What is a bad owner?

Question

I have seen a lot of answers and comments here about "bad owners" and I am wondering, what is a bad owner? Is it someone who does not feed or water their dogs? IS it someone who uses or does not use crates? someone who trains using corrections or no corrections, someone whose dog has been trained in protection? What is a bad owner?

Answer 1

Great question ... I'd add another to this thread: "What is cruel?" I've seen folks here say things like, "Don't do that, it's so cruel". (but I digress ...)

To answer your question ... Somebody who doesn't understand that a dog is a different species. Somebody who has little knowledge of their breed and breed's history. Somebody who has little knowledge of the proper care for their dog. Somebody who ignores their veterinarian's and breeder's advice. Somebody who won't seek or follow a mentor, who can teach them things about their dog that they never knew. Somebody who won't teach their dog (or learn to teach their dog) desired behaviors. Somebody who is inconsistent in their training methods. Somebody who attributes human qualities to their dog's behavior. Somebody who thinks they know everything there is to know about dogs, and closes their mind to other's suggestions. Somebody who doesn't have basic knowledge of common dog behaviors. Somebody who doesn't have basic knowledge of common dog illness. Somebody who uses their dog as a fashion accessory. Somebody who doesn't know their local laws concerning dog ownership in their area. Somebody who can't be a good dog neighbor or good dog citizen.
Lastly, a bad dog owner is somebody who spends all day on the computer, and writes about dogs, instead of taking their dog outside for daily training and general handling and bonding. (I'm going outside now ...)

Answer 2

You are absolutely correct. Genetics play a huge role in the outcome of an adult dog. And no, you cannot "overcome" genetics like one person said here, any more then you can instill drives that are not there. Hence the reason we have so many crap dogs in this world. People think that the cute puppy they just bought will be a good dog if they give it the right upbringing, but, they don't realize that they are not magicians and cannot remove genetics from the equation. A bad tempered dog will always be a bad tempered dog, no matter what kind of raising it has. Research your breed carefully and look at what the breeder has done in the past, check out some of those dogs and see what they are like. Look at the parents and most important of all, ACCEPT responsibility for your choice of purchase. If you know you are getting a crap dog, then accept that and live with it. If you re getting a top of the line animal, then treat it like such. And finally, it is the breeders that produce the dogs that we all have today, the responsibility lies with them. And because reputable breeders are investing a lot of time and money into this, they are allowed to charge what some are claiming to be outrageous prices for their dogs. If you cannot afford them, don't buy them. If you are happy with taking a chance with a dog from anyone, then do it and do not complain about your choice in the end.

Answer 3

A good owner cares about the animal welfare, making sure it is safe, and kept in good physical condtion (nutriton, medical and physical needs are met and makes an effort to avoid /prevent suffering) and is concerned with it's emotional wellbeing.

Bad owners tend to lack in concern in multiple areas of the animals welfare for example denying health care when the animal is sick, which endangers its safety and also causes suffering, they are not looking at the best interest of the dog when the make their decisons, most are considering thier interests first and foremost. eg breeding for profit, not it impact on their dog

Poor of lack of training can affect animal emotional welbeing and put its safety in jeopardy.

Crating can be good or bad depending on the animal some find crating very stressful others find comfort, length of time in the crate and size based on time crated. But the above factors still apply when deciding

Training also can also vary and the types of corrections used, if use are resorting to half drowning an animal as a means of correcting with cosidering a more gentle way to train then expect to be considered a bad owner, if positive method of training fail and you need to try corrective method to teach the dog not to bite, you would be considered a good owner as you recognize their safety is at stake, so have to weigh safety over some discomfort, this still boils down to thinking of the dogs best interest.

Answer 4

I absolutely llllllooooovvvvvveeee all animals especially dogs so I believe dogs should be loved and hugged and cuddled with but thats just me. Some like to have a dog for protection so as long as the owner keeps up all of the dogs shots, feeds it everyday, goes to the vet for check-ups, keeps the dogs sleep area clean, etc... but above all the owner does NOT hurt the dog in any way!!!!

Answer 5

One who abuses their dogs doesn't care, water or feed, ties them up on leashes outside for hours, leaves them in cars to suffocate & die, kicks, screams, hits or yells !!! All dogs need training & crates the right size or a penned in areas make a dog feel secure & comfy - their Peace Space, firm NO's, etc are ok & work along with tiny treats when they do well, good & right, "There are no bad dogs, just BAD OWNERS " ! Take Care :)

Answer 6

Some one who:
Doesn't feed their dogs food and water
Abuses the dog physically
Only buys a dog to breed for money $
Who trains the dog for fighting
Lets the dog hurt other people
Neglects the dog who needs attention

Answer 7

In my opinion a bad owner is anyone that abuses an animal, doesn't provide everything the animal needs... food,water,medical care, attention,love, anything the dog needs!!! Also one that ties a dog in the backyard continuously!!!

Answer 8

As a foster home for Save-A-Pet I could tell you horror stories about bad owners. There's so many different things that could make you a bad pet owner there's not enough room here. It's everything you said and a whole lot more!

Answer 9

In my opinion of a bad owner is one who does not feed, water, play or love that animal. I am a dog owner of 2. Another bad owner is one who abuses the dog, such as beating it. I have seen animals that have been abused and neglected, such as horses, their rib bones and hip bones pretruded out from their skin. I can't think of a worse owner than that.

Answer 10

Well i guess your name says it all! a bad owner is not just someone how does not feed there dog it is someone that does not do any thing with there dogs. they need to be walked, played with, and loved.