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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Why the immediate gratification around getting a puppy?

    One thing I've never understood is the knee-jerk, immediate gratification issues around getting a puppy. I've definitely been in a situation where I'm looking and someone happens to have one due to various reasons and it's a good fit, so I get a puppy sooner than I intended. And I have friends where a puppy fell into their laps. But, I'm not talking about that.

    I've been posting photos of the litter I'm getting a pup out of on social media and my friends will share them and/or tag their friends and family with comments like, "OMG, you HAVE to get one of these!" or "You need a friend for Spot!". Which is fine and only a little annoying. I mean, puppies are cute. But now that the puppies are older, I'm getting private messages. "Are the puppies all sold?" "Where can I see the puppies?" "Is that one with the (insert color) collar sold?" "How much and when are they available for pick up?" "How much to ship?"

    They don't even go to the breeder's website or social media page and all the photos I post are shared, so it's clear the breeder's name and easy to get to their social media page and their website. I mean, my friends are smart people! And yet... So, I'm trying to be nice. "Puppies were sold long before they were born." "These are competition dogs; you can get really nice puppies for half the price locally." "She doesn't ship puppies; you have to go pick them up." "Why not get on some lists with local breeders; here is the website for the two local breed clubs." Either no one responds or I get, "Oh, well, I wasn't looking for a puppy but I saw these and thought I'd ask."

    I feel bad for breeders...

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    I think it is like in most things, puppies are cute and people just want one. Most don't think about it. However this is pretty much true with most people they don't think out the ramifications of something before they do it.

    Hemi for example was planned out, I put down the deposit a year in advance. My house, my life and everything was ready for him. Of course being my first ever puppy as I have always rescued in the past I quickly found out I wasn't ready. But I was still dedicated and quickly adapted and learned. But puppy is something that should be planned out. I think good breeders do this and make sure puppies go to good homes like this. Still lots of people make poor impulse decisions.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    People see a cute puppy and want one! I get that all the time, that's why my screening process is so hard, I have to weed out the impulse buyers from the serious families. My puppies are Not an impulse buy.

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    Annette47 (08-13-2018), barry581 (08-12-2018), dxboon (08-13-2018), Jeff (08-13-2018), Jollymolly (08-12-2018), Labradorks (08-11-2018), Mollysmomma (08-11-2018), POPTOP (08-14-2018)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    I would feel extremely proud. my guess is that many people want the best and puppies same thing. so all the puppy feedback is because you are known to provide the best. badge of honor.
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  7. #5
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    people want a puppy when they want it (NOW) OR they want the dog they saw. i think it mostly boils down to that. a friend or family member had a litter or showed them a puppy and they just "fell in love" and got it.

    they don't want to do all the work required to find reputable breeders that will cost a ton. they don't want to wait months (or longer) when they want a dog NOW (cuz they didn't plan ahead and start research earlier). Hell even with rescue, I sent out two apps and 3 weeks later have not heard from either rescue. I haven't pushed on the topic as I am not entirely sure I want a dog NOW (and not entirely sure dogs I applied for were a fit, needed more info thus the reason behind the applications to learn more - though one is for a lab rescue so you doN't even list a dog you just apply in general)

    I was talking to someone a month ago who said she would never buy a dog again after having volunteered with rescue. Two or so weeks later she sadly lost her dog (silver lab). LESS than one week later she had another charcoal lab puppy in the home. because she was very sad and needed something in her life to cheer her up and her other dog was lonely. And even reputable rescues wouldn't have a turn around that fast.

    lastly - a lot of people share or tag people in rescue or breeder dogs that have 0% interest in ACTUALLY getting the dog :P

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  9. #6
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    I wonder what percentage of puppy purchases are from ethical breeders, vs. backyard breeders, pounds/shelters, rescues, oops litters, Craigslist, etc. I would guess a very small number. In all other cases, you just get a puppy when you want it.

    We we got Kimber through a newspaper ad, and it wasn’t until I joined this board that I discovered that probably wasn’t the best route. (In our defense, we did ask local vets and a lab rescue how to find a puppy; both suggested the newspaper!)
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    Labradorks (08-11-2018)

  11. #7
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by voodoo View Post
    I would feel extremely proud. my guess is that many people want the best and puppies same thing. so all the puppy feedback is because you are known to provide the best. badge of honor.
    I get what you are saying, but the people contacting me have no clue what makes a good breeder vs. not a good breeder. I have a feeling that they are seeing more cute pictures and videos of puppies doing stuff, like swimming, playing on equipment, etc., and that is different than what they are used to. They are more attracted because of that, but I don't think they understand the whys and hows and so forth. Does that make sense?

  12. #8
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanya View Post
    people want a puppy when they want it (NOW) OR they want the dog they saw. i think it mostly boils down to that. a friend or family member had a litter or showed them a puppy and they just "fell in love" and got it.

    they don't want to do all the work required to find reputable breeders that will cost a ton. they don't want to wait months (or longer) when they want a dog NOW (cuz they didn't plan ahead and start research earlier). Hell even with rescue, I sent out two apps and 3 weeks later have not heard from either rescue. I haven't pushed on the topic as I am not entirely sure I want a dog NOW (and not entirely sure dogs I applied for were a fit, needed more info thus the reason behind the applications to learn more - though one is for a lab rescue so you doN't even list a dog you just apply in general)

    I was talking to someone a month ago who said she would never buy a dog again after having volunteered with rescue. Two or so weeks later she sadly lost her dog (silver lab). LESS than one week later she had another charcoal lab puppy in the home. because she was very sad and needed something in her life to cheer her up and her other dog was lonely. And even reputable rescues wouldn't have a turn around that fast.

    lastly - a lot of people share or tag people in rescue or breeder dogs that have 0% interest in ACTUALLY getting the dog :P
    My best friend lost her Boxer this year after a long illness. She swore, years before the dog even died, that she would never get another because it was too hard. Not worth it. Well, I knew that she would change her mind and get the next puppy that crossed her path. I didn't say that. But, it started to happen. So far, she is doing good at not being too impulsive. I have told her 587 times to start contacting club breeders in OR and WA to find a good fit and get on lists. Instead, she is Googling puppies available NOW. So, we have the conversation weekly. I really and truly hope that one of the good breeders has an available puppy for her when she calls because of someone falling through or more pups than expected or something because I'm not sure how long she's going to hold out. Now that I'm getting a puppy, she really wants one the same age so they can grow up together. But, when I asked her to puppy-sit for six hours she said, "You just want me to just sit around and hang out for SIX HOURS? I wouldn't even do that in my own house!" So, maybe she's not quite ready for a puppy!
    Last edited by Labradorks; 08-11-2018 at 08:29 PM.

  13. #9
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Any baby animal. It drives me crazy.

    Incidentally, I would love to puppy sit for six hours! Seriously, how fun is that!

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  15. #10
    Senior Dog SamsonsMom's Avatar
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    The worst part about all this, there are many many people out there that do get that puppy that they just couldn't resist. And what ends up happening? Puppy starts to grow up, family can't handle so little puppy ends up in shelter. I know not all but many. That impulse drives me nuts too. I feel bad for those puppies that end up in families that were so infatuated with cuteness that they really didn't think about or research what they were getting in to.

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    Labradorks (08-12-2018)

 



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