The number one killer of young dogs is behavior.
Posted by: Linda Trunell | September 18, 2013
(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday
Posted in Dogs, Photo or Video | Tags: canine behavior, dog training
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So true that it makes me want to cry. I came across a healthy 8 month old puppy. She had recently been fixed, brought UTD on shots, and adopted. Then the woman that adopted her got sick and was going to have the puppy put down. I talked to her, and we agreed that I could take the pup on a trial basis to see how she did with my other two dogs. The first week was great, but then my border collie stopped eating, stopped playing, and just kind of sat around looking lethargic. He was physically healthy, but emotionally struggling. He couldn’t handle the new puppy. Two more weeks and he had lost 7 pounds and his fur was horrid. I called the woman and she said “just have her put down. I’m not taking her back.”
This is all because the poor girl had energy, and no one had taken the time to potty train her, or work with her at all. In just the three weeks I had her she learned “sit,” “leave it,” “wait,” “out,” “down,” and “bed.” If my border collie wasn’t suffering so much and losing weight so quickly I would have kept her.
Instead I found her a home. The middle aged man lived alone, and he also worked from home. He needed a friend, and she needed someone with her to help her learn. They met and clicked instantly. She abandoned her spot by my side to sit by his even though I was holding her leash.
People have perfectly healthy dogs put down just because they either don’t want to train them or don’t know how to train them. There is no bad dog, just bad owners.
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By: colliebrookcrossing on September 18, 2013
at 3:14 pm
So good of you to take the pup and then find her a good home when it didn’t work out with your dog. Thanks for sharing a happy ending! 🙂
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By: Linda Trunell on September 18, 2013
at 10:19 pm
It’s very sad. It always amazes me that people expect a dog to know how to adapt and behave without their help.
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By: Clowie on September 20, 2013
at 9:15 am
I agree, Clowie! I cringe when people say their puppy doesn’t need training because they will outgrow the (fill in blank) behavior. When they are not puppies anymore but they are still jumping, mouthing, etc. then people say they are bad dogs. 😦
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By: Linda Trunell on September 20, 2013
at 10:49 am
Yes, and sometimes you see people encouraging a puppy to do something that is obviously going to be a problem when they get a little bigger. It’s confusing for the dog!
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By: Clowie on September 20, 2013
at 10:57 am