what could I have done?

[Goya]

I met a couple today when out walking my dogs. I was disgusted with them. They had a gorgeous GSD which they evidently couldn't cope with and the lady actually said to me "I'm frightened of him". All the poor dog wanted to do was to play and they had a choke chain on so tight the poor dog could hardly breathe.
I gave them contact details of a Club and they said "oh we haven't time for thast sort of thing"
I was so cross.
is there anything I could have done?

 

[Battyoldbint]

german shepherd rescue

 

[Goya]

Good idea .I'll remember that and if I ever meet them again I'll suggest it. Any more suggestions from any one?
I wish I had been more confident in saying what I thought.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Give him to me. Only joking.
If they don't want to bother with a club or similar, then how do they expect his behaviour to improve?
Could you suggest they ask his breeder/previous owner for help?

I have no doubt if a lot of other people had owned my boy, they would have given up, like these people seem to have. He is not an easy dog.
If you aren't prepared to put in a lot of hard work, especially with a working breed, then you shouldn't have a dog.

I am not blowing my own trumpet, there have been a lot of tears and snotters, but I know my boy is a good lad and I will keep trying my damnednest until we iron out BOTH of our problems - because he isn't the one at fault and this poor boy probably isn't either.

 

[Oneofthepack]

[ QUOTE ]
All the poor dog wanted to do was to play and they had a choke chain on so tight the poor dog could hardly breathe.


[/ QUOTE ]

Without getting into the whole choke chain discussion again this is exactly why I hate them

I would be tempted to offer to take the dog off them next time you see them after finding a suitable gsd rescue place for him, or at least have a little dig about giving him to someone who DID have the time to look after their dog properly.

They might be offended but stuff em!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Poor dog, if you see them again I would suggest they consider rehoming him if they can't cope. They are just creating problems not letting him socialise with other dogs. Don't think there is anything else you can do. One of the GSD rescues might be able to help but having been in touch with them this week trying to find a home for a bitch I know that there are a lot of Shepherds out there in need of a home

Ets: Our local dog warden is quite good on advising people on handling/training their dogs, perhaps have a word with the warden in your area and see if he is prepared to speak to these people, always providing you know where to find them.

 

[CAYLA]

The owners. clearly need some guidance, nothing wrong with a choke chain what so ever, so long as it's used correctly, and the loop is against the chain, which not many novice dog owners would know, without it being explained, so again, the choke system will not work, it will just lock, a dog should, never get as far, as to choke it's self, which of course, it won't have been doing , but it would have sounded that way

The choke is designed, to give the owner and aid to check the animal, esp a more stubborn/large breed, that most humans would fine it hard to muster the strength to hold at ease, they may as well have a collar, and let him choke him self against that, if they are not going to check and release.......as intended

Choke chains....fab aid....when used correctly, by someone with half a brain, they need to be shown how to use one, b4 they go ahead and do so

 

[Goya]

Thank you all. In some ways it was possibly a pointless post as I have no idea who these people were but I felt so cross with them for how they handled and thought of their dog and also with myself as I should have done something more positive and that is why I posted.As Cala said--choke chains are a great aid when used correctly but this one certainly wasn't. I did comment that the dog couldn't breathe and the man did loosen his hold a bit.
Next time I certainly will be more positive and say something. The poor dog--I felt so sorry for it.