Your Typical Xmas Story?

[megan_]

I wouldn't trust her reasons for returning the dog.

There is the reason people return a dog, and then there are the excuses they make when they return a dog.

My thoughts exactly. I think a lot of people surrendering dogs these days say "I don't have the time for him that he deserves - I'm doing it for him". They don't say "little sh*t peed on my carpet and destroyed the garden so I just want him gone".

[corrie]

I wouldn't trust her reasons for returning the dog.

There is the reason people return a dog, and then there are the excuses they make when they return a dog.

I agree Greymate.

But when it comes to dogs it trully amazes me how people seem to believe their own lies and excuses with such ferver and total comittment. Shame they don't have that type of committment to the dog.

[Mollie10]

How about someone (very nicely) points out the pros and cons of having a westie. I have terriers (MS) and they are a handful. If she can't handle a few days of pee insuide and destruction, she ain't gunno like a terrier.

I can second that - and I have wheatens which are 'less terriery' that Westies. It took Anouk until about 11 months to be reliable and even now she'll pee in the garage if it's raining outside (little horror)

[JudyG]

I have a 16 week old westie who is almost fully house-trained, sits, drops, stays, comes, doesn't chew apart from own toys (as long as we keep the shoes away from her!!)

I think the point is it isn't the breed of dog as they all have pros and cons, it is the commitment of the owner. If you want a well socialised family pet they don't come off the shelf either from pet shop or a breeder.Any dog will be peeing inside and chewing if not directed to the correct place and given appropriate diversions.

[megan_]

I have a 16 week old westie who is almost fully house-trained, sits, drops, stays, comes, doesn't chew apart from own toys (as long as we keep the shoes away from her!!)

I think the point is it isn't the breed of dog as they all have pros and cons, it is the commitment of the owner. If you want a well socialised family pet they don't come off the shelf either from pet shop or a breeder.Any dog will be peeing inside and chewing if not directed to the correct place and given appropriate diversions.

But the point is that it is more than that - while you're training your dog there are going to be mistakes. Commitment also means understanding that they will fail sometimes and you have to be there to pick up the pieces.

Also at 16 weeks you may be in for some regression downt eh track. My boy was house-trained at 12 weeks and then a month later started peeing inside again.

[Mollie10]

I have a 16 week old westie who is almost fully house-trained, sits, drops, stays, comes, doesn't chew apart from own toys (as long as we keep the shoes away from her!!)

I think the point is it isn't the breed of dog as they all have pros and cons, it is the commitment of the owner. If you want a well socialised family pet they don't come off the shelf either from pet shop or a breeder.Any dog will be peeing inside and chewing if not directed to the correct place and given appropriate diversions.

But the point is that it is more than that - while you're training your dog there are going to be mistakes. Commitment also means understanding that they will fail sometimes and you have to be there to pick up the pieces.

Also at 16 weeks you may be in for some regression downt eh track. My boy was house-trained at 12 weeks and then a month later started peeing inside again.

I was just about to say wait for the terrible teens!

[tdierikx]

I find it's amazing how quickly one can crate train a puppy. I have crates in my bedroom where my rescue fosters can see me or my adult dogs on the bed - they tend to settle pretty darned quickly if they don't feel abandoned and lonely... they hardly ever poop in their crates (wee a bit though), and the current lot have got the routine of storming for the back door and out into the yard as soon as the crate door opens. They squeal a bit for a feed, but that only lasts a few minutes while I'm preparing their bowls - then they are totally happy to spend time in the yard exploring or playing.

I'm sure that when these (currently 9 week old) pups go up for adoption, I'll be fielding the calls asking whether they are obedience trained and/or fully house trained, whether they are good with kids and cats, etc... ummm... they are 9 week old puppies for dog's sake! My standard talk to prospective new owners of a pup is that how the adult dog turns out is a reflection of the amount of time, effort, training, love, attention, and respect you give the pup. Give it all of that, and it will be returned a thousandfold for many happy years...

T.

[Jed]

Stupid thoughtless cow.

Might have been better if she had bought from a breeder - but probably after assessment a decent breeder woudn't have sold her a pup at all.

Some pet shops DON'T sell pups over christmas. For the very reason they gave - people don't think, buy the pup and it either is returned to the store or dumped. Some people who own pet shops do care. And no doubt they would have to be in the shop on public holidays to feed birds, fish, rodents etc so feeding pups wouldn't be a problem.

[sas]

Yeah, she just shouldn't have a puppy....I'm not going to totally crucify her because a hell of a lot of people have the OMG moment when they bring puppy home and don't realise the terror that a wee little pup can reighn on a family.

An adult dog that doesn't have behavioural problems would be more suitable to this inexperienced family.

[HollyMilo]

Well that puppy buyer has now moved on from the beautiful lab pup (I saw the pics) and is now asking about West Highland Terriers.

OMG are you joking, she's getting another dog? When I read it this morning she was thinking about going to buy a rabbit today

[Cuchulain]

Yeah, she just shouldn't have a puppy....I'm not going to totally crucify her because a hell of a lot of people have the OMG moment when they bring puppy home and don't realise the terror that a wee little pup can reighn on a family.

In spite of my homework, sas, I've had several of those! Only my pup is large and getting bigger by the minute! I knew it wasn't always going to go right and I put the mistakes we both make behind us and move on. After all, we are both learning here, I think the big thing is attitude - if you know it isn't going to be perfect you don't have all those expectations to be shattered.

I can't believe that she now wants another kind of dog. Puppies are puppies. They require the same amount of effort and commitment no matter their size.

[DogCat]

Well,we can breathe a sigh of relief now.She has gone out and bought a baby budgie instead.

[JudyG]

I have a 16 week old westie who is almost fully house-trained, sits, drops, stays, comes, doesn't chew apart from own toys (as long as we keep the shoes away from her!!)

I think the point is it isn't the breed of dog as they all have pros and cons, it is the commitment of the owner. If you want a well socialised family pet they don't come off the shelf either from pet shop or a breeder.Any dog will be peeing inside and chewing if not directed to the correct place and given appropriate diversions.

But the point is that it is more than that - while you're training your dog there are going to be mistakes. Commitment also means understanding that they will fail sometimes and you have to be there to pick up the pieces.

Also at 16 weeks you may be in for some regression downt eh track. My boy was house-trained at 12 weeks and then a month later started peeing inside again.

I was just about to say wait for the terrible teens!

Of course I realise that the work isn't all done in the first few weeks - that is what I meant by commitment - to follow through with good and bad!