Need advice concerning a dog (UPDATE)

[Kaitee and Orwell]

First off, I would like to apologize for the content of this thread because I am aware that it might make some people's head hurt given the amount of responsible dog owners on this site. It certainly makes mine hurt, which is why I am asking for advice. 

Now, a little background:

My boyfriend lives with some roommates (a long term couple) that I have known since elementary school, and my boyfriend made friends with them when he moved up here in high school. This perhaps makes things more complicated for me because I like these people, but what they are doing regarding their dog infuriates me. In May, the boyfriend of the couple texted me about the possibility of purchasing a Mini Australian Shepherd. I was apprehensive about it initially because he has gained a lot of weight since high school, and Mini Aussies are high energy dogs. He assured me that he would exercise the dog, and that he had one all throughout his childhood, so he knew what he was getting into. He also works from home. Given what he said, I thought that this dog would be good for him to have and suggested that he do it since he had told me that he had been thinking about it for a long time. Lo and behold, they bring home an 8 week old Mini Aussie puppy that same day.

Now, I have to say that this is a very sweet puppy. However, they have not done any training, and it shows. This 7 month old puppy is not potty trained yet. He goes on potty pads in the bonus room of the rental house, so he understands the concept of those. His owners only pick up and change the potty pads maybe once a day. To say the least, it absolutely stinks in that room, and my boyfriend and I have to walk past it every day in order to get to my boyfriend's room. Half the time, we have to tell them that they should clean the potty pads. For some reason, even though their room is also close to the bonus room and they keep their door open, they fail to realize that it does in fact stink. We honestly do not know how they can bear it. My Boa constrictor is in that room and it has gotten to the point where I don't really want to handle her because it means going into that room for slightly more than a minute. My boyfriend and I both know that we could have the dog potty trained within about 2 days at this point: take potty pads outside, and done. However, the dogs owners seem to have little inclination to make this transition. Why? Because they play video games excessively and refuse to get up and put in a little effort to potty train the dog. They also do not monitor his behavior at all, and he has ripped through some dry wall already in the brand new house. They also let him take anything he wants to rip up. This worries me because of possible obstructions, and they know the story of Orwell, but they seem unfazed by it. All in all, they basically put food out, and let the dog do whatever it pleases while paying little attention to him at all. And no, they do not take him out for walks. The girlfriend maybe takes him out twice a week for a walk.

We have tried having conversations with them about the potty situation because that is the most troubling for my boyfriend and his coworker that live in the house and we are tempted to take care of it ourselves, though we realize that this dog is not our responsibility. We have not been harsh about it because we are not confrontational people and the boyfriend has a rather strong personality. In short, we are trying to maintain the peace, but it is becoming difficult. To me, the way they treat their dog is just short of neglect and it makes me feel bad for the pup. What perhaps really bothers us is that while not as smart as we both know Orwell is, he really wants to please and is less stubborn which would make training him all the more easier. Training this dog would be an absolute cakewalk for me, which honestly makes me want to steal him, but I know I can't do that. 

In the beginning, I gave them a bunch of advice on how to train their dog, but they haven't done any of it. I thought that they would be good dog owners, but I guess I was mistaken and now feel bad for giving my affirmation. I now won't suggest yes or no to anyone my age. I honestly don't think that half of us at 23 years old are mature enough to be responsible for a dog. I, however, had to get Orwell because long story short, I was not doing well mentally without a dog. 

So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about how to motivate them to be more involved in their dogs life and development? Like I said, the boyfriend of the couple has a strong personality and telling him that what he is doing is wrong probably won't go over so well. If things get even worse, I am inclined to call animal control to report neglect. I don't know if I can persuade them to find another home for the dog because they are emotionally attached at this point. If it eventually comes to that, I will find another home for the dog because I'm afraid that they will just post on Craigslist or something of the sort and he could become dog fight bait. 

I'm just really worried and am in desperate need of advice and consolation, though I don't know if anything will work. It'd be great if anyone could share a story of a similar situation and what they did to take action. 

[Rebecca, Kandy & Murphy]

This post was haunting me last night (literally having nightmares) and I had another thought.  You said that your snake was also in the bonus room -- maybe they don't change the pads because they don't want to see the snake?  I have a terrible snake phobia and confess that I wouldn't be able to walk into a room with a boa constrictor in it (even caged, as I assume it is) for anything short of major emergency -- and maybe not even then.  My daughter's best friend got a little corn snake and I can barely bring myself to go into their house, even though the snake is in her bedroom (unless it gets out, which is what my imagination always suggests).  Or maybe the dog was a (very bad) passive aggressive way to react to the snake?  I'm not sure that changes your options or the plan, but maybe adds something to the conversation?

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I'm so sorry... I have stressful dreams about it too. However, I know it has nothing to do with my snake because the girlfriend (who does the most with the dog), likes to hold my snake. My mom has the same phobia and that is why the snake is where it is, lol. The boyfriend isn't keen on holding the snake, but he does not care either way. 

This is just a case of laziness.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

UPDATE:

I walked downstairs on Friday night to find my boyfriend having a serious discussion with male owner of the dog about how he does not take the dog seriously, and yet he takes video games seriously. This is not to say that video games are bad because we play them ourselves, but I put the time in with Orwell in the beginning so he knows how to behave upstairs with me when I'm at my computer. My boyfriend used this to say that sacrifices have to be made to get the behavioral results that you desire in your dog. What it came down to, I suppose, is that my boyfriend and I find certain behaviors undesirable and inexcusable that they do not. The dog demands attention with a shrill bark, and they were told to ignore the dog when he does that. I agree with that method of training past that behavior, but they are not ignoring him correctly when he does this, and I also just feel bad for the dog because he's not getting attention ever anyway. I'd probably do the same if I was the dog.

They then talked about the potty situation which is the most infuriating to everyone else in the house for obvious reasons. My boyfriend said it was ridiculous that a dog with the intelligence that their's has is not at least partially potty trained at 7 months. He then proceeded to make the suggestion of putting potty pads outside that they grabbed onto, but they rejected every idea that my boyfriend laid out about how the dog should communicate he has to go to the bathroom. The bell is our favorite method because Orwell is a quiet dog and he needed something of the sort to communicate with us. Their dog is much the same unless if he wants attention.

I admit that while I was there for the conversation, I did not say anything because my boyfriend knows how I raised Orwell sufficiently enough to relay information, and I was afraid that my anger would just show. I had a couple of drinks prior that night and was a little tipsy... I can't mask my emotions as well as I normally can in that situation.  

So... we'll see what happens. The owner did admit that he should be doing more, which my boyfriend and I took as a positive. If things don't change, though, the landlord will be called. Meanwhile, I'll spend as much time with the dog as possible.

[Stella]

Good for your boyfriend for having a conversation about the dog and keeping his temper! You can only try your best - you can lead a horse to water and all that. Both my dogs were trained to ring a bell to go out, it is the easiest way for them to politely let you know they need to go potty, unless you are prepared to watch the dog all the time for signs he needs to go out. Hopefully they will come on board with this after a bit more consideration.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I hope so, because even I don't have the patience to watch Orwell all the time to see when he needs to go out. Besides, Orwell is really good at holding it in. He didn't go the whole day he was at the vet with his obstruction even with an IV. I told them that he won't let them know if he doesn't have a bell and they waited until the next morning to take him out because he wasn't showing any signs. The staff were absolutely amazed. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 I think the guy to guy chat probably was more effective with you staying silent but I am impressed that you were able to do so - I know how hard that is when we feel an animal is being mistreated/neglected. I hope there will be a change in behavior so the dog gets better care and love.  Keep us posted as we are now 'all' involved and rooting for the puppy's welfare.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I think so, too. I went through a whole lecture when they first got him, but that obviously didn't do anything. However, I was texting my boyfriend during the conversation about things I thought he should bring up. 

I will make sure to keep everyone posted. I just hope something changes.