My flatmate stole my dog

Posted by hanr-freeman
Jun 20, 2016
Hi this is my 1st post so I hope I'm in the right section!!
I have a 4 year old pug X poodle Teddy Bear - he is a great dog, however my flatmate has spoiled him rotten by giving him table scraps etc. It's now to the point where he is overweight and I worry as my last dog had pancreatitis caused diabetes so I don't want him to feed him the extra food and my flatmate won't stop. He also used to sleep with me and now he sleeps with my flatmate and even if we try to separate them by my flatmate shutting him out of his bedroom he cries to get let in, this is heartbreaking for me.
I just want to get my baby back to spending time with me sleeping with me, I'm at the point where I am considering getting a new puppy from my friends dogs litter and getting a girl. I'm hoping that as a girl I can bond with a bitch better, and just let my flatmate have him. However, I really love him and ideally would have him back and get a girl dog so he has a doggy friend, he is desexed and he dos like to have a "girlfriend".

Please can I get some idea of what I can do.

Thanks Hanr
Posted by Preethi KOP
Jun 26, 2016
Hi Hanr,

Thank you for writing in and welcome to Kingdom of Pets! We are sorry to hear about your difficult situation, it must be extremely hard trying to do the right thing for your pet and having someone else ruin it.

I personally feel the best way forward is a having a serious one-on-one conversation with your flatmate and laying down the rules with him. An obese dog is an unhealthy dog, so make your 'no scraps policy' very clear to him. I guess it is just as important to start Teddy on a good exercise routine to get some weight off. Ideally put him on a weight loss diet as well- just ask your vet for advice on the best kind and what level to be feeding him at.

The issue with the sleeping is a harder one to break - you will just have to put up with a few nights of crying in order to break it, just like when a puppy settles into a new home. Having a female pet for company may make the process a bit easier.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

Regards,
Preethi