My friend isnt coping with her dog

[MINTYTULIP]

Just that really. I don't know if it's okay for me to tell her the dog needs to be rehomed.

Its an overseas rescue that she got during lockdown and clearly is not the right dog for her or her living situation - very high needs, anxious, needs a lot of exercise, no recall despite spending time and money on training constantly. She was looking for a companion lapdog I think, and the dog isn't affectionate at all so for all her constant battles with him, she gets very little in return. She suffers with her mental health and it just constantly seems to be on the decline caring for him.

I want to be supportive but I dont know if its right for me to say 'This isnt working out, you have tried your very best but you are not happy.'

I can’t offer any advice but I feel your frustration. I have a friend who bought a puppy during lockdown. It totally dominates her life but negatively instead of positively. I can get she doesn’t want to admit what a massive mistake it was and she’s obligated to look after this poor doggy with all it’s medical needs but we both know she’d be better off without it. She hasn’t trained it either and seems completely overwhelmed. I feel sorry for both her and the dog.

I wonder if this is a common theme - so many people got digs during lockdown and now as life returns to normal, people head back to the office more they must be feeling the strain.

My friend has spent a fortune on dog trainers, behaviourists, vet bills. Not to mention I dont think she really considered how consuming it is with respect to your social life - she must pay a fortune in dog sitting services.

It was very badly thought through. She and her partner didn’t go back to work, they retired and instead of travelling and enjoying all the plans they had, their life is severely curtailed and restricted because of doggie. They had never even had any pets before. No hamsters, rabbits nothing. Then they paid a fortune for a braccy dog that they don’t know how to cope with and seem permanently stressed

There are a lot of people in your friends' position.

So many people got dogs during lockdown and are now struggling with them as life returns to normal. Many of these dogs can't be left alone, they're scared of other dogs, they can't handle guests in their homes, they jump all over people as they're just so exciting to them etc.

It's perfectly okay for your friend to admit she's bitten off more than she can chew. Is the rescue a reputable one? Have they offered her any help or advice?

Overseas rescues need specialist intervention in my experience - they've had such different experiences compared to UK ones.

It definitely does sound as if it could be impacting negatively on your DF's MH.

How you broach that subject though I'm not sure.