We have 2 dogs(young but not puppies anymore), we were considering adopting from a shelter but with grandchildren that's a big no no, there is always a risk with rescues, just this morning actually I met a friend who I hadn't seen for a few weeks, I noticed a scar on his wife's upper arm and mentioned it, sorry went that they were looking after a friend's rescue border collie, something triggered it, she ended up with about a 4inch had that had to be glued and he was bitten 3 times, obviously that dog was put down by it's owner. That re-enforces my point. If you have a dog from a pup then you know it's history, what is been through and train it how you want it to be.
I also once had a rescue(I've had dogs since a child, I'm 54 now), same kind of issues with that, it was my dog and my wife and children weren't allowed near me, it actually went for my wife one day as she came to sit by me, I put myself in the middle and have a big scary to prove it, after that he had to go. Broke my heart, we couldn't have given him a better life than he had but instincts take over. I'm waffling now but you get the point.
I do think dogs are treated badly, in sure those things you mention go on in every country.
I only buy from pet stores, and make sure they are mixed and puppies/kittens. Never had bad luck there, always had great companions.
Here in the UK, they banned pet shops from selling puppies (and I think kittens also) as they're were some very dodgy sellers selling sick puppies to the public. You can only get puppies from friends who have a dog that has pups, kennels, sanctuary or privately from any number of adverts, I think banning it actually made the whole thing worse.
I rescued a kitten recently where I came back to the car from the woods to hear a vehicle screech off at breakneck speed, thought nothing of it and opened the back to put our dogs in their compartments, next thing I hear is a frantic cry and meow and so I went to look at it was obviously very close, I found a 6week(at most) old kitten half way up a tree and had a good look around for any others or a mom, knocked on a local house to see if it was there's and it wasn't. We eventually surmised that the car we heard screeching off must have dumped the kitten in the tree or at the bottom of it. We picked it up, made some phone calls and took it to a shelter probably 5 miles away, initially I think they thought they we had dumped it until we rolled up with 2 dogs in the back and it became obvious that our account was true, sickens me what some people do to animals, fortunately we happened to be in the right place at the right time otherwise a fox or something else would have had it. People are sick.
One of my beagles came out of the woods near me, she's very skittish but an absolute sweetheart. I have another beagle that came from an abusive household, same story with him. Beagles aren't really known for being aggressive though. Your milage may vary.
I love beagles, beautiful hounds. Not enough of them here in the UK, sadly many of the ones I see are on leads because their owners are too scared to allow them off the lead because of their breed , their reputation precedes them lol.
Reactive and aggressive dogs arent without hope, with the proper training, discipline and understanding of an animal, you can at least make a dog safe to be around, though some might not enjoy being a family pet. it takes an educated experienced dog trainer for that kind of shit though, and you need the time to take them on a walk for at least half an hour every day for 60 days strait for the discipline to stick
My dogs have 3 hours exercise each and everyday, off lead for 95% of it. The rescue we had was also well exercised.
Rescue dogs really can't be trusted 100% around young children(I wouldn't ever trust any dog 100% around children), children can be little shits where dogs are concerned and a close eye has to be kept, I caught one of my grandchildren(3 ) pulling one of my dogs ears when she thought no one was watching, short sharp shock for her with a loud deep shout, made her shit herself basically (dog didn't react to her) but knows not to do it again. I've been around dogs and horses all my life and have a good understanding of both.
the 30 minutes isnt about excursive, its about an on leash training regiment that shelter dogs could use. For 60 days, its like doggy bootcamp where they are not left alone and they are not allowed to get out of line without receiving more training. During this time, they should not be at dog parks off leash. I'm thinking of a specific training program i heard from a professional dog trainer
If you have good dogs, offleash stuff is good, the more excursive and fun a dog has the better! I have two dogs, medium and large, and I always watch my kid around them since he can be obnoxious to them. I teach him all about good manners with dogs. I strait up tell him if he hurts or scares the dog they might bite him on the face and give him a big ouchy. I don't really see my dogs ever doing that but it's not impossible and its definitely a possibility with other peoples dogs. either way, good for kids to have good manners and respect all dogs' spaces.
(post is archived)