Baby-fyed dogs

Don't get me wrong about the following. I grew up with dogs and had my own for over a decade. Beligan Shepherd. I trained with her, passed tests, she was like a sister to me but I knew she's a dog. I love animals but this is just too much for me:

My landlords approaching 60 year old, had two dogs. French Bulldogs. The whole bloodline is riddled with sickness and hip displacements. But they are so special and like human (rolls eyes). One died a few month ago after years of sickness and cotton-wrapping by my landlords wife. She was destroyed by it and talked about "her baby". Understandable to a point. Her husband is hunter and sees it like I do, but he can't say anything and has to shut up. The dogs are not allowed anything and are treated like babies. Can't do this, can't do that. Always helicoptering them. It went worse the more sick they got. Now, since around ten weeks, they have a new puppy, yes you guessed it: A French Bulldog.

Of course it's still a puppy and needs guidance. But that isn't done and not allowed. Whenever one of these things happens, she freaks out:

- near stairs
- near doors
- want's to jump on or from the couch (hips)
- when it's not in sight for more than 5 seconds
- when it has something in it's jaw
- when it's too hot
- when it's too cold
- when you're walking and it get's between the feet, you get shouted at to watch out

on the contrary, the dog, naturally, knows no borders, additional to the typical young dog routine:
- it licks the plates and cutlery whenever the dishwasher is open
- it licks the feet
- jumps up and scratches feet, especially my daughters
- it pisses all over the place and isn't taught or watched when that happens, so instead of getting it clean by picking it up the right time and bringing it down into the garden, huge medicinic paper towels are setup everywhere. That it does not use anyways.
- it "bites" feet, especially my daughters
- runs between the feet and you're expected to watch every step

naturally, one would teach the dog to not do this, by telling it "NO" and gently shoving it away repeatedly. But you're not allowed to do this. Just one example, we can't walk and have to watch every damn step. If it get's between my feet, I of course take care, because the dog isn't at fault for this behavior. But it makes one stumble. Naturally, the dog would learn not to do this after it learned it's getting into harms way. I would never kick a dog but you know, when you're in a pace and it get's between the feet, it might happen it get's tossed away. Not a nice thing to happen but how would it learn?

Okay so this morning I lost my #. We were all up in my rooftop apartment on the roof terrace eating breakfast. We do this regular on Sundays because even though we are not family, we stick together and make life easier for each other. Okay, so I was bringing the dishes in and the dog once again ran between my feet. And then the thing happened I always warned about, because the dog knows no borders: I stumbled through the terrace door because of it, because I watch and do not just pull my foot through when I sense the dog. I fell and the dish plates, marmalade and honey glasses went down with me. I threw it away from me so to catch my fall and not fall onto the breaking dishes. It was a loud occurance.

After a second or two of collecting myself and trying to get my heartbeat down (heart condition), my landlords wife angstful voice waived through the door "OMG is [dog's name] hurt?" and I shouted back like "no, but I finally beat myself on the face!". I get up and see the dog is already licking the honey and first mission was to get it away from there, because glass shards. This is how far my protective sense goes, even though this happened then:

My landlords wife runs in and screams at my why I beat her dog on the face. It took me a second to realize that she understood me wrong (I beat my face on the floor) and that she thought I had hit the dog's face. What I would never do. I had the dog in my hands, like 3 inches above the floor and dropped it gently through the terrace door. That's when she freaked out completely and went about "tossing" her dog and on a narrative I "hated it from the beginning". I did not answer anything but instead let her shout (and spit) at me, waiting for my turn to say that I didn't hit the dog's face, that I said "I finally hit/beat my face because of the dog". It escalated until her landlord grabbed her by the shoulder and maneuvered her out of the apartment with the dog under his arm. When he passed me, still standing in the middle of a mess, he twinkled at me and rolled his eyes as to say "sorry, but you know, it's better we leave".

While I type this, I can hear her comforting the dog in the garden about the traumatizing event. I am at loss of words and needed to rant. I totally understand how dog's function, I know puppies have to learn but this learning is active denied by my landords wife so she can continue to helicopter that young dog like she does with the remaining old one and before that, the other one that died.

She transfers this behavior onto the new dog. I am actually sad for the dog. In future when it runs between my feet, I have to internalize this though because currently I tip toe and stumble when it does that, I just pull through. Not by intent but I keep my pace and if the dog get's into my way, it will learn it's lesson.

The time for watching out is over now, because I or anyone else will break a leg or wrist soon when we are supposed to tip-toe and watch every step anytime. The dog will never learn otherwise.

Rant over

I commend you for keeping your composure during this nightmarish and no doubt painful ordeal! This is so sad for the dog. I've seen friends coddle, cuddle & baby their puppies, then they wonder why they grow up to be destructive, annoying basket cases. Dogs need to know who is leader of their pack so to speak. If they are not taught & encouraged to respect this leader they get very confused and that's when the bad behaviors take over.

a reply to: TDDAgain

Sorry but I totally read the thread title as "baby fryed dogs". I almost spat out my coffee on the lighting console I am running!

a reply to: TDDAgain

I would be worried this whole making the dogs centre of her life thing and not even realising that you fell or that you got the dog out of the way of danger with broken glass and whatnot is a sign of early Alzheimer.
Just saying a normal person would have asked you if you're okay and gotten up to pick up the dog, but she entirely misinterpreted the whole situation apparently.

a reply to: Peeple

Some people are just s#&%tty like that...I have seen it more than once and not just older folks. Some people seem to spill their own mental baggage onto their pets...

a reply to: RickyD

Seen what? Over-cuddled dogs being over-protected but allowed to eat glass?
Or folks falling on their face being accused of hitting a dog?
Where do you live so I can avoid that open air asylum if that's normal to you?

a reply to: Peeple

Yes...as in the dog could possibly do not wrong and the owner will blame anything they see awry on anything or anyone but the animal itself

Edit: Wouldn't say normal but for sure not something I would solely attribute to Alzheimer's...

a reply to: RickyD
Agree, it's not Alzheimers. There are zero signs but she's just overprotective. The loss of the other dog she cared for and died after half a life of agony is sitting deep.

She projects this fear onto her new dog. It can not really enjoy life and on top of it, we're "forbidden to scold" when the dog does stuff like that. She also nags my daughter how she should be careful with her LEGO stones because the dog might eat and die. I mean, like every 5 minutes until I told her to take her dog down into their own flat.

"I can't leave her alone down there!"

I am also fed up with snot and slobber on my bare feet. Sniffing is enough because they snot when they breath. It's just ewwww. I am barefoot most of the time during summer and of course I wash my feet but now I was my feet five times a day because they get sticky and god beware I have little cuts or rashes from outside, from nettles or similar, it starts to give me a rash.

I told her all that, so it's not talking behind her back. But she won't listen to it, because "it's a baby". The dog tripled it's size since they got it here, it's now six month old for godsake. And I can't take the talk about how they are "so human like".

IDK about you all but I don't know humans that crawl in front of the dishwasher and as soon as you open it lick the cutlery and dish plates with their tongues. Chances are it will hurt itself badly because I only own razor sharp knifes and keep them like that.

Update:

Grilled cheeseburgers and smashed potato with sour cream for all, again on our roof terrace. Got screamed at after I pushed the dog gently away repeatedly while sitting. Because it wanted to enjoy the meal in peace and it kept trying to crawl up my feet, licking and scratching again.

She left the table after that. It's not cool because it might have hip problems in five years because of me. Not the fact it stands on it's back legs, no, because of me. Who want's to stop it from standing on the back legs, but what do I know.

I told her that her dog will end up driven over or involved in an accident soon, because it even actively steps in your way, even if you are fast paced. I knew this would happen sooner or later, as the dog does not know it's place and is checking out the pecking order currently. And you can't scold it, you can't shove it away, it can do what it wants.

No wonder it walks actively into the way because in the last months it learned that everyone will stumble like walking on coals. That mama dog will come to her rescue and pacify, even strengthening the behavior by giving treats and cuddlings.

I also told her the puppy stays down the next time. It's their house but I pay rent and in our private space I want peace and will not be screamed at again for gently shoving the dog away. I even put my hand on it and then started to shove it so it rotates 90° away and lands on the front feet. Not hitting, shoving.

Such dogs should not be bred if they have to be handled with cotton mittens and even that's too much. Zero understanding from my side.

2nd rant over.

a reply to: TDDAgain

So what's the problem ?

😅

Cheers

Serious comment.

If you're getting screamed at by this person, you probably should reevaluate the relationship with that couple. The husband is too quiet and is actually enabling his wife's behavior regarding the dog. While you take the bruises. Geht's nicht.

Cheers

a reply to: TDDAgain

Honestly, I would give mutt a good football kick out of the way. That's not cruel. What happened to you is cruel. Dogs are ... Well, this should go without saying ... DOGS.

Every time I hear some jackass talk about their "furbabies" or refer to themselves as an animals mama or daddy, I want to do things that could put me in prison for a long time.

We had a yard cat years ago and it got pregnant. The morning it gave birth, my mother was visiting and she was the first to find the kittens. She ran in the house all excited and said, " You're a daddy!"

Clarifying the situation, I replied, " No, Mama. I've never had sex with a cat. People are NOT parents to animals."

I could rant on. These people are mentally sick. I'd say, just treat the dog like a dog. Let the old hag's husband deal with the fallout. He should have stepped up long ago. If you have a really good relationship with him and have been good renters, maybe threatening to find new digs because of the dog situation would get his attention. He might exercise a little husbandly influence of it becomes an economic issue. Be an ass about it; she already is.

a reply to: TDDAgain

Oh Good Lord you have my sympathies!!

Deal with a neighbor of my Mom's who rescued yet another large dog, because of it's owner is wildly "off the hook".
Like you I don't blame the animal. However this dynamic-duo ruin every single family visit.

While I respect the fact this dog-owner is a good friend to my elderly Mom I've lost my patience.
The Owner instead of physically correcting the dog, screams like a banshee. My daughter keeps treats for all the neighborhood dogs so when this one is climbing an drooling all over us on the patio, YES!! He gets a treat!!

I gave up last year an started doing the "No Touch, No Talk No Eye Contact" with the owner so she gets the point.
If she doesn't "get it" her dog surely won't. The Owners takeaway was I don't like her, altho I love her animal.
?????????
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I've has dogs that needed lots of extra work. You do no animal right by letting them run the household. Rescue dogs are already behind the eight ball cause they've been mistreated an have had no exposure to normal dog behavior. Granted her dog isn't a biter, but the barking an crashing into people an hyperactivity along with it tripping everyone an slobbering is bad. Add the owners relentless screaming at the dog to behave?

The dog is a very overweight large mixed Irish Setter. I assume mixed with horse? (jk)
He gets walked multiple times a day, so the owner tries to be responsible? But like your Landlord the owner is a helicopter mom an her baby does no wrong.

I still can't believe I've had to Nope my way out mid-visit because of someone else animal!

originally posted by: RickyD
a reply to: TDDAgain

Sorry but I totally read the thread title as "baby fryed dogs". I almost spat out my coffee on the lighting console I am running!

Breaded and deep-fryed or pan-fryed?

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: TDDAgain

I would be worried this whole making the dogs centre of her life thing and not even realising that you fell or that you got the dog out of the way of danger with broken glass and whatnot is a sign of early Alzheimer.
Just saying a normal person would have asked you if you're okay and gotten up to pick up the dog, but she entirely misinterpreted the whole situation apparently.

Likely not, though it is certainly a sign of acute mental illness. And it's a mental illness that is affecting a large part of society.

I was at a gathering awhile back and there was a family there that I'd not met, young enough to have a few pre-teen kids. They had several children running around the place and the parents were each cuddling a small swaddled bundle. I assumed that the mother has recently given birth to twins, perhaps premature by their size and way they were so carefully handling them. You can imagine my surprise and disgust when I found out that it was A PAIR OF DAMNED DOGS! They were wrapped up in blankets and coddled like they were made of fine china. It wasn't even cold. These people were more mindful of the damned dogs than of their children.

No, not Alzheimer's. Just a wave of mass stupidity that seems to have taken hold of a large part of the world population. I really believe that it has to do with an overall hardening of natural affection in people. It's easier to "love" an animal and in reality requires a lower level of real commitment than caring for a human. People who do this are emotionally retarded, narcissistic, and mentally deranged.

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: RickyD

Seen what? Over-cuddled dogs being over-protected but allowed to eat glass?
Or folks falling on their face being accused of hitting a dog?
Where do you live so I can avoid that open air asylum if that's normal to you?

The whole *ing world has become an "open-air asylum." You haven't noticed? Idiots driving around alone in cars with the windows rolled up and wearing face muzzles. People who treat dogs better than they treat their kids.

Better said, Where do you live so we can know that there's a place in the planet where the majority of people have not gone bat**** crazy?

a reply to: TDDAgain

Seriously, you allow the dog into your flat? If you are paying rent, tell her to keep the dog OUT. If that means she can't come, better for you.

a reply to: incoserv
I understand your sentiment and share it partly. But also I had a very close bond with my dog and therefor I can relate a bit. But as you write, goes way too far.

We have been good renters and they are good landlords. Had water damage last year that destroyed a lot of furniture and personal stuff and also did damage to the floor. The whole flat/penthouse had to be sanitized to the core. They didn't wait for insurance, they right away, in the middle of the lockdowns and material shortage, did everything they could to comfort us and because we didn't got any room to stay, he even paid a lot for wood so I could build a makeshift bedroom in my engine shop, fully isolated and he spent 12 hour days to make it possible. They are like grandparents to my daughter and I am glad I have them.

But yeah, this really goes too far. I will talk to him in a calm minute when it fits and tell him something has to change about how his wife handles dog / human treatment. I also have a child and I am sure he thinks similar.

We will see. Positive side: I still have a cheeseburger left though. Black Angus and Cheddar from Ireland, for something positive, these were the best cheeseburger I ever made & ate.

a reply to: incoserv

Yes, that is a consequence already in place. See my other post above towards you. We're a bit like family and it's difficult situation because I enjoy that (lost parents as teen, no family left by now, it's great for my daughter) but that dog is exiled now. The other one is 12 years old and well behaved.

a reply to: Caver78
Completely with you. I trained my Belgian Shepherd -high drive and work animal- up to SCH3 level (sub K9) and have been around dogs all my life and also helped fresh members in the club to handle and understand their dogs needs and behaviors.

Dogs are pack animals, that's also why they are human best friend, because normally we are the pack leader, the alpha dog and if it knows it's place, a dog can be a wonderful compagnion that adds a lot of meaning to life.

Physical correction like turning on it's back when it challenges the pecking order is mandatory IMHO. In my case, Belgian Shepherd, it was a high drive bred that absolutely needs daily workout and a strong alpha dog mentality from the owner or it will either go bonkers (no work) or uncontrollable. They have around a metric ton of biting force, weight 25-30kg and get up to 50km/h. In the wrong hands it's an accident waiting to happen. I only was allowed (was teen) to get one because I grew up with dogs in the family, always at least two, sometimes three. A little pack. It's also great because the younger learn from the older, makes things so much easier.

The Owner instead of physically correcting the dog, screams like a banshee. My daughter keeps treats for all the neighborhood dogs so when this one is climbing an drooling all over us on the patio, YES!! He gets a treat!!

As you noticed, this is completely wrong behavior. Screaming is like a command that it has the choice to obey or not. Without physical interaction and consequences it will be like "meh". This is how the dog world works, humans have often a hard time understanding this and think it's cruel or animal abuse.

It isn't, you have to talk in their language because they won't understand ours. They also do not understand words, just intonage / pitch. If a dog is named "Kira" and another dog is named "Kimba", both will react to each names and approach. Because they can not hear the difference, they hear the intonage and feel addressed.

That's why it's good to pick hand signs on top of the signal words that should sound different, so the dog always finds the connection to the right command.