Not everyone should rescue or even own a dog

I'm taking a slightly different approach today as i join Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue, co-sponsored by Be the Change for Animals and Dog Rescue Success 

With all of the clamor for the public to adopt a shelter dog, (and I’ve been clamoring as much as anyone) we should look closely at what might be involved.

It should be a serious decision, not an impulse.

Sadly, many dogs in shelters—certainly not all—are there because of behavior problems. Many were not properly socialized as puppies and will need serious and loving training.

(Depending on the source) 20-30% of dogs turned over to shelters are dogs that were adopted from shelters originally. Unfortunately, most of these dogs are doomed as two time losers when they are returned. The behaviors that landed them there in the first place are behaviors that the new adopters were not prepared to handle and, in fact, may have made them worse by harsh punishment or neglect.

Shelter personnel can be a big help in matching dogs to the homes, experiences, and lifestyles of humans.

But there are some humans who just should not have a dog.

These are people who

• Are not prepared for a 365 day commitment for 10-15 years of a dog’s life
• Seldom take advice from anyone about anything
• Expect to be informed when Timmy falls into a well
• Think a dog should be grateful for a home and won't mind living neglected out in the yard
• Are permanently grossed out by dogs eating their own vomit
• Just want a big scary dog to protect their stuff
• Think that surfing TV channels is the only exercise needed by man or beast
• Wouldn’t consider an older dog because puppies are so cute
• Are not willing to keep expensive items out of reach or to accept responsibility when the items get chewed
• Expect a puppy to know the difference between carpet and grass
• Don’t think dog fur enhances clothing or furniture
• Follow every fad 
• Are totally self involved
• Have no plans for their lives or living conditions past a few weeks or months
• Have no concept of costs involved in having a dog
• Are shocked to learn that there is a fee to adopt a dog from the shelter
• HAVE ANY ANGER MANAGEMENT ISSUES

I’ve heard stories about some shelters and rescues that make it difficult for people to adopt dogs. Some applications ask for details of the home, past experiences with dogs, and a detailed plan for ownership. For the most part they are trying to find a good match so their shelter doesn't become a revolving door for the dogs.

While some shelters may seem to be unduly intrusive, most of them will work with qualified applicants to make sure the dog that most suits them will find a loving home and the humans are prepared for Life with a Dog.

A dog is forever, not until.

Comments

[Georgia Little Pea]

Good point. We were rejected by a pound once, or rather ignored by the foster carer. The same pound rejected 2 other people we know in the neighbourhood who ended up buying from breeders. Ahh well, can't win them all.

Rufus was dumped twice before we picked him up.

What does "Expect to be informed when Timmy falls into a well" mean?

[Jan]

It means they expect the dog to be as smart as Lassie on TV when she was supposed to have alerted them to any danger. Real dogs don't always do this.

[Pamela]

Jan, you always bring an original view. Great post! And yes, you're so right.

I think the most important characteristic a dog adopter needs is humility and willingness to learn. Unfortunately, that's a tough thing to suss out from an adoption application.

And, as Honey's breeders told us, people learn the right things to say after a while. It's tough to know who's saying what they know you want to hear and who's really committed to growing with a dog over a lifetime.

[Jodi]

I like your take on this Jan. As much as I advocate for rescue I do realize it is not for everyone. I sometimes find myself trying to talk people OUT of getting a dog if I think their lifestyle is not suited to it. :-)

[Jerry]

I think you should add those people who always want to adopt an abused or hero dog who is featured in a newspaper. There always seem to be about a hundred of those people and i have to wonder if they adopt a dog with less publicity or they are just media whores.

[marksdorcel]

I think the most essential attribute a dog adopter needs is humbleness and desire to understand. Unfortunately, that's a challenging factor to suss out from an adopting program.

[Beth]

This a great post and addresses things everyone should consider before to adding a pet to the family!

[Kristine]

Indeed. This reminds me a lot of the friend I posted about last week. She should not own a dog, let alone two, as she just doesn't have the lifestyle for it. Dogs require a lot more commitment than many people realize - to do it right, anyway. When in doubt, it's usually best to wait.

[Jackie Denney]

people also need to remember the reason to get a dog is not for entertainment..but to save it's life and give it a good life..

[Jeff]

Great post! I just helped to rescue a dog whose owner was more interested in the next most exciting thing, rather than take care of the one being that lived every moment for her.

Luckily "Charlie" hit the jackpot at the first adoption event he went to and after responding well on the required questionnaire and getting a successful home check, his new family gets to enjoy him for many years to come.

His new mom stays at home with him and we're helping out with some training to become more confident.

I'm lucky enough to have helped to temperament test him, as well as be his chauffeur.

[Jet]

Hey it's Jet here. Hi Miss Jan.

Thanks for reminding humans what it takes to share their life with a K9. One of the points you make is that shelter K9s like me can arrive with "baggage"... while true, Mom asked me to share that she found that within 3-9 months of learning to trust our new family, we settled down.

[2 Punk Dogs]

I completely agree! The people who really want a dog and will try to talk the shelter into letting them take a dog that is obviously a bad fit are the same ones who will bring the dog back later with more issues than when it first left.

[Jen]

I think these are excellent points. Anybody considering a dog in their house needs to have realistic expectations, not some kind of TV Disney golden ideal of how life will be.

As a funny aside, the last time, in frustration, I asked Elka "well, what? Did Timmy fall down the well?" and she responded with what I took to be a positive response, I told her "We don't even have a well" She was disappointed.

[Ginger, Buddy, Shadow and Mummy too]

SUPERB Post. In fact, Jen, if you agree we'd like to link back and feature your post in our blog because this is one very important topic you've touched which we think a lot of people need to read about. Here in India, of late a huge population has taken to adopting/buying/rescuing dogs and then dumping them because they 'need to go on a holiday or the kids school work takes up so much time or the in-laws do not like dogs or the dog sheds so much!!

A lot of people do not understand that the cute lil pup will grow up and be a big dog and fall sick and ask for playtime and jump on people who visit you etc etc...

[cube]

For the same reason some people shouldn't own dogs, some people shouldn't have children. Dogs are very much like children and require a commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly.

[Donna and the Dogs]

Great post - and first one I've seen that's brought up this important topic! I totally agree - not everyone SHOULD own a dog. (and like Cube said, not everyone should have children either!)

[Jen @MyBrownNewfies]

Great post Jan! I could not agree more that some people should just have a dog for any number of reasons! A pet is a huge commitment and some people just don't realize that until it is too late.

[Karen Friesecke]

You bring up very valid points. Most people do not fully realize that dogs are a 12 to 15 year commitment, not until the baby comes, or until I move to a new place.

After I graduated university, I waited 10 years to get a dog. I just didn't have the right living situation to accommodate a dog AND I knew it.

[Linda]

Well said! I volunteer at our local shelter we have a deaf dalmatian cross about 2 years old that was never socialized or even worked with. She is sweet but bull-headed. She will start to listen to you if you get right where she can see you...the original owners thought she would learn by watching them....grrrrrrrrr

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

[Heather]

I could not agree more that many people should never have pets! I know of a few myself. Maybe your list should be required reading before getting a pet :)

I do have to throw in that we have been lucky enough to have fostered several dogs who were pretty darn close to perfect straight out of the shelter though.

[Pup Fan]

I couldn't agree more... it's so true that even if they want to, people with the characteristics you described are probably not ready to be responsible for another life!

[Paul Coomer]

Thanks Jan,

I really enjoyed your article. You made some really great points, I have linked your post on my blog at www.evansvilledogs.com The comment about Lassie was really cute.