So I took Lucian out for a walk a little while ago. Decided to go a different route than usual, and ran into an older gentlemen who lives on the corner of my street. He started telling me about this women walking a GSD. He pointed her out to me down the street. All I could see was a dog, and a person in a red jacket. I thought, could be my neighbor, she has a GSD. Well he tells me this women was beating her dog with a thick leather leash. He described the leash very well, it was a thick, heavy leather leash. Said she was holding the leash very close to the collar, and using the other end to beat the dog in the butt. I thought there is no way this my neighbor, she's a sweet women, and I've never seen her be anything but nice to her dog. The dog's name is Abbey, and she is a sweet heart. Comes to the fence every morning when I go out with Lucian.
So I come home with Lucian, and sit on my front steps to see if in fact it was my neighbor and her dog Abbey. Sure enough it was. I said hi to Abbey, and she instantly bolted over to me, and my neighbor seemed rather frustrated about this at first, but quickly changed her tune. She said Abbey is a bad walker. I'm totally against hitting a dog for any reason. So this really burns my butt. If I ever see it with my own eyes I'll be making a phone call to the police about animal cruelty. I'm just hoping maybe the older gentlemen was stretching the truth some.

I think calling the police is a bit much. But that depends on how the the guy describes, and and how I witness "beating". A good thwack for a correction and a person swinging and swinging at a dog are very different, but sometimes given moral equivalency. If the dog is corrected more than once it's unfair to the dog.

I'm not going to do anything unless I happen to see it with my own eyes. The way this guy was describing it seemed way over kill for correcting a dog. I just have a severe problem with animal abuse. I've seen the effects of it, and what it does to an animal. They shouldn't have to live in fear everyday because their owner doesn't have the slightest clue how to train or handle their dog. I don't understand how anyway can beat on an any animal. Dogs are so geared at pleasing their owners, and love them unconditionally. Honestly if I had the time I would ask my neighbor if she would like me to train Abbey to walk on a leash, but that might also offend her. I know she works a lot, and I feel bad for Abbey being home all day in the yard by herself. On top of that if my neighbor is beating her, I just can't stand by and watch that happen.

Well maybe asking to help wouldnt be a bad thing. She told you straight up that her GSD isn't a very good walker. And if you just say how you know she is busy and you have free time and the dog will get to play with your puppy and wear her Shepherd out making it a little easier on her.

The next time I get a chance to talk to her I'll see if she minds if I bring Abbey over to my house for a little while when she's at work. I'd like to see how she gets along with my 3 yr old daughter before anything else. I'm sure she would be fine with her, but I also know that Abbey is a pretty high energy dog, and might get too excited, possibly knocking my daughter over. My neighbor told me the other day that Abbey weighs eighty pounds. She a rather tall GSD. Not overweight by any means. She looks fit and trim. That's why I worry about my daughter, eighty pounds would knock her down good, lol.

Yeah I completely understand that one. I don't know if Lucian jumps on people yet but that will be something you will have to work on early. Sometimes my puppy who is about 35 lbs can make me lose my balance and I'm a good 110lbs. Hahah.

He does jump a little bit, but he gets a firm "down", and usually obeys. Although most of the time it's him trying to jump on the couch after the cat, lol. People let him do it when they come to visit, despite me telling them otherwise. I know it's hard not to let them do whatever they want, they are just too cute, lol. They'll learn it won't be so cute when he's fifty pounds, lol.

I understand. We still have this problem but I am finally started to not let her near people unless she sits down. I have resorted to holding her in a sit position between my legs. Hahah.