How can so many dog owners be so unprepared to be dog owners?

Question

As I read the questions to this list, I begin to wonder how so many dog owners can know so little about responsible dog ownership ... how can it be?

Answer 1

Welcome to YA.
It is very sad that people put more research into the latest electronic gadget then they do on a living, breathing animal.
Common sense seems to be in short supply now days and because of this, the animals suffer.

Answer 2

Because its unfortunately impulse buying, they want a dog, buy a dog, but dont realise the amount of work it takes to have a well behaved, well adjusted dog. I grew up with large dogs that take a lot of work and knowledge, and thankfully my parents instilled a strong sense of responsibility in my regarding pets, they arent just things, they are pets and family members, like children. If i dont have dog food, i dont eat, the dog gets my food, i cant just take off for a weekend, i have to organise my dogs first if someone cant spend at least 4 hours a day with my dogs, i dont go anywhere, if the dog needs medical attention, it gets it straight away, like one of my kids would. I was also taught by my mother that i shouldnt get a a dog until i was settled down in one place, had done all my travelling and such, or until i was capable of caring for a dog both emotionally and financially. Unfortunately, not too many people think about teaching their kids these responsibilities, i have started an education program in my town, with the local lower schools, i take my dogs in every few months and talk to the kids about how to care for a dog, and pets in general, and how to approach a strange dog. I also give them a quick talk on knowing their pets and recognising when something is wrong, because animals cant talk to tell us when something is wrong. My dogs love these days and the kids think its great too, because some do have pets, but an awful lot of kids dont own dogs, their parents cant or wont get one, and they all tell me they want a dog when they grow up, so they need to be taught now how to care for one, or there will be a lot of problems in 15 years time, more than now.

Answer 3

So many people think having a dog is having a possession. They do not realize the time, work, love and devotion it takes. They think it will be as they want it and with a lot of human behavior they get what they want. I do dog rescue and I see so many dogs given up by stupid people. They ALWAYS blame the dog and when ALL truth it is human fault. They do not realize what they are getting into, or they get a breed they never should have owned , they do not spend time training them and they get a great deal of unwanted behavior. I have seen so many dogs over the years that were deemed "bad unruly dogs" become the best dogs with training and time. And they were the lucky ones because so many others were destroyed because of irresponsible people.

Answer 4

most people who take an animal on have no idea of what is involved and it is very frustrating
if you cant afford a vets bill you cant afford a puppy
even the fundamental care such as feeding is often something people have no clue about until they have the dog and then they go on what they are told by some friend or the other
i think nowadays a lot of pets are viewed as a disposable object they buy a puppy and then when it is too much / cant be bothered anymore / too expensive to look after they just get rid of it too the local rescue which is already overflowing
a lot of people seem to take on pets on a whim thinking they are doing it a favour but if they are not prepared or knowledgable enough they just cause more problems for any animal not just dogs

Answer 5

I know exactly what you mean I get so frustrated when I see questions like "My dog is very sick what do I do?" Duh! you call your vet and get the dog some help. You don't go on yahoo and ask totally strangers what you should do. Or the questions "oh my cats been gone for days and she came home hurt whats wrong with her" How the hell do we know? She's your cat you allowed to roam for days without knowing where she was.... I have 3 dogs I love dearly that we rescued all three of them came from bad people. So questions like those I just mentioned makes me angry. One of my Chihuahua's was injured by her old owners and her back legs/spine are screwed up and she can't sit like other dogs she has to lay down instead of sitting like normal dogs do because her hips don't bend. All because of her old abusive and neglectful owner. It's sad so sad to see that so many other dogs face some of the same things my three once did. I guess all I can do is hope those dogs/cats that aren't being cared for properly will one day get a good home that all animals deserve.

Answer 6

It's compulsive buying at it's worst! Compulsive buying should not be done with live animals. This is a mjor reason there are so many in shelters and rescues. There is little to no thought put into the breed type, the food cost, the vet care.. People get a dog THEN ask what to feed it!! It's ridiculous. NONE of these people have any business owning a pet who buy now and ask questions later. The animals suffer.

Answer 7

I think people just think about, "Oh yes we can get a dog, all they need is food and water". They don't thinkg about the grooming, training, and medicines and vaccinations. They just think about the basics. I don't think they look at the over all picture. My partner and I resque stray cats. We have 10 inside cats, however you would never know it. People gasp when we tell them but it's a joy to us. It's about a 2hr process just to brush them all every 2 weeks. Clipping nails, litter boxes changed everyday. I could go on and on. We knew what we were getting into when we started this. We do look at the over all picture, but most people don't. To me that shows lack of research and compassion. Even a simple visit to the vet before getting a pet would tell the potential owner so much but people seem to not find that necessary and act like they already know everything about raising a pet. Hope you found support and your answer with all the other great answers.

Answer 8

*sigh* It's the way our culture has evolved, unfortunately. You know, for years I've been wishing I had the guts to quit my job and start up a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of knowledge of the average pet owner, so that the average pet owner is a GOOD pet owner. I'm thinking classes and seminars on everything from basic care and obedience to behavior problems, nutrition, breeds, breeding (and of course major spay/neuter education) etc. Free and reduced price classes for low-income folks (amazing how poor people can still find the money to care for a dog, and do it BETTER than a lot of other people.) Mostly major advertising to get people to realize they NEED the education.

Unfortunately right now I can't afford the risk. If anyone out there can, PLEASE do it!

Answer 9

A better question would be to wonder about the validity of many of the questions. How many are valid questions from a ten year old?? The dynamics of this are not nearly as simplistic as we would first think.
Much of the time the pet is just fine, under the supervision of mom & dad. Normal child curiosity really isn't a bad thing.

Some questions are asked on here for no other reason than to stir the pot. Some are asked by activists trying to make their point, and of course a few are asked by those that seem to be a bit mentally challenged.

Answer 10

I wonder this also.
People do what they want when they want and do not take any responsibility for anything it seems.
They see a nice looking dog and go buy one. With no research into what the dogs breed was bred for or its tempermant or anything. They like it becasue it looks cool. They have no clue about care or health or anything. They do not want to or have the time to train one.
I only wish people would be more responsible and I would see less dogs in rescue and be solving less "operator error" problems.

Answer 11

As Shepheardgirl said Welcome to Yahoo Dogs!

I'm now convinced more than ever that common sense should be a mandatory coerce study in High School and College. It does seem to be very short supply by some of the questions we see here.

I often wonder if they would let their child or parent suffer while waiting for a response to a question posted here. I pray not but who knows. To allow an animal to be in pain or bleeding while your at the computer seems just a mindless and cruel thing to me.
Yes some people do post question just to stir us up and I think we do a pretty good job of spotting them and squelching their efforts. I do also just shake my head in sheer wonderment of stupidity too.