Hi All...

I know of someone dealing with an odd situation with a dog and I was hoping some of you may be able to help with a plan.

A family has a dog that they took in about 6-8 years ago. The dog has "always" been like this -- at least as long as they've had her.

- Can't touch the dog in any way, pet her, etc.
- Dog growls at everyone, new people and household members alike
- Dog hates/refuses to go outside of the house
- Dog lays in one spot in the home and puts jaws around ankles as people pass (doesn't actually bite, but, growls and pinches/warns)


The dog really needs her nails trimmed and she desperately needs a bath (smells awful, has dried feces/dirt in fur under her tail/back of legs), but, can't not be touched in any way!! They were going to get 5 people and trap her, and force her to have a bath, but, I was thinking that it may take this dog from "warning" to true aggression since she already has such major trust issues. Opinions? Ideas for solving getting her bathed?

The dog will not set foot outside 90% of the time, even for a high-value treat. They need to get her outside on a regular basis so she isn't constantly going in the house. To give her a positive association with outside, I suggested only feeding the dog outdoors... progressively moving her bowl from the open door, to the porch, to the yard. Is this a good method? How would you deal with this?

To be brutally honest, the family really shouldn't have a dog as they barely can take care of themselves. But, they do, and so I'm just trying to find low-cost and positive ways to help the dog. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

(P.S. Giving up the dog isn't something they can deal with. They recently went through a major loss and any more change/loss was rejected immediately.)


THANK you for any help you can give.

...x

So..they have a dog that controls the family and has been crapping in the house for 6-8 years?????
I think this FAMILY needs help! Call the vet, If they have one, and maybe the vet will give them a tranquilizer so they could bath it. If they can't touch it then that means the dog receives no shots or care of any kind.
My personal opinion is this is the MOST ridiculous thing I have heard of.

Originally Posted by xis

Hi All...


To be brutally honest, the family really shouldn't have a dog as they barely can take care of themselves. But, they do, and so I'm just trying to find low-cost and positive ways to help the dog. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

(P.S. Giving up the dog isn't something they can deal with. They recently went through a major loss and any more change/loss was rejected immediately.)


THANK you for any help you can give.

...x

Dog therapy aside, is this family receiving any kind of therapy/assistance to help them with their own human needs issues? Until they can begin to pull themselves out of the ashes, so to speak, they can't reasonably help the dog. On the other hand, providing therapeutic training for this dog can be conducive to their own healing. What are the odds of calling in both a social worker and perhaps a vet who would be in a position to provide some charity care? Is their circumstance serious enough to evoke a public garage sale/fundraiser on their behalf? From what you are saying, it is evident the family needs help, with much more than the dog. Also, in some areas/states, the ASPCA can sometimes intervene in these kinds of cases, without necessarily taking permanent custody of the animals. It might be worth a call to them. The world needs more caring friends/neighbors like yourself to get involved with helping those who can't help themselves. Bless your heart!

Yes, I agree... the whole family needs help. They are starting to get it in small ways, but, as you can imagine the person who asked me for advice feels really sensitive about it. She's from their church, helps folks when they have a loss... I don't think she was expecting the level of issues she's seeing here and is overwhelmed!!!

My personal opinion is this is the MOST ridiculous thing I have heard of.

The rest of this story would make you insane if I explained it. Maybe I'm jaded these days; I've actually seen far worse volunteering for my local shelter. :(

On the other hand, providing therapeutic training for this dog can be conducive to their own healing. What are the odds of calling in both a social worker and perhaps a vet who would be in a position to provide some charity care?

This is a great suggestion... THANK you, its a great way to approach it. I think you're right that maybe through the dog they may be able to work on some of their own issues. And have them they do, its all so sad!!

What are the odds of calling in both a social worker and perhaps a vet who would be in a position to provide some charity care? Is their circumstance serious enough to evoke a public garage sale/fundraiser on their behalf?

I think the woman helping them is close to getting up the gumption to call in someone more official than she is. I HOPE so! But, this garage sale idea is wonderful! I'll suggest it to her!

I will also pass on your praise -- she is helping out in ways she never imagined in this situation! I think she could use a morale boost and reassurance that if she gets authorities involved she's doing the right thing.

Thank you for your help!!!!
...x

I applaud the fact that someone is stepping in and trying to help. I sure do hope they can.