I need to vent!

[Anotherpoordog]

Nephew got a 6 month old dog in April for £200. Supposed to be a border collie but looks like it has a bit of gsd in it. Old owners didn't have time for it. 🙄 Nephew and wife live in one bed flat, have health issues and don't work. I had my reservations about how they were going to pay for it and exercise it but thought maybe it'd give nephew the excuse to stop gaming and walk it and maybe get fit. Spoke to my Mum today to find out they gave the dog to my sister for her birthday in May. My sister is massively overweight ( only relevant in terms of her health and ability to walk a young, energetic dog ), asthmatic, can barely walk up a flight of stairs, doesn't work and also lives in a flat.

This poor young, bouncy, intelligent dog is now on his third home in under a year. My sister has no spare cash. I doubt the dog is insured. It pulls on the lead, almost pulling her over, it barks at everything. My sister has no experience with dogs. No money to train it. Why oh why are people so bloody stupid selfish? I feel so sorry for the dog, who by all accounts has a nice temperament. Am I in the wrong to try and persuade my sister to surrender it to a rescue or should I just mind my own business?

Definantly have The Conversation about looking after the dog and its needs.

It’s still young and needs to be taken to a rescue where they have the experience and desire to help the dog.

I’m assuming it’s not insured as well.

It’s selfish of them to keep a young and active dog when they can’t look after it. It’s good that you’re concerned for the animal.

I doubt it's insured. My sister is on benefits. I'm going to visit my mum next week and my sister is staying that week with the dog. My mum is 84 and has said it nearly knocks her over when it jumps up. I'll have a chat with sister.

Tbh a Collie/GSD cross is the last dog someone overweight/not able to exercise it sufficiently should have. Your DS being a novice dog owner makes it worse.

This isn’t simply about exercise - it’s about the fact that it’s widely accepted that GSDs and Collies can go horribly wrong. The dog isn’t even a teenager yet by dog years - sorry but I don’t think it nice temperament will last long. And you should make that point to your sister.

Good luck! That dog sounds lucky to have you fighting it’s corner

The best dog I ever had was a GSDxcollie, but my god the work that had to go into him was insane. He too was taken (by me) from an unsuitable home. I would love another one but training and turning around that dog almost finished me off! He lived almost 15 years and was trying to work even when he could no longer stand.

I am always baffled why people choose a dog like this at all, unless they live on a farm or like to spend all day hiking!

Please convince them to rehome the poor soul.