Say No To Pet Store Canines
They are cute, and to some people, irresistible. Pet store puppies are placed in areas that are easy to access so those with interest in adopting them can play with them. This is part of the sales process. It is designed to pull people in, introducing them to puppies that need a home. But hidden behind the bright lights and cute, playful dogs are potential problems that may not surface until later.
A lot of professional trainers recommend staying away from canines sold through pet stores. But the reasons may be unclear. Below, we’ll present several compelling arguments for resisting the urge to adopt one.
Potential Health Issues
Most of the canines in pet stores arrive from puppy mills. These are facilities that are designed specifically to breed dogs. Very little care or attention is given to the health of the animals in the mill’s care. They live in unsanitary conditions, and often suffer from problems affecting their digestive systems, hearts, lungs, and other organs. Nutrition and veterinary care is a low priority for those who operate the mills.
The result of this attitude is that the canines often suffer severe health problems that cannot be easily resolved. Unfortunately, these issues are usually hidden from customers. In many cases, the employees at the pet stores are unaware of them.
Many people adopt dogs from the stores only to discover later that a major health issue exists. Sadly, some owners abandon the animals to shelters due to the costs of treating the issues.
The Pursuit Of Profit Over Breed Quality
Pet stores and puppy mills are focused on breeding as many purebreds as possible. Little attention is given to preventing genetic diseases from contaminating the breed. Instead, the emphasis is placed on profit. The more purebred canines, the more money the mills and stores will make. This is the reason many purebred dogs suffer from serious genetic problems, such as hip dysplasia, deafness, and a variety of recurrent skin diseases.
By contrast, when professional breeders produce canines, they dedicate themselves to keeping the breed clean. If they discover signs of genetic problems in a dog, the animal is prevented from contributing to future offspring. Here, breed quality is prioritized over profit.
Potential Behavioral Problems
Many of the animals found in puppy mills – and eventually, pet stores – suffer from one or more behavioral issues. The reason is because they have never had the opportunity to learn social signals. Nor have they been exposed to other people and animals outside the mill. In many cases, these puppies are taken from their mothers and littermates too early, depriving them of the chance to learn their first socialization cues.
When these animals are introduced to a home environment, they often become frightened and shy. If they are approached in a way that seems threatening to them, they may react with aggression. Pet store dogs can be trained to accept others, and respond with friendliness, but the training may require substantial time and patience on the part of the owner.
One notable problem involves housetraining. Under normal circumstances, a canine will avoid urinating and defecating where he sleeps and eats. However, dogs found in mills and stores are usually forced to do so. This makes it more difficult for their new owners to teach them appropriate elimination.
Save A Shelter Dog’s Life
Shelters are overcrowded. Animals that are not adopted are euthanized. According to the Humane Society, millions of would-be pets meet this unfortunate fate each year. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you essentially save his life. On the other hand, when people buy canines from pet stores, they support and perpetuate the puppy mills.
Is it possible to adopt a healthy, socialized, and pleasant canine companion from a pet store? Yes. But given the risks involved, most people would be better-served by working with a reputable breeder, or visiting a local animal shelter.
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