Why On Earth Do People Do This?

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have had a hard time recently with people I know getting dogs, who are completely unprepared. These are people I grew up with, who were always aware of my dog-obsessed attitude. Because of this, a few of them have contacted me when they got a dog, wanting to catch up, and share photos. I have been shocked at how little these people know about the breeds they just purchased. They have literally said "I am so scared, I don't know anything about dogs!" and "I am a cat person, but I went to a dog show, and that was it!"

Just this week, one of my friends from high school got a new puppy. And she is planning on leaving her dog with someone else when she goes back to college in the fall, "unless she has to take him". UNLESS YOU HAVE TO TAKE HIM? You just bought a dog, why wouldn't you take him? I think she might be planning on leaving him with her brother... (sigh). She doesn't know if she's going to do training, and isn't sure about puppy kindergarten either. Do you know what breed she has? A Shar-Pei. Yeah, a Shar-Pei. She got won over by the wrinkles. Does she know that the wrinkles make them predisposed to eye, ear, and skin problems? Probably not. Does she know how stubborn their temperament can be? no.

What gets me about these people is that every single old friend that has contacted me has chosen a stubborn, harder to train dog. A Pit Bull, an Airedale, and a Shar-Pei. If you are going to get a dog without knowing ANYTHING about it, why does it have to be the dogs that require the most rigorous training? Horrible Coincidence? I think it's wrong to buy ANY breed without knowledge, but the ones that are naturally more stubborn, high strung or aggressive are just so much more risky for these kinds of people.

The Shar-Pei club of america actually states that they have an extremely low Aggression threshold, and that physically restraining them in any way (or ear cleaning, clipping nails, etc.) often results in them attacking. Does she know any of this? Probably not. We are going to meet up soon and I hope to talk to her, and give her my trainer's number so she can hopefully enroll in puppy kindergarten.

This is nothing but a rant. I've been so frustrated lately. I am just so shocked at how many people run out and grab a dog from a newspaper ad, without doing any research on dogs at all, let alone the specific breed. I hope these people will end up learning from their mistakes and becoming more informed. I hope they don't end up surrendering their dog when they find out it isn't all sunshine and daisies. I'm so frustrated because I don't know them well enough to give them a lot of unsolicited advice, but I know them well enough not to ignore it...

Have any of you had people you know do this kind of thing? How did you deal with it?

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I totally agree with you. I work in a pet store and I have some many people come in saying, I just picked up my dog, what do i need to buy for it? They have no bed, no food, no treats, no crate, no collar and leash.... nothing! They have no idea what to do.

I also get people coming in saying My dog just had puppies, what do I need to do?

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

It certainly is a reflection of our society's microwave mentality and very frustrating. In an ideal world those that people are obtaining the puppies from would be more selective and take the time to educate potential families of what is truly involved. Unfortunately for every breeder that may have to turn someone away there are opportunities created for purported breeders who consider the *sale* to be the end result. Yet another facet to the cost/investment into the dog? There are many who share your frustration, owners and breeders alike. So many focus on the cost of the puppy someone needs to ask what the cost will be TO the puppy?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

This is the reason that most Doodles wind up in shelters, Craigslist and other places so they can get rid of the unwanted dog. "I saw that cute little face and had no idea she would get so big; I had no idea they needs so much exercise; I had no idea that grooming costs so much"!!!!!
I would say exactly how you feel - obviously this isn't someone you are friends with or she would have had more knowledge about life with a dog. This person is an irresponsible young adult who needs education and you have it to share.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Another pet peeve is people who get dogs who spend their entire lives in the backyard. We have several friends who have done this with a succession of dogs over twenty years. They WANT a dog but only for the backyard. Who wants a dog just to feed and clean up poop?