Poor Spaniel - advice needed

lochpearl

lochpearl

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I must admit that I don't often come on AAD, I'm sorry, but I really need to get some advice about a neighbours dog.

People live a few doors down, have 1 cat that can come and go as he pleases, the others are house cats. They used to own a collie x bitch that the bloke used to take shooting, but other than that she was in the kennel all the time. She was fine by this and didn't want to go in the house. They then bought a lovely springer spaniel and within 6 months the old collie was pts as started fitting (old age). Since then the young spaniel 1 or 2 years old, has been on her own in the kennel. She is lucky to get 2 15 min walks a day ( he says he doesn't want her too fit for shooting - in the whole time he has had her I think last weekend was the first time he has taken her out!)

When he walks her he carries a stick, if she ever overtook him he would crack her across the nose and she would cry. Now I understand that some dogs do stay in kennels and don't get spoilt like mine, but this poor dog cries all night long, all she wants is a bit of attention.

It has got to the point that if I see this man or his wife I will do something very nasty so I really need to know what options I have.

In respect of the RSPCA I assume they wont do anything if she has shelter, food and water, so is there any other people I can complain to?

At least with horses there is WHW or BHS.

Am I overreacting?

Thanks
 
argh, he sounds like a typical 'oldschool' shooting gundog owner.

they think a dog will learn faster and better with violence and pain than respect and rewarding.

i would HAVE to say something, im not sure how id do it, but i couldnt sit by and watch.
 
newtothis said:
argh, he sounds like a typical 'oldschool' shooting gundog owner.

they think a dog will learn faster and better with violence and pain than respect and rewarding.

i would HAVE to say something, im not sure how id do it, but i couldnt sit by and watch.
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^^Agreed. Not all gundog people are like this (pretty damn sure none of the shooting people on here are, and I'm sure as hell not!) but people like that twonk are what put people off getting involved with shooting:mad: Worry about meeting someone like him put me off for ages!

I don't know who on earth you would ask though, the RSPCA have such a huge caseload I doubt they will have the capacity to do much:( Maybe it would be worth calling someone like the Dogs Trust and see what they advise?:confused:
 
This is the problem, I am constantly fighting with my OH about it, but I cannot walk out of my house and cope with the crying.

I have spoken to my YM's husband as he shoots with the farm where I keep my horses, and he and the farm manager say that they wouldn't have anyone on their shoot like that, they would get a slap of their own. So I do know that it isn't the norm. If he was out shooting every weekend or infact had her out walking and exercised I would have no problems with her being in the kennel, but the fact that she is in there 23.5 hours a day alone with no company.
 
oh i know spudlet! neither am i. and im sad to say my oh was like that until he met me, he isnt now though.

i hate the amount of disrespect gundogs go through, especially from cocky young keepers who think they know everything! the amount of times ive lectured, ''that poor thing works all day for you, in any weather, never says no, and the one time it makes a tiny mistake you think its okay to hit it WELL NEXT TIME YOU DO I'LL BLOODY HIT YOU!''

there needs to be better education when it comes to training dogs. the amount of time my fizzy spaniel has misbehaved and someone has said ''oh give it a good whack''! it seems to just be accepted that some people are heavy handed with dogs and that a slap is completely justified and a good way to train a dog.

people dont realise that although you may have a ''fully trained'' dog, training still needs to be kept up and implemented so bad habit dont form.

my dad was joked about for being ''soft'' with his two, but both spaniels adore him and would go to the end of the earth for him willingly, they are great, and people wonder why their dogs gravitate to him too.
 
I wonder if BASC would ahve any advice? After all, idiots like this damage the reputation of shooting.

Their gundog code of practice: http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice/gundogs.cfm

Training
•Make sure that training sessions are enjoyable for both you and your dog.
•Formal training will not begin until a puppy is several months old but good manners can be taught from the beginning.
•Gundog training and obedience classes at local clubs can help you and your dog. The BASC also run a nationwide programme of training days.
•Mixing with other dogs will help steady and 'socialise' a young dog.
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Just to say, the bloke is in his 50s at least and his father used to be a gamekeeper, I think he used to help out, so this is an ingrained thing.
 
You'll have to shove him off a cliff and post his dog to me then...:p

Joking aside, I do not envy you this situation, it must be really unpleasant to live with :( I'm really not sure what you can do in all honesty.
 
On fireworks night, I noticed the crying more and I was home alone, I was sorely tempted to go and have words and give them a cheque there and then for the dog, the only problem is that they will replace it with another.

I have already upset the neighbours by parking my horse box in the layby in front of my house, they believe that they should solely have it for the 3 cars they have!!!
 
lol @ the layby, i know how that feels!

i would go round or just ''happen'' to be walking at the same time as him and try and engage in some kind of conversation, but i do understand how hard it is when its an older man.

the only thing that might work is getting stroppy and making him look small for hitting his dog, spudlets siggy is quite good for that:

how can anyone who cannot control themselves hope to control an animal.

btw my dad and oh are both gamekeepers and im nothing like that. (oh describes me as getting more anti by the day lol)
 
The crying could be your answer here LP.

If it's constant - phone the council and make a complaint???????

The owner may be forced to take some affirmative action then.

Sounds like a complete ******.
 
I agree with Amymay, complain to the council if the dog is making a noise all night. That way there's less chance of an unpleasant confrontation and future bad feelings between you.
 
amymay said:
The crying could be your answer here LP.

If it's constant - phone the council and make a complaint???????

The owner may be forced to take some affirmative action then.

Sounds like a complete ******.
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You beat me to it Amymay. Just be aware though that everytime the dog cries he doesn't smack it then. God I hate people like that.
 
Im finding this thread really distressing. I went through this years ago - listening to a guy who lived upstairs hitting his springer with a walking stick with his wife screaming at him to stop before he killed it. As a result I cant hear dogs crying and not be reduced to tears.


In your shoes Id be round there having a flaming row so your a better woman than I.

Phone the dog warden (if your council still have one)as they seem less threatening than someone like RSPCA. However if you can get proof of the treatment the dogs getting it would be worth getting in touch but you need to give them reason to take the dog straight away or I have no doubt it will get a beating for being trouble.
 
Oh no, poor little thing, I wish I could take it away from them and keep it in the warm with my spaniel.

Could we forward a copy of this thread to the rspca? just to see what they say, they may be able to pay them a visit and give him enough of a shock to bring her indoors?

:(
 
It can't hurt to call the RSPCA and ask their advice - my worry is just that they have so many cases to deal with that they might not have the capacity to act on this. But thinking about it, no harm can come from a call to ask them.

I am reading this looking at naughty little Henry curled up on his bed by the radiator, I hate to think of him in this situation:(
 
Thanks, googling the council for dog warden and I will make some enquiries on the above suggestions, thanks.

Spans, I think you know a little what I'm like and I think if I go over there I will be arrested, and probably divorced too. OH hates confrontation even tho he is built like a tank!

I have no doubt that they will know it is me, but I don't care, it would just be nice for someone to have a word in their ear and it might just make them think!
 
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