Last September while visiting my sister and BIL, I found my sixteen year old nephew “helicoptering” his three year old bulldog by a choke chain
After I bawled the sh!t out of him, I told his parents, who grounded him and gave him a stern lecture. I realize I should have insisted they get rid of the dog, but it was family and the dog was not otherwise abused, so my judgment was hazy.
Anyways, I went back in December, and on multiple occasions found him teasing the dog, physically abusing the dog(kicking around, etc.) and just being a general @ss. During this time he was also expelled from school for confiscated drugs.
So this time, after helping my sister find the dog a new home, I suggested my nephew come out to my farm for a visit. My sister eagerly welcomed any help. He came out in January.

I live on a 10 acre rural farm devoted to my six dogs and twenty-some cats. I have a blue merle border collie, a labrador retriever, two australian cattle dogs, a german shepherd dog, and an english setter.
I’m also, for the last eight months, fostering two pitbull mixes and some sort of large heinz 57.
All my dogs, despite different breeds/personalities, have been S/Ned and get along great thanks to excessive socialization and proper introductions.

If you can’t already see where this is going…my nephew spent everyday of three months outside with my dogs–I supervised, but also gave him his share of work to do; feeding, exercising, cleaning up after… and surprise surprise, all it took was some strong handed leadership and he’s a completely changed person.
He’s great with my dogs, and has learned everything from the basics of agility course training to how to wear out high energy pitbulls with a flirt pole.
I take great pride in how I care for my dogs…apart from buying all my dogs from extremely reputable breeders, i feed them high end kibble, provide extensive vet care, and provide a healthy amount of exercise to keep them lean and healthy.
I have spent the last 3months teaching my nephew how to provide that care.

He returned home the end of March, and is already asking his parents to take him to the shelter and buy him a dog. They think it’s great that he’s learned what he has, and are seeing a wonderful change, but I’m not so sure.
He’s certainly doing better, and I want to encourage his improvements, but I’m worried that going back home to his old influences may send him back into old behavior. His parents are going to stand by my decision, so whether they get him another dog is on me. I need opinions!!!