If you could convince everyone of one thing...?

Question

What would it be?

We see a lot of questions on here about people looking for teacup puppies, people looking to breed their pet-quality dog, people complaining about one thing or another...

People insisting that one food is better than another because the commercial is cooler, people insisting that something is true because they saw a TV program on it, on and on and on...

It seems like many of the 'regulars' on here are answering the same questions over and over again, and facing the same level of ignorant people who are determined to remain ignorant. So, my question is:

If you could convice everyone of ONE thing about dogs, what would it be? There would be no one saying, 'Oh no, I read this...' or 'Oh no, I saw this on TV...' Everyone would know and accept the truth, and that would be that.

For me, it would be breeding. I would love to convince everyone with pet-quality dogs why they shouldn't breed. It seems like every day I'm answering at least a dozen questions of people asking where they can find a mate for their beloved pooch, or how they'd like to breed just one litter...I'm sure most of my advice falls on deaf ears. If I could choose one thing to convince everyone on the dog section of, it would be to not breed their pets just to breed.

What about you? I'm curious to see what you're most passionate about when it comes to dogs, or what questions you're most tired of answering over and over again ;)

Answer 1

For me it would be to get people to realize that all animals especially dogs, have feelings just like we do and that they do learn to understand what we say to them.  Dogs feel happiness, sadness, and pain just like we do and for people to get a dog, just to tie it in the yard and ignore it is just cruel!  Dogs give their owners unconditional love and mine even cried with me one day when I was crying very hard!  He growled at my Son one day so I told him to go in there and say he was sorry, so he went back in my Son's room, sat beside him and hung his head.  If that wasn't saying he was sorry, I don't know what would have shown it!  To me Dogs are people too, because their feelings are so much like ours and they are so full of love!

Answer 2

I actually ignore the 'I want to breed my dog' questions. These people are to ignorant to take your advise anyways. Think of how many times you have answered those questions and how many times you have had the asker pick yours as best answer and thank you profusly for your sound advise. Its probebly rarely if ever happened.

In the land of theory though that would be number one word of advise. DO NOT BREED YOUR PET QUALITY DOG. There is nothing wrong with breeding if you are breeding dogs who would better the breed in type, soundness, temperment, and ability. And only if your dog is registered and championed and you have done extensive research, speaking with other trustworthy breeds and vets. If you have to search for the answer on Yahoo Answers then you have a long way to go befor you breed. Thats what I would convince them

Answer 3

As a strong defender of Pits, I would like to try to get every dog owner go get tested on their knowledge of the breed of dog they own, kind of like a drivers test but a dog/specific breed test.  Then I would like to see the "passed" of this test displayed much like a rabies test.  I believe too many dog owners don't know the special requirements of their dogs and this does not relate to just pits.  

Answer 4

I am just tired in general of answering all the questions on puppies. Here's an idea: don't get a dog if you haven't done your research!! It's like some people who have babies, really shouldn't, ya know?

I do agree with you on the breeding thought. There are so many puppy mills around where I live and it's so sad to think they are just being killed or given to people who don't have a clue about what they are doing!! I'm not sure which is worse! haha. Don't rescue a dog from a shelter if you can't afford it or have no idea what your doing!!  

Answer 5

For me it would be that crate training is not cruel and is the most successful method of housebreaking and that everyone should use this method, with the exception of some of the toy breeds who use a cat box, but even these could easily be trained with the crate.

I read several books prior to getting my puppy and was fully prepared for the work it would take to housebreak a dog.  All of the books that I read about dog/puppy training suggested the crate training method.

I see lots and lots of questions about housebreaking and I often wonder why these people don't know the way to do it PRIOR to getting a dog?  It is not Rocket Science...it is really very simple as long as the human is diligent and disciplined.

Answer 6

Simply to be RESPONSIBLE.

Seriously, it would cover so many things!  Imagine if people were responsible they would:

1. Research before they buy a dog so they know whether they are really ready for one (cost, time etc), what breed would be right for their temperament and lifestyle and how to train that particular breed.

2. Buy from a responsible, reputable breeder or buy from a shelter.  

3. Realize a dog is a reponsibility for the LIFE of the dog.

4. Train the dog

5. Take responsibility for the reproductive status of the dog-- whether that means spay/neuter, breeding responsibly (a whole nother section) or simply making sure the dog isn't ever in a position to "accidentally" breed.  [Factoid: In Europe very few dogs are spay/neutered, in Sweden it is illegal to spay/neuter without a medical reason-- yet there are not the same issues with homeless dogs filling shelters- The Difference = Responsibility for the dog's reproductive status]

6. Breed responsibly- All health checks (OFA, CERF etc) on parents, complete knowledge of pedigree, work with mentors.  Note: I don't even say they have to be purebred-- but get the health tests that cover the diseases for each breed involved.  Breed only with a long term, multigenerational plan. Whelp pups in a knowledgable manner, raise pups with an eye towards the future (neuro-stim anyone?) find GOOD homes, sell only on a contract with a spay/neuter clause for non-breeding quality animals and a mandatory return to breeder policy if the dog requires rehoming.  Serve as a mentor to puppy buyers.

Yes.. there's lots more-- but seriously.. Don't you think being responsible just about covers it all???

Answer 7

well HONESTLY that dogs under 25 pounds are not real dogs.

IT DRIVES ME CRAZY when I say I want a big dog and people respond telling me not to hate little dogs and get a yorkie, NO because I hate dogs that cant protect me!

KKINGS- i put her face in it(not literally), give her a little smack on the butt, im not a bad owner so..

Answer 8

It's very hard to pick just one.

For me, it would be letting people know that hitting, smacking, rubbing their noses in f***s, etc. are NOT appropriate ways to train a dog.  Sure...those tactics might work somewhat on some dogs, but there are BETTER ways to train.  I get so pissed off when I see people give advice to "Smack them with a rolled up paper and then rub their nose in the mess" as a solution to potty training a puppy.  That's asinine and some of those people are going to end up with fearful, biting dogs.

*Great dane  -  I don't recall calling you a bad owner.  Like I said...there are BETTER ways to train.  We successfully house trained all of our danes and my two boys now without shoving their faces in their messes and without raising a hand to them.)  I'm sure you could eventually potty train a child by rubbing their dirty diaper in their face...but, I can think of some better ways to accomplish the goal.  Get it?

Answer 9

I'm mad at a lot of people for thinking that Boxers, Pits, and the other bully breeds are mean, vicous, killers. I would just love to convince everyone that they are Pits are nicer that Collies and that bully breeds are not mean. I'm working on it right now. I really want everyone to see how nice the bully breeds are.

Answer 10

Never a good reason to hit your dog. Be patient.

Answer 11

Simply put: For me it's that people research and learn what breed is the best match for them.

For example, if you are a couch potato who lives along a busy highway, obviously you wouldn't be matched with a Siberian. Neither one of you would be happy!

Research may provide you with the information that the breed you 'love' isn't the right one, but who knows, you might discover that the qualities of another breed qualify it to be the best!

Answer 12

There is no ONE way of training every dog.  Like everything else, use the tool that is best suited to the task!

Add: and - specific collars, training methods, etc. are *not* necessarily humane or inhumane - any collar or leash, or training method, can be inhumane when used incorrectly!

Answer 13

There are so many to choose from.

The teacups is a good one but I have just accepted that some people are idiots and don't understand what they are getting into when they get a designer dog.

Then there is the dog breeding questions...or the better yet, "I won't get my dog neuter because it is unhealthy for him/her"

I would have to pick "How can I convince my parents to let me have a dog"....that one is super annoying.

If they don't want a dog in the house they don't want a dog in the house.

For both of these it is also really annoying when you tell them the truth and they don't want to hear it....

Answer 14

My answer to this question could probably change on a weekly basis. I certainly agree that more people need to understand that Pit Bulls are not vicious man-eaters who thirst for blood. I would also love for everyone to refuse to watch the Dog Whisperer and drive Cesar Milan into the ocean and instead get on the positive training bandwagon. But this week...

IF YOUR PET IS SICK OR INJURED, TAKE IT TO THE GOD d**n VET!!!!! I would love for people to realize that ensuring their pets' health is never a waste of time or money. If they are in unforeseen financial straits, work out something with the vet. Most vets will come up with a plan - they will be more likely to if you have already demonstrated that you care about your pets and you do routine check-ups and get problems investigated early on. If the vet won't work out a financial plan, as I always say, this is why God invented credit cards.

Answer 15

That they need to research and learn everything they can about the breed of dog they want before they run out and buy one.

I know people pick dogs because they like how they look and most have no clue as to the dogs needs or what it was bred to do.

If people would sit down and be honest about how much time they are willing to spend grooming, training, exercising, and their own lifestyles it would mean less dogs were placed in rescue because the owner can not handle the dogs needs.

Answer 16

For me it would be that there IS a huge difference in the quality of pet foods and that just like humans, feeding/eating low quality foods is only setting your pets up for future health problems.

I want people to understand that many pet food companies are in it for the profit only and will go to anything to make the production cost of their food lower (eg using grains from china, disgarded chocolate, restaurant grease, etc) and rise the cost by using misleading statements like:  healthy, nutritionally balanced, meat as #1 ingredients, etc.

Doing just a few minutes of research can identify a growing number of companies who use whole, fresh ingredients in their foods, don't use unnecessary ingredients like fillers, and produce all their food in house.

It is a long shot to get people to feed healthy foods to their pets when we're a nation built on fast food but I can dream!!

Answer 17

Mine would be about dog behavior.  It astounds me how people can be so unwilling to do the research and go through the training they need in order to maintain a well balanced and healthy dog.  It makes me insane when they blame the dog for trashing their house after being left alone for eight hours with no exercise.  I could scream when someone says they are having trouble potty training their dog when they've only been working on it for a couple of days.

If you're going to get a dog then you must be willing to put in the time and the effort in order to train it.  Nuff said!