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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dogs that aren't walked

37 replies

ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 12:08

I don't think there's anything that can be done here, but just in case.

Next door have three large breed, working group dogs. They are huge and beautiful. They look well cared for, are fed and not too noisy.

However the dogs are never walked. Ever. They have access to the house and a small concrete square of garden. They don't have access to the full garden as the rest is fenced off as a no dog zone.

Surely these dogs are going to have joint and muscle problems as they get older? Pent up aggression? They literally get no exercise whatsoever other than the odd scrap with each other and a pootle round the dog area, which is tiny.

Approaching it with them is a no-go. The man is extremely aggressive and volatile and I really don't want to go there.

Am I right in thinking that as long as they are fed and have shelter, there's nothing anyone can do? I feel so sorry for them. They're gorgeous dogs and as an owner of working dogs myself, I know how much exercise they should be having.

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 13/09/2017 12:16

Genuinely nothing you can do.
As long as the dogs have access to shelter, water, food, essential vet treatment and are microchipped there is nothing illegal in leaving them in an outdoor run 24/7.
It's wrong, but not unfortunately a crime :(

bluetongue · 13/09/2017 12:27

Are you sure they don't walk elsewhere? My puppy doesn't get walked down my street every day but he goes in the car somewhere nearly day.

Original poster
ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 12:31

I didn't think so. How very sad for them.

No, they definitely go nowhere. I'm at home all day as I'm disabled and the woman next door only leaves to do the school run. The dogs don't go with her. They are never taken anywhere on foot and they don't have a suitable vehicle to put three huge dogs in anyway. I don't think one would fit in their car.

I'd definitely see if they left at all as I'm in direct view of their house most of the day and evening.

Such a shame.

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 13/09/2017 12:49

It's hugely frustrating, and all the more so because it's socially acceptable.
I spoke to a guy yesterday who wanted to rehome his labrador. She had spent the last four years in an outdoor run because he had let her off the lead once she wouldn't come back, and since that time he " couldn't walk her".

Original poster
ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 13:01

That's awful. Hopefully it will go somewhere it is loved. I don't understand people who get dogs that need exercise then don't. They haven't bred from them so it's not that. They're usually good with children (they have three) but I can't help worrying they might turn because of the lack of stimulation and exercise. Not sure if that can actually happen.

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 13/09/2017 13:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 13:29

That sounds horrible! That's another of my concerns to be honest - if we dare to go in our garden, they hurl themselves at our fence and bark. We have dogs but they aren't overly bothered by them. It's just us they want to get to. I dread to think what would happen if they broke the fence and got in, as they are enormous brindle mastiffs! It puts me off going in the garden, but it's not their fault, poor things.

OP posts:
bluetongue · 13/09/2017 13:33

Poor dogs Sad Why do people get them when they just live outside and don't take them anywhere? Dogs are social animals.

opheliacat · 13/09/2017 13:34

I have a friend with a collie who refused to go on walks!

missyB1 · 13/09/2017 13:37

God that would break my heart Sad

It's animal cruelty as far as I'm concerned.

Original poster
ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 13:39

It's different if they refuse, but I really can't imagine that three dogs, all bought at different times would all refuse to walk. When one of them has accidentally got into the dog free grass zone, they've had a whale of a time.

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fleshmarketclose · 13/09/2017 13:46

It's the same around here as well, neighbours owning dogs that aren't walked, it makes me so sad. Bizarrely one neighbour paid a four figure sum for a massive dog that never leaves the postage garden that is four times its length one way and twice its length the other. Obviously the poor dog never gets to run or socialise or even be off lead because they won't let it out off lead as it won't go back in when they let it out to toilet. I just don't understand the desire to keep a dog but not do a fundamental part of their welfare tbh

NewBrian · 13/09/2017 14:54

As horrible as it is there's nothing that can be done Sad. What idiots getting working breeds in that situation. The chances of it being because they don't like walks are as likely as winning the lottery, even my ill senior spaniel would go mad without a walk!

kickingcancersass · 13/09/2017 14:55

Next door have a trendy designer dog, rarely goes out for walks and or goes in the garden. Diagonally opposite have a large dog that just barks all day and never ever goes out! Breaks my heart Angry

ThymeLordIsSpartacus · 13/09/2017 15:30

It's really very very common. I find it infuriating and sad in equal measure. My NDNs have 9 dogs. Yes, 9. None of them are walked, ever and one spends his life in the conservatory, he isn't ever allowed in the house. They are fed and have shelter though so apparently that's enough. Angry

My daughter is friends with a girl who's parents have an akita. They don't walk the dog, ever, because she isn't 'great' with other dogs. So she spends 24 hours a day 7 days a week living in their utility room.

parmavioletmartini · 13/09/2017 16:10

MIL has two dogs that don't get walked a huge bread working dog and a tiny designer one. Very much loved and cared for in every other way but just never walked. I find it very sad and inherently lazy.

She says the big one pulls too much for her to walk (was sister in laws but she moved away) why they don't pay a dog walker I don't know. It's awful they don't really think it's an issue.

BiteyShark · 13/09/2017 16:17

Maybe the dogs get used to it but I know when I have been forced due to health issues to restrict my dogs activity his behaviour definitely deteriorates although as a working dog he tends to get tired much more through training and hunting than simply walking.

I am not saying I agree with it but I wonder if because there is a group of them they keep each other occupied much more than an unwalked single dog. But to answer your original question if the basic needs of the dogs are met (doesn't include walking) then no there is nothing anyone can do.

Lucisky · 13/09/2017 16:21

And really, what's the point of a dog if you don't want to walk it? I love walking, but didn't do it in the odd periods I was dogless as it didn't feel right (without canine company). Poor dogs, it must be such a boring life. But then there are people who have horses which are cooped up in stables for large parts of the winter and not ridden or turned out. Just why? These sort of people have no empathy at all.

CleopatraCatLover · 13/09/2017 16:22

It absolutely pisses me off Angry one of my neighbours is the same. I phoned RSPCA but they weren't interested.

Llamacorn · 13/09/2017 16:28

Oh this breaks my heart! Sadly nothing can be done.
I have a lovely boisterous chocolate lab, and sadly I suffered an injury a couple of years back and I'm now disabled and unable to walk him.
I pay a dog walker who takes him out twice a week for 2 hours, my dad takes him for 2-3 hours every 2 weeks and in-between my kids take him in short-ish walks around the block. I still don't feel this is enough and I feel extremely guilty that he isn't getting enough excercise and freedom as he should. I seriously considered re-homing him at one point.
3 large dogs in a small garden is horrible. My friend has a medium size dog who is never ever walked and I just feel so bad, even though I bring it up with her she just shrugs, she has no excuse not to walk her.
I really don't feel it's being a responsible dog owner at all.

I don't think the rspca would even do anything, as long as they have food/water and are relatively healthy. I wonder if even just a letter from them would spur them into taking them for walks?

Original poster
ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 16:29

I suppose the only positive, well not really a positive but you know what I mean, is that they've never been walked, so they're not missing something that's been taken away from them. It is very sad - a huge part of owning a dog for me is the walking and exercise that comes with it. Why get large working dogs if you know you aren't going to walk them? There are dogs more suited to less exercise.

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RiseToday · 13/09/2017 16:31

Mine get 60 walk minimum each day, plus as much time in the garden as they want - 365 days a year, plus knuckle bones, stuffed kongs and as much attention as I can give them. I even feel guilty about that, thinking they need more. Before I had my son they did, but there just aren't enough hours in the day any more.

I cannot comprehend how people can leave their dogs festering in a run or garden their whole lives. It's disgraceful.

Original poster
ProfessorCat · 13/09/2017 16:32

@Llamacorn Sorry to hear that - I'm in a similar situation but luckily enough my DH is able to take care of the dogs. You're being responsible with the dog walker! So many dogs live in terrible conditions so don't feel guilty - it sounds like you've done all you can!

I was wondering the same but no idea if they do that. Also I'm concerned as to whether they'd know it was us, as we are the only ones who can see their garden so it might be quite obvious.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 13/09/2017 16:34

Poor dogs. My girl loves to go for a walk. Not just the exercise but smelling the smells, meeting other dogs and experiencing new things and places.
It's no life for an animal. But no. The RSPCA etc won't care.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 13/09/2017 17:12

How can you be sure they aren't walked at all. I've walked mine at 11pm on occasions and know people who routinely walk dogs extremely early or late.

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