People That Shouldn't Have Dogs

lizziedog1 · 10-25-2009, 08:32 AM

Years ago I had an article published in a local paper. It was a list of people types that should not have a dog. I am going to put part of it here, though slightly altered.

It seems as though everyone wants a dog. That is good news in a way, the shelters are full of wonderful dogs that need homes. It is bad news because folks that should not have dogs are filling the shelters. Here are some people that should not have dogs.

Workaholics
Working long hours everyday to get ahead could be admired. After all, it is the American Way. With today's economy, some people don't have a choice. But these people should not choose a dog for a pet. Dogs are a major time commitment, espically puppies. Keeping a poor canine caged up or fenced in all day is wrong. Training and behavior modification require time, lots of time. So, if you have busy family, everyone works long hours, consider a cat or a gold fish. Maybe even an older shelter dog, but please not puppies.

Neat Freaks
Some people like to keep their homes in immaculate condition. You can literally eat off the floors. In a way you can admire these people. Dogs are not neat creatures. They are messy little things. Most dogs think mud and dirt are next to Godliness. If you love a spotless house, if stray animal hairs drive you nuts, if your house is kept odorless, please reconsider adopting a dog. I really believe dogs should be made part of the family. I believe that means shring ones home wth them. That means your home will never be perfectly clean.

Tight Wads
Some people are frugal with their money. I know I wish I was. Dogs require money to be spent. Food and treats are just the tip of the iceberg. there are vet bills, replace chewed up shoe bills, and other expenses that will sneak up to you. If money is an issue with your family, or if you are on a tight budget, please don't get a dog. If your dog becomes very ill and you don't have the cash to pay the vet, he will offer you an option you won't like.

My original list had more. can you guys think of any other types of people that shold not have dogs. I don't mean to come across as mean, but I am a strong dog-advocate. If more people were honest about getting a dog, the pounds might not be so full.

emily445455 · 10-25-2009, 11:49 AM

People who view puppies/dogs are novelty items
Then the "fun" goes away and they chain their dog up in their back yard 24/7. Giving it food and water, but minimal interaction.

lizziedog1 · 10-25-2009, 12:04 PM

Good response. Dogs are living, feeling creatures. I do believe that fact escapes some people. I think that a requirement for dog ownership should be to spend a day at a local pound and help with some of the "dirty" work, if you know what I mean?

Taz Monkey · 10-25-2009, 04:38 PM

I am a workaholic and a neat freak, though not a tight wad. I have 3 very happy, healthy well adjusted dogs, as well as 12 cats...and my house is extremely clean.

FaithFurMom09 · 10-25-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

If money is an issue with your family, or if you are on a tight budget, please don't get a dog.

I disagree with this. We are very VERY tight on money and we have a dog. She is not sick and does not go without anything. If anything she gets food before me, she gets vet before i go to doctor,etc. I may not be able to afford the top dog food, puppy classes, or much of anything but by god my Faith is happy and healthy.

Terrie · 10-25-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emily445455

People who view puppies/dogs are novelty items
Then the "fun" goes away and they chain their dog up in their back yard 24/7. Giving it food and water, but minimal interaction.

Pretty much summed it up

Also, puppies shouldn't be given to little kids as Christmas presents. I wouldn't mean to offend anyone and I know there are exceptions but when kids say "OH please, please can I get a puppy, I'll take full care of it!!", they usually have no idea what they are talking about.

Also people who dump dogs that bite them ONCE. I have seen it happen.

lizziedog1 · 10-25-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

have 3 very happy, healthy well adjusted dogs, as well as 12 cats...

A dozen cats! Sounds normal to me.

SandyPuppy · 10-26-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

A dozen cats! Sounds normal to me.

???
Are you really judging someone who you don't know anything about for having 12 cats?

Please tell me I'm misinterpreting that.

Max'sHuman · 10-26-2009, 07:25 AM

I think the list should probably be named "People That Probably Shouldn't Have Dogs. The thing is, as many members on this board demonstrate, you can be a neat freak/workaholic/tightwad etc. if placed above all that is a commitment to owning a dog. Maybe those situations don't seem ideal, but they clearly make it work because the dog is prioritized.

Though Emily's added category is never excusable.

RBark · 10-26-2009, 08:16 AM

I am a neat freak that's stingy with my money. Oh no, I should surrender Kobe!

Elana55 · 10-26-2009, 10:42 AM

Yup.. neat freak here too and tight with a buck. I can be a workaholic too..

Dog gets a ton of my time as do the 5 cats but then I got a dog for my BF and it was a good trade.. and never had kids. Other than cleaning my house and keeping up the yard and gardens (both of which the dog 'helps' with) I don't have a lot of distractions.

Sure.. someone who works days and days in a row for 12-14 hours a day or more.. maybe a dog is not such a gret idea.

Being tight with a buck is different than not having enough bucks to care properly for the animals. I feed Evo and have found I feed enough less that it is actually CHEAPER to feed it to the cats and the dog than the cheaper stuff which I have to feed more of!

People who should not have dogs are people without patience to deal with some of the silliness and the copious, often on going business of, training a dog.

SandyPuppy · 10-26-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elana55

People who should not have dogs are people without patience to deal with some of the silliness and the copious, often on going business of, training a dog.

This is right on.

Hallie · 10-26-2009, 12:25 PM

I wholeheartedly disagree.
Tight with money doesn't even do me justice! I'm not a workaholic by choice but I'm busy 24/7 all the same. I'm somewhat a neat freak. I shouldn't own a dog? I believe Hallie is perfectly happy in her tight,busy, and clean home. Actually my whole family are busy neatfreaks and very very tight on money. We have 2 dogs and 4 cats and they are well adjusted animals who wouldn't rather be anywhere else. The article is extreme. Hallie is crated while I'm at school or any other time I'm not home, I wouldn't describe this as "Keeping a poor canine caged all day". If everyone who owned a dog wasn't tight with money, a neatfreak, and a workaholic then no one would own a dog. I know I sure wouldn't! But thankfully it's just your opinion and it's not required by law to sit at home with no job, spending money like it grows on trees, and never cleaning to own a dog. I agree with a few concepts touched by your article, it's the kind of article I would give someone who absolutely shouldn't own a dog, someone that would probably abuse it or something not your average person wanting to own a dog. I've found most dog owners have a dedicated job and with this economy are tight on money as well, and they still have thriving and surviving companions.

Taz Monkey · 10-26-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

A dozen cats! Sounds normal to me.

Actually, in the wonderful world of animal rescue, cats in the double digits is not uncommon. Dogs in the double digits is not uncommon either, as there are some on this board that have that many. and no, not everyone can handle 12 cats, nor should they have them. I've seen shows on animal hoarding where the person has the same number of cats as me and they are dirty, flea infested, overflowing litter boxes with poop smeared on the walls and you can't walk in the house without a face mask because the smell of ammonia is so bad. I, on the other hand, have a grandmother who is a neat freak and believes that animals are dirty and belong outside always and forever...and she agreed that my house smells like fresh air, and the only way you know if there's a cat in there is if one is on your lap or you are standing beside the litter box when one takes a poop

And coming from my grandmother, that is the highest compliment.

PeanutAndOmar · 10-26-2009, 02:04 PM

Hm....

I am a neat freak
I am a tight wad
I am a workaholic.

I think Omar has it pretty good, compared to his previous home where they couldn't be bothered to take him outside to go potty. He is a pampered pooch.

Reina · 10-26-2009, 07:09 PM

Lots of people are neat freaks, but some go overboard.

My friend adopted a dog a while back; her mom is a major neat freak. The dog used to go to daycare everyday, coming home muddy and gross, but was happy. Now, she nevers goes to the daycare/kennel, unless it is to get groomed, which is stupid. The poor girl has turned from a happy, social dog, to a depressed shell of the old dog. It's quite sad to see. So if you are a neat freak, sure, so long as you don't apply it to your dog.

Trixie · 10-26-2009, 07:23 PM

These kinds of lists are always full of exceptions. I think a better way of getting people to think about whether or not they should have a dog should be more along the lines of "10 things everyone needs to think about before owning a dog" and then list "work hours", "lifestyle expectations" and "financial ability to prioritize your dog".

I would include "commitment to training", "expectations of other household members", "plans for the dog if your life/work/living situation changes".

RBark · 10-26-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reina

Lots of people are neat freaks, but some go overboard.

My friend adopted a dog a while back; her mom is a major neat freak. The dog used to go to daycare everyday, coming home muddy and gross, but was happy. Now, she nevers goes to the daycare/kennel, unless it is to get groomed, which is stupid. The poor girl has turned from a happy, social dog, to a depressed shell of the old dog. It's quite sad to see. So if you are a neat freak, sure, so long as you don't apply it to your dog.

I'm not quite sure where you're going with that. There are plenty of ways for dogs to enjoy life without getting muddy and gross.

deege39 · 10-26-2009, 07:34 PM

If I could afford it, I'd take Donatello to work with me, let him play as rough and as dirty as he chooses, then opt to have him groomed before he came home... But, he doesn't play very rough, he's like a cat when it comes to water and dirt, and I don't have the money.

I work at a doggy-daycare and there's a dog that comes in every other day, to play all day and get a bath before she's picked up... That's utilizing the whole "being a neat freak and applying it to your dog" category. lol.

nico8 · 10-26-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

If money is an issue with your family, or if you are on a tight budget, please don't get a dog.

Sorry to pile on but I've got to speak up on this. I'm a broke ass college student who eats EZ-Mac and Ramen noodles on a daily basis ,but I think rescuing Nico from the local shelter was one of the best things I've ever done.I gave a gentle, loving dog a second chance on life and I don't think she cares whether I'm wealthy or not. I work 2 jobs to be able to support myself and my dog. She eats the best food that I can afford(it's actually a little more than I can afford but I skimp in other areas to make up for it) and she's up-to-date on all of her shots/vet visits. I'd be willing to bet that she gets more affection and exercise than 90% of the dogs out there. I realize this thread was probably meant in jest, but some people make a lot of sacrifices for their pets to be healthy/happy. When you come on here and say we don't deserve to have a dog it comes off as very disrespectful.