Cousins Dog is having needs neglected

[CheeseDreamsTonight]

Hi all. I am concerned about a family dog so potentially a very touchy subject and not one I have raised with anyone. We are all quite close so we have seen what is happening.

My cousin and her boyfriend got an XL bully from a friend. They never ever walk her. Ever. She is 15 months old and has been out maybe 6 times. She is destructive and clearly bored stiff. She is happy and waggy for now and does have a small garden she does loops of but I am very concerned about her long term care and lack of socialisation. My cousin is scared to walk her and has no experience of dogs, and definitely none of large breeds.

What would you do? If anything

By 15 months if this dog hasn't been correctly socialised I would be deeply concerned with how this dog will react outside of the home environment it's used to. With large breed dogs especially mixes like XL bullies socialisation in the first few months of their life is absolutely vital to ensure they're balanced, safe dogs.

I would be explaining this to her though the RSPCA are sadly not best known for helping dogs like your cousins and she could very well end up being PTS.

I would join a large breed dog group on Facebook and post your concern anonymously (a new facebook feature) on there. You will get advice from people will breed specififc experience.

A large breed dog with a small garden, inexperienced owners and no walks is both abuse and an extreme cause for concern safety wise.

@CheeseDreamsTonight it's not uncommon for XL bullies to appear as pit bulls - that's exactly how they were bred to look like as people wanted dogs that were as close to pitbulls they could get. The American bully itself is a crossbreed of multiple breeds including American pitbull, Amstaff and other closely related breeds.

Due to incorrect socialisation and bad breeding in the UK they now have a very bad name for themselves sadly🙁

Agreed. What is wrong with people breeding these animals for money, having no clue about the breed at all.

Life long dog lover here, grew up with rescue dogs and have a sprocker spaniel of my own.

Every dog needs training, especially big dogs. Even if they're "gentle giants" like my lurcher cross Irish wolfhound when I was little, even if he jumped up he could do some damage to somebody like knock them over.

This is an attack waiting to happen, a dog that is not well exercised will be destructive and bored. The poor thing needs to walk, socialise etc. I hope I don't end up seeing your family on the news because he's ripped somebody apart.

I would report them anonymously and I'm very close to my cousin, she's like my sister but if I couldn't get through to her about something as serious as this, I would take matters into my own hands.

@cata09x yes I completely agree! It's a disaster and cruel to boot. I will post anonymously, that is a great idea, thank you.

@cata09x they do and she is a beautiful dog and is wonderful in the home and happy but as you say, outside of the house may end up being a different matter.

@elm26 as cowardly as I sound, I do think an anonymous report may be required. They won't listen and more to the point, can't see the issue at all.

The dog has already eaten a rug, the kitchen cupboard door, a table leg, clothes, trainers. I know this is just puppy behaviour but she is big now and should be easing off the mindless destruction. Mine had stopped by this age pretty much.

I have a lurcher and you're 100% right - he can do real damage if he jumps up or runs into someone - training is absolutely essential for them to be around dogs and people.

You're not cowardly at all, I think you're the opposite seeing as you're close to your family and probably feel like you're betraying her.

OP, if something happened and you hadn't at least tried, you'd regret it for the rest of your life.

You're 100% doing the right thing if you report it xxx

They don't realise their own strength so they! Lovely dogs but bloody clumsy, loveable sillies xx

@CheeseDreamsTonight sorry I’m not really up on these types of breeds so wouldn’t know what the differences are. If you are worried you could report it as an American pit bull and let the police take it from there.

These are related to pitbulls, according to the breed sites. You are doing the right thing, as there have been a string of fatalities with these, particularly children. Why they are not also banned is a reflection of the uselessness and weakness of the Gov.

Wow…

In such a short space of time we had a multitude of reasons why the dog isn’t walked from she control it (despite you saying it walks beautifully on the lead and is great around other dogs), they’ve never walked dogs in thier family it’s just how it is and now a possible illegal breed.

Wonder what’s next.

Does your cousin and/or her boyfriend drive? There's plenty of secure fields about to rent where they can safely let the dog off so she can burn off some energy on a regular basis.

@elm26 thank you. You're right, I would regret not speaking up forever

@elm26 goodness he's a high speed goofball! That's true! They're so strong and bouncy, they're a menace!

@SheikYerboutiii she is wonderful on the lead with my mum but not my cousin, probably because my cousin has no experience and my mum has. It isn't really dogs that get trained at behaviour classes, it's the people, and if you don't know what you're doing and confuse the dog / don't let it behave naturally (mum lets her sniff and go at her own pace) then it will be awful. My mum knows how to chivvy her on, when and how to mark and reward behaviour, how to hold the lead, isn't nervous etc etc

They have never walked dogs and nor do the boyfriends family. I honestly don't think they realise it's an issue.

She just doesn't quite look like a bully. She isn't quite wide and low enough. I didn't realise pit bulls are leaner and have a different face shape. Will need to look into more.

I don't quite know why you're being such an arse with that comment

@HelloChompy yes and they never do it. I also have no idea why. It's just batshit that they don't seem to realise dogs need a walk. They moan about how destructive she is but don't try and fix the root cause.

@SheikYerboutiii and if you're implying I'm drip feeding, it's called conversation, which I have enjoyed on this thread and appreciate the input from you all

😒 that is daft of them 😕 we've got two recent rescue young bullbreeds and secure fields have been a lifesaver for us while we are working on training and socialising them!

My friend has just got one of these too and honestly l don't want to go round there any more - MN has scared me especially as l have a child and no real experience of dogs so am sure they smell my fear!

@HelloChompy I used them for my lurcher too, it's brilliant. No clue why they won't. They're just not very clued up dog owners.

@Soproudoflionesses how is your friend getting on with it?

Ok so far but he does have regular walks although is too strong for her already