• I was taking our dogs on their daily walk which is a hassel since my sons dog Lizzy became as good as mine lol. She recently chewed up her gentle leader and the last fews days I have been walking her with a choke collar that doesnt seem to help. This morning she almost dragged me in front of a moving car while trying to cross a street. Any way A neighbor has seen me struggling the last few days and stops to talk. Out of her mouth pops the unthinkable to me. She says they are thinking of getting rid of their boxer!!! Why? because he has gotten too big!!! He is normal boxer size!! Before summer her husband talked her into letting him get this boxer puppy. We all knew she was against it she just had her house done over. They are probably in their late 50s early 60s. She now is saying she is afraid the dog will injure her husband because it jumps up on him. He doesnt look frail to me. Dang Lizzy would have been gone many times if that was the case she has almost knocked me down the stairs a few times. She also complains that it sheds too much and is messy. What do you say to someone after hearing this? I hope the husband doesnt give in, after all he wanted the dog he should take a stand!


  • This is why responsible breeders require that everyone in the family meet with them and that everyone must want the dog. When someone in the household isn't thrilled at the prospect of adding an animal, that animal usually loses out in the long run. Animals require too much care, time, and emotional investment to have someone not 100% committed. These situations are usually even worse if it is the wife who is against the idea because often they end up responsible for most of the day to day care.


  • This is the one of reasons that the shelters are full. Did they get the dog from a breeder? If yes, then he should call that person to discuss this. If she was against it but then gave in then she's responsible too. Now she's crying about it! The husband should take responsibility and take the dog to training to help take care of any jumping or behavior issues. He should also groom the dog as well to keep shedding to a minimum. Anyway there are things he can do to handle these issues.

  • Houston

    Jepp, every day occurence..I told y'all about "my friend" that got a 5 week old golden retriver puppy about 9 months ago, well she already had a chocolate lab from her previous marriage, cookie, whom has been living outside since I have known her..i.e many years..cookie was outside even during IKE (the hurricane), heck we left town for IKE, with our chickens in tow..not cookie..well, any way, she got this puppy right and now wants to get rid of Cookie, the older dog, (old by like 5-6 yrs. so not old at all)..why, because it is my ex's dog and I don't want two dogs, she says…but, but, you had cookie first and then you decided to get dog number 2..did you forget about dog #1? Truth be told cookie would be better off in a different house, where somebody loves her and plays with her..but still, ridiculous..
    Sorry about my rant, it just infuriates me so much..


  • @Basenjimamma:

    Jepp, every day occurence..I told y'all about "my friend" that got a 5 week old golden retriver puppy about 9 months ago, well she already had a chocolate lab from her previous marriage, cookie, whom has been living outside since I have known her..i.e many years..cookie was outside even during IKE (the hurricane), heck we left town for IKE, with our chickens in tow..not cookie..well, any way, she got this puppy right and now wants to get rid of Cookie, the older dog, (old by like 5-6 yrs. so not old at all)..why, because it is my ex's dog and I don't want two dogs, she says…but, but, you had cookie first and then you decided to get dog number 2..did you forget about dog #1? Truth be told cookie would be better off in a different house, where somebody loves her and plays with her..but still, ridiculous..
    Sorry about my rant, it just infuriates me so much..

    Sometimes you just stare at people like this and shake your head. :eek:


  • @lvoss:

    This is why responsible breeders require that everyone in the family meet with them and that everyone must want the dog. When someone in the household isn't thrilled at the prospect of adding an animal, that animal usually loses out in the long run. Animals require too much care, time, and emotional investment to have someone not 100% committed. These situations are usually even worse if it is the wife who is against the idea because often they end up responsible for most of the day to day care.

    Amen to that Lisa…. and I have had people come to meet my Basenjis who were interested in a pup. One such person came with his kids and upon leaving said "Now all we have to do is talk Mom into it"... I told them straight out, "I will not place a pup unless I meet the entire family and am sure that everyone is on the same page". Then there was the family that came and Dad and the kids got right down on the floor with the Basenjis... Mom on the other hand never made it past the door jam in the hall way. She stood there not moving for almost a hour before they left. I also told the Dad that I didn't think that a puppy or dog was a good choice for the family at that point.
    And I have witnessed an time with another breeder that placed a pup in a home that the Mom was about 75% on board with the puppy. After 3 months the puppy was returned to the breeder cause the Mom didn't want to deal with the day to day care. The Dad brought the pup back and it just broke your heart to see his tears... Hindsight being 20/20, that pup should not have been placed in that home either.
    This is why it is important to screen homes, ask questions, understand their lifestyle and above all be honest with them. If you don't think that either this breed or a puppy in general is not a good fit, don't place one with them.
    As already said, the BYB's and Store puppies that come from a Puppy Miller.. this is why they end up in rescue... all that is cared about is the money... not the home.

    This was exactly my point in my post to the new Forum member who's daughter got a B puppy from her brother for Christmas... too bad the parents knew nothing about it.... until it arrived


  • What's that old saying? If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy. So true.

    I guess I got pretty lucky in the husband department. Actually my first basenji picked him and Digital the brindlewonderkid out, but that's a different story. We have 4 dogs right now and he welded a leash holder for xmas. It has 7 leash hooks, so I think that means I can have at least 3 more dogs <gg>. Really he's the soft touch. He is NOT allowed to go to the humane society by himself. And he'd never had a dog before he met me.</gg>


  • I just hate it when people treat Pets as commodities, i just can't identify with it at all


  • @agilebasenji:

    What's that old saying? If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy. So true.

    I guess I got pretty lucky in the husband department.<snip>
    Really he's the soft touch. He is NOT allowed to go to the humane society by himself.</snip>

    +1. I got super lucky in the husband department too.
    He deals with my rescues, and wouldn't have it any other way. And, is right there with me on getting the basenjis.
    He is also a big softie, and cannot go the humane society and come home empty handed.
    When I started broaching the subject of adopting Aries, I expected resistance, but got none. He was even prepared to drive to California and get her if we had needed to. (B"H we didn't, but he was willing) He really is wonderful.

    -Nicole


  • Our animal rescues in the UK are nearly always inundated after Christmas with unwanted Christmas 'gifts' and older dogs who are no longer wanted when a new puppy has arrived! To quote someone else on this forum - The more I know about humans the more I love my dogs. Society nowadays seems to live on 'whims' and instant everything including 'instant' dogs who are just perfect when they arrive!


  • It reminds me of the guy with the Pit-bull pup AJ was playing with a few weeks ago. The conversation turned to neutering. The wife said absolutely, he will be neutered. The husband said no way, not until he's "gotten a piece" for his memory. Ehh….what??? :eek: He was more concerned with getting his dog laid than what to do with the pups once they are born. That is possibly the most idiotic reason I've ever heard of to produce a litter of puppies.


  • @AJs:

    It reminds me of the guy with the Pit-bull pup AJ was playing with a few weeks ago. The conversation turned to neutering. The wife said absolutely, he will be neutered. The husband said no way, not until he's "gotten a piece" for his memory. Ehh….what??? :eek: He was more concerned with getting his dog laid than what to do with the pups once they are born. That is possibly the most idiotic reason I've ever heard of to produce a litter of puppies.

    Well, remember unless he owns the female, will not be his problem as I am sure he will not take responsibility for them…

    And typical that he puts a human emotion on his dog... like the dog would remember.... NOT


  • And if he does remember, it will take the form of marking (outside AND inside), roaming, whining, etc.


  • AJ - I despairand over here we have the media castigating pedigree breeders - never any mention of these people who seem to think that every bitch should have at least one litter - I wonder how many litters they think their dogs should sire!!


  • Update on the boxer. Wife got her wish the boxer has been rehomed. From what I understand it is with a young couple who already have a boxer. My neighbors boxer was never allowed up the stairs and was afraid of them. His new home immediately got him over the fear and now he shares their bed along side the other dog. Happy ending


  • I wish all dog would have such a happy ending.


  • Great to hear a happy ending, thanks for the update


  • It is good to hear this had a happy ending. I just got an email from a friend about a beautiful 8-year-old Vizsla looking for a new home. Reason? "Owners got a new puppy and can't take care of two dogs." WTH!?!?! Wonder if they have more than one child. If I was the older one I'd be getting nervous. Grrrrr.

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