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I'll just trade her in for a new one... Rant.

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Celestial Fireflies

Witty Autobiographer

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 6:00 pm


cєℓєsтιαℓ ғιʀєғℓιєs:

I can't believe this. My mom told me last year that they found a puppy wandering around without identification and no one ever claimed her, so they kept her. My mom moved out, and since my dad was against the idea of keeping her in the first place, she became my brother's dog. Her name is Molly.

My brother is really lazy. He IMed me one day about a month ago begging me to tell him how he can get Molly to stop going potty in the house. I told him there was no other way but diligence and patience (i.e. watching her and taking her out more often + positive reinforcement). I suggested kennel training along with it to prevent mistakes, but my dad thinks it's cruel (but who am I kidding; it WOULD be cruel if my brother did it, because he'd probably leave her in there all day). He asked if there was an easier way than, y'know, actually doing something. HA.

My brother reported later that he watched her more carefully and took some of my advice, and wouldn't you know it, she actually improved a lot when it came to eliminating in the house! But, of course, he's still a lazy jerk and I know he didn't follow through all the way, because I know what he's like and she's still doing it occasionally.

Today my dad just tells me, "Your brother is trying to get rid of Molly so he can get a new dog." My reaction? "You're not actually letting him, are you?!" Finding a better home? Hell, the dog deserves that much, since her current owner can't bother to get his butt off the computer to actually train her properly. But getting another dog after that?

He does this all the time with his other things. He gets obsessed with a new hobby and then sells all of his old stuff to buy new stuff. But this is a freaking dog we're talking about, not a collection of airsoft rifles. I can't believe he's just going to trade her in for a new one. I can't believe my dad is actually letting him. What happens when he finds out that dogs don't have an inherent knowledge of how to behave properly and he still has to do some work with it? What happens when he gets bored of the new dog and wants to trade it in for another one again?

Ugh. I'm so mad. It isn't fair for the animal to settle into a home and then suddenly get traded away-- for SELFISH REASONS. And I'm mad that my dad isn't taking the opportunity to teach my brother a much needed lesson in responsibility. Take care of the dog you have, don't just trade it in so you can have a new "toy" for less work. UGH.
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 2011 8:42 am


Tell your brother unless he adopts a dog that is older and already trained, the same amount of work is required, he will have the EXACT same issues if not worse depending on the breed and temperament of the dog. BUT, most good rescues will refuse a dog to someone who's surrendered/sold a dog in the past. So it would have to be through classified adds or something. Kijiji even (shudders). If he gets a dog that's ALREADY trained, and finds Molly a better home it could work out. Otherwise it will be a disaster and yes, he will know nothing of responsibility or the value of a life.

Gabrielle_AnimalLuver
Crew


Celestial Fireflies

Witty Autobiographer

PostPosted: Fri May 27, 2011 11:36 am


cєℓєsтιαℓ ғιʀєғℓιєs:

My brother IMed me last night and was like "Help! I want to give Molly away and get this boston terrier puppy my friend will give me. What should I do?" I tried to go the educational route instead of the scolding route, so I told him that I didn't think it was a good idea and nicely explain why. I told him that a puppy is going to be just as much work as Molly is right now and even if it's potty trained, it will probably come with other bad habits that require the same kind of work to stop. I also explained why it's not fair for a dog to undergo this kind of change for no reason and why rehoming can be stressful.

He hasn't really responded the way I like (which is "okay I'll reconsider trading her in for another puppy") but he did seem to respond well to my answers. Seems like this is an impulse thing because the boston terrier is available now. He's a very impulsive person.
PostPosted: Fri May 27, 2011 12:45 pm


I know what you mean. This guy that lived on my street use to get a new dog with every new girlfriend. First was a German Shepherd, when the girlfriend left, that poor poor dog got banished to the backyard. I baby sat for him a few times, never seen the dog. Then it was a Golden Retriever, with the shep still living in the backyard! That girlfriend left him but luckily a nice couple who'd been walking the golden for him decided to adopt him. So next girlfriend he got a smaller dog. That he ended up keeping IN the house. But what a horrible life for that poor shepherd. Since it was being fed and had shelter I couldn't do anything about it.

Gabrielle_AnimalLuver
Crew

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