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Old 11-12-2010, 08:07 PM   #60
ladyjane
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by megansmomma View Post
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.
Anyone with ANY familararity about shelter dogs would know that everything stated above is absolutely true!

When I foster a pup, I don't even think about placement for a minimum of 3 weeks after they come to me because I know that they will not be the same pup after that period of time. They ALL change once they settle in.

I don't see anything in the above post as being ANYTHING but educational. It is a shame it was taken personally.

I would encourage the OP to start looking at rescues rather than shelters. Since you feel so strongly about personality being important, I really believe you will do better with a rescue. A really good and reputable rescue should have the pups a minimum of a couple of weeks and be able to tell you all about them. That way you can find a pup that WILL fit with your home and your other pupster! Good luck in your search!
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