Dogs during lockdown

[Lincolnfield]

Just reading an article about how many people are buying puppies to keep them company during the lockdown- or worse still to ‘keep the children entertained.’

This is a seriously worrying trend. Two people on our road who have never been into dogs have suddenly acquired a puppy and, when I was out with my three working retrievers yesterday for our daily exercise, she called across the road to me saying that she didn’t know puppies were such hard work. 😒😒

Having had retrievers, flatcoated and goldens for forty years, ours are working dogs who are out on the moors (usually!) three or four days every week, come rain or shine, I have massive concerns about this trend.

What happens when these people go back into their ‘real lives’ ? Kids back at school, parents out at work. Everyone wanting to go out with friends to restaurants, etc.? Will we see an explosion of poor wee doggies who have served their purpose then ending up in rescue centres?

Surely a dog is for life not just for a few weeks stuck at home?

I'm desperate for a puppy and have been for the last 3 years. However, we put off even entertaining the idea until our old cat died - she was very timid and wouldn't have coped with a puppy. Then waited until our youngest dd was old enough to understand how to treat a dog. Dh became self employed in January, meaning the dog would have company as he mostly WFH. The perfect time was almost upon us. Then the outbreak happened so we've paused getting a dog again. I'm gutted to be honest, but it just doesnt feel like the responsible thing to do.

I know what you mean, I really hope these people have planned for how these pups will cope when suddenly all the humans disappear! And im not sure this is really the right time to be a first time dog owner.

On the other hand I did consider getting a rescue during lockdown. I already have a dog that we’ve had since a pup, but I would like an older rescue of the same breed. Lockdown would in some ways be an opportunity to settle in a new dog. But I only work part time anyway and I use doggy daycare so I would never have any intention of leaving a new dog on their own. I doubt we will do it now though.

Yup, I'm waiting for the rescue homes to be flooded with unwanted animals once we return to "normal". We are lucky enough to be currently fostering a dog, but obviously she will be with us longer as no-one can come to see her for adoption (shame!).

Peopl are fucking stupid. Animals often suffer because of this.

It's awful and is just setting these poor puppies up for failure. They will get used to having people around all the time and lots of attention. Then suddenly people will go back to work/school and their routines and will change completely and you'll have stressed animals with separation anxiety.

It's also a worrying and stressful time and animals will also pick up on that. Many people are also experiencing steep drops in income and I worry that they will no longer be able to afford their dogs and will be turning them over to rescues. Animal rescue charities are really struggling at the moment as they are not eligible for the help the government has put into place for charities. The last thing they need is a mass influx of dogs when lockdown is over.

I'm wondering by which essential reason for leaving the house they managed to acquire these animals. It's not like they can send them in the post.

Also, my friend is a vet nurse and her surgery aren't doing injections during lockdown. So people cant take them out walking if they haven't been immunised.

How do you do puppy socialisation under lockdown? When I got my puppy a couple of years ago I took him out every day during the critical socialisation window and so many people stopped to chat and make a fuss. It was literally like being a celebrity and people stopping me every few feet going down my local high street. Now under lockdown and social distancing that's not possible, I'm so worried now for all the puppies born in 2020 who won't get acclimatised and socialised to other people in the street, traffic, horses, bicycles, uniformed personnel and all the other hustle and bustle of everyday life you have to get them accustomed to.

I know at least 2 people who have “taken advantage of being at home” to get a puppy. Absolute idiots
Obviously if it was planned anyway and then lockdown happened it’s a bit different but even then it’s not ideal
Puppies are stressful and bloody hard work at the best of times