People That Shouldn't Have Dogs

JLWillow

There are probably exceptions to this one, but I think lazy people should be put into this list.

You need to do lots and lots and lots of research about anything and everything about your dog/dogs in general. You need to research what kind of breed you want, how much exercise your breed is going to need, what kind of training you want to do, what kind of food you want, how much this is going to cost, how you can fit your dog into your daily schedule.

You need to take at least a couple hours a day for your dog. Dogs need exercise! Doesn't matter how old. You need to pick up your dog's poop if it doesn't poop in your yard. You need to pay attention to every little thing about your dog, because dogs can't tell you if something is up with them.

My boyfriend loves dogs, but he doesn't love them enough to want to walk one every day. Lazy bum.

mikedavid00

I find that these 2 people almost always own dogs. After a walk in the snow, this one lady I know makes her Bichon stand on a mat for 15 min for the snow to melt off his feet and then allows the dog in the house. She's a very good owner though.

I find the worst dog owners to be.. sounds crazy.. many dog enthusiests, shelter and pet store employees, breeders.. basically people who work around the pet industry. Many of these people have good intentions, but don't truly understand dogs or consider the suffering of a living dog. Good trainers are an exception of course and almost always good dog owners.

Probably homeless people are the best dog owners as that guy pointed out in that 'people training for dogs' videos.

That's just my opinion through life experience of best worst dog owners.

Hiroko

If a person can manage to plan his schedule, and know how to behave with a pet (with affection) in an appropriate way, then I think it doesn't matter whether a person is a neat freak/tight wads/workaholic. There are number of ways to keep everything right. For example, if a person is on a tight budget, he can still plan to save aside some amount for taking care of a pet, perhaps by purchasing a pet insurance to prepare for emergencies.

Dozi

SERIOUSLY???? I don't agree with some of these. I'm a neat freak... and I have dogs.
Just because I keep my floors clean, my house odorless and don't like hair on my furniture doesn't mean my dogs are not "part of the family".

sagira

I disagree with the OP about categorizing people so severely. There are so many exceptions to the rules. To label people like canned dog food is not very helpful and ultimately just makes people feel guilty, angry and defensive.

That said, I'm neither of those three things -- and not even a dog owner right now

We're getting a puppy in about four months (a Llewellin Setter).

I'm a stay-at-home mom who homeschools her oldest son and has a 2 and a half year old toddler running around. We spend at least a few days of week, hours at a park.

I'm a messy person, don't care dog hair about the place or on my clothes (but no cat hair!) yet I do fine cleaning up poop and pee. In fact, we had a Sheltie years ago and there were huge tumbleweeds everywhere when we moved out LOL

I'm by no means a workaholic. I enjoy homeschooling my kids, but beyond that I never enjoyed work too much (maybe it wasn't the right type of work) and would rather spend the time doing leisure activities, like canoeing, swimming, tennis, biking, hiking, exploring, traveling, etc. etc.

I'm not a tightwad either. I try to make myself sometimes, and we generally don't need too many things, but if I want to buy that 13-dollar lipstick or that $30 outfit for the child, by gaw I'll get it. We love to take vacations too. Would love to go to neighboring areas with our dog. I'm ready to spend money on super premium food and some raw (when the kids are not around).

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lizziedog1

I should add one more to my original list.

A Good Sense Of Humor

I do realize that my original list might have been too extreme. But I did find something that gives me a bit of a leg to stand on.

http://www.wikifido.com/page/Top+Ten+Lists

Look at the reasons for giving up pets. Having worked with rescue groups and having fostered many rescue dogs, my first and foremost concern is with the dogs. Dogs don't voluntarily place themselves at shelters. Remember that!

Foyerhawk

I am a neat freak to a degree. The Goldens and Shepherd definitely requrie a lot of cleaning. The Whippet is an ideal dog for a neat freak as he despises dirt and water and he doesn't drip when he drinks, slobber, shed much at all, and he NEVER smells.

However, even my four big, long haired dogs do not smell. My house is clean and it doesn't smell like dogs or cat (we have one cat).

sagira

Ah yes. I do agree with a sense of humor. I think people need to keep this in mind and think about how they think they will be able to deal with these situations. As far as money is concerned, I think most people would be able to offer a suitable home, but it does get very difficult for people who are homeless. That said, it's preferable to have a companion when you're homeless and scavenging for food than none. Or to have a lonely stray dog or dog languishing in a shelter is worse than actually having a caring human companion to spend your days with, whether that person is dirt poor or not. In that way dogs have been companions to people for years.

I think attitude is key here. There are people who probably could afford to spend the money on a dog but do not deem the dog worthy of spending money on. This is not justifiable.

It's feeling responsible for the welfare of the dog, to feel a sense of commitment.

GatsbysMom

Oh gosh, I totally agree. A friend of mine has a daschund, and she is always complaining about how it pees and poops all over the house. This is not a dog that can, or wants to, hold it's bladder, but my friend is only willing to walk it three times a day. Yes, that's fine for some dogs, but clearly not for this dog.

Workaholics are some of the best dog owners I know, at least the ones I've encountered. I have good friends who are both doctors -- gone constantly. They hired a walker and also a woman who takes their dog out for at least two hours each day, plus, every spare minute they have they spend with their dog.

It's not about being a workaholic or a lazy bum so much as it is the lengths you'll go to, and the money you'll spend, to make sure your dog is not neglected.

Independent George

I didn't plan on adding to this thread, but I had a thought come up in conversation this morning that reminded me of why I found the OP so off-base:

A big reason I am able to have a dog today is because I'm a workaholic tightwad.

Dogs are expensive. I've wanted a dog for years, but avoided getting one until recently because I wanted to be sure I could support her. Being a workaholic is what got me my job, and allowed me to survive three rounds of layoffs. Being a tightwad allowed me to buy my condo in a dog-friendly building, and it gave me enough of a financial cushion to be comfortable with a dog.

Terrie

Anyone can have a dog IMO. People that shouldn't have a dog are those that get them for 'fun' or because the breed looks cool (all those husky owners that drop off 1 yr old huskies at the shelter, I see A LOT of those in my area). If one does their research and elects the right breed or goes to a rescue group/shelter, then I don't think any trait would disqualify someone from being able to own a dog.

HersheyBear

I guess I'm a terrible dog owner then, since I work in an animal shelter and in a vet hospital. Sorry Hershey! I guess you're stuck with a miserable owner.

Xeph

Says the guy who has had a dog for a whopping 11 days

Pai

This is totally OT, but I was just reading about those the other day. They've been around for a LONG time but I had never heard of them until recently! Are you planning to hunt with yours (I ask because it seems like most people who breed/own one are really into hunting)?

Cheetah

I have been working in the pet industry (shelters, doggy daycares, vet clinics and pet stores) for years now and I am a damn good dog owner and trainer. I should also mention that I am somewhat of a neat freak. My house stays clean, and all my pets stay clean, trained, and healthy. I'm also a darn good groomer. I think this thread has a lot of blanket statements.

Terrie

mikedavid00 should not own a dog.

GottaLuvMutts

Really? I thought you said in that hilariously funny video that dog ENTHUSIASTS (not enthusiests) don't work. Now they suddenly work for a living? What about vets? Are they bad owners too?

Like you, I suppose? Oh wait, no, your puppy didn't require any training, so now I'm confused. Are you a good owner or a bad one?

TxRider

And likely actually knows nobody who is "involved around the pet trade"...

Like vets, breeders...

nikkiluvsu15

People who shouldn't have dogs......

MIKE!

Sorry.. I just couldn't help myself.

shihtzu712

hehe, I was thinking the exact thing.

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