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How do you say no???

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Besides just saying no...

I got yet another call -- thankfully I don't get TOO many today. An owner with a 7 yo black lab that has apparently run free her whole life. People have moved in nearby and are complaining about her being around their house/dog (apparently it's THEIR fault) and the leash laws have gotten prohibitive... So they need to find a home so the dog doesn't get picked up.... ???????????????????????????/

HELP!!! The guy sounded nice enough. He doesn't sound THAT dumb. WHY would someone think this way? I had to end the call quickly because I was with a client and I was about to get upset with the guy (who really did seem nice enough). I asked him to email me (so I'd have time to cool off).

So now the "mother" in me wants to say "just bring her over"...

She's apparently current on her shots, is spayed and has no major issues (who knows).

She looks cute enough. So now what??? Do I need yet another dog to take care of????

I'm going to forward it to my rescue group, but it's not like they don't have enough dogs.

Anyway...

What would you do??? I feel badly for the dog.

-K
 
#2 ·
Take and rehome her?
 
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#3 ·
Take the dog, “temporarily” with the mindset of placing it with someone somehow some ware. Might be a heck of a marking dog. Might make some regular training amateur a great second working dog. Ether way, as we both know, the love of the adopted dog is the bestest of all. And what was that lab that ran free on a farm for a year and then went on to achieve greatness? Honcho something or other? Take the Dog Kristie, Karma is knocking at your door.
 
#4 ·
Kristie Wilder said:
Anyway...

What would you do??? I feel badly for the dog.

-K
Click to expand...
I would take her in and find her a home..... Im a sucker too-I just placed a rescue today. Not even three, and had two litters of pups already(2nd one was barely after two yrs old).
Needed to find her a home because she was jumping the 4ft fence to go to the school to play with the kids. Gee--- if she had more attention, she would probably have stayed home.
I took her about two mos ago and placed her toay.Lovely Yellow female, beautiful,sweet,and had not offered to jump anything here during her stay... Sometimes we just have to help out if we can.
 
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#5 ·
Kristie Wilder said:
Anyway...

What would you do??? I feel badly for the dog.

-K
Click to expand...
You know I really appreciate you calling. Ordinarily I'd just tell you to bring her on over but right now I've got about 10 too many dogs around here and frankly their driving me nuts. I'll be glad to give you the number of the breed rescue organization, that would probably be a good place to start. Sorry I couldn't help you out, good luck with your dog.

How does that work for ya?
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
LOL, thanks all for your help... Karma knocks a lot. I asked him a few preliminary questions and we'll see where it goes. I need the expense of another dog like a hole in the head. I already support about six rescues... Thankfully, I'm resourceful, but still...
 
#8 ·
I'm not running as many dogs as you right now, so this will just become a story for most, but it is topical. I got a similar call from my cousin, employee's brother had a GSP, job now demanded he travel all month, etc. I agreed to take the dog hoping to re home him. A hunting buddy actually decided he wanted the dog before I even got him home. But, the dogs lack of socialization and lack of attention made them an impossible fit. Six weeks later, I have him pointing & holding birds. He always had the drive, just didn't have the right coaching. Now a lot of guys are trying to take him off my hands.

David
 
#10 ·
what about teaching the owners obedience training; how to walk the dog on a leash and install an invisible fence so the dog can't venture over to the neighbors? nothing in the explanation sounds like it's a "HAVE" to get rid of the dog situation (e.g., can't afford it, aggressive, etc), but rather a "IT'S EASIER" to get rid of the dog (e.g., what? you mean I actually have to be responsible for it?). Just from the post, it sounds like they're being lazy...that can be corrected, but if they're so lazy to get rid of the dog instead of take responsibility for it, they probably won't take that direction or suggestion either...
 
#11 ·
Kristy, god bless you and all the other women who have a problem saying no.

Fond high school memory regards :wink:
 
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#12 ·
SloppyMouth said:
what about teaching the owners obedience training; how to walk the dog on a leash and install an invisible fence so the dog can't venture over to the neighbors? nothing in the explanation sounds like it's a "HAVE" to get rid of the dog situation (e.g., can't afford it, aggressive, etc), but rather a "IT'S EASIER" to get rid of the dog (e.g., what? you mean I actually have to be responsible for it?). Just from the post, it sounds like they're being lazy...that can be corrected, but if they're so lazy to get rid of the dog instead of take responsibility for it, they probably won't take that direction or suggestion either...
Click to expand...
I like this.

I fear for the worst case scenario where the owner pawns their irresponsible behavior off on you and then they get lonely and get another pup to repeat the cycle.

Somewhere, sometime, someone has got to help the humans be better pet owners.
 
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#13 ·
Take the dog, teach it to sit and retrieve to hand and sell it to a hunter that could use it to recoup some of you cost. $$ always takes the bitter taste of lemon away.
 
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#14 ·
I think you should take the dog off their hands, then blast 'em with both barrels. Tell them how lazy and irresponsible they were. Warn them against getting another dog. Explain why the dog was as troublesome as it was: due to their lack of effort and training.

Good thing you haven't already said your piece with these dimwits. If you blast them first, they'll only ignore you and go away. (You and) I don't want to think about what could happen to the dog after that.

How full is your area shelter? Our Lab rescue only shows 3 up for adoption right now...

Mark
 
#15 · (Edited)
I feel your pain. I took a dog in a month ago to help the owners out temporarily and rehome. Was told the dog was used to staying in a kennel and good with other dogs. She arrived matted and in terrible condition. The first night she chewed through a supporting pipe in my dog kennel that cost me $150 to repair. I called her owners and told them to pick her up as I couldn't afford to replace the entire kennel structure during her temporary stay. And once I relayed that fact, they admitted that she was destructive. What do they say, no good deed goes unpunished... and they didn't even offer to reimburse me for the repairs. I have learned to say "no".
 
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#16 · (Edited)
You are one of the most kind and caring people I have met, plus you genuinely love dogs and care about their welfare....BUT....in order to care for the ones that your heart (and home) have already opened up too...not to mention time that you need for yourself....just say no! Supply all the contacts to various rescue organizations and offer to put out a broadcast email telling people of the dogs plight and giving their contact information...and step away!:):)!!!! If not, we need to organize an intervention!:):)
________
Jeep history
 
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#17 ·
Based on the circumstances, I would politely decline.

They've let the dog run free her entire life, but now it's okay for her to be confined in YOUR yard? They can't or won't put up their own dog run, fencing or yard leash? If she goes stir crazy, it's your property that has to be repaired and she'll injure herself in the process.

Offer them some free leash or obedience lessons. Let them put some effort into THEIR dog.

Betcha once they re-home that dog, they'll have another on their property soon.
 
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#18 ·
It's never easy to say no. Countless times I've had to. Sometimes I give in. Got 3 that were headed for death row for sure. 1 just got a junior title and his new owner loves him like a kid and his first dog! Sucker has turned out to be one heck of a retriever. Tons of desire and a marking machine. He may just go all the way in hun tests and his owner has the $ and hopes! Other two are showing good promise as gun dogs! If so we will find them a good owner too.

I have one that never showed any desire to work and after finding out about his hard times going from home to home, I just kept him. Best house dog I've ever had. Been 6 yrs now. He's graying quick
 
#19 ·
I am by no means a trainer nor do I own several dogs, most I have had at one time are three, but people at work who know me, know that I love retrievers, any and all retriever mixes and pups and orphans are dispatched my way for whatever reason. About once a month or every other month I get an e-mail with photos attached asking me to help them find homes for their lovely pooch.

I just kindly let them know I can't help, I don't have the time or energy to care for what I have going on at home much less another dog.

Just on a side note and not to derail, how consistently can those pups be flipped. Like if you sell a pup and the owner decides they are far too much dog for them, can you flip them or is it still hard. I know there use to be a pretty good market for started dogs.
 
#20 · (Edited)
It's so hard to say no. We have rescued two labs with severe issues and it takes so much effort but in the end it's worth it. One had a fear of men, and the other was blind in one eye and would circle constantly. I think we all know what happens to dogs these days so I would take it in, do some basic training, and find a good home. For both dogs I have been able to find great new homes for them and to save them from a life of guarantee euthanaisa.

Even good natured and well behaved dogs are being surrendered due to the economy in the bay area. Plus, labs are so great as puppies, but many people don't realize they turn into 80 lbs tail wagging machines.
 
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