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Originally Posted by anniez69  Well, I'm home now. I didn't get either of them. They were both definately puppies. Neither had lost their k9 (?) teeth yet and both had the adult teeth just barely poking through the gums. The boy was HUGE and rather playful. The little girl (the one I was hoping for) was so shy and timid, very submissive. Not the temperment I was hoping for. Her coat was very dry and brittle. She just was not a good fit for me. I have a 7 month old yorkie boy. He loves everyone, wants to sniff and play with every person and every other dog he comes across. He never cowers. I want another one with more of the same temperment.
I inquired about their health and they handed me the personality profile the previous owners filled out. The shelter staff said the people that brought them in got them from a breeder. The profile that the owners filled out checked off that they got both of them from a pet shop. I mentioned that to the shelter worker and she said, very snotty I might add, "Pet shop/breeder, same thing" I said they are not the same thing. I didn't want to get into it with them. The right pooch will come along.  |
When you walk into a shelter looking for a new pet, you cannot expect their behavior to be anything like it would be in your home. Shelters are very stressful to animals and they will begin to take on and show signs of xenophobic behavior from the others animals around them.
You also cannot expect a shelter worker to know the true personality of a puppy that is in a shelter. It takes about 2 weeks for the true personality of a shelter pup to come out. Shelter works can be very stress by the daily neglect and suffering they are witness to so please try to cut them a break. They are underpaid or volunteers and not treated with much respect for what they do.
My Bogey is a shelter pup and if I would have assessed him by his behavior at the shelter I would not have a wonderful, calm, sweet, cuddly, beautiful little guy. His coat was a mess (dull, brittle, matted), he was so hyper that I was barely able to pick him up, did not walk on a leash, he didn't know grass, stairs, toys, treats, tricks, treats, or proper social behavior. Right now he is curled on my lap sleeping and is the biggest love bug that I could possibly want. He loves the car and it always the first at the door to go bye-bye.
I'm not even sure how to address your comment about pet shop/breeder comment. IMO anyone who allows 2 dogs to have puppies is a breeder but that does not make them a
good breeder. Purchasing from someone who calls themselves a breeder does not mean much in my book.
It unfortunate that you were ill-prepared for your experience in looking for a new addition to your family when you went to the shelter to look at the 2 little puppies. You might have just passed up the very best addition to your family and helped to save a live.
Good luck in your continued search for a new puppy.