Adopting a canine comes with responsibilities. Owners must commit themselves to caring for their pets, providing food, water, shelter, and company throughout their lives. They must be willing to make sacrifices, when necessary. Unfortunately, many people make the decision to abandon their dogs, leaving them to fend for themselves, or face the prospect of euthanization at a shelter. The reasons are varied, and the outcomes are almost always avoidable.
In this article, we'll present the most common reasons owners abandon their canines. We'll also offer alternative solutions, so you'll know there are options.
Health Problems
Many dogs suffer from health issues, some of which can be particularly heartbreaking. For example, hip dysplasia may make it difficult for your pet to move without pain. Digestive issues, skin conditions, and heart and respiratory problems can also test an owner's patience. These and other health-related challenges prompt many owners to throw in the towel, and abandon their pets.
If your canine suffers from a debilitating health problem, ask his veterinarian whether medications or surgery might help. There may be options you have yet to consider.
Behavioral Issues
This is a common reason for abandonment. Dogs often exhibit behaviors that are annoying and difficult for owners to manage. An owner might make a few attempts to curb the undesired habits, but give up in frustration. There are two noteworthy problems.
First, most behaviors surface because of training. If your pet is displaying behavioral issues, there's a good chance you neglected to train him properly. It's not too late. Nearly all unwanted behaviors can be addressed successfully with the right approach.
This leads to the second problem. When owners make attempts to deal with behavioral issues, they often do so with the wrong approach. For example, they might hit a canine that barks excessively. If the animal is barking for attention, such a response will likely encourage him to continue doing so.
If your pet is expressing behaviors that you dislike, consider hiring a professional trainer to help curb them.
Moving Into An Apartment
Most apartment complexes, as well as other communities, have rules against dog ownership. But there are options. For example, some complexes welcome pets, including small canines. If your dog is large, ask the landlord if he or she would be willing to let him live in the complex given certain guarantees.
Also, many owners have successfully worked out special arrangements with their property managers. Some have agreed to pay a slightly higher rent; others happily sign a longer lease; and still others agree to keep their pets indoors during certain hours.
Most people who abandon their canines because they are moving into apartments have not exhausted their options.
Inability To Care For A Pet
Some people become too sick to care for their dogs. For example, an illness might make it difficult for a person to move easily, preventing her from taking her pet for walks. An owner may even become bedridden, and thus unable to feed her canine.
If you are ill, and can no longer care for your pet, check with your friends, co-workers, and family. There's a good chance someone will step forward to provide your dog with a new home.
Lack Of Funds
Caring for a canine can be expensive. Depending on your pet's size, food may cost up to $1,000 a year. Toys and supplies may cost another $300 to $400 a year. Grooming and ongoing veterinary care might add another $600 to the annual bill. Medications might cost $500 a year while certain surgical procedures may cost thousands of dollars.
Given this, it's understandable that some owners feel financially stressed, and compelled to give up their dogs. But again, there are options. Think about ways to stretch your dog's toy and supply budget; look for clinics that offer routine checkups for a discount; and cut back on the nonessentials.
If you're forced to leave your canine, and have no other options, do everything possible to find him another home. By doing so, you may ultimately save his life.
In this article, we'll present the most common reasons owners abandon their canines. We'll also offer alternative solutions, so you'll know there are options.
Health Problems
Many dogs suffer from health issues, some of which can be particularly heartbreaking. For example, hip dysplasia may make it difficult for your pet to move without pain. Digestive issues, skin conditions, and heart and respiratory problems can also test an owner's patience. These and other health-related challenges prompt many owners to throw in the towel, and abandon their pets.
If your canine suffers from a debilitating health problem, ask his veterinarian whether medications or surgery might help. There may be options you have yet to consider.
Behavioral Issues
This is a common reason for abandonment. Dogs often exhibit behaviors that are annoying and difficult for owners to manage. An owner might make a few attempts to curb the undesired habits, but give up in frustration. There are two noteworthy problems.
First, most behaviors surface because of training. If your pet is displaying behavioral issues, there's a good chance you neglected to train him properly. It's not too late. Nearly all unwanted behaviors can be addressed successfully with the right approach.
This leads to the second problem. When owners make attempts to deal with behavioral issues, they often do so with the wrong approach. For example, they might hit a canine that barks excessively. If the animal is barking for attention, such a response will likely encourage him to continue doing so.
If your pet is expressing behaviors that you dislike, consider hiring a professional trainer to help curb them.
Moving Into An Apartment
Most apartment complexes, as well as other communities, have rules against dog ownership. But there are options. For example, some complexes welcome pets, including small canines. If your dog is large, ask the landlord if he or she would be willing to let him live in the complex given certain guarantees.
Also, many owners have successfully worked out special arrangements with their property managers. Some have agreed to pay a slightly higher rent; others happily sign a longer lease; and still others agree to keep their pets indoors during certain hours.
Most people who abandon their canines because they are moving into apartments have not exhausted their options.
Inability To Care For A Pet
Some people become too sick to care for their dogs. For example, an illness might make it difficult for a person to move easily, preventing her from taking her pet for walks. An owner may even become bedridden, and thus unable to feed her canine.
If you are ill, and can no longer care for your pet, check with your friends, co-workers, and family. There's a good chance someone will step forward to provide your dog with a new home.
Lack Of Funds
Caring for a canine can be expensive. Depending on your pet's size, food may cost up to $1,000 a year. Toys and supplies may cost another $300 to $400 a year. Grooming and ongoing veterinary care might add another $600 to the annual bill. Medications might cost $500 a year while certain surgical procedures may cost thousands of dollars.
Given this, it's understandable that some owners feel financially stressed, and compelled to give up their dogs. But again, there are options. Think about ways to stretch your dog's toy and supply budget; look for clinics that offer routine checkups for a discount; and cut back on the nonessentials.
If you're forced to leave your canine, and have no other options, do everything possible to find him another home. By doing so, you may ultimately save his life.
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