Okay, Okay, I know what an overused phrase right? But it's catchy and it really sums up the point I hope to make with today's blog entry. Very rarely do I find it necessary to step up on my soapbox in my blog. Usually you will find lost of helpful information on training and behavior but today I will be discussing an issue that is close to my heart. Therefore, I apologize in advance if I get too worked up writing this entry but I WILL NOT apologize for being passionate about this subject, the dogs deserve a voice. Thanks!
Fielding many calls about training and working with a local rescue group, I have experienced first hand how many "dog lovers" treat dogs like they are novelties that either fit into their household or face being returned to the shelter. Not only is this unfair to the dogs, it creates a very big problem for local shelters, especially no-kill facilities.
Fielding many calls about training and working with a local rescue group, I have experienced first hand how many "dog lovers" treat dogs like they are novelties that either fit into their household or face being returned to the shelter. Not only is this unfair to the dogs, it creates a very big problem for local shelters, especially no-kill facilities.
Anytime one of my clients approach me about getting a new dog I do strongly suggest they consider adoption through the shelter or a local rescue however, the decision to get ANY dog by ANY means is a heavy one. It is likely that the first few years of your new friend's life is going to be more about what you do for it than what it does for you. You are committing to raising a hairy four legged child that will likely never develop past the equivalent of a 2 year old child (minus the speaking part!) for an average of 15 years. In order to create a companion you love spending time with, you will not be able to immediately enjoy wonderful behaviors, you will instead be putting in several months of hard work to mold and shape the companion you want your dog to be. I thoroughly enjoy planting a garden every year, however, I know it will take several months of hard work preparing the soil, planting the seeds, watering, weeding, etc. to be able to enjoy the bountiful harvest at the end of the summer. Do I wish I could plant a seed and come back the next day to fresh garden tomatoes? Sure! Unfortunately, that is not how gardening, or dog "raising" works…
Stepping up on my soapbox, I hear many clients utter the phrase, "I am going to take you back!", some are only joking, some are quite serious! Unfortunately, surrendering dogs to the shelter, or a rescue, or returning a dog you adopted without giving them time to adjust and exploring ALL avenues of addressing the issues is rarely the best thing for the dog.
I once had a potential client tell me that their dog got into the trash, stole things off the counters, and barked in it's crate and if they couldn't curb these behaviors, he would have to be returned to the shelter because he "just didn't fit into OUR household". (This particular dog was a stray for 7 months and had spent the next 5 months in the shelter and he was probably only about 14-16 months old! This means he developed these behaviors out of necessity to survive!) However, beyond his motives for the behavior is her reasoning. "He just doesn’t fit into OUR household". Excuse me, but a dog who dumpster dives and counter surfs will not fit into ANYONE'S household until someone takes the time to address the issues, unless of course you can find a dog owner who does not have a trash can…our counters…
I once had a potential client tell me that their dog got into the trash, stole things off the counters, and barked in it's crate and if they couldn't curb these behaviors, he would have to be returned to the shelter because he "just didn't fit into OUR household". (This particular dog was a stray for 7 months and had spent the next 5 months in the shelter and he was probably only about 14-16 months old! This means he developed these behaviors out of necessity to survive!) However, beyond his motives for the behavior is her reasoning. "He just doesn’t fit into OUR household". Excuse me, but a dog who dumpster dives and counter surfs will not fit into ANYONE'S household until someone takes the time to address the issues, unless of course you can find a dog owner who does not have a trash can…our counters…
You see, it’s the idea that you can just take them to the shelter (or back to the shelter) and everything will be just fine that is the problem. Every time a dog is adopted out and returned, it gets more difficult to adopt, not only because it has never experienced true structure and routine, but also because not many potential adopters are willing to take on a dog who has already proven to be a "handful". To think that taking it to the shelter leads to it finding a wonderful home that it "fits in" is not very realistic.
According to the HSUS, between 6 and 8 million cats and dogs enter shelters each year and between 3 and 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized by shelters each year, this means only roughly HALF the dogs surrendered to shelters successfully find a new home.
Most shelters do not have the room to take in all the dogs that are being surrendered across the country on a daily basis. When you adopt a dog from the shelter, thinking, " Oh I can just bring it back if it doesn't work out" you become part of the problem. Especially No-Kill organizations. When you adopt a dog, they happily fill that space or foster home with a new dog in need. When you come back a few days or weeks later saying that dog "doesn't fit", they are faced with a problem. Do they turn you away? Or do they take the dog in and make space by coming up with some other "reason" to empty a spot? What if your dog, who has failed at being adopted gets chosen as the one with "behavioral issues" and gets euthanized?
According to the HSUS, between 6 and 8 million cats and dogs enter shelters each year and between 3 and 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized by shelters each year, this means only roughly HALF the dogs surrendered to shelters successfully find a new home.
Most shelters do not have the room to take in all the dogs that are being surrendered across the country on a daily basis. When you adopt a dog from the shelter, thinking, " Oh I can just bring it back if it doesn't work out" you become part of the problem. Especially No-Kill organizations. When you adopt a dog, they happily fill that space or foster home with a new dog in need. When you come back a few days or weeks later saying that dog "doesn't fit", they are faced with a problem. Do they turn you away? Or do they take the dog in and make space by coming up with some other "reason" to empty a spot? What if your dog, who has failed at being adopted gets chosen as the one with "behavioral issues" and gets euthanized?
If you are considering relinquishing your dog because he exhibits some behaviors you don't appreciate, would you be willing to take him to the shelter if they euthanized him in front of you when you got there? If not, then your dog's issues do not warrant surrender to the shelter. Yes, many dogs get adopted out to wonderful homes with owners who spend the time to address behaviors and teach the dog how to be the companion they want, but is it worth the risk you run when you surrender your dog?
If you have a dog that has you at your wit's end, please consider talking to a training professional first. Most will talk to you over the phone and give you some initial advice or may even offer free or low cost Assessment visits. If you cannot afford training, you can find lots of great information on the internet about dog training ( just be prepared to find a million different ideas to try!). We offer monthly training seminars that cover a wide variety of topics with a chance to talk to the trainer about your own dog! These seminars just require a $15 donation to Saving Death Row Dogs ( a local rescue). If you still don't think it is going to work for you to keep the dog, consider fostering the dog while looking for a new home. Saving Death Row Dogs is completely reliant on their foster network and cannot take a dog in unless it has a foster home for it. However, they can do Courtesy Listings for owners or you can apply to become a foster and foster your own dog while we try to place it in a new home.
Before adding a dog in your life, please commit to working through any problems it may have (after all they put up with yours!). If you cannot to commit to helping a dog become the companion you want, please reconsider getting a dog. If you know someone who is considering taking their dog to the shelter, feel free to pass along this article!
If you have a dog that has you at your wit's end, please consider talking to a training professional first. Most will talk to you over the phone and give you some initial advice or may even offer free or low cost Assessment visits. If you cannot afford training, you can find lots of great information on the internet about dog training ( just be prepared to find a million different ideas to try!). We offer monthly training seminars that cover a wide variety of topics with a chance to talk to the trainer about your own dog! These seminars just require a $15 donation to Saving Death Row Dogs ( a local rescue). If you still don't think it is going to work for you to keep the dog, consider fostering the dog while looking for a new home. Saving Death Row Dogs is completely reliant on their foster network and cannot take a dog in unless it has a foster home for it. However, they can do Courtesy Listings for owners or you can apply to become a foster and foster your own dog while we try to place it in a new home.
Before adding a dog in your life, please commit to working through any problems it may have (after all they put up with yours!). If you cannot to commit to helping a dog become the companion you want, please reconsider getting a dog. If you know someone who is considering taking their dog to the shelter, feel free to pass along this article!
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