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Cookiegobbler
My little love bugs!!
Member since 9/05 5759 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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American Bulldog Owners... Help!
I don't know what to do... my American Bulldog I feel is really not living a great life.... she is only 7 years old and she's stuck downstairs in a one bedroom apt with my 91 year old grandma. I mean, don't get me wrong, my grandma spoils her to death, and she's generally a lazy dog, doesnt really like to be outside... but I feel like she could be living a better life somewhere else. I can't let her up because I have an 11 month old and the dog is HUGE... 125lbs and she has been known to "snap" at us. We've tried training her, but it hasnt really helped too much. She wasnt socialized as a puppy due to the fact that my mom was diagnosed with cancer soon after we got her, and all of our focus was on taking care of my mom when she was diying at home. At any rate, the dog is just not reliable with children and other animals, not with many people either. She growls at people a lot. I don't know what to do anymore. 
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Posted 4/23/08 2:49 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!
Member since 8/05 20181 total posts
Name:
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
American Bulldog Rescue! AB's need to run and be social. The dog is probably depressed I wish I could take her but I have my own 80lb female AB, a toddler and one on the way. Good Luck 
AB RESCUE
Here's their NY contact:
Susie DeRafelo
[email protected]
Message edited 4/23/2008 3:10:50 PM.
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| Posted 4/23/08 3:08 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by BlessedMommy
American Bulldog Rescue! AB's need to run and be social. The dog is probably depressed I wish I could take her but I have my own 80lb female AB, a toddler and one on the way. Good Luck
BlessedMommy - You were reading my mind!
Cookiegobbler - have you contacted the bulldog rescue?
Here is their website Long Island Bulldog Rescue
Here's their contact info:
LI Bulldog Rescue
1254 N. Country Road
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 631-689-6245
They will should be able to help you.
Good luck!!
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| Posted 4/23/08 3:12 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Cookiegobbler
I don't know what to do... my American Bulldog I feel is really not living a great life.... she is only 7 years old and she's stuck downstairs in a one bedroom apt with my 91 year old grandma. I mean, don't get me wrong, my grandma spoils her to death, and she's generally a lazy dog, doesnt really like to be outside... but I feel like she could be living a better life somewhere else. :
This is very nice of you to be concerned that the dog isn't living a nice life. More people should be concerned with this!
I just wonder, what would grandma do without her baby? She would be ok with you rehoming him? Have you discussed this with grandma?
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| Posted 4/23/08 4:11 PM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Goobster
Posted by Cookiegobbler
I don't know what to do... my American Bulldog I feel is really not living a great life.... she is only 7 years old and she's stuck downstairs in a one bedroom apt with my 91 year old grandma. I mean, don't get me wrong, my grandma spoils her to death, and she's generally a lazy dog, doesnt really like to be outside... but I feel like she could be living a better life somewhere else. :
This is very nice of you to be concerned that the dog isn't living a nice life. More people should be concerned with this!
I just wonder, what would grandma do without her baby? She would be ok with you rehoming him? Have you discussed this with grandma?
I would be concerned with Grandma as well. My Grandma is 95 and when her pug who used to be mine passed away Grandma was devastated. Now she has Annie but the dog is what keeps her going. It is her best friend. Are you sure it isn't best for Grandma and the dog to stay together? Sounds like they are old pals...
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| Posted 4/23/08 4:29 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by dita
Posted by Goobster
Posted by Cookiegobbler
I don't know what to do... my American Bulldog I feel is really not living a great life.... she is only 7 years old and she's stuck downstairs in a one bedroom apt with my 91 year old grandma. I mean, don't get me wrong, my grandma spoils her to death, and she's generally a lazy dog, doesnt really like to be outside... but I feel like she could be living a better life somewhere else. :
This is very nice of you to be concerned that the dog isn't living a nice life. More people should be concerned with this!
I just wonder, what would grandma do without her baby? She would be ok with you rehoming him? Have you discussed this with grandma?
I would be concerned with Grandma as well. My Grandma is 95 and when her pug who used to be mine passed away Grandma was devastated. Now she has Annie but the dog is what keeps her going. It is her best friend. Are you sure it isn't best for Grandma and the dog to stay together? Sounds like they are old pals...
Ladies, this is such a valid point, I didn't even look at this situation that way.
I wonder if the rescue could put you in touch with people who could possibly take the dog out for walks?
Or maybe grandma and the dog are perfectly happy?
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| Posted 4/23/08 4:51 PM |
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Cookiegobbler
My little love bugs!!
Member since 9/05 5759 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Thank you so much for the support everyone. I've spoken with grandma about this and she's not too happy about it... she doesnt see why the dog can't just live downstairs with her like she has been. She feeds her, lets her out in our back yard to run around (the dog ends up barking within 5 mins to come back in...lol)...they watch tv together... the dog took over her couch... I don't know.... I mean, Baby, the dog, does have bad knees... we've spent $$$$$$$$$$$ having the torn one replaced... so she can't exactly be a marathon runner, but I just feel like she could at least go for walks a few times a day... I dont know... I can't bring her because I am with DD and there's no way I can bring them both together... BABY pulls like a mad woman... and if she were to see another dog...forget it... I guess I just feel like she's living the life of an old dog, and she's young!
ETA- I told gramma I would get her a small dog to replace BABY... she still wasnt too thrilled with the whole idea...
Message edited 4/23/2008 5:09:15 PM.
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| Posted 4/23/08 5:07 PM |
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Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!
Member since 8/05 20181 total posts
Name:
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Awww Grandma loves Baby 
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| Posted 4/23/08 6:51 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Cookiegobbler
Thank you so much for the support everyone. I've spoken with grandma about this and she's not too happy about it... she doesnt see why the dog can't just live downstairs with her like she has been. She feeds her, lets her out in our back yard to run around (the dog ends up barking within 5 mins to come back in...lol)...they watch tv together... the dog took over her couch... I don't know.... I mean, Baby, the dog, does have bad knees... we've spent $$$$$$$$$$$ having the torn one replaced... so she can't exactly be a marathon runner, but I just feel like she could at least go for walks a few times a day... I dont know... I can't bring her because I am with DD and there's no way I can bring them both together... BABY pulls like a mad woman... and if she were to see another dog...forget it... I guess I just feel like she's living the life of an old dog, and she's young!
ETA- I told gramma I would get her a small dog to replace BABY... she still wasnt too thrilled with the whole idea...
Hmm, what about hiring a walker to come once or twice a day? That usually doesn't cost too much. Sounds like grandma really needs Baby and Baby does sound like she does get to go out.
Is your grandma unable to watch your DD alone for a few mins so maybe you can walk Baby or run in the yard with her? I assume she is at 90+ but maybe not?
And how old is Baby? I would say if she is rather old too, she may be very happy just living with grams, going in her yard, hanging on the couch, etc.
Just from what you are telling me, it sounds like Baby is pretty well taken care of and not that rambunctious overall, and that Grandma would lose the love of her life. I say get a dog walker if you or Grandma can $ wise (they don't cost that much), so that everyone can be happy. But Baby really doesn't sound unhappy overall, from an outsider's point of view here.
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| Posted 4/23/08 9:56 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Cookiegobbler
ETA- I told gramma I would get her a small dog to replace BABY... she still wasnt too thrilled with the whole idea...
In addition, I was just thinking, the size of the dog doesn't always determine energy wise what the dog will need. My dogs is 15 lbs and no amt of space is enough for him, he has boundless energy. So I say replacing Baby can bring sadness to Grams and even Baby, and could create another host of problems with new doggie. Some small dogs really can be quite rambunctious and barkers and unbearable at times. I think Grams and Baby really sound like they are pretty happy together. Just MO.
Baby may truly be keeping Grams going and strong. I don't think what you describe sounds too unbearable for the dog at all, but again, I'm not there seeing it. I just know that many people, esp elderly people, would just be crushed if their pet was taken from them. I don't think rehoming Gram's dog and replacing with a "new dog" is really a good thing to do to an old lady who probably lives for her dog, this dog, Baby. I would leave well enough alone and just get a dog walker if anything. I could never take away my grandparent's pets if they got sickly. I would find an alternate way to make it work b/c my grandparents (and parents and us, etc) live FOR our pets.
Message edited 4/23/2008 10:04:48 PM.
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| Posted 4/23/08 9:59 PM |
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Cookiegobbler
My little love bugs!!
Member since 9/05 5759 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Thanks so much everyone. I guess I just felt like Baby needs more space cause of her size, but when I sit here and really think about it...even when she had the run of the house, she really still only layed around in one or two spots...lol.... I'm gonna see if I can try to walk her at night when DH gets home... I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions on this!!!
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| Posted 4/23/08 11:06 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Cookiegobbler
Thanks so much everyone. I guess I just felt like Baby needs more space cause of her size, but when I sit here and really think about it...even when she had the run of the house, she really still only layed around in one or two spots...lol.... I'm gonna see if I can try to walk her at night when DH gets home... I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions on this!!!
That would be very nice if you could walk her at night. Would make you feel better, maybe help Baby, work for Grams too, and it's a win-win. Plus gives you some alone time if that is a plus for you. Really sounds like Baby just is happy the way it is, and you bring up a good point that some dogs just really don't want a lot of space. She does have a yard and does get it exercise and move around there, it's not like the poor girl is confined to one room or crated all day. I think you walking her at night, even a few times a week if not every night, really will be a great thing!
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| Posted 4/24/08 1:05 AM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Cookiegobbler
Thanks so much everyone. I guess I just felt like Baby needs more space cause of her size, but when I sit here and really think about it...even when she had the run of the house, she really still only layed around in one or two spots...lol.... I'm gonna see if I can try to walk her at night when DH gets home... I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions on this!!!
I think you're making the right choice here!!!
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| Posted 4/24/08 11:16 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: American Bulldog Owners... Help!
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by Cookiegobbler
Thanks so much everyone. I guess I just felt like Baby needs more space cause of her size, but when I sit here and really think about it...even when she had the run of the house, she really still only layed around in one or two spots...lol.... I'm gonna see if I can try to walk her at night when DH gets home... I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions on this!!!
I think you're making the right choice here!!!
I agree! Make sure you tell grandma that you thought about it, and maybe you will just walk Baby at night to give her a bit of exercise and that you realize Baby is her baby and Baby needs to stay with her! I am sure grams will love that! Maybe she is feeling sad or worried about Baby leaving, so I am sure that will make her feel better.
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| Posted 4/24/08 11:35 AM |
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