Not in the sense of training a dog to do something. I see way to many "puppy is biting","My dogs/pup is ________",ect...... I feel anyone getting a dog, should look at why they want that dog first and second look at the training it takes to get what you want your dog to be. Third to many people get the cute puppy, without looking at the breed, a super hgh energy dog will never be that mellow dog that sits with you most of the day. The same way your not going to set the agility course records with a gaint breed. To many people love the "Idea" of having a dog, that companion that will sit and watch a movie with you on lonely days, jog 5 miles with you one a warm sunny day, sit with you fishing no matter the weather, or be your champion when someone breaks in. 2/3rd's of training is actually a person knowing what there getting, and being confident with that dog. If you get the wrong breed your failing the dog, if you get a breed your worried with all the time you failing that dog. The last 1/3rd is "Idea of having a dog vs Loving dogs". If you love dogs all that training and spending time with is a joy. It's a labor of love. You could spend thousand on training, unless you put up in the time it will mean nothing, re-enforcing training if a life time thing. This including myself is why so many dog lovers, love a breed or type of dog, it fits us. So when you get a dog/puppy if you research it, learn about it, look at it with the same eyes as when it was a puppy or new, everyday, it's not really the training, while yes your training. Example: (Yes me again) if you walk a puppy starting at 13 weeks everyday, then at 18 months 3 years old, it knows how to walk. Most chewing dogs learn to chew. When there a pup, they teeth, if you give him ice cubes/frozen yogurt ice cubes, frozen wash clothes, to helps them while they don't learn the habit of chewing on furniture. It is also why the internet and forums are so helpful, little tips. There are no silver bullets for issues, it's subtle things over time, and being coincident. No matter if it is a 8 week old puppy or a rescue adult. It's all about building a trust and bond between own/family and dog. Now when picking your dog or pup, if you have searched your breed/type/puppy/rescue. Pro's and con's are purebred does not mean it will be that dog, byb,puppy mills, hobby breeders, ethical breeders are all terms that unless you visit, check, get ref, and all the other fun stuff can lead to you getting a worse dog than if you got a mix mutt. If you do all that 6 month to 5 year looking and looking at pairngs stuff, you can get a great health and breed standard dog. "Mix is healthier than purebred has been proven a myth". With rescues they are generally temper tested for rehoming, health tested and you can generally get a good feel for the dog. With all the testing in the world yo can get that train wreck purebred, same goes for mixes. So once you get through all that and you have decided your a dog lover, training is just putting in the time, being constant, and showing your dog the love that it will show you. Big or small dogs can do it all just some are slower than others lol. Mouse in this know how to walk because he has been walk since he was small, his harness is because he is extremely protective of the wife for when she walks him. So what are your thoughts on these issue?
I totally agree with all the points you've made. We had two "fail" dogs. Not because they were bad dogs, but because I did no research and didn't have the slightest idea what I was getting into.r The first Elliot was a Bassett. Why a Bassett? Because my cousin's family had a series of them. Owner mistake one-Just because family or friends are successful with a breed, doesn't mean it's the right breed for YOU. Poor Elliot, I really wanted an exercise buddy and hounds obviously are much more interested in sniffing every single molecule of sidewalk rather than long distance hiking. He also became food aggressive with the cats. Next up was Ferdie. I chose her at the shelter because of her stunning good looks. She was a pure breed Border Collie complete with papers. Um, once again...no idea about breeds. I mean a collie is a collie and they're all like Lassie right? The good news was she whipped me into the best shape of my life. A half hour walk through town...nine minutes tops. Of course she pulled so hard she would vomit. Then keep going...daily...Sadly she wasn't suited to my long work hours. My kids were afraid to walk her. When she got house crazy she would target books, toys, electrical wires. I tried Bitter Apple spray, she adored Bitter Apple spray. She was rehomed to a working farm and I wish her the best. By the time Sophie came I was a decade older. Still clueless on breeds...but the first time someone identified her with the "P" word...all of a sudden I had to read everything I could get my paws on about the bully breeds. With her I was going to figure this out. And I did, as neurotic and fearful as she was and still is I learned to manage her behavior. By the time Callie came along I had found a trainer and had five years of pup experience. By far getting Callie was the best idea of all the other dogs. I knew the breed, I knew the behavior and I was mentally and physically prepared for a big strong sometimes dominant doggie. He is the perfect match for our family.
This is an excellent post. One reason why so many dogs end up in shelters is because of what you listed. I think people need to understand what owning a dog entails and learn about breeds they are interested in. Maybe your post could be a sticky or something? Though on the chewing of furniture etc people need to understand not only the teething issue but there can be other reasons behind this. Separation anxiety can lead to destructive behavior.
