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Original poster

please help re:stray dog. Please dont read if squeamish

99 replies

AnAngelWithin · 19/02/2007 18:42

ok so last week we found a dog in our area. Apparently from what I had heard, he had been running round the area for a few days. He still had a collar and lead on. Anyway, we took him in. cleaned him up, fed him and then rang the local dog warden. He came and checked him and said that he didnt had a chip thing in him and asked what we wanted to do. He said that we could either keep hold of him and if after 28 days the owner didn't come forward we could keep him, or he would take him to the kennels for the month. Anyway, we decided that we would keep hold of him cos he was such a sweetheart, and the thought of him being in kennels. So the dog warden left us his number, said any problems to ring him. And that he would come and check on us a few times.

So fast forward a week of having a totally loving dog in the house who wants nothing but to sleep and be loved. Fantastic with the kids. Eats hardly anything, totally house trained, a dream to walk and leaves everything in the kitchen alone, even food that drops on the floor....

This afternoon I went to get the kids from school. I was running late and rushed out the door, ran to school and got home. When I got home, what I saw just mortified me. I had forgotten to move the rabbit and he had got into the cage and ripped her to pieces. When I opened the door he was stood there with the remains of her head in his mouth. The children saw and screamed the place down (understandably) He has never even looked at the rabbit before. Totally ignored her. Its my own stupid fault I know for leaving her in there. I might as well have killed her myself and I am beating myself up something chronic about it, so please don't tell me how awful I am cos I already know. I just screamed so loud and opened the back door he bolted out. I tried to let him back in after I had cleaned all the kitchen of the blood etc, but he has just stayed outside. He has been barking like mad (which he hasnt done before)

I know I was stupid letting him stay. At the end of the day I didn't know him. But I am an animal lover and the thought of him being stuck in a kennel mortified him.

Anyway, I said to DH that I think we should get the dog warden to come and take him after all. I don't think he wants to part with him but he said he doesn't trust him with the kids now.

The children wont' go near him cos of what he did to their rabbit.

I;m just wondering what the dog warden will do with him, if he will get him destroyed? I have tried so hard to find the owners but they havent come forward yet.

OP posts:
JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 11:06

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ohsmellyjelly · 27/02/2007 11:06

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JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 11:09

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ohsmellyjelly · 27/02/2007 11:11

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Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 27/02/2007 11:13

we had considered getting a dog, but not yet.

DH thinks a crate will send him mad, even though I explained its not like hes going to be locked in it for 10 hours a day is he like a caged animal??

Plus, I would have to just sit things out for another 2 weeks in case the owners do come forward. If i start training/behaviourist etc now then it may be a pointless expense if they do come forward.

Ideally DH would like the dog to stay I think but can't stand the destruction.

OP posts:
JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 11:13

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JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 11:15

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JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 11:17

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ohsmellyjelly · 27/02/2007 11:17

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ohsmellyjelly · 27/02/2007 11:18

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Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 27/02/2007 11:20

am just reading it now JU2

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Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 27/02/2007 11:50

ok the crate training thing could be an option if i can get DH to agree to it. Thinking about it after reading the article, we have got a bit of an enclosed corner in the garden which he goes and hides in.

OP posts:
MummyPenguin · 27/02/2007 12:29

I have two dogs, a Black Labrador, and a Golden Retriever. Nearly 4 and nearly 3 respectively. My Goldie was very destructive as a puppy. We used to put both dogs in the kitchen when we were out, as we didn't really trust him with the rest of the house. (Didn't really have room for a crate. We've got one, but took it down, as it took up too much space.) He obviously hated being shut in the kitchen, and was very destructive, ate the walls, the door frame, the bottom of the units. So after a time, we decided to leave him (and the other dog) in the rest of the house when we were out, and see what happened. No more problems. He's quite a 'stressy' dog anyway, some are, and he reacted to being closed in the kitchen despite having Bella in there with him. Some dogs are more naturally chewy than others, and Alfie, my Goldie, still eats the odd teddy and magazine or plastic toy, but the destruction is nothing like it used to be. It does improve over time, with the right methods and training.

I always leave a radio on for my two when I go out, and kongs which you stuff with treats, or treat balls are stimulating and should keep the dog busy while you're out. Those really hard hide chews and meat filled bones are good too.

In the case of your newly acquired Boxer, as far as the destruction goes, he could be showing his true colours, or it could have been a reaction to your reaction upon discovering the rabbit, if you see what I mean. Although understandable, your reaction and the screaming will have really frightened him, and the destuction could well be stress/anxiety related.

As far as the children are concerned, I wouldn't worry too much, just take the necessary precautions concerning young children and dogs, and use common sense, as I'm sure you will, and you will hopefully find that this dog makes a lovely addition to your family. I think, in time, the children will get over the rabbit incident. Especially as they grow to love the dog, and begin to understand that it's unfortunately what dogs do. My two are as placid as anything, but recently, the neigbours rabbit got into our garden, and both dogs were going berserk at the patio door. We had to catch the rabbit before they managed to get out. Your Boxer situation sounds like it could have a happy ending. Good luck.

JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 12:44

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MummyPenguin · 27/02/2007 14:11

I do realise that, JustUsTwo. Having owned two large dogs for a few years, crate training was one of the things that I researched.

As I said in my post, a crate was impractical for us, as we only have a small kitchen, and due to the size crate we have for our size dogs, it just took up too much space. I didn't really want it in the lounge or anywhere like that. In any case, the few times that my Goldie went in it (never had to use it for the Lab) he was very unhappy. As I mentioned, he's quite a stressed dog, it's just his nature, his Dad is the same. So, for the times that we wanted to confine him, we felt that the kitchen, obviously being a lot bigger than the crate, might work, but it didn't. Now he's older, he's fine to be left with the run of the house along with my other dog.

Crate training may well work for this Boxer, and it's well worth Angel - or any new dog owner - giving it a try.

SparklyGothKat · 27/02/2007 14:25

have to say that crate training was the way to go with our staffy. He used to chew everything, my sofa, door frames, walls, electric wires (how he is still alive I don't know) the kids toys etcetc. Anyway we started crate training soon after as we couldn't afford to keep replacing the things he had chewed, and the chewing stopped overnight, apart from when he gets hold of the sellotape and lollysticks We use the crate at night and when we go out. He also will take himself into it when he wants a sleep away from the kids.

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 27/02/2007 15:07

well the dog warden came and even though i tried to discuss the options with him, he didn't seem bothered. I stood there sobbing, and he just asked how the dog was with kids, but a lead on him and took him, slamming my front door behind him. The dog didn't even look back and was more than happy to go with the warden.

Ive been sat here for the past 2 hours now totally regretting my decision...

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wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 27/02/2007 15:13

angel, don't beat yourself up. After the rabbit incident the children weren't the same with the dog anyway were they, and as dh was reluctant to do crate training it's possible you would have regretted a decision to keep him anyway.

perhaps you could discuss getting another dog, a puppy perhaps, that you could train yourselves, without worrying about where he had come from/what he had been through. or if you're not happy to get another dog, perhaps you could think of another pet that isn't quite as muc hard work or commitment.

Nip · 27/02/2007 15:15

poor you angel {{{{hugs}}}}

Original poster
AnAngelWithin · 27/02/2007 15:19

yes wannabe i might have regretted keeping him. I don't think we will be getting a dog in the near future though. This has broken my heart

OP posts:
JustUsTwo · 27/02/2007 15:49

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ohsmellyjelly · 27/02/2007 16:14

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MummyPenguin · 27/02/2007 17:28

Sorry about the outcome Angel. You did the best you could in the time that you had him. It's just a shame that you've lost a rabbit and a dog. You've all had a rotten time.

I'm not particularly surprised about the dog warden, to be honest.

Hope you'll feel better in a couple of days.

PinkTulips · 27/02/2007 20:11

angel.... you did the best you could under the circumstances and the warden had no right to be snappy with you like that. you have your kids to consider and they might be better off with a dog they trust. i'm sure someone will adopt him who has the time and money to get him properly trained

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