Your experiment

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

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

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Your instincts are perfect and this lady sounds nuts to me. Well-meaning perhaps, but nuts. 

JD does not play with other dogs any more, hasn't for many years. Does not wrestle, does not romp. Greets his friends with a wag & a sniff, and then brings their owner a ball to throw.  Ignores attempts by any other dog to try to engage in play, avoids rough housing.

What he does not do, ever, is snarl, snap, bare teeth, nip, bite, or make any attempt to do so. He might issue a very soft, brief growl if the other dog is extremely persistent.  

Helping foster dogs is a wonderful thing, but not at the expense of your own dog. There is nothing positive in this situation for Spud. He might look like a lamb, but not a sacrificial one, lol. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Okay, that's It!   THANK YOU.

That will be my response forever. Problem solved!   Funny, I feel so much better now

There is nothing positive in this situation for Spud. He might look like a lamb, but not a sacrificial one, lol. :)   PRICELESS

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Can't say it any better than Karen just did.  If you are feeling guilt you should not and you should hold your ground. Sorry you are in the middle of this

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with you and Karen. Crazy business and no need for Spud to get in the middle. He would have had a good time at our picnic. This lady should put a fence around her pond for now. She is very anxious about it and no doubt this anxiety gets transmitted to her dogs. But no doubt she won't listen to any advice. ,maybe you should get her a $1 trial to Doggy Dan : )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I wish now I would have taken a photo of Laurie's pond. They have a nice little fence around the pond.  I could show her this idea but I'm done.  

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

In some municipalities a fence is required around a pond as well as a swimming pool. BTW, I would never put Haley in a situation like that. You just have to think of your own boy first.

[Sally S Miles]

This is a bad situation that is looking for an explosion.  This has already proven to be futile, so why continue to wrestle the alligator?  The risk of all three dogs becoming confused and stressed is very high, not to mention your sanity.  I think your friend is in over her head, and it sounds like she knows it -  nothing to be ashamed of - but it happens and the worst thing would be to continue.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Karen is right, you are right. There is no way I would 'use' either of my two in such a potentially hostile situation. My two wrestle outdoors at least once a day but it's rough and tumble and they wear each other out. It never escalates to the point where I need to separate them though I do, on occasion say 'enough now boys' and then they stop. Keep Spud away from this (well meaning)  crazy lady.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The funny thing was, Spud was on his best behavior from the start. Spud often gets bit and has learned his lessons.  He is older now and walks in the gate and plays, not rush the door.  Not in a face. He was just greeting a dog.

He is five.  A grown up five.  Another reason I thought all would be fine is Spud gets bit when his hair is long and curly and wild.  He is shaved for the summer. Smooth.  

Whatever. 

She mentioned I should bring Spud over each time she lets the male  him out so her fish could be protected.  

She knows now, I wont.   Heck no. I wasnt going to do that anyway

[Robin and Libby Louise]

You are 100% correct in your actions, Joanne.  No way I would leave my dog in this kind of situation.  And of course Karen said it best!  :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Agreed. Spud and Peri need to play if you ever get down to TN. They are two feisty peas in a pod. And Peri's a good, non-teeth-bearing wrestler :)

[Christine & Shelby]

I agree with all the advice here... and what is exceptionally concerning to me is all that she "expects" you to do for her and the benefit of her fosters.  Spud is your #1 priority... and she doesn't seem to get this.... that makes me angry on your behalf.  Spud sounds wonderful and gave it a go - he knows a hostile situation when he's in it... and I commend you for taking him outta there and holding your own :)