Hello!

I have a bit of a difficult situation with a girl at work and wondered if anyone can help. She has a black lab, he is about 6 months old now. I have a Golden Retriever, he is 19 weeks. When I first got Leon we discussed that it would be nice for them to play together as so close in age. I don't know her very well. She started training the week she got her pup which was bad timing really. Due to this it sounds like all training went out the window to begin with. They caved in after 2 nights and let him sleep in the bed which I appreciate a lot of people do but I know that was not the plan. She feeds him Bakers Complete because apparently he is fussy but she hasnt tried anything else - not sure how that works. I have convinced her to try a sample of the Autarky I am feeding Leon at moment. He escaped from her garden the other day while she was in the shower and was returned by a fireman (that doesnt sound too bad actually!). She mentioned how calm and lovely he is and when I said I couldn't stop Leon she said its because if he gets mad they take him for 2 hour walks. Yes, 2 hours and this can happen more than once a day. No wonder he's flippin calm, he must be knackered! He races up and down the stairs. They take him to puppy classes but don't bother to practice inbetween because she says it's pointless...

I am concerned about 2 things, partly taking my boy round there and him learning bad habits (she would think me a bit strict I reckon but not bothered about that) and also obviously the welfare of her pup. Should I say anything at all or just leave it and keep my big wriggling nose out? She seems like a nice person but sooo completely not worried about anything. Perhaps I get too worried however?

Whaddaya reckon? I wonder if I did go round perhaps I could make gentle suggestions?

I am by no means an expert, on the contrary I know nothing but I do not get good feelings about this.

Please help me!

Charlie xx

I think if you explained what you had found out about excessive exercise damaging bones, she might appreciate knowing....not that something goes wrong and later she wishes someone had told her. You might even find an article about it (do a search) and print it out for her. Maybe you'll find a good article that says how much and what kind of exercise a dog of these types and at various ages should get. It does sound like the poor thing is way too exhausted.  Let us know how you handle it.

As far as picking up bad habits.....Some habits can be picked up like if the dog runs off during a walk with you and yours, your dog may run off too with it. (if they're off leash somewhere)  If her dog sleeps in the bed and you don't want yours to sleep on the bed, that habit won't be picked up by her dog. (Unless she brings her dog to your house and lets it sleep in your bed. LOL) She's crazy if she doesn't practice in between classes. She'll have a wild, out of control dog.

Maybe you can show her by example. She'll see your dog getting very well trained and be impressed and just possibly will follow your lead and mend her ways. LOL. Good luck.

Charlie you need to focus on the things which will impact on Leon. How can I put this kindly? What she feeds her dog is not important to you unless she asks about it, but how she handles her older pup when he plays with yours if you get that far, is. If she bought the pup from a reputable breeder she will have had advice about exercise, so there maybe the best thing is to set an example with Leon according to your breeder's advice. If your gut tells you that letting them play or walk together isnt right, just dont do it.

I would have to agree with Lorelei, although i dont have my dog yet, ive bought absolutly loads of books on dogs and my breed which im getting and they all say different things, on how to teach toileting and behaviour and stuff like that, everybody is different on how they bring their dogs up, , you just have to bite your tongue unless of course the dog is really suffering, and being abused.

I'm sorry but I do have to slightly disagree with some people here.  When it comes to the overwalking I couldnt keep quiet.  This dog could end up some serious problems.  A woman I know that I see out on a walk alot got a new black labrador and was taking on some seriously long walks.  That dog now has displaysia in its legs and has had some real problems.  She now can't play rough and tumble with my border collie which is real shame as they used to love to play together.  I really think a quiet word with regards to this is the best thing.  Maybe using the high vets bills if it does go wrong angle.

Claire

You are right about the food of course, completely up to her isn't it! Just trying to paint a picture really. My biggest concern is the over walking but I get the impression she is irresponsible rather than misinformed, when we originally discussed it and she told me how long she takes him out for I said "Goodness, I thought it should only be about 5 mins per month of their age" and she said "I know, but it knackers him out which suits me". Says it all really doesn't it. Perhaps I should do what was suggested and print something out..infact I think my breeder gave me some info that might be relevant.

You know I would have been so glad if someone like you had been around when I had Morse first, Charlie just to have a friendly word and set me on the right track regarding food and exercise. When I discovered CD I was so pleased to have advice and shocked at how we fell into the overexercise trap. Once we found out about stimulating training things were different. Do you think she would be receptive to games/training to tire him out? If she is just irresponsible, Im afraid nothing will change her and that's why I responded as I did. When I see someone determined to ruin their dog, despite being given a hint we just steer clear.

I can totally understand how you feel Charlie, it,s so heartbreaking and annoying when people dont treat there animals and kids how they should be treated, i dident realise about the dog walking situation how dangerous it can be! but now i do? so perhaps your slightly dum freind doesnt, so dont listen to my advice before, i would tell her whats whats! someone needs to speak up for these dogs cause they cant, and it will proberly make you feel better too, imo the the whole system sucks, they should be more strict with laws for animals, and a lot more things but i could go on and on about it and get  myself worked up about "the system"