I start this thread in response to a posting elsewhere; don't want to hijack that thread. To some, this may be upsetting but to me it is important so here goes.
It seems to be popular and The Right Thing To Do now to get a dog from a shelter. I understand that.and even support it, up to a point. But... there is a reason that animal is there. If someone is not very experienced with dogs, they could be adopting a real problem.
I know people who adopted shelter dogs and ended up taking the dog back or euthanizing it. With one, the owner hired professional trainers and even a dog psychologist to no avail. When she took the dog back over a year later, the shelter told her she was the third home in which it had been placed and returned. With another, the animal had a seizure disorder that eventually forced euthanasia; she had not been told before hand. Thousands spent. In the hospital where I worked, a four year old girl was mauled by a family pet -- german shepard that had never bitten before. My point is that you never know, even if you get a puppy, what is on that menu. You may get lucky but be prepared to face the unknown. A statement to "get a shelter dog...it will always love you" is very wrong.
If you want a dog, yes, check the shelters but do your homework and be prepared for problems that may occur. THINK about what you want and can handle. There is a reason why shelters are full of large breed dogs -- pits, working breeds, labs included. When a large, maybe aggressive dog makes a mistake, it is generally a BIG mistake. Old animals with chronic health problems can cost a bundle of money to treat. And EVERY animal has the potential to bite. I have been bitten by my own two shihtzus. Luckily a small dog bite isn't too damaging.
I am currently waiting for my new puppy to be born. I had perused several shelters in my area (within 300 miles) and gave up. I know my limitations and what I want. I also searched for a responsible breeder. It didn't have to be a registered breed, a mutt will do. I am 68 healthy years old now. f a big dog jumps on me, it will knock me down. No. If it's a breed that sheds a lot, no thanks. If it's a dog that requires a lot of exercise, no. My yard is small and there is snow here on the ground all winter. The poor dog would be miserable and act out. And not just now when I may be able to do the exercise thing, but in five or ten years will I be able? Can I lift 70 pounds of animal into and out of my vehicle or up and down steps, if needed? Most likely not. And a breed that has it in his genes to protect or attack, maybe that is with just a few. But what if it is just the one you get? Just once is all it takes. Are you good enough to train/retrain a dog? Even pros have problems with some dogs.
So, think hard before getting any pet. Think very hard about your own limitations and lifestyle. If you like to sleep in some mornings, are you willing to give that up for the next 10-15 years? In cold, wet conditions, are you willing to gear up to walk the animal? Before you've had your coffee? Every.single.day, two to three times a day. For many years.
Here in Colorado where I now live, last winter not only did I have to shovel snow off the walk and driveway, but I also had to keep a path shoveled in the back yard for my little shihtzu. 6:00 am, still dark, six inches of new snow, and I'm out there in pj's shoveling the yard for my old wobbly furry friend. Laughing and glad neighbors couldn't see. But I will do it all again with this new puppy.
Please think long and hard before making a pet decision. Now if I had just done the same with one or two of the humans...
It seems to be popular and The Right Thing To Do now to get a dog from a shelter. I understand that.and even support it, up to a point. But... there is a reason that animal is there. If someone is not very experienced with dogs, they could be adopting a real problem.
I know people who adopted shelter dogs and ended up taking the dog back or euthanizing it. With one, the owner hired professional trainers and even a dog psychologist to no avail. When she took the dog back over a year later, the shelter told her she was the third home in which it had been placed and returned. With another, the animal had a seizure disorder that eventually forced euthanasia; she had not been told before hand. Thousands spent. In the hospital where I worked, a four year old girl was mauled by a family pet -- german shepard that had never bitten before. My point is that you never know, even if you get a puppy, what is on that menu. You may get lucky but be prepared to face the unknown. A statement to "get a shelter dog...it will always love you" is very wrong.
If you want a dog, yes, check the shelters but do your homework and be prepared for problems that may occur. THINK about what you want and can handle. There is a reason why shelters are full of large breed dogs -- pits, working breeds, labs included. When a large, maybe aggressive dog makes a mistake, it is generally a BIG mistake. Old animals with chronic health problems can cost a bundle of money to treat. And EVERY animal has the potential to bite. I have been bitten by my own two shihtzus. Luckily a small dog bite isn't too damaging.
I am currently waiting for my new puppy to be born. I had perused several shelters in my area (within 300 miles) and gave up. I know my limitations and what I want. I also searched for a responsible breeder. It didn't have to be a registered breed, a mutt will do. I am 68 healthy years old now. f a big dog jumps on me, it will knock me down. No. If it's a breed that sheds a lot, no thanks. If it's a dog that requires a lot of exercise, no. My yard is small and there is snow here on the ground all winter. The poor dog would be miserable and act out. And not just now when I may be able to do the exercise thing, but in five or ten years will I be able? Can I lift 70 pounds of animal into and out of my vehicle or up and down steps, if needed? Most likely not. And a breed that has it in his genes to protect or attack, maybe that is with just a few. But what if it is just the one you get? Just once is all it takes. Are you good enough to train/retrain a dog? Even pros have problems with some dogs.
So, think hard before getting any pet. Think very hard about your own limitations and lifestyle. If you like to sleep in some mornings, are you willing to give that up for the next 10-15 years? In cold, wet conditions, are you willing to gear up to walk the animal? Before you've had your coffee? Every.single.day, two to three times a day. For many years.
Here in Colorado where I now live, last winter not only did I have to shovel snow off the walk and driveway, but I also had to keep a path shoveled in the back yard for my little shihtzu. 6:00 am, still dark, six inches of new snow, and I'm out there in pj's shoveling the yard for my old wobbly furry friend. Laughing and glad neighbors couldn't see. But I will do it all again with this new puppy.
Please think long and hard before making a pet decision. Now if I had just done the same with one or two of the humans...
