Guilt...

[2sp_]

I look after my mother's dog whenever she goes away, sometimes for a couple of weeks or so.

The dog is disobedient, yappy and can snap. He also has a fondness for anything on my kitchen table and peeing on the carpet.

She has just left for a week away (I dropped her off at the station only an hour ago), and in my 30 minute absence, has peed on the carpet and cleared everything off the table...

I swear I have tried to put up with it, he's now 6, but I'm at the end of my tether with it. I have 2 small kids so I don't trust him to be near them. I feel I can't leave the house when he is here as he barks incessantly and I can't have him disturbing the entire farm.

I feel the time has come to say to her that I can't have him when she goes away any more. She does have a friend who has a dog of the same breed and they get on well, I'm sure that she would take him instead.

I'm just looking for you all to tell me not to feel guilty about it! (I'm also venting just a tad.)

[ummmm]

Don't feel guilty. You have young children to look after...that's hard enough without a naughty dog.

[mccfluff]

don't feel guilty, he's probably be happier with the other dog, think of it that way

[anneasquith]

I agree. enough is enough...........especially re the children.

[grasscarp]

I think you have every right to stop having dog. Do not feel guilty for a minute. Friend or kennels next time. I thought you were going to say that you have dropped off mum and put the dog in kennels!

[2sp_]

Thank you both!

Good point, fluffy, I hadn't thought of that angle.

When I tell her that he is badly behaved all she says is that he's not like that at home! I've witnessed him ignoring her and even snapping at her when she tries to shut him out of the loo!

[jno]

can't see you're doing anything wrong. Your mum is... is that the real issue?

[anneasquith]

the mum is in kennels ? :)

[whirlyhurly]

He's a very unhappy pooch

[2sp_]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I really don't care how he is behaved in her house, if she wants to have a yappy, snappy, highly strung dog that's up to her. But I've had enough of it in my house.

She was widowed before she was even 60, she only has me now and I know how much the dog means to her. I really don't want to hurt her feelings but I just can't have him any more.

She's not back til Friday!

[boxtops]

Make a list and present it to her, give her some hard evidence - but no, you don't have to feel guilty. It's your home, not hers.

[2sp_]

A list is a very good idea, Boxy.

[woofgang]

believe me, if the dog pees indoors, is snappy and yappy, he is NOT happy either.
I have got two dogs myself, love them and spoil them but wouldn't look after a dog such as you describe. Put your foot down with your Mum, don't feel guilty, I too think that the little one will be much happier with a doggy companion.

[sherrardk]

You'll have to tell her. Life's too short to put up with a yaapy, peeing dog.

[2sp_]

I have said to her before that he lacks discipline and that dogs like structure in their lives, but she just goes her own way.

I honestly can't have that argument with her again. Maybe if I explain why he can't stay here, it might jolt her into looking at his behaviour in general, and wonder why?

[woofgang]

I doubt it. Does he pee and snap at her house?

[2sp_]

I'm not sure, woof. She just lets him do what he likes at home and doesn't really leave him. I don't really visit her much, she tends to come here at least once a week bringing the dog too.

[jno]

how your mum and her dog get on isn't really your business, 2sp, but you're quite right to defend your own home (and kids). I think you'll just have to be brave and tell her straight out. Good luck!

[2sp_]

I agree, jno, it's not really my business how she keeps her dog. He is well fed, groomed and not mistreated in any conventional way.

But, if she wants to take him here and leave him when she goes away, I do think I have a right to expect a certain level of obedience and behaviour from him.

I am not looking forward to this particular conversation. My mum doesn't take any kind of criticism well.

[jno]

who does!

Stiff whisky first to fortify you... and a cattle prod to drive your point home... go to it!

[2sp_]

I have a few days to figure out what I'm going to say (and to find a cattle prod!).