Dear Kelsey,
The reason I am writing this letter is because I cannot remember all my thoughts in one sitting. This has taken me a few weeks to finish, edit, and review. So, I hope you actually take the time to read it.
I have been living with you in this apartment for about 2 months now. And I feel that I am being taken advantage of. Your dog has peed all over our floor, my rugs, chewed up my towel, chewed up my charger so it became unusable, chewed up my earphones so they became unusable, chewed up part of my computer charger, chewed up our blinds, made messes on your couch and my chairs, and you have yet to make reparations for our damaged stuff. Your property has been infringing on my property. And I don’t like it. Your dog is a little more than 5 months old. He should be completely potty-trained right now and already been to the vet. Dogs are expensive, however you have one and it shouldn’t be treated this way. Puppies should be vaccinated by 4 months of age (16 weeks). If you ever take him to the vet, the vet normally schedules a surgery (for neutering) after they have been vaccinated. So, a little after 4 months.
I did some research on crate-training for you because I don’t think you’re doing a great job.
“You must be willing to invest time and energy for just a few short weeks in housetraining. The effort you put in now will last for the rest of your pet's life. (It’s been way more than a few short weeks, Kelsey.)
The crate training method is as follows. Buy a crate and for the first 3 to 4 weeks keep your puppy in it when you are not with him. Make sure the crate is not too big. It should be large enough for the puppy's bed, but no larger. Dogs do not want to soil their bed and the use of a crate teaches them to control their urge to eliminate. You must maintain an eagle eye at all times. (If you are going to hide in our room and not watch him, why do you have a puppy you aren’t going to train well?) As soon as you see him pacing, sniffing around, and turning in circles, immediately take him outside. He is telling you "I am going to go pee pee somewhere, and this carpet looks like as good a place as any." NO, you do not have time to put on your shoes, just go.
Be patient and do not rush the little guy. He may have to go several times in one "pit stop." Give him about 10 minutes before taking him back inside. Do not play with him while you are on this mission. Let him know this is a business trip.
Make sure you take him out after every meal and play session BEFORE you put him back in his crate. Be consistent and establish a schedule. Pay attention to your puppy's behavior so you can develop a schedule that works for you and the pup. When does your puppy naturally defecate? In the morning? 10 minutes after eating? Around bedtime? You may have to make some compromises.
Be fair to your puppy. He cannot be expected to stay alone in his crate for endless hours and not relieve himself. During your work days, you will need to have someone go to your home at least once (lunch time is good) to let the puppy out. Take him for a long walk. Your dog is not a fish and he needs something to occupy his mind.
Use a simple word like "outside" when taking your puppy to the chosen spot. Use this word consistently and later this word will help build communication between the family and the dog. When you notice him going toward the door and you say "outside" he can say "Yup, that’s where I need to go," or, "Forget it. I am getting back up on the couch for some shut eye." ”
If you wanted this puppy, you should have been prepared to take on all the responsibilities that come with one in a timely manner. I won’t tolerate this anymore. I’ve tried to let you get a hang of this on your own terms, but it’s been almost 3 months. That is just too long. If you spend the right amount of time training your puppy, it should take about a week if you are firm. I have not seen you be firm with him ever. I’ve seen you sound defeated or playing around. He is not supposed to be a spoiled brat. He needs to learn who’s boss. Also, I’ve only seen you bathe him once. He should be bathed once a month; I’m sure you can handle that, though.
Now that I’ve harped enough on the puppy, I have another issue. Dishes. If you’re not going to wash the dishes you use, the least you can do is wash them off and not leave food on them for it to stink up the whole apartment. I spent a whole hour washing off the dishes you left for me that one weekend. I know you can’t smell, but I can. And I hate it.
Also, there is a reason for the air freshener. If you unplug it, for any reason, please plug it back in. I came home one weekend to a pile of stinky dishes, stinky dog smell, no leash, and the air freshener unplugged. It was horrific. I had to dig up my duffel bag strap to take Maddox out because it is ILLEGAL to take him out without a leash.
Also, water. I do not like Nestle water. I just don’t. If I buy other water, I would prefer you to drink your own first and then I will share with you. Please don’t take it without asking. I know I’m picky, but it’s just water. Let me have my water.
Also, we have to pay our electric bill. It’s been really high the past few months we’ve lived at the apartment. If you could remember to turn out the lights when you leave a room (no matter how long, it makes a difference) and turn up the air to about 85ish when you leave. My mom pays less than $75 a month (same company) for a whole house. We’ve never been lower than $100 a month.
Oh, and when you move my computer, etc. from the counter, can you put it back the way it was? I mean, I don’t like finding my stuff on the bed. I understand every so often, but you do it a lot.
You have three weeks from the time you read this letter to get your dog completely house trained, taken to the vet, put a flea collar on him, get him his shots and have an appointment for neutering or take him out of this apartment to someone who can do all that. If he relieves himself even one time after the three week period, he is out. If you haven’t taken him to the vet or given him a flea collar within the three week period, he is out. And if you won’t take him to someone else, I will call the SPCA and have them take him away. I’m pretty sure they’d think you’re not taking care of him very well either. What I am asking of you is not unreasonable. I’ve let you walk all over me for way too long. Shape up or ship out. Because I can’t take this anymore.
When you finish reading, can you contact me, telling me you got it? That way, we can plan a time to sit down and talk about this and have it all out in the open. I don’t care if it’s a text, email, or whatever. Just communicate with me. I’ve been having problems communicating my feelings to you, but that’s why I’m hoping this letter will help me. I kind of regret not making an agreement thing, but it’s never too late to start. I didn’t know we’d run into so many problems.
Sincerely,
Kayleigh
If you actually read this, drop a comment and tell me what you think?
Work cited:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2115&aid=960
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/housebreaking.htm
http://www.wellpets.net/spay-neuter.php
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Often-Should-You-Bathe-A-Pet?&id=1035192
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