How do I tell someone they are not right for a certain dog type?
Some things have been changed for privacy and also I think my in laws use reddit.
My in laws are what you would call "empty nesters", growing up my husband didn't have pets. After him and his siblings graduated college and moved out, his parents began looking at getting a dog. They did not do any research and just went with whatever fit a certain look. My MIL found a backyard breeder who bread Dalmatians. She got two of them sisters and brought them home. They have never been trained and have torn up the house, defecate everywhere, and even will relieve themselves on the bed.
In the span of 10 years they have had 5 different Dalmatians, since they only live to be about 3-5 years old due to all the health issues they get. My husband and his family have told her to stop going to that breeder since the dogs end up very sick and have uncontrollable behaviors. My BIL stopped coming over to their house since one of the dogs bit him. My MIL is very protective of the dogs and let them jump on people, steal food from them and any correction given to the dogs she gets upset and says that the person is being abusive. We have gotten them a kennel but they refuse to use it, and even a hired a trainer to help them which lasted one hour because she didn't like how he corrected the dogs and how he explained how to train them.
The other problem is my in laws health, they are not in the best health, in their mid to late 70's, overweight and have many health issues. They got the dogs thinking that walking them would help them except the dogs go after anything that moves and now they hardly ever walk them which causes the dogs to tear apart the house and even fight each other. They have been kicked out of dog friendly restaurants since the dogs will fight and now they never leave to visit family since the last time they have boarded the dogs they fought each other.
We have tried to convince them to get a smaller dog or older Dalmatian but my MIL is set on starting over after one passes and getting at least 2 puppies. She uses backyard breeders since she doesn't want to be on a waiting list. When we try to talk to her, she says, "I don't have that long to live anyways so I'm going to enjoy what time I have left." Now I know there are many older people with active dogs who take great care of them, but trust me my in laws are not one of them. They live in a mostly family neighborhood and I am terrified these dogs are going to attack a child or any person. They have lunged at joggers which is why in laws do not like to walk them.
One of the dogs was recently put down, and we are trying to think of ways to discourage her from getting another Dalmatian, but she is stubborn. What are some things that we can do or suggest for her? My FIL I can tell is done with the dogs and would like something that fits their lifestyle more.