Why do people insist you never know what you get when you adopt from the shelter?

Question

That when you adopt a dog from the shelter you never know its temperament or if it has aggression or behavioral problems or was abused etc
Does it not occur to you that you get to spend time with the dog in a room with a worker there before adopting to see if it has any such problems? They check the dogs for heartworms and dont adopt out dogs with diseases!

Do some research and you will find out that the majority of dogs are surrendered because the owner cant or doesnt want to take care of it any more, not that the dog is mean or abused!
You can get perfectly healthy good tempered dogs and puppies of ALL ages and breeds (mixed AND purebred) at the shelter.

WHY do so many people think that you know what you are getting when you buy from a puppy store?

Guess what you dont know **** about that puppy. What the parents are like, health problems, etc. The puppy is so young that problems arent going to be apparant yet.

Again, WHY do you think buying from the petstore means no problems?

Greekman--so you believe 93% of rescue dogs have behavioral/temperament problems? So somebody posted that statistic...that does not mean it is true. Most of the dogs at the shelter are there because of the owner's fault. Most behavioral problems (with exceptions obviously) CAN be corrected IF you work on them and know what you are doing. I never said 1 hour will tell you EVERYTHING about the dog, but you can tell if the dog is antisocial and its general temperament. No matter where you get the dog from, you are going to have to work with it to make it obedient and sociable.

Nedra E-You watch Animal Precint as I do. It is not a show about the dogs in shelters, it is a show about animal cruelty and the officers that fight it. The owners who care for the dog and decide to surrender it because they want a better home for it just don't make the show because that's not what its about.

The point I was making is why do people hold pet stores at such a high standard in comparison to adoption.

I am NOT talking about reputable breeders. I think we need MORE of them around to produce quality dogs.

Read all the way through the question and not just the headline.

In case I need to reiterate the question again, what is the line of reasoning that a puppy from a PET STORE is going to be automatically free of problems? It is not like buying a car.

I know you will not know everything about a shelter dog, but neither do you with a pet store dog.

More than half of dogs at the pet store are sick or carrying a disease.
This question is for those that actually recommend a pet store over adoption--from shelter, foster home, etc.
I am curious to know how you feel pet stores are so much better.

Alyssa---I DID NOT SAY THAT I HEARD THAT ON THIS FORUM. READ the additional information I wrote. I am talking about what I have heard in REAL LIFE.

I never said that the dogs on Animal Precinct who end up in the shelter don't have any problems. I was saying that the dogs that go to the shelter and were NOT abused are NOT shown on that particular show. Read much?? It would do you good.

I am not ranting, I am just getting a bit irritated because so many people don't seem to understand what I am asking (hint hint there is MORE to the question than the short title) and keep bringing up other stuff.

Answer 1

There are four questions asked. I am going to answer them in the order asked, then make a comment (if you don't mind).

1: Generally, you don't - some shelters evaluate 'disposition,' but few, if any, test actual 'temperament.'

2: You can not evaluate the dog's temperament, health or intelligence by spending time in a room - again, only its disposition that is being witnessed (which, by the way, may be totally different outside any one given environment).

3: What you are 'getting' from a pet store is a "bill of goods," and its generally spelled out pretty clearly. Ergo, you 'know' what you are getting, a bill of goods.

4: Because its spelled out in black and white ... right there on the bill of sale.

Tony comments:
Good dogs are where and when you find them - IF you know what to look for. If you do not, then you are at the mercy of the breeder presenting the dog, or the shelter worker supervising your visit with the dog, or the pet store's "bill of goods."

I can tell you of a UD- Irish Setter that scored a perfect 200 at a Top Dog competition that was purchased off the shelf at Petland. I can tell you of a multi Group winning, Eukanuba Nationals Best of Breed and Westminister Best Opposite Sex winning Bull Terrier that was purchased off the floor of a little dinky feed store - good dogs are where and when you find them, IF you know what to look for.

I can also tell you of a Golden Retriever that was bought from a 'reputable breeder' who grew up to savage a ten year old boy. A Labrador Retriever, also purchased from a reputable breeder that killed the family's Poodle. And of a Ridgeback cross that was bought from one of the shelters known worldwide for its "temperament testing" that bit its owner in the face - requiring surgical repair. Bad dogs are often presented as qualified good dogs by reputable people that don't really know how to properly test/qualify the dogs they sell or adopt out.

So, Tara, good dogs are out where you find them ... bad dogs are when they are found out.

Tony Ancheta

Answer 2

As far as I know, buying from a pet store can actually be far more detrimental then buying from a shelter due to the amount of "puppy milling" that can go on.

Or, at the very least, breeding for the sole purpose of selling without really looking out for complications that may arise in the pups.

This can lead to poor health, temperament, and a number of problems.

And you are right about shelters, for the most part. I grew up with dogs from shelters and pups from local folks. Sometimes they are anxious, or alone and a little afraid and such. But that happens from being stuck in a pen and surrendered/separated. But quite a few make decent pets. You just have to take some time.

Just do your research on their health, spend a little time before you adopt, and think before you act and you'll be fine in most routes you take.

I'm not saying there aren't exceptions. Sometimes it happens that a dog just has problems you don't notice until later. It's unfortunate. But I suppose that is a risk. But maybe an overstated one.

Answer 3

I will chime in here and give you some support. There are many kinds of personalities to be found in shelters. My very best dog was adopted from a shelter years ago when they didn't do such thorough checks and we were in a room with her for about 10 minutes before we got her. Talk about not knowing what you are going to get. Never had a minute's worry with her for her entire 16 1/2 year life.

Having adopted quite a few shelter dogs, I have gotten some who needed some re-training, some who were great from the first day, and two who were behavior issues, but I knew about it when I adopted them.
The most common problem I see with shelter dogs is that they are traumatized when they enter the shelter, and their stress increases as they stay longer. This affects their behavior, and dogs who were great become dogs with what some people will call "issues".
Socialization goes out the window; potty training goes out the window; aggression increases from the stress and fear. And guess what? This is caused by the lousy people who let these dogs find the shelter environment to begin with.
To say that over 90% of shelter dogs have issues is ridiculous and said by some people who seem to have personal vendettas against shelters and shelter dogs.
I would take a shelter dog any day over a purchased dog.

If you look at it from the human perspective, we are all used and we all have behavior issues. Thank God most of us have someone who loves us anyway. Why can't we look at dogs like that? Why do they have to be new and shiny?

Answer 4

The reason people say you do not know what you are going to get when you adopt from the shelter or pound is because it is true. I have done some research on the subject and I also know people lie about why they can no longer keep their dogs. You are right not all dogs abondoned at shelters and pounds have been abused and some very nice dogs can be found but most are their for behavioral problems that are caused by either genetics or lack of training and/or socialization by the owner. If you want to know what you are going to get when BUYING a dog, then research breeders thoroughly, get references. If you are not concerned with the background & temperament of the dog/puppy or do not mind spending the extra time working with the dog then go ahead and get a dog from a pound or shelter.

As for knowing what you will get from a petstore, you can not because the dogs are shipped in from whereever and no info is given about the parents, other than their names on their fake registry papers. I have not seen people on YA telling anybody to buy from petstores, as a matter of fact, I see them saying do not buy from petstores because you will end up with a sickly dog with temperament problems from a puppymill. Also, most people advise against getting a dog from a petstore because buying from there supports puppymills.

Answer 5

Adopting a rescue dog is fantastic but, while I hate to argue with you, you don't always know what you are getting. I watched the Dog Whisperer for the second time recently and there was a Bull Dog who had been adopted while he was ill, when he recovered he became agressive in certain situations. Ceaser was great and managed to 'cure' the problem but not without being bitten. Spending a few minutes or even hours with a dog before you take it home is no indication of how it will be in the future. I have adopted quite a few dogs from shelters and most have been fantastic but one was great for the first few weeks then he turned on my children, in one day he attacked all 3 children and my husband. Before you say it was probably their fault, they have all been brought up with dogs and know how to behave around them. The two girls were attacked just for trying to open the door to go to school, I can't remember what my son did but he was only 3 at the time, my husband just told him to get off the bed, something we had done every day without a problem. So, while I applaud adoptiong from shelters it isn't always as rosy as you would like to think. When it comes to buying a puppy it is always advisable to meet the parents, research the breed and think very carefully about what you want from that dog and pick appropriately. It is much easier to get an idea of what you are likely to get from doing this than from going along and picking a dog you think looks cute. I would never advise anyone to buy a dog from a pet store, online or from a puppy farmer.

Answer 6

I would adopt from neither place, since they do not take the time that it takes to really see what issues the animals may have...I will only adopt from rescues as they put the dogs in foster homes (not cages) for long periods of time where the dog is ABLE to show any issues it may have or could have in the future AND most rescue dogs have had all shots and are fixed BEFORE they go to forever homes...and rescues are a lot pickier about who adopts, unlike shelters and pet stores who let anyone who has money adopt with no follow ups to their health or safety. Rescue adoptions are more expensive but so much better for the animals and the families involved AND a food rescue ALWAYS guarantees the animal--if problems do pop up in the future, they are more than willing to take the animal back.

Answer 7

Because it's true. It's rare for a shelter to know the full history of a dog that they're offering for adoption. They can assess physical health and they test for behavioural problems, but really, they've no idea what the dog has experienced in the past or if there are any triggers that may produce an undesirable response.

The only way you ever have a good idea of what you're getting is if you buy a pup from a reputable breeder, who has proper pedigree and health histories to hand and allows you access to those details.

All of my animals have been rescues- a couple from shelters, a couple of strays, taken on from people moving house, etc. One of my dogs came from a small shelter organisation after being rescued from a pound. She was 6 months old when I adopted her and I have absolutely no idea what her history was prior to that. I suspect she was probably a farm dog that was picked up by the ranger for running loose. With me, she's a lovely dog. She trusts me and I can do anything with her but she's a bit nervous and in certain situations she becomes absolutely terrified. I don't think she'd ever bite anyone, but what it comes down to is that I don't know what she's experienced to be like that or how she'd react if really pushed. This stands for a large number of dogs offered for adoption by shelters. Actually, with the exception of my youngest (who I rescued at 8 weeks old) every single one of my rescues has had some sort of behavioural issue. All have responded very well to training but I think it reinforces my point.

They're not always healthy either- of all the new puppy/new kitten checks I've done for people in the vet clinics I've worked in, I would guess that 75-80% of shelter animals have kennel cough or cat flu respectively.

I personally would never, ever buy any animal from a pet shop. They tend to be ridiculously overpriced mongrels, they're often in poor health, and you still have absolutely no idea what you're getting. In my opinion, pet shops carry a large part of the blame for cat and dog overpopulation issues- they allow impulse buying, rarely give any guidance to the buyer on the requirements of the animal, etc. At least any decent breeder or shelter gives some education and has enough control over the whole process that impulse buyers tend to drop off before they get their hands on the animal.

Answer 8

You are so right about not knowing what you are getting from a pet store. Most pet stores sell dogs from puppy mills or borderline puppy mills with horrible breeding standards. They are more worried about the dog's appearance than temperment.

Besides, you pay as much there as if you went to a reputable breeder and did your research. It's just that people are
impatient and get sucked in on the spot at pet stores.

I don't agree with your statements on shelters. Again research is needed and even then you can't be sure. There are so many crooked rescues opperating. Even though they are non-profit they tend to skimp on treating anything that isn't an obvious problem due to lack of funds or the desire to save money.

Many shelter dogs are only given a rabies and distemper vaccine. They are not checked for worms or given a complete blood count to look for other warning signs of illness. They are then cross exposed to one another and easily transfer illnesses which show up after an incubation period (after you get them home).

No matter where you get a dog, know that you will have to invest money into vetting them after coming home. Even pet store puppies come with worms passed to them by their mother's milk.

Rescue dogs make the most wonderful pets. I have 2 myself. But many do come with a sad sad history and will need time to get over issues. Even owner surrenders may have had a past of neglect or abuse. You simply can't get a deffinite idea of what those issues may be when they are observed in a kennel atmosphere. It's overwhelming to them and they react with their survival instinct personality not their laid back at home personality.

I always suggest finding a good rescue, ask what medical treatments they've administered, ask to see the medical records, and see if they are willing to let you foster the dog in your home prior to adoption. That way you will have a good chance at catching any major issues before you are financially responsible for the dog.

Answer 9

Actually, I would never buy a dog from a pet store. I wouldn't recommend it. I would always go to a shelter. Yes, people say that when you adopt a dog from the shelter you never know its temperament, because this is true. Even when you are with a dog for a short time deciding on should I get this dog, this breed. Once you take your 'chosen' dog home, that is when you will truly see what there personalities are like. The personality of a dog is formed when they are pups. If they were not treated well during this time it will show in them. Not to mention the fact of 'inborn' traits.

Answer 10

I have seen many people suggest shelter dogs to people, but I don't recall anyone on this site "insisting". The majority of people who ask about where to get a dog on this site are not looking for a specific purpose other than a pet. For that, they really have just as much reason to look in a shelter as to look for a breeder. And no, not everyone knows or thinks about adopting. There are are tons of people in this country who have no idea that purebred rescues even exist. They think their only adoption choice is the local pound. I work in purebred rescue, so I do know what I am talking about here. There are certain breeds that are rare to find in shelters, but the reality is there are so many breeders out there, that you can find just about anything you want on the Petfinder site. So if you just want a pet, why not a rescue dog? I don't try to control people, like Fae is suggesting some of us do-Fae, you have NO idea who we are, so you really shouldn't accuse people of things; it just makes you look silly-and there are times that I have suggested the AKC website for both breed knowledge and a list of breeders to start with. There are many breed rescue groups that have very young dogs and puppies available for much more reasonable prices than a breeder will charge, as well.