Bad Idea?

So, my next door neighbor has a lab/pitbull mix that he keeps boxed in a 10' x 8 ' enclosure in his yard. The dog only has interaction with people when they go outside to feed it. It breaks my heart that the poor dog gets no exercise or socialization. It's a very touchy subject because other than that, the neighbors are nice people, but they took on the dog because their daughter could not take care of it and gave it to them. Not that the dog is any better off now, but that is the situation...

Anyways, I've been thinking of offering to take their dog out for a walk when I take Bacon out. So, my question is: Since Bacon can be very pushy with other dogs (Not Aggressive, just bad mannered) and this other dog is not socialized at all, should I not try? I would probably get another person to walk the other dog so I don't have to control two at once!!

I just feel really bad for the other dog and figured it wouldn't hurt to have Bacon begin to socialize with the other dog.

Good of you. And you should also suggest looking for a new owner for this dog.

Socializing would be the humane thing to do, but only if the dog is controlled by someone capable.

One person walking two together if they squabble or worse is a very difficult situation to bring under control.

Why don't you suggest a play date with your neighbour? Then the dogs could suss each other out and you could work out whether you could take them both out

Sounds like a great idea, but as said make sure there are 2 of you, just in case Xx

May be an idea to take the neighbours dog out on it's own first to see how it is with other dogs generally. You may then have an idea of how it will react. If all goes well then let them meet each other on neutral ground to give them the chance of getting to know each other first.

Hope all goes well.

Take someone with you or put a muzzle on the other dog.

could always have 2 walks one for your one for yours and you get double the excercise

Good ideas... I'll try to take their dog out first to see how he reacts. I don't think he's even been on a leash much... God, I think im crazy now that I think of it!

Wendy and Mark - Double exercise?! You clearly do not know me well enough!!

The whole point is that I could eventually kill two birds if this works. Socialize my pup and exercise and socialize my neighbors dog! A playmate next door would be awesome!!!

Good on ya T you go for it girl ... as long as you and another can keep control of any situation you may or may not encounter .. I think it will do both dogs good

As long as there is a second capable handler is a nice idea

Failing that report them to the rspca...(animal welfare, just seen you're in the states)
Not a nice thing to have to do, they will visit and offer advice in the first instance and if things don't improve take further action.
I know someone (friend of a friend) whose own children reported them to the rspca and they agreed to give the dog up to them. They had two dogs one which they treated well apart from never feeding dog food to insisting on feeding it human food to the point of buying a pub meal and taking it home for him The mother they kept in the cupboard under the stairs, constantly. IMO they should have removed both dogs.

Chiara wrote:Why don't you suggest a play date with your neighbour? Then the dogs could suss each other out and you could work out whether you could take them both out

+1