Considering a Pure-Bred Golden Puppy?
Being a first time dog/puppy owner, I never realized how important the mother, environment and stress plays in the first stages of puppy development. It is for the reason, I visit the sensitive topic of puppies that are sold in pet stores or by backyard breeders.
Dogs/cats need love and care and more and more, there seems to be more rampant reports of exploitation, abuse, neglect and tragically...death. Puppies that come from a good home are given proper care and PLENTY of socialization and human (adult & child) handling. The serious breeder does not allow the puppy to leave its mother until after 8 weeks (never sooner) for health reasons and puppy development. Puppies learn from its mother and when taken too early, they do not learn to be confident and balanced canine citizens. There is always that cute puppy in a pet store, or in that pet ad, and just because it is AKC Registered, de-wormed, vet checked, it does not mean anything anymore. "Responsible breeders address health issues and temperament before breeding their dogs." (from UC Davis Vet Med) This sounds quite preachy, but as potential puppy buyer, we need to bring awareness to this growing concern. This is a hard battle against the pet selling industry and my voice alone may not stand a chance. Be educated about puppy mills and nuisance breeders...how can we stop pet stores from selling dogs? As a first time dog owner, I have been humbled by the company of dogs and see the importance of early canine development...how puppies need a lot of socialization from Day 1. The mother plays a vital role in it's overall physical health, immunity and behavioral health. Puppies are to be in a whelping box inside the house and be socialized inside a home (children, people, cats, puppy blankets, different surfaces, sites, sounds, list goes on) and outside as well in CLEAN/SANITARY conditions. When puppies are caged up like they are in puppy mills and later on in pet stores, they just don't have that interaction and are prone to disease and emotional instability. The new puppy owner's first visit to the vet may come as a shock to the system. They may be cute now or it may be an impulse to buy, but please let them be aware. Buy responsibly or Adopt!
I have included various links below that may be found disheartening or something to ponder. Read on and inquire and think for your own. See where it leads you. Be empowered!
The Amish treat dogs as livestock or cash crop:
Every now and then we check what is going on at a nearby Petland, we check to see if there is a Golden Retriever puppy and it always makes me cry. Just recently, we were on our way to watch a movie and peeked to see what went on during after hours (after 9PM) at Petland. Absolutely nothing was happening. The puppies appeared to have been left in their cages.
Stop Petland:
http://www.thevoicefordogs.org/Petland/petland.shtml
Sadly, Ohio is one of the largest suppliers of fancy pedigreed pets sold in pet stores. Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas...
If you choose to get a dog, adopt or make sure you get it from a serious hobby breeder who cares, knows and has studied the breed and not just for looks or cuteness or sentimentality. If the breeder asks you lots of questions and grills you, do not be put off or be offended. That breeder will make you sign a contract and will ask to remain in contact with you. Remember this is a dog that will be part of your life for at least 10-15 years or more. It is like a family member. If you decide to adopt, make sure you take a dog trainer/breeder with you that understands canine personalities and who knows that specific breed. You want a calm submissive dog and not a shy/timid one. Remember, a puppy that appears vibrant, social and jumps up to greet may be oh-so-cute now but also consider that it can be a high energy dog which may require lots of work to channel its energy. Ask the breeder which puppy would suit your lifestyle and personality. If you have small children, ask the breeder which puppy would be able to handle a family with small children. That serious breeder has been with those puppies long enough to know its individual energy levels and activity needs, etc. Just because it's super cute, it doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Again, choose the puppy/dog that matches your energy and lifestyle. Ask a trainer, a discerning breeder, veterinarian who knows the breed to go with you.
Who's that cute Golden puppy in the window? Buyer Be Aware! Knowledge is Power!
This is absolutely preachy and may be disturbing to many of us. So many dogs end up in the wrong homes or are simply neglected, mistreated, homeless or left abandoned, euthanized or posted in some re-homing site, Craigslist, no kill shelter or given to a breed/mixed rescue after the puppy honeymoon ends. Just look at the ads, both paper and/or online, Petfinder, rescue organizations, ASPCA, humane societies, etc.
Dogs/cats need love and care and more and more, there seems to be more rampant reports of exploitation, abuse, neglect and tragically...death. Puppies that come from a good home are given proper care and PLENTY of socialization and human (adult & child) handling. The serious breeder does not allow the puppy to leave its mother until after 8 weeks (never sooner) for health reasons and puppy development. Puppies learn from its mother and when taken too early, they do not learn to be confident and balanced canine citizens. There is always that cute puppy in a pet store, or in that pet ad, and just because it is AKC Registered, de-wormed, vet checked, it does not mean anything anymore. "Responsible breeders address health issues and temperament before breeding their dogs." (from UC Davis Vet Med) This sounds quite preachy, but as potential puppy buyer, we need to bring awareness to this growing concern. This is a hard battle against the pet selling industry and my voice alone may not stand a chance. Be educated about puppy mills and nuisance breeders...how can we stop pet stores from selling dogs? As a first time dog owner, I have been humbled by the company of dogs and see the importance of early canine development...how puppies need a lot of socialization from Day 1. The mother plays a vital role in it's overall physical health, immunity and behavioral health. Puppies are to be in a whelping box inside the house and be socialized inside a home (children, people, cats, puppy blankets, different surfaces, sites, sounds, list goes on) and outside as well in CLEAN/SANITARY conditions. When puppies are caged up like they are in puppy mills and later on in pet stores, they just don't have that interaction and are prone to disease and emotional instability. The new puppy owner's first visit to the vet may come as a shock to the system. They may be cute now or it may be an impulse to buy, but please let them be aware. Buy responsibly or Adopt!
I have included various links below that may be found disheartening or something to ponder. Read on and inquire and think for your own. See where it leads you. Be empowered!
Elect Adoption
Reputable Breeder vs. the Backyard Breeder
Don't Buy a Puppy for Christmas: Cute Golden Puppies for Christmas!
Common Misconceptions About Dog Breeding, from a Dachshund
Finding a Golden Retriever Breeder
Reputable Breeder vs. the Backyard Breeder
Don't Buy a Puppy for Christmas: Cute Golden Puppies for Christmas!
Common Misconceptions About Dog Breeding, from a Dachshund
Finding a Golden Retriever Breeder
UC Davis: Companion Animal Behavioral Health
Managing Reproduction in Dogs: Responsible Breeders Assessing Health & Temperament before Breeding
Managing Reproduction in Dogs: Responsible Breeders Assessing Health & Temperament before Breeding
The Amish treat dogs as livestock or cash crop:
Every now and then we check what is going on at a nearby Petland, we check to see if there is a Golden Retriever puppy and it always makes me cry. Just recently, we were on our way to watch a movie and peeked to see what went on during after hours (after 9PM) at Petland. Absolutely nothing was happening. The puppies appeared to have been left in their cages.
Stop Petland:
http://www.thevoicefordogs.
Sadly, Ohio is one of the largest suppliers of fancy pedigreed pets sold in pet stores. Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas...
If you choose to get a dog, adopt or make sure you get it from a serious hobby breeder who cares, knows and has studied the breed and not just for looks or cuteness or sentimentality. If the breeder asks you lots of questions and grills you, do not be put off or be offended. That breeder will make you sign a contract and will ask to remain in contact with you. Remember this is a dog that will be part of your life for at least 10-15 years or more. It is like a family member. If you decide to adopt, make sure you take a dog trainer/breeder with you that understands canine personalities and who knows that specific breed. You want a calm submissive dog and not a shy/timid one. Remember, a puppy that appears vibrant, social and jumps up to greet may be oh-so-cute now but also consider that it can be a high energy dog which may require lots of work to channel its energy. Ask the breeder which puppy would suit your lifestyle and personality. If you have small children, ask the breeder which puppy would be able to handle a family with small children. That serious breeder has been with those puppies long enough to know its individual energy levels and activity needs, etc. Just because it's super cute, it doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Again, choose the puppy/dog that matches your energy and lifestyle. Ask a trainer, a discerning breeder, veterinarian who knows the breed to go with you.
Who's that cute Golden puppy in the window? Buyer Be Aware! Knowledge is Power!
This is absolutely preachy and may be disturbing to many of us. So many dogs end up in the wrong homes or are simply neglected, mistreated, homeless or left abandoned, euthanized or posted in some re-homing site, Craigslist, no kill shelter or given to a breed/mixed rescue after the puppy honeymoon ends. Just look at the ads, both paper and/or online, Petfinder, rescue organizations, ASPCA, humane societies, etc.
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