A neighbour and friend of ours has 3 Springer spaniels that were used for breeding purposes - 1 dog that is the sole stud, 1 bitch that is now too old to breed from and register pups to the kc with and 1 bitch that has severe complications with her last litter and only had 1 pup survive.  As there is only 1 bitch that can be used for mating they are not sure whether to 'bother' with her again as they may not cover costs!   I am sorry for the long post - I had to go in to detail I guess :)

Basically all 3 dogs are kept in kennels day and night, in the 10 months that I have lived in this house I have only seen them walked twice, they pace, they bark, they stink and the dog is very protective over his 'home'!  Whilst I have kept my mouth shut previously as I have only just got to know the family of 5 really well, we have recently told them exactly what we think - my OH has dropped numerous comments about the dogs being caged all day long and say that if they have no 'use' for them that they should be re-homed!  I have also said that if they insist on keeping them in kennels all day long that they should be walked daily to give them some sense of freedom.  My dogs are outside during the day but are walked in the morning and at night and are kept in as soon as I get home from work with us as we love them dearly. 

Our friends commented that they do not get time to walk the dogs as they have kids and that the dogs are perfectly happy as they are fed and cared for!  Well not in our opinion, they have no interaction with people other than being shouted at for barking, they pace up and down the kennel, they have approx 3 feet to move about in and we feel it is totally unfair and unnecessary.

Our 'friend' claimed that us 'part timers' have the time to walk our dogs when the truth is we make time as we love and care for our dogs properly!

They also have a border terrier that is 6 months and she is kept either in a crate in doors or is allowed out to jump up people, run riot and is not allowed to roam in the garden as it is not secure, I told them that they should make it secure then all 4 dogs can play and exercise!  The border does not get walked either and has to rely on her owners taking her in to the garden to do her business on the lead, which is not always done on time as she often does it in her crate!  I find this sad as my dogs over the age of 12 weeks or so never go to the loo in their area! 

Basically I wanted to know if you would also be honest and risk a friendship for the sake of trying to help these dogs and trying to prevent them breeding from any of them again, including the border which they have intentions for! 

They also used to have a Weimaraner that was loopy, she went berserk at anyone passing, she wrecked the house, got glasses out of the sink to chew, chewed walls, and they ended up re-homing her as they decided a border terrier was a better option (I did not know them too well then).......I hope that she is having a lovely time with her new owners!  I see the BT going down the smae route to be honest as I dont think they have changed anything for her!

Trouble is the truth hurts and I am half tempted to call the rspca, but I know as long as a dog has shelter food and water there is not much they will do - does anyone know of anything else I can do other than preach until I am blue in the face??? 

Cheers for listening and any advise, comments would be much appreciated :) Kelly

The trouble is Kelly, anything you say, is likely to fall on deaf ears. As you have recently told them exactly what you think, along with your OHs comments and they have still not made the effort then it wont change anything.

Could they not employ a dog walker? At least that way, the dogs will get some interaction and freedom from their boring existance. I know that they have kids, but it really is no excuse to neglect the dogs needs. If they can't look after them, then they should rehome them. I can't think of any other solution.

it's a bad idea calling the RSPCA, as you say, they wont do anything if the dogs are fed and sheltered and there is always the possibility that they will guess that it was you and this could cause very bad feeling all round. If it was me, I would try and have another word with them, using all the tact that you can muster, and point out again the reasons as to why you feel that they have to change.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, it's a horrible situation, especially when you have to see it everyday. :(

Yeah it is difficult and I see so many things where I live that I disagree with but this has to be the worst, and I think it does fall on death ears as they do not think they do anything wrong!  I think I will have another chat with them and suggest that they do the right thing and re-home them...I have even offered to take them on walks, I have in fact walked the BT with my Rottie boy and he fancied the pants off her but she loved it and ran wild!

We shall see where gentle tact gets us, not sure if we have offended the friendship now but it's been on our minds to tell the truth for a while now and I am glad we have told them what we think......but I can't help thinking its not going to change matters!

Poor dogs :(

Hmm, actually i was wondering the same thing, although my situation isn't nearly as bad as yours. I have just started walking with some friends and through them have met someone with 3 dogs. She is quite nice, but she is getting on in years and has to walk using a stick. Now she has a 4 year old BC, who is aggressive towards other dogs when they get too close, much like my 3 year old BC. Anyway we met up and had only been walking 10-15 minutes when this woman say "gosh, you aren't used to this much exercise you are going to be exhausted!" I was shocked as we regularly walk 1 hr to 1 and 1/2, and my BC is still not tired after that. Anyway after 15 minutes she put the dog on the lead and they walked back to the car. Now i am pretty sure that was only walk that dog was to have that day. Now i'm no expert but a lot of the dog aggression problems could be down to the lack of exercise causing frustration. I certainly know if my dog only got that much exercise she would be bouncing off the walls. what is more worrying is that when i mentioned that i was hoping to get another BC in a couple of years time, she replied, "oh yes i will probably get another border then too." I just smiled and nodded, but i did think afterwards should i have said something. I am not sure if she would take it very well though, and would probably take offence, but i feel so bad for the dog. But after hearing your story at least it gets a walk!