Most of the dogs I've seen in rescue organizations, both in Mexico and the United States, are perfectly healthy, happy, adoptable pets, but let's be honest, many of them ended up in there because of something.
Their problem? In most cases, lack of training.
Yes, they need training, but it's their previous owners, or the owners of the dogs that bred them while at large who lack the most training.
Lots of owners get a dog with a frame of mind that doesn't resemble anything like common sense, as if they don't understand that a living creature needs nurturing of the body and mind. They think the puppy they bring home will just know what to do. The humans in the house don't know what to do with a dog and they expect the dog to know what to do with humans? How does that make sense.
This weekend, the Arizona Humane Society is waiving its adoption fees because its overpopulated shelters can no longer receive more pets and they won't turn the new ones away (see the info here), and other shelters will be at the Purina Pro-Plan Rally to Rescue (the info is here).
In the introductory class for volunteers of the AAWL they told us that some of the reasons pets end up in shelters are:
- Potty problems,
- Behavioral problems,
- Changes in the family
All of those problems are solvable with dog training.
I hope all of those animals get the forever home that they deserve with owners who understand the need of education for them and their pets, the benefits of training for bonding and solving problems, and not with people who don't have the time, commitment, space or will to exercise them, educate them and love them.
Most benefits are for the adopters, the human factor of all adoptions, than for the pet, but when that fails, the most damage goes to the animal, who some people think of as disposable.
Come on, train you dog and make your live a whole lot better.
