FA+
Shop
if youre looking to adopt a dog
a year ago
General
i think you should have to do an extended petsit for the dog breed you want or just any dog really before you can adopt a dog
like i know a lot about dogs, how to train them, and how dog psychology works, but even as a petsitter i am always learning new things about different breeds and their behaviours purely just by being there with them 24/7 while their owners are gone
and i think so many people just adopt thinking "ohh cute fluffy thing!" and then dont actually consider like do you know how yo train them, do you understand how their minds work and how to avoid enabling bad behaviour without punishing them? are you prepared to take care of them when they have a health crisis or age? things like that, and i think a lot of people would realize they don't want a dog before getting one if they did like a trial run yknow
like i know a lot about dogs, how to train them, and how dog psychology works, but even as a petsitter i am always learning new things about different breeds and their behaviours purely just by being there with them 24/7 while their owners are gone
and i think so many people just adopt thinking "ohh cute fluffy thing!" and then dont actually consider like do you know how yo train them, do you understand how their minds work and how to avoid enabling bad behaviour without punishing them? are you prepared to take care of them when they have a health crisis or age? things like that, and i think a lot of people would realize they don't want a dog before getting one if they did like a trial run yknow
I agree so much. I volunteer at an animal refuge, and every week or so we get a dog that has been surrendered after a few weeks of being adopted, and they are usually still puppies or up to 2 years old. I think having to petsit for some time could avoid this, people who can't take care of dogs or only want cute fluffy plushies would realize that it's better if they don't adopt. Where I live they recently created a law where you can't buy dogs anymore and to adopt you need to pass a course, so it filters out some people already.
LUMENS8ITE
~galaxycuup
OP
I am SO glad they passed that law there, that really gives me hope. I feel like having pets is very normalized, and so everyone thinks they can have one because everyone else they know does. But it really is work, and it takes CONSTANT checkups with yourself to make sure you're staying on track with your pet's needs and not falling off into bad habits. On one hand I'm glad people realize after a few weeks that they're unable to properly provide care, but on the other hand it's avoidable if we just properly make sure the adopters are capable before they're even with the animal. Especially when they are young, this constant back and fourth and instability can be so defining for their personalities. :'(
SPARKLEDOG HUSBANDRY
~zeropointg
speaking as the willing joint caretaker of two special-needs cats we rescued from neglect I absolutely agree and think it should apply to pets in general. people really do forget that even things like rats have emotions
LUMENS8ITE
~galaxycuup
OP
Yes, seriously! I have a disabled cat as well and in general the two of my cats already keep me very busy. I definitely agree about it being applicable to all pets, because it's often even worse for non-standard or exotic pets. Even my pet fish have had different personalities, even amongst the same breed of fish!
