Thoughts on this dog?

Question

Here's the situation:

12mo old intact male Great Dane puppy.  Well bred, very lean (some body fat, but ribs and hips visible), high energy, around 150 lbs.  Here's the problem- I take care of him. He's my roommate's dog, a friend of a friend.  I feed him good food, but if I didn't, he'd go hungry.  Further, he stays in a crate that's too small (he can turn around but not stand) unless I take him out.  

The dilemma is that he's a wonderful dog.  He's well-bred and healthy, with no major behavioral problems other than barking and chewing- which IMO come from lack of care.  He would do very well if someone put in the effort to obedience train him.  My issue is this- he's my roommate's friend that was only supposed to live here for a month after his girlfriend broke up with him- he's going on 3 months with no future plans.  Last night he didn't come home- If I hadn't taken him on a walk and fed him (from my dog's food that I bought), he wouldn't have been cared for, and would have been in a crate he can't stand up in for 16 hours.  

So what do I do?  Do I continue to enable him at my own expense because it's not the dog's fault?  I can't leave a dog in the crate- it's inhumane.  On the other hand- my dog just turned 4.  He was a handful and I put a lot of time and effort into obedience training him and making sure his needs are met; I am thrilled to be past the basic training and puppy stage.  I'm a full time student with two jobs and I still make sure my active lab is taken care of, happy and healthy.  If I wanted to take care of a Dane puppy, I would have gotten a Dane puppy. 

So what do I do?  Continue to feed and care for this dog? Call animal control?  Have him evicted?  I've already told him leaving a dog that size in a too-small crate is abuse- he hasn't stopped.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

My opinion would be to sit down with this idiot, and spell it out.  And if he doesn't do something about this situation, and fast, then I'd report him.   Is there a breeder you could contact so she knows what's going on with a puppy she bred?   Obviously if this Dane can't stand up in his crate now, this is only going to get worse, and the poor animal will develop lasting damage to his bones, joints and muscles.

Perhaps a gentle suggestion that the puppy would be far better off being returned to his breeder, or via Breed Rescue, found a far more suitable home.

Anonymous · Answer

That is absolutely animal abuse there is no way around it, I'm glad to hear you've been taking care of him but is at your expense and he's not your dog.. in my opinion I would call animal control because he is being extremely inhumane, the only issue with calling animal control is that he will probably be put in a cage as well but will have the proper nutrition, gain some weight and possibly become adopted.
It's the right thing to do.
Hope this helped (:

TK · Answer

Make a report to your animal services department.  Contact a Dane rescue and find out if he could be put into a foster home.  If the animal officer decides the dog needs to be taken, then have the information ready about Dane rescue.

BYBs and Crazies rule DS · Answer

If the dog is indeed well bred, contact the breeder and ask her to do a random check-up on the dog with both of you there.  

If the dog is not well bred, the breeder won't care, and in such a case, you'll need to have a sitdown with your roommate and the friend.  Perhaps you can hep get the dog into Dane rescue?  http://www.gdca.org

Anonymous · Answer

If it grew to become into no longer a field that she owns or an off lead doggie park then she grew to become into incorrect, and while you're irresponsible for having your canines there on a lead what's she? i understand in maximum areas there are regulations stating that canines could be on a lead or limited in some strategies till it somewhat is an off lead dogs park. i'm quite valuable i'd tell her wher to pass, and next time get as plenty information as achieveable and rfile her.

Elp66 · Answer

I would 1st give him an ultimatum and tell him you will call the breeder (if that is an option). Otherwise you would report he's neglecting the dog, if he doesn't take better care of the him. He has no business having a dog!

Alice · Answer

I think you should call the Animal Control if you can't take care of it your self. They will take care of him and so on. Don't let the dog down!!

ms manners · Answer

Can you convince him to rehome or return the dog?  Obviously he has little interest in him.

Otherwise, I would contact Animal Control, tell them about the situation, and see what they say.

Cheryl · Answer

take the dog to a no-kill shelter and drop it off as a stray when roommate is out ... tell roommate that the dog got out and escaped ... and hopefully the dog can find a loving home ...

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Thoughts on this dog?

9 Answers