Don’t purchase a dog or puppy on impulse

Although we have covered this in previous editions we feel that it is well worth featuring it again as this is the peak period for people making impulse purchases for puppies and dogs in general.

As mentioned before, rescue centres often see the results of these well-intentioned yet ill-judged Christmas ‘presents’ the following summer.

By now the puppies are eight or nine months old and are demanding of time, stimulation, exercise and interaction.

Gone is the ‘cute’ stage and the results of the mistakes and/or inexperience from the owner’s part are beginning to show.

Destructiveness, jumping up, mouthing, excessive excitability and barking are all signs that this dog is not getting what it needs needs to live a full and contented life.

Once these issues become ‘unacceptable’ to the family unit the rescue centre is often seen as a way to move on a ‘problem dog’.

As such they can see a spike in dog admit requests in the summer with young dogs.

Clearly this is not the case with the vast majority of owners but if you have any doubts about your ability to provide all that is required to ensure they can live a full life then perhaps an impulse buy is not the best way to proceed.

Take time to fully research the issues and all that is expected from a responsible owner.

Talk it over with all in the family unit first and avoid the ‘surprise’ element because after all...... a dog is for life, not just for Christmas!

Can you believe Bailey (pictured) has just had her one year anniversary of coming in to the centre? She really is such a sweetheart, but as much as all the staff and volunteers enjoy having her here, she really deserves her own home.

She is about two years old now and so has spent about half her life with us, through no fault of her own.

Bailey’s likes include people, toys and cosy blankets. Her dislikes are the cold and the rain - who can blame her? All she really wants is someone to give her somewhere she can snuggle up and be loved.