Only Unemployed Dog Lovers Need Apply...

[johnson99]

I think the other thing that hasn't been mentioned here but is relevant is that the reason I am having problems getting a puppy/dog is because I tell the truth. And I'm not only attempting to be completely honest with breeders/rescue, but I am trying to paint a worst case scenario (not home during the day, wont' have a dog walker, etc...).

There are many nights where my wife and I are home at a reasonable hour and the dog would only be alone for a total of 6-7 hours - but I'd rather give the breeder the worst case so that they can best advise me and partner with me. I'm sure many prospective owners learn what "breeders want to hear" (which isn't too hard to figure out) and are less than forthright with them. It would be very easy for me just to tell the breeders that I have a hired a dog walker to come in or a family member ow whatever and I would very easily be able to get a puppy.

But because I am concerned for the dog's well being and because I want the breeder to be 100% honest with me regarding health, temperament, and training, I choose to tell them the truth. And I feel I am somewhat punished for this.

 

[vaboxer]

I am not a breeder and am minimally affiliated with rescue in my area...but it seems obvious to me that these people CARE about where their pups are going. The fact that you are out of the house for 10 hours is an issue because a puppy needs training and doesnt get that training in a crate all day long.

As for rescues, it seems like it would be easier...but when the rescues have been abandoned for whatever reasons, the rescues are just making sure the little one will be placed somewhere where they wont have to be returned.

And...of all the breeders I have come in contact with I have NEVER come away thinking they thought they were better than me in any way, shape or form. Breeders dedicate their lives to their dogs...they spend so much time preparing the mothers and then the babies to go to new homes...I know if I were a breeder, I would be very picky...because of the time spent, and the love and sometimes the heartache that comes with the territory of being a breeder. It is their right to be picky...

 

[Peggy G]

Justin, I understand your point, I really do. You are saying that you know without a doubt that you can give a puppy a good home even if you dont meet all the over bearing requirements of a rescue. You know yourself & what's in your heart but please understand that a rescue doesnt know you from Adam. All they know is they get dogs dropped off at their door step everyday by perfectly normal looking people because..."the dog didnt work out afterall", "the dog cant be trained", "we are moving", "we dont have time to give him the exercise he needs", "he is ruining the house", etc, etc, etc. If these people had been "interviewed" before they got the puppy maybe they would have thought twice about if a puppy was for them or not. Or maybe they would have been turned down because they didnt meet the requirements and the poor puppy that grew into a dog wouldnt have been dumped. Rescues dont want that dog to end up with these type of people again. A dog has feelings when its owner dumps them, never to return.

A breeder also doesnt know you. They want their little puppies to go to good homes. You may have a good home to offer but they dont know that and the only way they are going to find out is if they ask alot of questions. They have a lot of time & money invested into the litter. They dont want the puppies they raised and nurtured to end up in a rescue because of all the reasons I listed above. So they too are going to ask questions and have some requirements.

Hey, I was turned down by a rescue and it felt horrible. But you know what....as rediculous as I thought the reason was, I understood it.

 

[johnson99]

Too bad I just don't like cats!!! Life would be alot easier if I'd just decided to get a litterbox trained kitten: )

 

[Amy Lyn]

I totally agree with the person who earlier stated that the number one reason dogs are in shelters and rescues is because the owners ended up not having time for the dog.

I'm not saying that you will do this, but I can see where a breeder would be very cautious with who they place their pups with. These pups are helpless creatures who need someone to speak on their behalf. These are family members to them. When we got our second Boxer, as soon as we finished up the paperwork, et cetera, we asked her if she wanted to say goodbye to the pup and she said no, just take him and go because I cry everytime one of my babies leaves me.

I don't think you should lie to a breeder, it's says a lot about you that you choose to be honest with them. If people lied this just confirms the fact that they should screen new potential homes.

What you could do, however, and we did this when we got our second Boxer, is we came loaded with information. We brought pictures of our first Boxer (us doing tons of stuff with him), we had information on the local dog park and nature preserve where we could take walks and he could romp off leash in a safe environment, we had information about the playgroups that were held by a local trainer. We told her that we had researched the breed thoroughly before getting our first one and were well aware of what was involved in raising a well adjusted Boxer. WE gave her references on us before she ever could possibly ask for them. We told her that though we didn't have a fenced in backyard, that we adamently brought our first Boxer on a leash every single time he had to go to the bathroom. We told her that we looked into positive reinforcement training and that was the only form of training we would use. We even knew the trainer we would be using.

It's just a thought and a possible solution. Could you take your pup to work with you one or two days a week? Also, you may also be scaring your breeders off by telling them that your pup will be in a garage during the day, even though it is climate controlled. They may be looking at this as they are going to be stuck in a garage and not be inside the home being a part of your family. Our trainer told us that the dogs need to be inside the house and be a part of the family.

I also don't blame you for not hiring a dog walker. I don't trust anyone to come into my home that I don't know. Bonded or not. That's why doggy daycare may be a nice solution for you.

Good luck to you in your search. Try not to be encouraged into going to a BYB or petstore. By doing that people just perpetuate the breeding of unhealthy dogs living in situations that aren't the best. I should know - I made the mistake of buying my first Boxer from a petstore and he died at a year and half.

 

[Peggy G]

Originally posted by Peggy G
Hey, I was turned down by a rescue and it felt horrible. But you know what....as rediculous as I thought the reason was, I understood it.

Wanted to add that.....
I was also turned away by a breeder because we didnt have a fenced in yard at the time. I was P.O.'d and thought to myself...keep your *&%# puppies! But the more educated I became the more I realized why the breeder had this requirement.

 

[AmyPat]

Hi-
Where are you located in Jersey? We live in New Jersey and just adopted from Philly Boxer Rescue. We already currently own a boxer and wanted company for him being that we do both work during the day. The foster home worked as well so she was used to being alone during the day. You may want to do a search for their website. In fact they just conacted us to see how she was doing and mentioned they have more dogs coming in they will need homes for. Hope it helps and Good luck.

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

Honesty?

Originally posted by johnson99
But because I am concerned for the dog's well being and because I want the breeder to be 100% honest with me regarding health, temperament, and training, I choose to tell them the truth. And I feel I am somewhat punished for this.

You are being honest with the breeder and they are being honest with you. This is exactly how you are describing it and exactly how it is. Why would you now say you are being punished? If the situation you are presenting to these honest breeders is having them turn you down 100% of the time, had you thought about either changing your situation or simply waiting until the timing is better?

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

A thought....

After reading the original poster go over and over again over how many breeders/rescue he has called.....I have to ask:
Do you just call people once and never again?
Have you made any attempts to build a rapport with a breeder, prior to a litter, and prove you can be trusted?

Just speaking for myself, the buyers I am most impressed with keep in touch with me over time. They give me examples of their past Boxers or other dogs. They tell me wonderful stories to show their love and connection to these past pets. I posted under another thread how I came to sell a lovely pet male, from my last litter, to his eventual parents. They spent a full 6 months with me because they were dedicated towards only buying from a reputable breeder and genuinely liked my Boxers. They were just one of hundreds of phone calls I had received and eventually they rose to the top of the pack. We have become even closer friends since they brought Scrapper home and have given him a fabulous home. They even come to shows to root his littermates on and buy new toys for Scrapper. I did not know them a year ago but they are family now.

 

[mygirlmollie]

I loved the dressed up pics

I can really see both sides of the story, I personally haven't worked for sometime and I often think to myself, gee- what would I do with my doggies if I did. I think it would be so hard! Especially with a baby, and I just can't get used to these crate things....I had never even HEARD of them till I came to this site, I understand they are for the dogs own safety as well etc etc but I couldn't leave a dog in there more than 3 hours, it's just not fair, I myself couldn't hang on for the toilet from am-pm (don't want to start a crate war, just giving my thoughts)

I am about to get a new baby and I'm so thankful I am here to raise her....even when we have to go out I hate leaving Jed alone in the yard for hours on end, especially now that Mollie is gone and he is all alone out there. He's safe and it's fenced, obviously, but it's not the point I hate leaving them!!!
Maybe I have seperation issues we always have a dog sitter when we go away if the dogs can't come with us.

BUT I can see the other side as well, people HAVE to work and why should they miss out on the love of a Boxer, it's just really hard for breeders though I imagine, as we all know how much Boxers crave and depend on the company of their humans....they are an inside dog and probably wouldn't do well left alone outside all day everyday.

It's a tough issue and I can see and understand both sides of the argument. I personally am glad I don't work and my babies get all the love and attention they need 24/7 (not to say that dogs with working parents dont) but mine never have to spend more than 3-4 hours alone and they and I like it that way.

Goodluck on getting a Boxer, I don't believe you are not elligable for one as you do work. Like I said it's a tough issue.

(no attacking on any of my opinions please)