The Darker Side of Acquiring a New Dog

I had a Zoom meeting with a couple who acquired their new dog from a shelter out of state.  They were so excited to get this young dog; they paid the shelter fee, paid to fly themselves and the dog home, and were looking forward to years of love and companionship.  What they got, however, was something very different.  This dog began behaving aggressively toward the owners during the first week.  They made adjustments in their own behavior with regard to resources the dog might guard, how they leashed him, etc.  Still, he would lay between them on the couch or bed, receiving attention, and suddenly stiffen, growl, snap and bite them.  He would seem fine one minute and then bite the next.  At first the bites were inhibited and seemed to be about resources,  but his last bite was completely unprovoked and left punctures and necessitated a trip to the doctor.  When they contacted the shelter to find out more information on the dog, they found out that the person who dropped the dog off gave a fake phone number/address and the veterinarian named on the record had no clue who this dog was.  Given how quickly this dog became aggressive without provocation, it seems likely he was surrendered because of that behavior.  Now this poor couple is trying to figure out how to get him safely back to the shelter out of state.  When we talked, I let them know that the shelter might just adopt him out again; he's a really cute, purebred dog.  He'll be a moneymaker for the shelter or a rescue group if they choose to ignore his bite history (which they shouldn't).  This dog should be humanely euthanized so he is no longer a risk to himself or others.  My clients are devastated, but may choose to have him euthanized here because they don't want anyone else to go through the trauma and heartbreak they just did. So, why am I telling you this?

This pandemic has led to thousands of people seeking puppies and dogs to add to their homes.  Most felt that the best time to acquire a new four-legged companion was when everyone was home and sheltering in place.  The problem with this logic is that everyone and his brother were looking for dogs at the same time.  The best breeders I know have long waiting lists and had long waiting lists pre-COVID.  Their waiting lists now are even longer, some with lists running a couple of years out.  The unfortunate result of this is that many prospective dog owners got a bit desperate and disheartened and turned to puppy brokers (who get their puppies from puppy mills and backyard breeders) and less reputable sources to acquire their dogs.  Many looking to rescue, ended up getting their dogs from shelters and rescue groups out of state and even out of the country!  The result of this is we are now seeing a lot of puppies and dogs with significant medical and behavioral issues.  One of my clients had to euthanize her German Shepherd puppy because he had multiple organ failure at the tender age of 4 months old!  She'd had him exactly 4 weeks, during which time he'd been sick and hospitalized and she'd spent a small fortune trying to save him. Another client put down a hefty deposit on a Goldendoodle puppy that his family had chosen from photos and videos.  When it came time to ship the puppy, it turns out that those photos and videos weren't of available puppies, but puppies belonging to some other breeder. Now he can't get his phone calls returned and likely won't see his money either.  Plus, his kids aren't getting their puppy.  There is also the client who picked a male puppy using the guidelines I'd suggested for their family, only to be shipped a female puppy with significant medical and behavioral issues.  The breeder's response to their query as to why they received this puppy and not the one they'd chosen and put down a deposit on?  She said that she knew what was best for her puppies and the fact that they had a lot of resources here in California would be best for this puppy as they could afford to care for it.  I was shocked.  Now we have "breeders" deciding who can and can't afford extensive care?! Unbelievable.

If you are getting the feeling that I'm really aggravated and annoyed by all of this, you are right.  I hate seeing prospective dog owners get taken for a ride.  I hate that there are unsavory characters out there breeding dogs simply for profit, without any concern for ethical breeding practices, health guarantees, genetic testing, etc.  I know there isn't an easy solution to this problem other than to remind prospective dog owners not to impulse buy.  Do the research.  Expect to be interviewed and interview them as well. Ask for references and follow up on those.  While it's fine to research breeds you might like on the AKC website, just being a breeder listed on there doesn't make them "the best." Joining social media groups that center on the breed you are interested in is a great way to network and find out what the care and keeping of that breed entails from people who are doing it.  Asking where they got their dogs and networking that way is fine too, just don't expect to get a dog within a few weeks to months. It's going to take longer and the disreputable folks in those groups can smell desperation a mile away. 

Acquiring a dog is a long term investment; you will be investing time, energy, and money into helping your dog be the best that he can be.  You need to start with a good hand, so to speak.  If the deck is stacked against you before your puppy even arrives, it's a recipe for failure.  My plan is to continue to coach prospective owners on what to look for in breeders, rescue groups, and shelters.  I will continue to encourage them to use science and not just emotion to pick their dogs.  There is a reason that I do breed counseling sessions with people; you can choose a dog scientifically, using my questionnaires that ferret out what you are truly looking for in a canine companion so that the choice you make is sound.  Even choosing between a male and female puppy can have impact, and birth order of the puppies is important too.  Looking at breeders who use systems like "Puppy Culture" is definitely a plus, but there are plenty of conscientious breeders who use other systems and produce lovely, well-adjusted, healthy dogs. 

These pandemic dogs are an interesting cohort.  Scientists will be studying them for years to come.  They are dogs who live with their people 24/7 as folks work from home; they are dogs who have never been left alone, ever; they have been walked in neighborhoods where people cross the street to avoid one another; and they've been far less socialized with other dogs with the absence puppy and dog training classes.  How these dogs turn out in the long run remains to be seen. I remain hopeful that dogs are as resilient as I've always known them to be and that these pandemic pooches will teach us all about unwavering love, companionship, and the bonds that tie us together. 

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

A pandemic puppy I met a few months ago!