April 10, 2005
As a shelter and rescue volunteer, too often I see dogs left at shelters,
picked up roaming, or otherwise in need of good homes. Many people
impulse bought or adopted that cute puppy and then realized how much
work and commitment the puppy really was. Many pups are dumped at
shelters between the ages of 6 - 18 months. At that age, the pup has
outgrown the puppy cuteness. Untrained older puppies suddenly aren't
so amusing anymore. They are unruly and big. If only someone had
taken the time to train them.
I just learned of a 4 year old Chocolate Lab who died today. His owners
could no longer keep him. For months, they tried to find him a good
home. They were nice people and loved him dearly. Sadly, this dog was
poorly socialized and developed bad behaviors that were allowed to go
unchecked. He was brought to me for evaluation after he growled at a
potential adopter.
He seemed to be a nice dog with some training. He was responsive to
his owner and very playful as Labs are. However, he growled and bared
his teeth at me about 1/2 hour into our meeting. I was petting him. I
made my recommendation that he undergo Nothing in Life is Free training
and not go to a home with any children. I cautioned his owners not to
leave him alone with their toddler. They too became concerned. He
continued to growl and bare his teeth at potential adopters. He also did it
to people he had met before.
The final straw was yesterday when he snapped at the toddler and then
tried to attack a guest through a glass door.
Buddy was put to death today. He was too dangerous. The owners had
no other choice. They refused to pass on a biting dog to anyone else.
They could not trust him with their child.
Don't make excuses for your dog's growling, snapping and biting. Such
behaviors are serious and demand immediate attention. Don't say the
dog was tired, sleeping, eating, or just doesn't like it when you take him
off the couch. If your dog growls, bites, snaps or bares its teeth at you,
be thankful you got a warning. Heed the warning and get help.
Better yet - don't ever let it get to the point where you are putting your
dog to death for what may have been prevented with socialization and
training and/or professional help. Start training your puppy right away. If
you adopt an older dog, go to training and seek help for any problems.
Don't make excuses for the dog. Do something before it is too late.
Buddy lost his life for his aggression. A sad ending to a dog who once
was a cute little puppy full of promise.
As a shelter and rescue volunteer, too often I see dogs left at shelters,
picked up roaming, or otherwise in need of good homes. Many people
impulse bought or adopted that cute puppy and then realized how much
work and commitment the puppy really was. Many pups are dumped at
shelters between the ages of 6 - 18 months. At that age, the pup has
outgrown the puppy cuteness. Untrained older puppies suddenly aren't
so amusing anymore. They are unruly and big. If only someone had
taken the time to train them.
I just learned of a 4 year old Chocolate Lab who died today. His owners
could no longer keep him. For months, they tried to find him a good
home. They were nice people and loved him dearly. Sadly, this dog was
poorly socialized and developed bad behaviors that were allowed to go
unchecked. He was brought to me for evaluation after he growled at a
potential adopter.
He seemed to be a nice dog with some training. He was responsive to
his owner and very playful as Labs are. However, he growled and bared
his teeth at me about 1/2 hour into our meeting. I was petting him. I
made my recommendation that he undergo Nothing in Life is Free training
and not go to a home with any children. I cautioned his owners not to
leave him alone with their toddler. They too became concerned. He
continued to growl and bare his teeth at potential adopters. He also did it
to people he had met before.
The final straw was yesterday when he snapped at the toddler and then
tried to attack a guest through a glass door.
Buddy was put to death today. He was too dangerous. The owners had
no other choice. They refused to pass on a biting dog to anyone else.
They could not trust him with their child.
Don't make excuses for your dog's growling, snapping and biting. Such
behaviors are serious and demand immediate attention. Don't say the
dog was tired, sleeping, eating, or just doesn't like it when you take him
off the couch. If your dog growls, bites, snaps or bares its teeth at you,
be thankful you got a warning. Heed the warning and get help.
Better yet - don't ever let it get to the point where you are putting your
dog to death for what may have been prevented with socialization and
training and/or professional help. Start training your puppy right away. If
you adopt an older dog, go to training and seek help for any problems.
Don't make excuses for the dog. Do something before it is too late.
Buddy lost his life for his aggression. A sad ending to a dog who once
was a cute little puppy full of promise.
- Karen
Why train a dog?
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