Feeling like the worst person ever

krisntraining

I must say, to the people that are judging HIM, YOU obviously dont get the love of an animal...!!!

A dog is JUST AS IMPORTANT AS A CHILD to some and those that don't respect that need to move on. The love of an animal is unconditional... you can leave them alone, not feed them (hungry little puppy, really???) or abuse them (sick twisted people going to HELL!!!) and they will still give you more love and companionship than anything ( I wanted to say "any child" fully expecting critisism...)

My point, I don't blame her for forgetting ONCE, because it wasn't a priority for her but a secnod time???... well she wouldn't so it doesn't matter

nikirushka

Ok, first thing I will say is that I haven't read every single reply so apologies if this has already been addressed. I'm not going to touch the relationship issues - everyone else has done that!

You say you and your fiance can't leave these dogs uncrated because they become destructive.

As a behaviourist, this suggests to me that these dogs are bored and/or frustrated.

What do you do to address their emotional and physical needs? GSDs are a working breed with a working mind - they need physical exercise, generally 1-2 hours a day bare minimum (and with them being crated for extended periods it should be 2 hours minimum IMO; also more if they can't be let off); they also need mental work - training (whether it's towards a goal such as competitive obedience, working trials, agility etc or just fun training - tricks, scentwork etc), play and so on.

How do you feed them (or I should say, how does he feed them as they are his dogs)? Feeding the normal meals out of, say, a treat dispensing ball, or a kong, or scatter feeding can help with the mental needs of the dogs and keep them calmer.

I think if you and he (primarily he, given how much you've got on) were to address these things then life would probably be a lot easier and the destructiveness could lessen or indeed, stop altogether.