Sister got a dog....Update

Fire_Fox

Agree report her to the RSPCA. Sounds like the dog would be best being PTS, it's had a horrible life which is not getting any better.

krlyr

Anxiety can have medical causes and since this dog is anxious a good majority of the time I would definately want the vets to do some investigation. Hypothyroidism triggered off separation anxiety in my dog but I noticed other anxieties, e.g. being more worried by visitors than usual, starting to react to other dogs when she didn't previously, becoming nervous going into a petshop (she has a random fear of one of the members of staff in there but then started barking at all the other staff so I had to stop taking her in) and so on.
Also pain can make a dog act fearful, or a noise phobia, all kinds of things that may need medical treatment or intervention. If your sister can't provide this, she needs to rehome the dog to someone who can. You could try asking for help or advertising the dog on the Dogpages forums - http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums
If your sister really isn't prepared to do anything then maybe the dog needs to "run off" next time you take her out (an,d unknown to your sister, be conveniently dropped off to a pre-arranged rescue)?

Caroline_a

Please take this dog to a rescue centre. You may 'love this dog' but you are colluding in its unhappy life. Either phone the RSPCA and report your sister, or just go pick up the dog and take it.

You cannot leave a dog with health issues, one that is never walked, and is fearful of everything in its life. That, in my opinion is virtually as cruel as the person who is doing these things to the dog. I'm sorry, I am appalled.

Mara69

I knew this would be how this story ended up. I am so sick of dogs being passed from clueless owner to clueless owner. Poor sods don't stand a chance. This poor dog, unless it is very lucky, will end up being put to sleep for aggression problems. Can you imagine how scared, anxious, frustrated and fearful it must be feeling? This sort of dogs needs lots of exercise, love, firm handling. Makes me so angry that people like the OP's sister can treat an animal like this.

aliasojo

Buttonmoons wrote: »

AHHHHH I hate her so much.

I don't even know her and so do I.

I feel so sorry for the poor animal. It's not had a good start in life at all when it comes to owners, has it?

If it were me (and I know that's easy to say sometimes) I would intervene and either take the dog myself or I'd involve the RSP.

Dogs can live happily in flats if they are cared for and they can be trained to stop barking. Is there really no way you could take it?

I would not leave the dog where it is, it's clearly unhappy and confused.

Buttonmoons

If it goes to a pound it is definatley dead, It doesn't need to be put down it's not evil, plus there is only 1 rescue here that I can think of and they have point blank refused to take it, telling my sister to find someone with a farm - ??

I am no colluding in anything, I buy it's food, I go up and take it out, I give up my time to take it to the park and play with it - I cannot take the dog out in the countryside because I don't drive. The dog is not neglected at my mums house, it has a massive garden to run around in, there is always someone around with it - but I agree it needs to go the vet, and quite frankly it's not my doing, I didn't rehome an animal without thinking of the consequences and responsibility it entails - I am concerned about the dog, I posted about it - I am no animal abuser thank you very much so you can spout your righteous "anyone who knows a dog that may not be getting 100% care" is as guilty as actually doing the deed themselves, someplace else.

Nah Aliasojo, I can't I've got 3 cats and whilst it gets on fine with cats, my cats would not be impressed - my flat is tiny and I live in a skyscraper - where dogs are seriously not allowed - understandably. Plus I juggle a job, single parent and full time college - I wouldn't be in enough during the days to take it out if you get what I mean.


Well to be honest the previous owner is to blame for not disclosing all these issues about the dog, no wonder it was locked up in a kitchen all day long.

No RSPCA in scotland, its SSPCA I think, quite frankly I doubt they would take the dog, it is kept inside, it's got access to food & water, toys everywhere, it's biggest issue is the licking its hair off and not liking men.

krlyr

It is not easy to find a rescue space nowadays as there are so many people surrendering their animals or strays being picked up but phone as many as you can - even if they can't physically take the dog in, they may know of a home or be willing to advertise for one while the dog is in your sister/mum's care.

May be worth contacting rescues that aren't in your area just to see if they have any contacts or advice.

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/scotland.htm

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/breedbs.htm

Border Collie and Sheepdog Rescue
Julie & Gary Nelder, South Willingham, Lincolnshire. Tel: 01507 313285
Sonya Saxby, Stannington, Sheffield. Tel: 01142 333467
Mrs Bailey, Lincolnshire. Tel: 01522 693392

Border Collie Trust (GB) - ADCH
Mr B Wilkes, B.C.T. Rescue Centre, Heath Way, Narrow Lane, Colton, Nr Rugeley, Staffs, WS15 3LY.
Tel: 0871 560 2282. Email: info@bordercollietrustgb.org.uk
www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Valgrays Border Collie Rescue
Val Phillips (Co-ordinator), Warlingham, Surrey. Tel: 01883 624513
Fax: 01883 627706 Email: valgrays@hotmail.co.uk
Marian Sheppard, Petersfield, Hants. Tel: 01730 231384

Buttonmoons

Well I have just got the dog an appointment for tomorrow, unethical as it is I've just said it's mine, so I will have to take the day off college to take it to the vets. My mum said she thinks it had a epeleptic fit last night - so who knows if that is the cause of its problems *sigh*

krlyr

Good luck at the vets. If the vet decides to take blood to do a panel for the anxiety, ask them to do the comprehensive thyroid test as well - the regular panels don't cover all the thyroid levels, and hypothyroidism in dogs isn't quite the same as in humans so you need the extra values to diagnose it in many cases. Try to get hold of a copy of the results too if you can - often results can be in-range and the vet will say the dog is fine, but results at the edge of the range can still indicate a problem. Kiki's results were right at the bottom limit of the thyroid ranges but a healthy, young dog should be in the top half to quarter. Dr Jean Dodds believes you need to take symptoms into consideration as well as the figures, a dog that's in the lower end of the range with symptoms could be borderline hypothyroid and still need medicating.

Also if the vet suggests a sedative, either as a course of treatment or to sedate the dog for treatment (e.g. drawing blood), be careful which one you allow them to use. Avoid ACP - the sedative effect is only in a physical sense but will not sedate the dog mentally, so it will still be able to experience all the fear/panic, just unable to move.

Buttonmoons

Ive just been looking and if the dog does take fits, it could explain why it's behaviour has descended from seemingly well balanced when she first got it (didn't pee, wasn't scared of men, wasnt restless and licking itself etc) My mum said she seen it last night lying on the floor with its body trembling and its head shaking about for a few minutes. Not sure if the dog was responsive, but she didn't want to approach it.

Perhaps it was on medication and the owner didn't let on? I have the ex owners name though and PDSA said they could search records for the dog (as it was registered there, so she said....) so if it shows up issues like this, I will be going round to her door with the vets bill and telling her she will be paying for it.