Lockdown puppies

pawsies · 2020-10-15T20:06:30+00:00

When do you think there'll be a surge in rescue dogs as a result of people impulse buying puppies during lockdown? I thought we'd be starting to see some come through now but so far I haven't seen many adverts.

Shizzlestix · 15/10/2020 21:16

Prices are about quadruple what they were pre-lockdown. People know they won’t get the money back, although some are trying so maybe aren’t giving them away? I think breed rescues are seeing more than sites eg Preloved.

nikkylou · 15/10/2020 21:18

When everyone has to actually go back in the office....

There was a similar post a couple more like 3/4 months back and it sounded like there was a bit of a surge, presumably with people realised puppy life wasn't quite so rosey.

The real surge though will no doubt be when those who are currently working from home actually have to start going in for their full hours every week.

At the moment there is probably still a lot of people still wfh - mine is quite a large company and I think they have given up the idea of having anyone in the office in any real way till next year!

Also there will people who are on some kind of rotation, either in a couple of days, or week on week off so...

DrivingMo · 15/10/2020 21:20

Honestly, I think there were a lot of hysterical posts for no reason. A young puppy needs a lot more time/attention than a trained dog. People who got a puppy in March/April needed to be at home for the puppy then but the dog will be fine to be left now it's older. I don't think that many will be looking to give their dog up (some will, but really not that many).

DynamoKev · 15/10/2020 21:26

We have been trying to adopt but find all dog rescues are massively over subscribed at present so suspect it will be a while.

Freddiefox · 15/10/2020 21:34

I don’t think there will be. Mn’s like to look down on anyone who has any dog which isn’t a rescue.

DrivingMo · 15/10/2020 21:37

@Freddiefox

I don’t think there will be. Mn’s like to look down on anyone who has any dog which isn’t a rescue.

MN hate everyone. If you adopt a dog then you're putting your whole family in danger with a dangerous dog you don't know the background of. If you don't adopt then you're evil for leaving a precious lonely animal to be killed in a shelter. You can't win.

OuiOuiKitty · 15/10/2020 21:40

You sound disappointed that families are keeping their pets?

museumum · 15/10/2020 21:40

I don’t know anybody who impulse bought - but I do know 3-4 people or families who had longed to own a dog for years and lockdown / furlough gave them an opportunity. They’re all 100% in love with their new family members.

rainyoutside · 15/10/2020 21:41

Myth. There won’t be.

Twizbe · 15/10/2020 21:43

@museumum

I don’t know anybody who impulse bought - but I do know 3-4 people or families who had longed to own a dog for years and lockdown / furlough gave them an opportunity. They’re all 100% in love with their new family members.

My SiL got a puppy on impulse, she's looked after it a grand total of 5 days so far. He's 4 months old and has been with her parents the rest of the time. She has just dumped him again to go on a jolly weekend.....

Echobelly · 15/10/2020 21:47

I was thinking there would be, but given I think a lot of people who have got them may be in jobs where they WFH, they can probably stay WFH a lot of the time even after COVID and manage things so that they can keep the dog because someone is usually home. As has been said, being at home for a long time has just given some people who have always wanted dogs but not been able to dedicate the time to a puppy the ability to do so.

All the same, there will still be the people that find they can't cope and those annoying ones who 'didn't realise it would get so big/need so much attention'

PicklePorkPie · 15/10/2020 21:52

Mumsnet at its judgemental best.

QueenOfLabradors · 15/10/2020 21:55

Putting on Dog Professional Hat, we haven't yet noticed a huge increase in PreLoved Dogs on social media. We have noticed a massive upsurge in requests for help and support with puppy classes/behaviourists/intervention training though. At this point most of the Lockdown Puppy Buyers are genuinely trying to get through doggy adolescence as best they can, and me and my network of local doggy professionals are helping as best we can too. Realistically at least two of the households are probably not going to be able to get through this phase although we're trying hard to support them

newpup123 · 15/10/2020 21:57

We have a "lockdown puppy" I suppose - second lockdown though as only had her a couple of weeks.

I'm glad we didn't get one in "proper" lockdown as it's much better to have the kids out at school during the week. This way we get a better balance of calm time for the puppy and chance for 1:1 training with me. Socialization may still be an issue though as she won't be used to having people coming in to the house 🤷‍♀️

I'm (PT) WFH for forseeable future. Even if I go back to the office in 6 months or a years time then that's fine to use doggy daycare etc. You can easily send a 1 year old dog to daycare... not so much a 10 week old puppy. I do actually intend to get the puppy used to daycare from a young age even though it's not strictly needed.

I guess what I'm saying is for some then lockdown/WFH is an opportunity to spend a few months at home with a puppy, it doesn't necessarily mean we're at home forever but we don't need to be, it's the first few months that's the hardest and what often means people can't take the plunge.

rainyoutside · 15/10/2020 22:01

Getting a rescue dog is a minefield. Probably easier to adopt a child in some ways.

Helloitsme2020 · 15/10/2020 22:15

We have a "lockdown puppy" I suppose! We honestly couldn't be happier. The only positive thing to come out of this covid situation has been the fact both are now WFH, with me for definite until next year, and him for good now, with possibly the odd day in the office next year for important meetings. We both love dogs, having grown up with them, but never entertained the idea of having our own due to living in city centre flats/Monday-Friday long days and thinking it just wouldn't be fair. Now we have a house, a big garden and plenty of time to spend with our lovely little pup! Couldn't imagine life without him, even when he's ruining all my good cushions! Some of the "lockdown puppy" posts i have seen have been incredibly judgemental, I think it's a shame really. There will be small proportion of people who perhaps can't cope, but there will be so so many like us who are finally getting to give a dog a home like they've always wanted to.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 15/10/2020 22:33

I only know one family who got a “lockdown puppy”. They had been desperate for a dog for ages, but both parents worked full time. The dad’s job will now be permanently home based other than odd meetings. He is a lovely little fella, and their DC are desperate for schools to close again so they can be home with him all the time. (They got the pup in the summer holidays, not in full lockdown.)

Tumbleweed101 · 15/10/2020 22:40

I think many lockdown puppies were bought by families who'd wanted a dog for a long while and finally got the breathing space they needed to get them settled in over those early weeks.

I got a puppy last year, so not a lockdown puppy, but having everyone home has helped us to nip certain behaviours in the bud and given us a happier dog overall.

Haenow · 15/10/2020 23:00

YAB(a bit)U.
Puppies do need a lot of interaction initially and less as they get older and have been trained. In the early days, they benefit from having eyes on them all the time! To get them toilet trained and in a good routine while you’re home 24/7 is a huge advantage.
Lots of people aren’t going back to the way they were working before so finally have time for the dog they’ve always wanted.

Caplin · 15/10/2020 23:01

I am still working on H as I only have a contract job, but if I get a perm role we are getting a dog. We both had dogs in the past and love long walks each day anyway.

Like others said, we haven’t done it due to office jobs so it wouldn’t be fair. But the new reality is that one or both of us will be at home every day in future. So now is the time to get a puppy and have dedicated time to train it.

But realistically it will be next year due to my contract role, and waiting lists with reputable breeders.