Question:
Well I know I haven't posted much, but I think my roomate has been abusing Lil when I am not home, or in the room. We keep her in the kennel during the day and I know she whimpers, but I think because the roomate sleeps during the day he goes in and hits her to make her quiet. Also a few nights a ago he was teasing her with a toy and my back was turned(I was on the computer) and she let out a loud cry of pain. He says she ran into the couch, which of course would not hurt because it's soft. Then today he had his bedroom door open and I heard Lil let out a loud whimper again, and she came bolting out and peed on the carpet in front of me, the roomate then again says "Lil accidentaly must of hit something in my room and got hurt." Lately she has been so antisocial, she lays by me, but will not lay with me on my bed or couch, I am so scared if she is being abused, I'll kick the roomate out on his butt in the snow if I have to. She shakes badly too after I think she is getting hurt, I don't know what to do other then set up my video camera one day when I leave and see what happens, but I don't want her to get hurt again. What can I do, or say to the roomate, should I just come out and accuse him or what?


Answer:
I would ask him straight out. I'm sure he'll deny it.. who's going to admit to hitting a dog.. especially to the dog's owner. If the place is yours, I'd tell him to start looking for a new place to live... There is no way I'd live with a person I couldn't trust completely with my pets.


Answer:
I agree with Sue.


Answer:
I agree!!!

you are the one and only person who knows your dog and her behavior, you sense something is out of whack, usually your gut is right!!!

Id tell him to start finding a new place ASAP!!
Even if hes not abusing Lil, you obviously dont trust the guy and you probably never will


Answer:
I think I'd confront him too and ask if he's been physically reprimanding her. Like, suzoo said, he'll probably deny doing it but the way Lil is acting, she doesn't seem very comfortable around him. Whether he's hitting her or yelling at her and acting in ways to make her terrified of him, for her sake I would start looking for a new roommate.


Answer:
Thanks guys, I think I will confront him, I don't like knowing that when I go out there is a chance she could be getting injured, I asked my bf if he thought the roomate was abusing her, but because the roomate is his best friend, he said no way he would. I just don't feel comfortable, the only other thing to do is get a lock for my bedroom door until he moves out, if he's stupid enough to break into hurt my dog, then he's going to be sorry.


Answer:
thats a good idea!!

That way you will atleast know shes safe when you are not home
the sad thing is he could probably still throw things at walls and yell at her through the door, Im sure it wouldnt be as traumatizing but it could still easily upset her especially if shes scared of him now

does she crouch down or anything when he goes to pet her?? that would also be a good sign!!


Answer:
She crouches when I go to pet her now, as well as anyone else. She runs away when you invite her up on the bed or couch, she's really scared of everyone. The only way I can cuddle her, is if I pick her up and hold her. It's really sad for me.


Answer:
Get the lock immediately! I wouldn't let him near her at all. My dog has always ducked when I went to pet her, I don't know what her life was like before I got her from the shelter but I'm pretty sure she had her traumatic moments. Your dog wouldn't start acting funny just out of the blue, somethings up, get the lock, and then work on getting rid of him but first off, make sure Lil is protected. The only think I can think of is the lock for now and I'd also do the camera thing, at least then you could show your boyfriend what his best buddy's really all about!


Answer:
Id kick his butt to the curb...I am in NO DOUBT that he's hitting her. I would not tolerate that at all!