How many people do you think buy a cute little puppy at the holidays and then dumps this cute little puppy several months later when they can not handle or deal with it anymore? A few years ago I took back 2 pups from the same litter around the same time, when they were about 9 months old. They were not Christmas purchases, but both girls were not obedience trained at all! In my breed that is a big deal with the size of a 9 month old. I tell people not to buy a pup of any breed for a present for someone else!!
2007-11-26 06:43:25 · 23 answers · asked by bear 2 zealand © 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I do not have Christmas puppies, and I tell people about this! That was not the question!
2007-11-26 06:47:38 · update #1
Screen your buyers more carefully, or don't breed. It's as simple as that.
2007-11-26 06:46:35 · answer #1 · answered by Socion 6 · 2⤊ 10⤋
We do not allow them to be adopted as "presents" either. We tell people to discuss it and bring the person back with them. Its a perfect example that they don't understand it is a life and a responsibility for the durationof that life. Not a gift that can be tossed in the closet when the fun wears off.
It happens not just at christmas. People think they know how to deal with a dog "I've had a dog all my life" Im sick of hearing that crap. We have a gorgeous shepherd now that was returned because he got too big. Do they not understand when we tell them about 100 lbs.
I have two collie pups that went to the same family this weekend. I have already stressed they need to go to basic obedience class. I hate when two go out together they end up back and both out of control. And we always find out the dogs are highly trainable and learn with the slightest training.
PEOPLE SUCK!!!
2007-11-26 06:52:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just look how many questions are starting to pop up on here about Christmas puppies.
Dogs should never be gifts regardless of the time of year. It's a personal decision and one that is not made lightly.
I know what you mean though, it's frustrating. We are even more picky about adoptions at my rescue this time of year. We do not do any adoptions the week of Christmas. Anyone that is adopting has to have been in the pipeline for a lengthy period anyway and anyone mentioning gift is told no - they must wait until after the holidays and they may re-apply along with the recipient if they would like to be considered.
Believe it or not, we are flooded with applications to adopt. It breaks my heart to say no to people who want puppies as gifts - but this is one case where we have to say no - emphatically.
2007-11-26 06:52:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I can't imagine how many Christmas puppies are going to be turned into pounds after the holiday. It's pretty scary about this situation. No matter how many times you tell them don't buy holiday puppies, these ignorant pet owners never listen. The only thing we can do is to tell them not to buy or don't sell them any puppies during the holidays, if anybody has a litter.
2007-11-26 07:12:52 · answer #4 · answered by Wild Ginger 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had the same issue.. not with my own pups but with Samoyed Rescue. One summer I had 3 18 mos old Sam b*tches, all named "Angel" go through the rescue... all had been purchased around Christmas. Sams are pups until 3 years or so, but do start acting more like dogs around 2 years... these owners thought they shouldn't behave like pups since they were over 12 mos...and of course none of them believed in crate training so the dogs were destroying houses and yards as well as annoying the neighbors with barking.
I've found that offering a $50 rebate to anyone who successfully completes a beginner's obedience class to be helpful in encouraging people to actually TRAIN their dogs.
2007-11-26 07:10:45 · answer #5 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Way too many. I tell people all the time to get a book, talk to some other people with the same dog, but do they listen? NOPE! Friends always thing owning a dog is easy because I have 2 and they don't realize I've been doing this a while and they don't see the work involved. But they think buying a pet is such a wonderful and unique gift.
2007-11-26 07:08:14 · answer #6 · answered by Freckles... 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The breeder I am getting my next Border Collie pup from in the spring requires the new owners pursue obedience classes. She requests to know the name of your trainer and asks for contact information for your trainer so that she can verify that you have already taken a dog thru that trainers classes, or at the very least, made contact about making arrangements for the new puppy, if this is a first one.
I love that she asks all new pups to be trained, regardless of what the pup is purchased for. Of course, I had 3 trainers she could refer to with what I am doing with my current BC, so she loved to see that :)
2007-11-26 07:07:42 · answer #7 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree and would take it a step further to say that no living creature should be given as a gift. If the receiver wanted a pet, they would probably enjoy the process of selecting the best breed for them, the most suitable puppy, etc. If you are giving it is as a gift to someone who is inexperienced, doesn't really want it, or is not fiscally able to maintain it, then you are begging for disaster. Thumbs up! I agree! And congrats to you for taking the pups back and not allowing them to get lost like so many others in shelters...
2007-11-26 06:49:23 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think quite alot of people do, unfortunately. Reading the ads in my local paper, there is an ad for Christmas Shelties, and another ad for puppies-buy one get another for $1. Have you ever heard anything so revolting? Our rescue group never adopts out as gifts and we usually shut down the two months before Christmas, just in case. Then we wait for the two months after Christmas, when we have to scramble to get foster homes for all the incoming.
I also tell people it is never a good idea to buy a living thing as a present.
2007-11-26 08:36:30 · answer #9 · answered by anne b 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with you. If someone really wants a pet for Christmas and has everything planned then I guess it would be ok. If I were a parent I would tell my child they have to care for the dog and it's not my responsibility. But I also think a pet should be a family decision. So many people see a puppy or kitten and think it's cute so they buy it for someone as a gift. Basically you are giving a gift that has a huge responsibility. If you are going to get a pet you really need to be prepared and plan on keeping it for life. I know I would never get rid of any of my animals. They are family and I love them. They will be with me until they day. Until then they will be living a happy little life.
2007-11-26 06:53:30 · answer #10 · answered by blueroan2000 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your question illustrates that the reason why there are so many unwanted pets at animal shelters is not the sole responsibility of over-breeding (or bad breeding). Bad (uninformed, uneducated) pet owners are equally to blame! Bad pet owners often surrender their pets to the shelters, or abandon them in remote areas because it "was too much to handle". I cringe when I see folks swear that spay, neuter programs will solve all pet overpopulation problems. Although I agree that they would help, I believe that doesn't address the bad pet owner problems.
Never give a live animal as gift to someone, sight unseen. All pets should be hand picked by their owners, so that they have time to prepare and determine whether or not a particular animal would be a good fit in their lives.
2007-11-26 07:28:46 · answer #11 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋