When getting a new dog....?

Question

how come people don't do the research first? Do you think it's an impulse buy? The cuteness of the puppy? The sad faces in the shelter? Or is it the idea of having a dog but not realizing the reality of it? I'll admit that I've jumped into things over my head before but nothing that involved the care of another living being. I don't understand the logic in that. Could someone give some insight please?

Pinkdenial....if your research isn't helping or giving enough information then you're not looking in the right places. For eaxmple.....I know a little about Pits, not much. Let's say I was going to get one. I wouldn't just read the breed standard. I would talk to my vet, my friends, go to Pit Bull forums, talk to breeders, people who specialize in matching breeds with lifestyles, etc.

I have a JRT mix and you know what? If you go to www.terriers.com it will tell you in VERY clear wording that Jacks want to be Guardian of the World, that no small animal is safe around a JRT, that JRT's are NOT good for families with kids under the age of 6, that they dig, that they run, that they will find ways to entertain themselves if not given an out for the energy. You have to learn to look in the right places. It's not really that difficult.

What Da Hell......I have two cats and two dogs. I know how to care for them thank you.

Answer 1

"Jacks want to be Guardian of the World"

Isn't THAT the truth! And then you see people buying them for a family dog! And THEN they come to me when the dog is totally out of control and biting them!

I do think many people think that a dog is a dog as far as personality, they just look different.

Answer 2

No, I'm sorry. I think all of us who have worked or volunteered in the animal care/rescue field have wondered this.I have worked at 2 boarding kennels and the ignorance of some people to care for the BASIC needs of their animal astounds me. How do you not research breeds before jumping into getting a dog? Even if it is a mixed breed, you can research the possible mixes! It kills me to see an emaciated animal,or a flea an tick infested dog, or one that's unsocialized or trained.You know, an animal without its BASIC need met!

And Why do some people let their dog completely rule the house? Some people would bring the dog into where I worked and it would be dragging them the door, knocking over other customers, and the owner would just go "Maggie... be a good girl and sit for Mommy" in an almost whisper like tone and I'm just sitting there thinking "OH MY GOD... tell that dog to SIT!!!!" Then they would not enforce the command and say to me " I just don't know how much of this I can take she will not listen to me. Do you know of anyone who is looking for an 8 month old lab puppy?" Of course this stems from lack of research about the breed. They didn't know that labs are very stubborn and require a firm hand. They are pretty psycho puppies and stay that way for a long time. This goes for any breed. When you find the answer, let me know.

Answer 3

How nice it is to run into someone who still has a head on their shoulders.You should be proud. I think that people don't care. They are more concerned with what their wants are and have little concern for the animal.They only care that it seems to suit what they want right now and have no thought of it maybe growing into a 150# dog when they only have a small 5th story apartment. People are too wrapped up in themselves these days to care about another life other than their own. Don't get me wrong, there are still thoughtful people out there but seem to be declining in numbers.Think how many less dogs would live homeless in shelters if people thought it out first. I had three dogs a couple years ago but now have five as I took in two more Dobe's after a call from the humane society of them having two horribly abused ones that they didn't have room for. jWhen I went and got them I cried. They were full brothers and weighed 47 and 63. I could not believe it. Now 2 years later they are a sleek and trim 70# and 97# and they are happy and lovable.There are so many more out there who are not.If people could just think first and buy later. Oh, if only they would.

Answer 4

It seems nowdays that people never accept any responsibility for anything that they do.
It is certainly not THEIR fault that the dog that they own has no training and no socialization and is aggressive. They did not make it that way. They raised it with LOVE lots of love and let it do exactly as it pleases.
I work in a rescue with Dobermans. They are great dogs for the right owners. You have to be willing to put in training time with them and work with them and give them enough exercise other wise they will rule the house and the owner pays all the bills and becomes the dogs personal servant. Or they give up the dog as they "can't handle it" I always hope these people never have kids as what will happen when they can't handle them. They are harder to give up.
Dogs are a status thing and an impulse buy. THey look cool or beautiful or best one I hear all the time. "My neighbors had one when I was a kid and it was the nicest dog ever." Tells me the person has not clue about the training that made that dog the nicest dog.
When you aquire a pet it should be for the lifetime of that animal. I have always been very careful to research the breed before getting one. I like many breeds of dogs but know I could not live with the upkeep or something that the breeds does so that breed has not been one of my choices.
My sister has an Akita. He is beautiful and I really like his personality but I would have a hard time with the slobber and the hair. So no akitas for me.
I will stick with my Dobermans and my Weimaraners.

Answer 5

Alot of people think all kids should grow up with a dog and yes I think impulse buying is a big problem. Not doing research on both the breed and the breeder creates shelter dogs (which are already busting at the seams). If they don't have the time to do the homework and learn what it takes to raise a pup..... they don't need one!

I stick by the saying "Every dog deserves a loving home. Not every home deserves a loving dog"

Answer 6

Do people do the research? Sometimes. But frankly, there are a lot of things that aren't mentioned in the breed standards, which many people do look up. For example, I don't recall the breed standards for chows saying that they shed absolutely everywhere all the time. Or that border collies need to have something to DO or they become difficult to live calmly with. Sometimes, the research just doesn't help that much. That's why I like asking for the opinions of people who have had the dog I'm looking to get...to find out the stuff that aren't advertised.

Yes, sometimes dogs are impulse buys, especially when puppies are super-cute and looking all sad in the shelter. I research EVERYTHING, and I almost bought a dog a few weeks ago even though I knew it was a very bad idea, just because of how sad the poor little puppy looked in his cage. I didn't do it, but it was tough to walk away.

EDIT: KJ, that was my point. A lot of people just look up stuff on-line, and not very thoroughly. They don't do enough research. Actually talking to PEOPLE is a valuable tool that not everyone does. Vets, breeders, people who have owned the breed, are all good sources of information that should be tapped. The on-line research that many people do just doesn't help much with getting them the information they need to know.

I wasn't explaining to you MY research flaws. I know how to research quite well, thank you. I was answering your question in that some people DO research, but not enough.

Answer 7

The second part of this question, is, no matter how much research you've done, you're never prepared.

We did tons of research. We knew taking in our JRT rescue what to expect. We knew he'd be high energy, need a ton of exercise, that he'd jump, that he'd bark, that he'd want a ton of attention, that he'd want a job to do, that he'd be stubborn, that he'd be sweet. But knowing it and experiencing it are different, you know? It's not just a lack of research, it's a lack of being willing to actually take on the responsibility...

The real question is, what happened to people's dedication? The first answer to any "My dog is puppy biting? My dog is growling? -- not snapping, just making a grrr noise. My dog is challenging me for alpha? always is "Get rid of it"

No, you don't get rid of him or her. You teach him that you're the alpha, any dog you already had is the beta, and he's the gamma (or delta...) in the pack. It takes work. It's not just a walk in the park.

Yes, if the animal is truly dangerous, you have to think about rehoming him. But if it's just being a dog, you need to do some freaking work. Train him. Exercise him. Love him. Pay attention to him. Treat him like he's a member of the family.

People just think that animals are like purses. When you don't like it any more you throw it out. Except you don't throw it out, you take it to the shelter. But they aren't. Pets should be members of the family. Would you take your child to the orphanage if she punched you because she didn't like being told "No"? Then don't take your dog back because he barked at you when you took a toy away.

Answer 8

I have often wondered the same thing and personally, I think that it is an impulse buy based on the cute face staring at them. They don't think through how much work it's going to be. Also, if they have kids along, it's much worse. I've heard over and over..."Well, we wanted to get a dog for our kids, but just never got around to it." My favorite is when people don't think about the needs of the breed. I have to chuckle when people say, "My German Shepard is tearing our house apart." and yet they don't walk the dog or train it at all. Some dogs need jobs. I agree totally with you.....people need to research it all first.

Answer 9

It's interesting that many people ask on this forum something that sounds like this: "I just brought home a new puppy, what do I do now?"
Sad to say that your question reaffirms the fact that these folks made no preparations. I also noticed how often the word "cute" is used by clueless dog owners. Perhaps if people's hearts weren't taken by that "cute" puppy that they know nothing about, we wouldn't be reading so many silly questions and answers here.
I don't really believe I answered your question, but I do feel your pain.

Answer 10

Last nights impulse. I know im in over my head but how could you let her die with babies in her belly that she has no idea how to handle.

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7601978

We have since named her Marty because she was found wandering at walmart. (she was shopping for the babies) My white GSD went to another foster so I could rescue Marty. I may get in over my head all the time but I know their lives will change because I took a chance on them.

FYI I may have babies when I get home from work. I didn't take the picture but you should see her belly. One big problem is she was given a vaccine 12/1. People are stupid. She is so big now it was obvious she was pregnant.

Added:

It doesn't necessarily matter the breed. They are all so mixed anymore that just because one is good doesn't mean they will all be good pets. Just as because one pit attacked doesn't mean they all attack. You should be prepared for anything. And the adoption counselor should know each pet in the facility and what their needs are not what breed should go with who. I m fostering a cattle dog that doesn't want to go out side?? Not breed characteristic at all.