Dog ownership

Some dogs just don't 'get' children, they don't understand the size

 

I'm nothing if not balanced

 

Cant have a dog right now due to circumstances but I would at some point like to get one.
At the same time I'd have to think twice about rehoming a rescue dog, not regarding any problems of the kind mentioned in the thread, but you just dont know what inbuilt problems that dog might have.
You only see the happy ones in the ads, ....and they do a good job....But....

 

My dog (lady see photo) was a rescue dog .She has has a lovely nature and is very placid.I do not let any child stroke her unless they ask there mum first,then if she says yes O.K. I let them stroke her .I got her from the Dogs trust and have never had a home visit or call from the day I got her.The kennels that we got her from where some of the worst that I have ever seen,just after we got her we heard that the Dogs trust had stop them taken in and rehomeing dogs. I had a Lab. cross some years ago which we got as a pup,so as we had never had a large dog (our 3 be for him where small types) we went to a training school and he made a lovely dog,I finished up helping to train young dogs in there first years,they then moved up the ladder to other trainers and learnt more.

 

The answer to that is because people buy a puppy/dog and simply get fed up with it. It is too big/too boisterous/eats too much so can't afford to feed it, poor animal is then taken to a rescue centre, thoroughly confused and locked in a kennel!!!!!!!! No wonder these poor dogs have problems!!! Also, particularly with the Staffordshire bull terriers a lot of 'inbreeding' is going on, the puppies sell well so people breed them., buyers are tempted by a cheap price and buy them only to find they have a dog which they cannot control!!!! So again poor dog is carted off to a rescue centre!!! disgraceful state of affairs, I cannot understand why there isn't some sort of legislation on this.

Val

 

It all goes back to the exposure of a dog to the movements of children. AND teaching the child to respect the dog too.

But we have to still teach the adult human how to pick the right animal for their life style. Some folks should not even own a fish.
We have to stop stupid breeding, (just because they should have a litter) ---really???

We have to spay and neuter more.

 

I agree with you on this Redstar. Living on a small island we have to keep control of dogs and cats here, including feral cats. Any dog that is found wandering the streets is automatically picked up and taken to a warden run kennel. If the animals are claimed, the owners are charged a small fine. Those that aren't claimed are taken to our MSPCA (Manx Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Every cat and dog there including ferals are spayed and neutered as routine before they are released to any prospective new owner.

All dogs on the island are licenced as a legal requirement at a reasonable cost and collar tags are issued with a registered number for tracing. I think this should be done with cats here too.

 

Working with rescue cats, I am all for neutering. And all these 'trendy' mixed breeds?! Please, they're just encouraging unwanted pups...

 

I really wish, all breeders would stop breeding for ONE YEAR. And promote rescue out of kennels and spaying and neutering of dogs.

 

We have 3 West Highland Terriers, I rescued 1 from a house, I was working next door and everyday he was outside in all weather's there was no where for shelter, I started taking pictures on my phone, and one day I saw the owner go outside and give him a good slapping for only barking as it was raining , I went round and knocked on the door and asked for the dog and if I wasn't given the dog I would be reporting him to the authorities for animal cruelty as I had photo on my phone.
He handed him over and I took him straight to our vets for a check up, he was severely under weight and he stunk.
We have now had him for 5 years and he is the most loyal dog I have ever had .
But I still wouldn't trust our dogs with a small child

 

Any chance of pictures please Ian. I love West Highlands and lost mine six years ago at the age of thirteen, she was never the healthiest of dogs throughout her life but to me she was perfect, I still miss her a lot!

 

Bit careless of you there, Sheal! Didn't you keep her on a lead?

 

This is my Westie I rescued

 

Awww, he's so cute Ian, thanks for the picture.