‘Adopt me! I’m already trained!’
Some of my good friends and family members have purebred dogs from breeders.
Many of them were first-time pet dog owners, and they believed they would have a better chance of getting a “good” pet dog if they went to a breeder vs. a shelter.
I understand a few of you are screaming at this point – “No!!”
But whether we like it or not, there is a big group of people who believe shelter dogs may include “issues,” and that is reason enough for them to go to a breeder.
This is where shelters are missing out on a advertising opportunity, because shelter volunteers understand something the average pet dog seeker may not.
Shelter dogs are good dogs.
Shelter dogs are already trained.
Shelter dogs are already socialized.
Most first-time pet dog owners do not have experience with training. When they get a puppy from a breeder, there’s a chance they are not going to train that puppy extremely well or exercise that puppy as much as they should.
In six months, they may have a teen pet dog with behavior issues such as chewing, barking, jumping, peeing in the house, possessiveness, pulling on the leash, etc.
We all understand at least one person who purchased a puppy from a breeder and ended up with an out-of-control dog, correct?
What if these exact same people had gone to a shelter or rescue and requested help selecting a well-grounded, calm dog?
What if, instead of turning so numerous prospective pet dog owners away, shelter volunteers were much more valuable and encouraging?
There are so numerous good dogs sitting around in shelters that would be suitable for first-time pet dog owners.
Shelters are missing out on a big chunk of the market.
I wince when I hear shelter volunteers blaming the public for “pet overpopulation” when they could do so much much more to market their animals.
Shelters do a great deal of advertising meant to play at people’s emotions, trying to make them feel guilty.
Ενστερνίζομαι! Don’t shop!
Don’t get while shelter animals die!
Playing to a potential adopter’s emotions will work for some people, but not all.
It doesn’t necessarily accommodate the single, 20-something searching for a good apartment or condo dog.
It doesn’t necessarily accommodate the family searching for a gentle, socialized pet.
Or what about the single, working parent with two preschoolers?
Most people like the idea of saving a dog’s life, but they also want a good, family dog.
Not a purebred dog. Not a certain breed, but a friendly, good dog.
What if we did a better task educating the public about shelter dogs? What if we stopped portraying shelter dogs as piteous, suffering creatures?
What if we did a better task showing people that shelter dogs are, for the most part, good dogs? and that they are waiting in shelters by the thousands?
Not only do shelter workers have the ability to match these good dogs up with the best owners, but they have the ability to educate new pet dog owners about training, exercise and socialization. They also have the ability to offer resources down the road if issues do come up.
People who get dogs from breeders commonly do so because they want a pet dog without “baggage.” They want a pet dog that is risk-free for their families.
Perhaps this ought to be your shelter’s goal for the year. begin a advertising campaign to promote all those good dogs in your shelter.
The dogs can speak for themselves, if you let them.
Adopt me! I’m already trained!
Adopt me! I’m housebroken and come when called! I sleep quietly in my crate!
Adopt me! I passed my first obedience class! and I snuggle with kitties!
Adopt me! I let youngsters pull my ears! I’m also a Canine good Citizen!
How numerous good dogs are sitting in your shelter best now?
Tweety is up for adoption with the Humane society Fargo-Moorhead. She is a good pet dog who likes everyone she meets, according to her profile! Edit: Tweety has been adopted!