The Euthanasia Cycle is a phrase used to describe a series of events which can result from an uneducated purchase of a dog. In this cycle, a person obtains a dog on impulse or without researching the breed to see if the dog’s traits will match his or her expectations of a pet. The pet, which is mismatched with the owner, frequently ends up developing behavioral problems such as digging, nuisance barking, escaping from fencing, or just being too hyper for the owner to handle. The owner then turns the dog in to a shelter where it will more than likely be euthanized due to the developed behavioral problems. The pet owner, not understanding the cause of their problems, simply
purchases another dog, and begins the cycle again.In my twenty five years as a professional trainer I have seen many people trapped in this cycle. I am not talking about poor people, uneducated people or callous
uncaring people. I am talking about people that simply do not understand the role they should be playing in the development of their dog’s behavior. They are people that do not understand the effects of improper breeding, improper socialization and the impact the lack of training has on a dog’s ability to cope with the very demanding environment which they have been placed in. So, when the dog nips a child, destroys the furniture, digs holes in the yard or becomes a nuisance barker due to boredom or stress, the dog always takes the blame.This lack of understanding would be bad enough if only one dog were to suffer and die needlessly due to it, but I have known people that were on their fifth dog, stuck in this very cycle before they finally called for help from a professional trainer. Once they finally got the information needed to effectively train their companion animal they always commented on how badly they wish that someone had told them what to do before. They know now - they know too late - that the dog was not to blame, but rather it was their lack of understanding of proper dog handling and training.So, training really does save lives. Additionally, proper handing and training greatly enhances the joys of pet ownership both for the owner and the animal.
In other articles we will explore how proper education and training of the public can actually reduce the number of dogs bred each year as well as reduce strain on an over-taxed shelter system.
David Harris
2 responses so far ↓
1 TRAINING SAVES LIVES (permalink) // Feb 5, 2008 at 11:29 am
[…] Select Category Uncategorized (2) The Euthanasia Cycle […]
2 Martin S. // Feb 12, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Hi David, I was reading your article on the euthanasia cycle and it was interesting and timely. Missy and I were just talking about how much work it has been with Chica, the new puppy. She’s great, but I couldn’t imagine someone thinking one day on a whim, “oh I want a german shepherd puppy” ,and getting a dog like this. At least we knew what to expect and were almost ready for it, albeit Boca is almost 7 now and we forgot all about puppy issues. Even still, at some points she literally has been
Certainly not the fantasy puppy experience some people might imagine when they think of a cute little fuzzy plaything to buy for their kids
Obviously therw is a trade off with a high drive, intelligent dog….the outcome is amazing if you take the time to harness it, and that is what we wanted to begin with. But good people get dogs like this sometimes and really aren’t ready for what they need to do in order to establish and grow a positive relationship and I can understand how quickly they can become frustrated…and the dog will pay the price. Anyway, it was great to read your new site. I’m a firm believer in your philosophy. Boca is a downright amazing dog. Good looking sure, but also the kind of dog people are downright jealous of too based on her behavior. I’ve got to get one of those bumper stickers because my dog really is smarter than most people’s children. Genetics certainly play a part, but I think more than that were the lessons we learned from you about how to be responsible owners and leaders. Because of that, our dogs get to have an amazing lifestyle and we get to enjoy them as members of our family and good companions rather than treat them like burdens, hassles, and liabilities. We are looking forward to turning out another amazing animal with your help.
driving us mad. Without being properly crate trained, under constant supervision, and givin positive direction, this dog would have destroyed everything in sight, bitten and nipped any children to the point they would be insanely fearful of her, she would have ended up in a shelter or worse….and she’s only 22 lbs
Regards,
Martin
Leave a Comment