Pet Exchange Garden

Where is the very best location to get a dog?

Friends of mine just recently bought a puppy. When I asked where they got her, the hubby avoided eye get in touch with as well as stated “… we went to a breeder …”

It was like he had dedicated a crime.

Why are people so ashamed to state they bought a dog from a breeder?!

One of the very first concerns dog owners ask when they satisfy a new dog or puppy is “Where did you get him?”

If you go to a dog park, that is the third concern you will hear.

What’s his name? exactly how old? Where did you get him?

Dog owners like to share the stories of exactly how they “rescued” their dogs, as well as it seems like all dogs are “rescues” these days.

It’s sufficient to make me want to run out as well as buy an 8-week-old schnoodle.

Apparently Ace is a “rescue” just since I embraced him from his previous owner. He never spent a day in the pound. He never went to a shelter or a rescue group. He was just re-homed from one lady to another. I’m not a hero for adopting him. I just desired a awesome dog.

But most people want some type of credit history for “rescuing.” obviously if I buy my dog from some creeper on Craigslist, that makes my dog a “rescue.” If a farm dog has pups as well as I get one, then that dog would likewise be a “rescue.”

I even had a guy tell me he “rescued” a puppy from a pet shop in Fargo. This “rescued” pup had a cost tag of $500. “He’d been in there method as well long.”

Right … I assumption it didn’t happen to him that his designer mutt was ridiculously overpriced.

Of course, I’m 100 percent behind dog rescues as well as shelters. I prefer to embrace my animals rather than buy them since there are so many without homes. But there are other completely acceptable methods to acquire dogs.

It’s your decision exactly how you want to get yours.

Where should I adopt/buy a dog?

Here are a few options:

Craigslist – adopting directly from previous owner

Reasons to embrace someone’s dog:

This is exactly how I embraced my mutt Ace. The process was extremely stress free as well as simple. His owner had him listed on a regional adoption site.

I called her as well as went with my listing of questions: Is he housebroken? great with cats? Kennel trained? Vocal? High energy? She likewise asked me a few concerns since she seriously desired her dog to go to a great home.

1. most of these dogs are well behaved.

The majority of dogs you see advertised on Craigslist or in the newspaper are completely well behaved. people re-home dogs because of way of life modifications that have nothing to do with the dog (new baby, divorce, new job, new spouse).

These dogs know how to act properly in a house environment. They have spent a great deal of time in their crates as well as are therefore kennel trained as well as housebroken. many have dealt with cats, dogs as well as children. Some have even been with obedience classes.

2. most of these dogs have already been spayed or neutered as well as are present on shots.

3. If the dog is full grown, you will be able to see his true character as well as size.

4. You can get a truly fantastic dog for bit or no money.

I paid nothing for Ace. most people will request a “re-homing fee” of $50 to $100. They aren’t trying to make a revenue off the dog. They just want to make sure he goes to a great home.

Check out my publish on why I’m against re-homing fees.

5. There are no adoption contracts to fill out.

Sometimes shelters overdo it with adoption fees, references, house gos to as well as adoption regulations.

The process is time consuming as well as stressful. When I embraced Ace, it was nice that I didn’t have to indication a type stating I would never enable him off leash or that I would enable a rescue volunteer to find inspect on him at any type of time.

Reasons not to embrace someone’s dog:

1. There’s a possibility the private will not disclose info about the dog.

He may leave out a few details about aggression. He may not tell you about specific medical issues the dog has. Make sure to request vet records, as well as make sure to observe the dog around other animals. Ask a great deal of questions.

2. At the last minute, the original owner may choose she can’t part with the dog after all.

I’ve heard of this happening a lot. as well as there’s not a whole great deal you can do about it. Don’t get as well connected to the dog you are thinking about up until it is a done deal. Be cautious about providing out your personal info such as your address unless you want the previous owner stopping by to inspect on her “little boy.”

3. The original owner may want constant updates on “her” dog.

This can get old truly fast. You may be thinking about my publish on whether or not to stay in get in touch with with your dog’s previous owner.

Breeders

There are great breeders as well as poor breeders. A great breeder does not always have puppies available. There will likely be a waiting list. A great breeder will ask prospective purchasers a great deal of concerns as well as will need references.

Reasons to buy a puppy from a breeder:

1. There’s something attractive about increasing a dog from the extremely beginning.

It’s not much different than people wanting to have kids of their own. nobody criticizes parents for having a baby, however that exact same couple will get an earful if they go out as well as buy a goldendoodle puppy!

2. You can satisfy the puppy’s parents.

Meeting a puppy’s parents will provide you a great concept what your puppy will look like as well as exactly how huge he will get. It will likewise provide you some concept of what his character as well as temperament may be.

3. You can always get in touch with the breeder with any type of concerns throughout the dog’s life.

A great breeder will have all type of advice on nutrition, health, training, exercise as well as grooming for your specific breed. They are happy to response your questions.

4. A great breeder cares about the health and wellness of the mom as well as her puppies.

The mom will not be bred over as well as over. If any type of genetic problems come up, she will never be bred again. The puppies as well as their mom online in a warm, clean atmosphere with lots of space to play as well as explore. when they are old enough, the puppies get to play outside. T

he puppies are never offered before they are prepared to leave their mom, as well as they are almost housetrained by the time they go to their new homes. In their short lives, they have already had great experiences socializing with people as well as dogs.

For more info on buying from a breeder, inspect out my publish on reasons to buy a dog from a breeder.

Reasons not to buy a puppy from a breeder:

1. You can’t get a puppy immediately.

It’s not simple to discover a great breeder. when you discover one, you may be on a waiting listing for at least six months. If you want a specific breed, you may have to drive to one more state. most people do not have this type of patience, which is why pet shops stay in business.

2. You will pay a high price.

Healthy, purebred puppies from high quality breeders are not cheap. depending upon the breed you are interested in, plan on costs anywhere from $200 to $5,000+ on your puppy. You will likewise pay for vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, etc.

Dog rescues/shelters

Reasons to embrace a rescue dog:

1. You truly are saving a life.

You are saving the life of two dogs – the dog you embrace as well as the dog that is pulled from the pound to take his location at the shelter.

2. The majority of dogs that end up in shelters are friendly as well as healthy.

The sick, poorly bred, aggressive as well as out of manage dogs just don’t make it out of the pounds as easily.

3. many shelter dogs have had some training.

Most rescue dogs will already be housebroken as well as will have some idea of fundamental commands like sit as well as stay. It’s nice to embrace a dog that is past the puppy stage. 

Housetraining, crate training as well as obedience training all take a great deal of time. Puppies likewise chew everything, as well as they have endless amounts of energy.

4. The dog’s character as well as size are usually clear.

When you embrace an adult dog, what you see is what you get.

5. You can embrace the dog at a extremely reasonable price.

The adoption charge (usually $150 to $500) is nothing compared to what the shelter has likely spent on that dog by bailing him out of the pound, boarding him at a shelter or kennel, feeding him, vaccinating him as well as neutering him.

6. Purebred dogs requirement adopting, too.

When I go to adoption events, people are always shocked to see purebred huskies, Pomeranians, springer spaniels, etc., up for adoption. It shouldn’t be such a shock. great deals of purebred dogs are abandoned. Rescue groups are set up for virtually every breed.

You may likewise be thinking about my publish on reasons to embrace a shelter dog.

Reasons not to embrace a rescue dog:

1. Some shelters are as well excited to embrace out the dogs.

Shelters desperately want to save more dogs from the pounds. They can’t rescue more dogs up until they embrace out the dogs they have.

So, if you are feeling rushed or pressured by the shelter or if a dog seems as well great to be true, take a step back. wait a few days. Ask a great deal of questions. There is no such thing as a perfect dog. before you embrace a dog, make sure the shelter will takethe dog back if for any reason it doesn’t work out.

2. You are cleaning up somebody else’s mistakes.

Shelter dogs tend to find with their fair share of “issues.” Separation stress and anxiety seems to be more typical in shelter dogs than in dogs that have never spent time in a shelter. Some have not been well socialized around other pets as well as have dog-aggression issues. Some have so much energy they do not understand exactly how to relax.

3. Your options for adopting a puppy are limited.

Most shelter dogs are still young however past that adorable puppy stage. There are puppies that end up in shelters, however they may not be the breed you are hoping for.

Pet shops

Reasons to buy a puppy from a pet shop:

If you get a pup from a pet shop, you don’t have to offer with the sometimes ridiculous demands that rescues/shelters as well as breeders put in place. You can just go out as well as get a dog.

Reasons not to buy a puppy from a pet shop:

1. You are funding dog abuse.

I can’t even begin to explain the abuse that goes on in puppy mills. The personnel at the pet shop will tell you they get the puppies from “local breeders.” Puppy mills are breeders!

2. Pet shop puppies are incredibly difficult to housetrain.

Because they have never lived outside of a cage, it’s natural for pet shop puppies to poop as well as pee in their kennels. They are unfazed by sleeping in their own poop, playing with their poop as well as even eating their poop. It’s difficult to break these habits.

3. Puppies from pet shops are likely to have many health and wellness problems.

Good breeders will not breed dogs with health and wellness problems, however puppy mills as well as pet shops do not care about the health and wellness of their puppies. many are even inbred. All puppies are cute, as well as all puppies sell. A puppy mill’s goal is to create as many puppies as possible since that means more money.

4. You do not get to satisfy the puppy’s parents.

5. Your puppy will be overpriced, plus you will likewise have to pay for vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc.

Other methods to get a dog

Of course, there are other methods to acquire dogs. You may discover as well as keep a stray. You may buy a pup from your neighbor dog’s “accidental” litter. You may get a puppy as a gift or inherit your fantastic aunt’s Pomeranian. There are endless scenarios for obtaining them.

What advice do you have for somebody planning on getting a dog?