I was shocked - how can you have 6 dogs and haven't taken any of them out for a walk in 2 years?  My god did you see what she feed them?

I think the lady loved them all but it was just cruel keeping them cooped up all day long. 

She loved them too much and treated them like children rather than dogs :(

I watched and squirmed. No walking for 2 years, no wonder those dogs were so hyper, plus all the ice cream and bowls of tea and that small room they were kept in when she was out, I would only put one dog in there, not 6. I felt really sorry for her son, he came after the dogs. I know we love our dogs, but your children need to come first.

I thought that too!
Poor lad :( and poor dogs :(
Hopefully she's continued with the walking regime.

I felt so sorry for that poor little blue dog :-( :-(
he was going round and round in circles as though he had been kept in a cage for so long without exercise that it had affected his mind :-(
it just shows how much damage people can do by being "kind" or by doing what they think is nice for the dogs, when in actual fact they are being cruel to them :-(
poor things not getting walked, Im glad that woman saw sense in the end and I hope she sticks to the routine of 3 times a day for her dogs sake

I can't even think how she thought she was being kind to them when she was obviously too lazy to get off her behind and take them out.

Unfortunately, I very much doubt she will continue to walk them, even the trainer seemed to sense that.

Did anyone spot the German Spitz welfare sticker on the car window.  If she rescued them, I would like to see what they thought of the situation.

I doubt it very much too. :( Far too much hassle.

I like the way the voice over guy called them german spitza's, similar to a wine spritza maybe ? :D :D

Children shouldn't be treated as badly as that either. :( Social Services would soon step in if 6 children were never taken outside their house and garden.

I wonder if after that programme she will be reported?  I think most people would have been appalled at the feeding and the fact they hadn't walked them in 2 years so maybe someone will be keeping an eye on her.  What area was the lady in - did it say?

An area of Birmingham, I think.

It was mentioned that the dogs could be taken from her.  PS did anyone think that programme was better than the first.  What is needed now is a bit more explanation of what is going on.  It did seem better but to the less infromed the way the trainer avoided the dogs could be mistaken for dislike.  I got the feeling she was making a point of only recognising them on her terms.

Well, in the States she would be classed as a pet hoarder - someone who has more pets than they can manage and is not providing them with a decent standard of living. Those cages/crates were in no way adequate in my mind for two spitz in each one, with other dogs loose in one room. Disgusting. She obviously loved those dogs to death, but I was so shocked that she said she gave her dogs ice-cream 5 times a week! And they received no exercise, crap food, and all to the detriment of her relationship with her son and husband. I am very glad she was shown the dogs at the Dogs Trust, just to reiterate that taking her dogs out wasn't a matter of whether she felt like it or not, but was part of the deal you make when you provide a home for a dog.

>She obviously loved those dogs to death

I really can't see that.  If she did then she would have taken them out.  Even the most ignorant dog owner knows you have to walk dogs.  She was lazy and couldn't be bothered.  A dog lover would not shut them up in those small stacked cages for hours either.

I think she craved affection and the dogs were there to supply her with this. 

I think she loved them, you could see that in the way she was so upset just even when she had to stop them getting up on the sofa.  Some people do believe that treating their children/pets with treats and food is enough unfortunately. :(

I don't think she loved them - she loved the way they made her feel ...

She loved those dogs in the way that she obviously feels love - I for one would show my son more love than she did - it may not have been 'healthy' love for the dogs, but she felt a sick kind of love for them. I do not suggest that she was in any way showing love as a responsible and caring owner though!

>PS did anyone think that programme was better than the first. 

yes! :) :) All I had to moan about was the owner.

I agree I thought it was a much better programme than the last one.  The trainer didn't look quite so glamourous in this one either.  But those poor dogs, it beggars belief!  I'm keeping everything x'd that the owner now realises how irresponsibly she has been behaving and will continue to care for them as dogs and not as cuddly toys. 

Yes, I thought it was much better.  The trainer was not there to please the camera's this time, she was obviously disgusted in the woman and didn't mind letting her know it.

The only time I cringed this week was with the supporting advertisment and that toy dog Grrrrrrr. ;(

I was impressed at how she managed to tread the fine line between giving the silly woman a complete earbashing and being too soft on her to get the message across.

I don't think the woman will change, even now it's been screened and she's been 'named and shamed'.

I don't think she will change either but I still can't get my head around how you cannot take a dog out for a walk in two years, cage them up, feed them rubbish and expect them to be sane.  I wonder if any of them were wormed, flea'd or ever taken to a vet?  Imagine what their teeth must be like after eating a diet of sugary tea and ice cream.

It was definitely better - I thought she delivered the points tactfully but didn't lose the message.  Don't particularly have any confidence in the owner keeping it up though :(

Teri
who wouldn't have been quite as tactful :P 

Of course she won't. She made the excuse that it was too hot. Well all of us think the same, so don't take them out at the hottest time of the day. She really angered me when she said that. Ours go for a walk early in the morning and late in the evening, wouldn't even think about taking them any other time. I am also sure there are some days when some of us don't particulary want to go out, but in all kinds of weather we go for the love of dogs.

>in all kinds of weather we go for the love of dogs.

Quite right! You show your love for dogs by treating them like dogs! Healthy food, fresh water and plentiful exercise are basics. If that's not provided, then it's not real care.

>You show your love for dogs by treating them like dogs!

Sorry Jeangenie but that makes me laugh!  How many people on her have I heard talking about sharing their ice-creams with their dogs, sharing their beds and sofas with dogs etc?  A dog was never designed to be eating ice-cream and sleeping on human beds!! :)

Everything in moderation! A whole ice-cream 5 times a week, or a few licks once a fortnight? As for the sharing of sofas and beds - I prefer not to! ;) :D

Me too!

there is a good thread about this programme on www.takingthelead.co.uk worth a read through.

i agree with the above points, however, with the food they were having and lack of excercise, i think it was not the best idea to bump up their excercise straight away to that quantity (they could have only been short walks, it was not specified) its the same with people, with rubbish food and no excercise, how many of us would be advised to go on lots of runs straight away? i think it should have been introduced slowly and not be let off lead straight away-walking six dogs and off-lead with no control is a recipe for disaster.
just a thought

Totally agree - such a drastic change for totally out of condition dogs could prove to be very dangerous.  Unfortunately it didn't leave me with the impression that any changes would be implemented when the camera crew had gone anyway but let's hope if she does make the effort to take them out that common sense (somehow :rolleyes: ) prevails.

Regards, Teri

I got the impression that the woman was so addicted to her dogs neediness of her (the 'love' displayed by the jumping up on her, the competition for her attention ) that she would soon forget the visit to the Dogs Trust unfortunately. Those dogs deserved better care.

Agree totally. When I take my 2 out it looks as though I have just got out of bed, which is normally the case. I see some people that look like they have just come out a salon when they walk theirs. I don't care what I look like, as long as they get their exercise.

These dogs still need to be taken twice a day, even if its just for a short walk while they build up some muscel tone. Maybe they need to start applying the 5 minute rule again in this instance.

My two (small) dogs are allowed on the sofas and sleep in the bed.   I would not have it any other way.   Unless they were big dogs - in which case they would be "floor dogs."  :-) 

Stacey