9 Reasons Why Some Dogs Are Less Adoptable
by Christine Yee on August 28, 2009
The message is very clear. With so many dogs in need of homes, we know that we need to adopt and not shop. Although this principle is ideal, we should also be aware of dogs who are harder to place than others. I am writing this post in hopes that this awareness will help us open our hearts to these dogs.
I found this list on a site called Petsugar.com
1. Age
According to Petfinder, 30% of shelter pets have trouble with placement because of their age. Keep in mind this advantage to older pets. Although they are older, they usually have calmer temperaments and are better trained.
2. Stereotypes
Breeds like Pitbulls, Dobermans and Rottweilers are stereotyped as aggressive dogs. However, with proper training, they can make excellent pets.
3. Black pets
Black colored animals are usually less preferred to animals with lighter coat colors. Keep an open mind. See what their personalities are like. You might be surprised.
4. Disabilities.
Handicapped dogs require a special needs lifestyle. However with proper education, this can be quite feasible.
Once when I was driving, I saw a lady walking a dog who had lost the functioning of his two hind legs and depended on a doggie wheelchair. Nonetheless, he had not lost his spirit and looked like he was having a blast on his walk. Traffic slowed as people noticed this wonderfully happy dog.
5. Preexisting Illnesses
As with handicapped animals, dogs with preexisting illnesses will require education and special care. But the emotional reward of helping these animals will be something you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
6. Shy Pets
As with people, shy pets are usually overlooked. But if you look past the shyness, you will see an endearing temperament behind it all.
7. Big Dogs
If you have plenty of space at your home and would like to adopt, please consider adopting a big dog who needs your help.
8. Solitary Pets
Some animals are described as needing to be the only pet in the household. Others are noted as not being compatible with children. However this type of pet would be an excellent choice for someone whose lifestyle would not be a problem for such a dog. If this is you, consider giving a home to an animal with this type of notation.
9. Potty Training
There are adult dogs who have not yet been housebroken. With crate training, this problem can be fixed.
I think this list pretty much covers the main reasons why some dogs don’t get adopted. With this said, I want to show you some videos of dogs who fit into some of the above categories.
I’d love to hear any stories about this topic that you’d like to share.
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Pingback by Twitter Trackbacks for 9 Reasons Why Some Dogs Are Less Adoptable - Dogasaur [dogasaur.com] on Topsy.com — August 29, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
My dog was 3 when i got him 3 and a half years ago, and I was very lucky that he was an outside dog who learned to like the inside, but never soiled or dirtied inside the house unless we slept in late, or he was unwell.
We discovered he has epilepsy about 6 months after we got him, he”d had a fit in the night, and was hiding behind a chair in the corner like he”d made a mess and was going to get in trouble for it (aww…). The vet wouldn”t listen to us at first, told us the dogs ears were dirty and sent us home. He had a fit in front of us that afternoon, we went back to the vet, rather less than pleased, and after a couple of years he is on great medication and has no more fits (touch wood!!!)
He was very shy up until about 6 months ago, he was very agressive when dogs would walk past the house, but on the other side of the road, the first few months we had him, we were worried about him for a few days and kept him out in the back garden, thinking we were going to have to have put him down. We were all able to relax together after that (max included) and realised that he had simply never been socialised, we knew he wasn”t truly agressive when our daughter went up to him, looked into his eyes, sat down hugged his head to hers and said “Our dog’’s not vicious”, while the dog looked at us with eyes more heart-melting than a seal pup! Now when a nemesis trots by the house, we either bring him in, hold the skin at the back of his neck to stop the growl rising, or we clap our hands together to distract him from growling at the offending dog. Problem solved. Also, he’’s VERY afraid of loud noises, has no street sense, chases adult cats to the detriment of all else (yet will back away from a kitten to the point where one has actually hit him on the nose with it’’s paw, it’’s like he knows puppies and kittens are babies and is instinctively gentle with them) and refuses to walk on a lead, but he’’s a house dog now, and we wouldn”t have him any other way!
All things considered, other people may well have gotten rid of him at the first sign of the epilepsy, never mind anything else, and i”m not saying that we”re anything special, but the friendship was obviously meant to be, that’’s all, we were never even considering getting a dog before him, and now if something were to ever happen to him, we”d probably get another dog, but would consider a shelter dog before any others..
Comment by Max-s_Mammy — September 29, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
ps folks! There are about three dogs from around us that are the only ones he really barks at anymore, they”re all males, like him and they are also all scaredy cats, will bark at each other across the road and through a gate, but that’’s as far as it goes!
Comment by Max-s_Mammy — September 29, 2009 @ 6:58 pm