What is the worst dog you ever had?

[Gem99ultra]

I have 2 female Rat Terriers, all others are just dogs......

We also 'had' two RT's, one 5# female and a male 6# cousin. They gave us pleasure for over 13 years. Female (Angel) was the smart one and the leader. The male (Bleu) simply meekly followed along and did what Angle told him to do.
We lost them both to different illnesses last year, only a few months apart.


Contrary to the great happiness of the two RT's, we adopted a 1 y/o rescue, part dachshund and part Chihuahua. He was a sleek little 10# bundle of joy. His previous owner had died and left the little guy with deep remorse. Well behaved inside, but once let outside he would bolt down the 1/4 mile driveway, across the busy highway and off into the woods on the other side of the road. No amount of calling him would even slow him down. On the 11th time of that exposition, he met his fate.

We since adopted another Chihuahua/Dachshund mix puppies. Early age training is proving to be worthwhile. She has the markings of being another very good companion.

 

[Dftodd]

Worst dog we ever had was whatever dog was roaming the area at large and harassing our livestock. Since we live rural there is no animal control. Thankfully have not had to take things into my own hands yet. They get the message from the loud "bang".

Our county revamped the dog ordinances a few years back. There is no animal control and before the revamp, the sherriffs department couldn't do squat.

With the new ordinances though it puts a dogs behavior and escapades right back on the owner like it should be.

Sister in law had a neighbors dog from across the street being really aggressive to her. 3 dogs in total would come over to her property, but that one in the group was really sketchy.

They asked the neighbors to keep the dogs contained. And the neighbors refused. "They are out in the country!!!! Deal with it!!!!".

They called the sheriff out since they had concealed carry permits and didn't want to jeopardize that by shooting the dog.

Sherrif came out, witnessed all three dogs on sis's property. The one being pretty aggressive. So he goes over and talkes to the dog owners. Owners get belligerent. Well the sheriff calmly explains what the ordinances entailed.

1: The dogs behavior is the sole responsibility of the owner. This includes owners being responsible for any damages done to someone, their animals, or property.

2: Dog needs to be under direct supervision of the owner while away from owners property. Dog can run loose on owners property, but the moment it hits the street or leaves the property, the 100ft rule and direct supervision rule apply.

3: you can be issued a fine up to $1,000 at the discretion of the office depending on the circumstances per dog. So if the dogs are in a group, one starts acting aggressively, you can be fined per animal.

There are also collar and dog tag requirements as well so an animals owner can be identified. This one is largely ignored by those folks that let their dogs run loose. But all the sheriff's department needs to do is knock on a couple doors and someone will have a pretty good idea of who owns it.

The cop proceeded to hit my sister in laws belligerent neighbor with a $3000 fine for being a butt and failing to take responsibility for his 3 dogs.

Those dogs are kept in a fenced in yard now

 

[Dftodd]

We also 'had' two RT's, one 5# female and a male 6# cousin. They gave us pleasure for over 13 years. Female (Angel) was the smart one and the leader. The male (Bleu) simply meekly followed along and did what Angle told him to do.
We lost them both to different illnesses last year, only a few months apart.


Contrary to the great happiness of the two RT's, we adopted a 1 y/o rescue, part dachshund and part Chihuahua. He was a sleek little 10# bundle of joy. His previous owner had died and left the little guy with deep remorse. Well behaved inside, but once let outside he would bolt down the 1/4 mile driveway, across the busy highway and off into the woods on the other side of the road. No amount of calling him would even slow him down. On the 11th time of that exposition, he met his fate.

We since adopted another Chihuahua/Dachshund mix puppies. Early age training is proving to be worthwhile. She has the markings of being another very good companion.

Thats one thing I noticed with Dachshund. They are hunters and once that nose gets fixated on a scent, they are off and running

Our late mini dachshund ran a tight ship in the back yard. No critters were allowed, big or small Crawdads and turtles where his nemesis though He would spend hours out in the yard with a crawdad tweaking his nose every time he got two close. He would get madder and madder each time his nose got tweaked.

Box turtles would just tuck into their shells. That would get him frustrated as well. Although I think one large box turtle had enough.

I walked out onto our sun porch and heard a hiss Both dogs (Jack russle and the dachshund) were cowering on the couch.

I looked over to where the sound came from and found a box turtle tucked under a shelf. It hissed at me as well. He got relocated to the wooded area across the street.

I never knew a turtle would/could hiss

 

[Sigarms]

They asked the neighbors to keep the dogs contained. And the neighbors refused. "They are out in the country!!!! Deal with it!!!!".

2: Dog needs to be under direct supervision of the owner while away from owners property. Dog can run loose on owners property, but the moment it hits the street or leaves the property, the 100ft rule and direct supervision rule apply.

And how many here figure since they live out in the "country" that their dogs can roam free without supervison?

Dogs are property. Land is property. Dog on someone elses land and the dog will lose everytime and the owner can't do squat about it.

 

[Sigarms]

Worse dog I ever had... Was still better than having a cat

From one of my old biology classes, look up "imprinting".

We now have a cat that reminds me of a cat I had 40 years ago. Cat is "inside outside" cat, but he will follow me anywhere I go when I'm outside and he's outside.

Key with cats is get them as a kitten IMO when you know they are going to stay with you.

This newest one will play fetch all night long on the bed with anything. Wish I could share a phone video, it's hilarious.

Now, the worst thing you can say about cats is that if you had 3 cats living in the house with you vs three dogs living in the house with you, I think everyone could agree that the cats are easier to take care of if you want to take a 3 to 4 day vacation

Currently I have in my care the worst dog I've ever owned. That dog vs the cat (and 2 others in our home), I'd take the cats in a heartbeat over the mind of that dog.

The way I see it, if God can show me grace, I should do the same.

 

[MoKelly]

Worse dog I ever had... Was still better than having a cat

Awww.

I used to think the same thing - until we adopted our cat.

He is sweet and affectionate. He comes to you when you get home. He sleeps at the foot of the bed. He loves being petted.

I now love our cat.

Cats are different.

Cats want fresh water in the morning. Dogs will drink 4 day old rain from a street pothole.

Cats only want their food. Dogs eat grass or anything else.

It’s said dogs have owners but cats have servants. That is true.

Here is my sweetie.

MoKelly

 

[Dftodd]

And how many here figure since they live out in the "country" that their dogs can roam free without supervison?

Dogs are property. Land is property. Dog on someone elses land and the dog will lose everytime and the owner can't do squat about it.

I agree. Was visiting some friends that live about 30 miles south of Kansas city Kansas over the holiday weekend.

He mentioned that property is being scooped up by folks wanting to get out of the city. Well, since they are in the country, they feel that they can just let their dogs out and do what ever. There are a couple places up the street from him, where one of the free range dogs is gonna cause a wreck.

Now my friends dog runs loose, no fenced in yard. But he worked with her daily as a pup till she learned where the property boundaries are. So she stays on their property and will not leave it unless she's with him or his wife. He takes priority over his wife though.. To prove his point, he had me walk across the road and call her.

She went to the edge of the lawn and stopped. Which shocked me, because that dog is glued to my side for scratches and belly rubs when we visit. Usually plops her butt down on my shoe and tucks in tight.

I walked down the length of their property on the opposite side of the road, and she followed along in their yard.

Now if I fired up his side by side, that would have been a different story. She would have been up in it in a heart beat sitting next to me ready for a ride I found that out a couple years ago when we visited. We were in his back field and I took his side by side back to his garage to fetch some parts and tools for him. As soon as I sat in it, she was up in the seat beside me.

 

[Sigarms]

Here is my sweetie.

View attachment 701313

MoKelly

My sweetie.

Reminds me of one dog with us now and another one we had with us as if the door isn't locked, they want to be with you

FYI, the red arrow is pointing to something that my wife would probably shoot me over for posting on an internet forum for everyone to see.

 

[Dftodd]

Awww.

I used to think the same thing - until we adopted our cat.

He is sweet and affectionate. He comes to you when you get home. He sleeps at the foot of the bed. He loves being petted.

I now love our cat.

Cats are different.

Cats want fresh water in the morning. Dogs will drink 4 day old rain from a street pothole.

Cats only want their food. Dogs eat grass or anything else.

It’s said dogs have owners but cats have servants. That is true.

Here is my sweetie.

View attachment 701313

MoKelly

My dog is picky about her water. Especially her inside bowl. She drinks it down to half full, then won't touch it.

I empty that bowl, rinse it, and refill it each night when she gets her dinner.
It gets run through the dishwasher about once a week.

Outside is different though. Spring summer and early fall, I keep a kiddy pool full of water on the side of the house next to the water spigot in the shade.

Along with a water bowl in the sun porch which is heated and cooled and has a doggy door.

The bowl on the sunporch gets refreshed each morning when she goes out for the day.

Kiddie pool gets emptied and refilled once a week and cleaned as needed.

 

[Sigarms]

I agree. Was visiting some friends that live about 30 miles south of Kansas city Kansas over the holiday weekend.

He mentioned that property is being scooped up by folks wanting to get out of the city. Well, since they are in the country, they feel that they can just let their dogs out and do what ever. There are a couple places up the street from him, where one of the free range dogs is gonna cause a wreck.

Now my friends dog runs loose, no fenced in yard. But he worked with her daily as a pup till she learned where the property boundaries are. So she stays on their property and will not leave it unless she's with him or his wife. He takes priority over his wife though.. To prove his point, he had me walk across the road and call her.

She went to the edge of the lawn and stopped. Which shocked me, because that dog is glued to my side for scratches and belly rubs when we visit. Usually plops her butt down on my shoe and tucks in tight.

I walked down the length of their property on the opposite side of the road, and she followed along in their yard.

Now if I fired up his side by side, that would have been a different story. She would have been up in it in a heart beat sitting next to me ready for a ride I found that out a couple years ago when we visited. We were in his back field and I took his side by side back to his garage to fetch some parts and tools for him. As soon as I sat in it, she was up in the seat beside me.

Your friend is a GREAT dog owner.

To train a dog, it takes time. To many people, they only want the companionship of what a dog has to offer vs the time to train the dog to be a really good companion.

 

[plumberroy]

Yes some people in the country think their dogs should be able to run free , nearly every cat person thinks their cat should be free range. Country and town . My dogs are required to be on a 6 foot or shorter leash when not in my yard they are required to have a license on them . Cat are the most damaging domestic animal to the environment there is

 

[stuckmotor]

My worst dog... I took her to a formal dance. Pickings for me were slim around that time.

 

[Sigarms]

My worst dog... I took her to a formal dance. Pickings for me were slim around that time.

And exactly what do YOU look like?

 

[stuckmotor]

And exactly what do YOU look like?

We wuz both scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

[Avenger]

I rescued a dog 7 years ago from the shelter, he was a puppy, maybe 9 months old. Full size puppy. He had no habits, no bad, no good. Well, except for not being house broken. I started working with him, being consistent and using the proper techniques. After a few months, he was almost perfect. He did like to run, he would watch you to see if you're paying attention to him, and if you were not, he would bolt. I'd find him at the neighbors house, playing with their dogs. He still does this from time to time, but not like when he was young. He name is Odin.

I met a guy, on Craigslist, after owning my dog for about a year. He was selling a chain-link dog run for cheap. I went with my wife to look at it. That's when he said that it comes with a dog. He was a mut, full size, maybe 80lbs, about two years old. The owner said he had to move and couldn't take the dog with him, which is why he was selling the run too. My wife fell in love with him, so we decided to take him home. Looking back, I should have walked away from the deal.

First thing this dog did was poop in my truck on the way home. Ok, he is with strangers being taken away from his home. But COMMON!
I got him home and he decided to insert his dominance over my dog, Odin, by fighting. We did the whole leash thing, but it still came to blows. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I set up the run and started working with them both, after all, I'm the Alpha in this pack, and I do not tolerate fighting between the betas. We renamed this dog, from "Fluffy" (he wasn't even fluffy, he had short hair! not that he came to Fluffy anyway), to Diesel. Because that was much better!

Over the next few months, he demonstrated several bad habits. He did not like being kenneled, at all. He ate a hole in his night time kennel, a wire framed large dog kennel. But he didn't eat though just the wire, He chose the kennel wall that was up against the garage wall. He ate though the drywall, pulled out the insulation, and ate though the interior wall into our living room! I woke up to finding him in the living room, a pile of poop, and a gaping hole in the wall that looks out through his kennel!

He also became friends with Odin, and I noticed a major shift in Odin's behavior. It was like your teenage child befriending the most troubled youth they could find and adopting those bad habits! It was winter, and I saw them running down by the pond. I started calling for them, which was hit or miss. Today, was miss. I started walking toward them, all the while calling for them. They had found something and were playing around. I remember seeing Odin jumping around Diesel as Diesel was digging at something in the snow, probably a pocket gopher or something. Does not matter, Daddy is calling them, and they are ignoring me. When I got up to them, Diesel turned towards me and started to growl, and as I reached to grab Odin by the collar, he turned and bit me. My dog, Odin, bit me....
Well, lets just say that I did not take kindly to the situation, and I fell on top of Odin, pushing his neck into the snow with all my weight bearing on top, much like an Alpha wolf would do. Meanwhile, I was concerned about this other, large dog, who was just growing at me, and who was at this moment, running for the kennel at full speed. They got locked up and I made the decision that Diesel had to go.
Unfortunately, the shelters policy is that they dont take in owner owned surrenders. They only take found dogs. So, we had to take him to the Humane Society, where he was probably put to sleep. This was not the decision I wanted, but the County forced my hand by not allowing owner surrenders. I could not keep this bad dog anymore.

I did everything I could with Diesel. In the end, Odin came back around and is the best dog I've ever kept.

 

[Alan46]

I'll make mine short. Lester was a rescue dog, part Irish setter and part Springer Spaniel. Could be the worst combination ever,he was maybe less then a year old. A sweet and loving boy but would not stop barking and digging holes. We lived on two acres and the neighbors complained, so we had to take him back, this was 1978 ️

 

[Sigarms]

I started calling for them, which was hit or miss.

Spend the money on a good training collar, worth it's weight in gold IMO for bringing a dog back.

 

[Sigarms]

I'll make mine short. Lester was a rescue dog, part Irish setter and part Springer Spaniel. Could be the worst combination ever,he was maybe less then a year old. A sweet and loving boy but would not stop barking and digging holes. We lived on two acres and the neighbors complained, so we had to take him back, this was 1978 ️

See post #39.

 

[Sigarms]

We wuz both scraping the bottom of the barrel.

WRONG attitude on your end.

Need balls of steel and remember, you can't strike out unless you get up to the plate

For what it's worth, I struck out a lot of times, but man, when I hit that homer...

 

[Alan46]

Spend the money on a good training collar, worth it's weight in gold IMO for bringing a dog back.

I wish I would have known that back then!