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My neighbor just adopted two new rescue dobermans. A two-year old breeding and bonded pair who were seen on video camera being dumped at a shelter and in bad shape ( note that they are now healthy after being in foster care several months)

In the past she has had 40- 60 fosters( I've heard all kinds of numbers but can verify many have come through her home) and it was not uncommon to have 5 of her own. All now have passed on in the recent two years.

With relationship to Spud all her dobermans, once he came along, were older than 9 years old. Very different ages than puppy-5 year old Spud. Old dogs who could care less about a puppy or play.

We have always gotten along however I dont much agree with her training and her instance that dogs do not play or wrestle together. To each their own. I love a good romping playtime. Not all dogs can wrestle and roll together but once in a while you will see two dogs that enjoy each other so much and you can feel their bond for each other and love.

She always let puppy Spud come over to be socialized and everything went well playing briefly in her yard small spurts at a time. He was, on one other occasion, bit by one of her fosters. It happens. That's understandable.

Here is the problem. She asked Spud to come over because she was having problems with the male. He has a high prey drive, wont pay attention in the yard, has absolutely no focus, and keeps jumping in her koi pond and attacking her fish. The pond has an expensive net and he has tangled himself up in the net... etc.

Even though my neighbor is younger than I am, she is in poor health and cant handle him. She has been dragging out the times she takes them outside because she hates going outside with him.

She wanted Spud as a distraction. It might have worked if he was allowed to smell and figure out the new dog but she used her spray bottles every time he approached.

I was handed dog mace to use if male doberman went towards the pond. I refused.

The other dog is female and she is a shy, submissive dog with zero tolerance.

She guards the outdoor water dish and guards her male partner.

She was an instigator somewhat. Whenever Spud went to get a drink, she reacted. Whenever Spud went to walk close to her male, she reacted.

I asked my neighbor, twice, to remove the female. It was obvious to me, Spud was very uncomfortable and did not understand why I would have him here. Once a place of peace, now a guarded territory.

She removed the female, twice, but I could hear the separation anxiety from her screams inside the home. My neighbor gave in and once again let her out. At this time, it was clear the male was intense on discovering his surroundings, like she described and Spud was just something in passing. That's okay with me. Sometimes both would initiate play, but that was sprayed away.

On the third release of the female, I said to Spud, " Hey buddy, I can see and feel your anxiety. I agree, you are not having fun. It is certainly time to leave. She does not like you and it is not fair for you to be bit, once again, in the face"

My neighbor is not happy with my comments. We tried to hash it back and forth in a text message.

My response was, I know my dog. He was miserable in a hostile environment. He was not comfortable and why would I do that to my friendly dog.

I always feel bad because I know Spud is very lonely. But not all dogs get along. Actually, I think like humans, dogs find few rewarding relationships. The relationships that are rewarding are wonderful and life-long lasting many times.

I think I'm just babbling here.

I understand we use well-adjusted dogs to help foster dogs or dogs from bad situations, but how many times.... I think I am just puzzled by the no play but it is okay to show teeth and bite? WTD?

I did, in a civil manner, point out the no contact between the male dogs and I thought it should e have been sprayed away. I did say, I was not happy with the female, at all, and should have remained inside.

Her argument was she has had many dogs and I, well.... I just have one over-sensitive dog and I am inexperienced? . Right

Even a dumb owner knows this situation was not going well

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