescue dog who was abandoned. Nobody knows her background and it’s impossible to find out.

I would get him neutered and see if he changes if he is neutered then it doesn’t seem fair to have him around your kids. What does your partner say? He must have a view as the dog bites his head.

frami · 06/02/2018 14:51

I own a French Bulldog and they can be trained. Mine does Rally O (obidience meets agility) and knows several fun tricks such as jumping through a hoop but it takes time and effort. They haven't the intelligence of a GSD and are stubborn. You need to work. All the trainers and behavourists in the world can help if you do not put in the effort. I have had 4 kids and there is little difference between a toddler and Frenchie, both require firm boundaries. I suggest the best thing you can do is rehome the dog via one of the breed rescue groups. There are plenty on FB. Message me if you want details.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 06/02/2018 14:51

but he'll bark at the fridge for no good reason Your dog must be quite a character, but hilarious. Ok, I take it back, this kind of dog needs to survive for ever. Endearing goofs :)

kittykat798 · 06/02/2018 14:52

This reply has been deleted

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juneau · 06/02/2018 14:54

A dog that bits DC and adults with no provocation is not going to get re-homed, it will be PTS! Re-homing is for animals that can be rehabilitated or that can no longer be cared for because of circumstances. A dog that is a nutter, like this one, isn't going to be a great pet for anyone.

juneau · 06/02/2018 14:54

*bites

sanasa · 06/02/2018 14:54

Please don't get another dog.

kaytee87 · 06/02/2018 14:55

You don't sound particularly good with dogs op. Part of being a responsible owner is doing in-depth research into the breed end history before rescuing/buying a dog.

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