Some topics are more important than others, but people often avoid them because they don’t want to feel guilty. Ignorance is bliss, and it can be applied to dog owners, too. Understandably, not everyone avoids the truth and the responsibility that comes with owning a puppy, but there are a lot of those who see it quite differently. Why puppies often get re-homed is a sensitive topic, and this is a subjective article, and if you don’t like what it says, find another one that suits you and your views. But a bit of challenge, different views, or sometimes simply bitter truth written by a stranger on the Internet is all we need to shift our perspective and grow. 

Patience Is a (Missing) Virtue

People want what they want, and they want it now. We have less patience as technology improves. This lack of patience combined with a genuine lack of knowledge can be a match made in hell. These two things are just scraps of the surface, because a topic of why puppies often get re-homed or returned to a shelter gives birth to a much deeper answer.

 In essence, it is the lack of information on what they (the family) are getting themselves into that makes the problem we’re talking about. We all think puppies are cute, but we ignore the part where we have to work with them to manage their future behavior. We have to work with them, which means we have to train our puppies.

It’s not just making sure a puppy knows where to pee (called House training); It is the obedience training as well, plus ‌constant socialization and habituation. Dogs don’t have an inborn ability to understand all our human social cues. They have to learn from us when it’s OK to bark, run around, be friendly, be calm, sleep, play, and so on.

That’s when the lack of information comes into the spotlight again – we have no idea just how much time and work we need to put into a puppy to make sure it grows into a confident, calm, obedient, and happy dog.

All The Wrong Reasons

There is another thing: some people get the new dog for all the wrong reasons. I have heard so many stories of people my own age who got the puppy because they were single, bored, and they needed something to make their life meaningful. 

And then the situation changes. They meet their future partner; they move in together; the baby comes, and so on. The dog gets re-homed or given to a rescue center. Why? Because the priority shifted and they had “to choose” as they like to put it, between a dog and a baby.

This is one of the most common reasons people give their dogs away. Not just dogs, but cats too. But the underlying reason is the same: they didn’t do the proper obedience training as soon as they got the puppy. They ignored a lot of things, such as nipping, chewing, pulling on the leash, or they used some other wrong methods. 

Now, life truly became too chaotic with the baby and the adolescent dog, and they couldn’t cope with it. Combined with a new partner who doesn’t want to deal with the dog (that’s not what the partner signed up for) and we have a dog who has no home anymore. 

What I Think, What’s The Truth

While there are many minor reasons varying from person to person, “serious” or the big reasons are all about the preparation and expectations. There is a vast difference between what people think a new puppy means and what it actually is.

 It’s like people forget a puppy is…well, a dog. And with the dog comes barking, chewing, nipping, peeing wherever they think they should pee until we potty train them, chasing small animals, jumping on people from excitement, and so on.

And then there are people who want a certain dog breed without realizing what that means. For example, some people really love Beagles or Dachshunds, or some other dog belonging to a Hound group. But a puppy hound will have a strong prey drive; some will dig, bay, others will simply be more “free-spirited”, and most of them won’t have a good recall. This doesn’t comply with the owner’s desire to have a hound-looking dog that behaves like a Labrador Retriever.

This is where the problem starts: why is my puppy so mischievous? Why can’t I teach my dog not to bark? Why is my dog so “stupid” and doesn’t want to come back when I call him? What is wrong with my dog, it’s always digging? These are some questions you’ll come across on the Internet.

To Summarize

We can summarize that the human ego and lack of information are the key reasons for puppies being re-homed or given away to rescue centers. I say human ego because it fits the story of “I want it, and that’s it.” Ego is also: I want a dog because everyone’s got one; I want a dog so my kids can learn how to take care of another being; I want a dog because I need someone to protect me; I want a dog because my neighbor doesn’t like them; I want a dog because I am lonely; These reasons can become the most wonderful thing where the owner treats the dog with kindness and does all the right things. However, working with people, I have learned that we are too self-consumed, and the change is rarely the truth.

The goal of the article is to put the spotlight on those who need it. Unfortunately, the vast majority will not even flinch or feel any guilt but find excuses and approve of themselves for the way they are thinking. And that’s life. But, there are those who will find this as an eye-opener and see their ‘difficult puppy’ in a different light. Educate yourself, ask for help, seek advice, watch YouTube videos, read articles, or simply try, try, and try again. 

Cover photo by Jametlene Reskp