Why Do People Give Up on Their Dogs So Easily?

CBCTer

I honestly can’t understand how some people get a dog, then give it up a few months later because it doesn’t “meet their expectations.” In the past year, I’ve seen this happen three times, and it breaks my heart every single time.

• The first one gave up their dog because it was scared of everything.
• The second one got rid of a young, energetic puppy they had rescued from the RSPCA — they made endless social media posts about how much they loved the dog, but strangely never mentioned when they gave it away. The poor kids were devastated.
• The third person rehomed theirs because it was “snappy.”

In every case, these dogs were still young and only with their owners for a few months. None of them tried to address the issues properly — no professional help, no real effort, and no willingness to invest time or money.

The second case especially frustrates me. This person worked long hours, leaving the puppy alone most of the day, then complained that it barked and destroyed the garden. What do you expect from a bored, lonely puppy?

To me, people who give up on their dogs for such reasons are heartless. A dog isn’t a fashion accessory or a social media prop — it’s a living creature that depends on you completely.

The only valid reason to rehome a dog, in my opinion, is if it poses a genuine danger to others and professional training hasn’t helped. Otherwise, you made a commitment — and that commitment deserves respect.

I’d really like to hear what others think about this.

 Have you seen similar situations? Do you think there are other reasons that might justify giving up a dog?

Rothko

What a weird generalisation.

Ozymandius2011

I only recently found out from my mother that dogs we owned during my childhood in early 90s had actually been put down or were stolen from us. I assumed one ran away, or was run over by a car.

One was put down not for health reasons but because we were going on holiday and my parents thought he would be too difficult for a cousin to look after. This dog was very friendly to humans but tended to get into fights with other dogs, once almost killing a small dog we also owned. Our cousin owned a dog too.

JVince

some people see them as dogs, others (like myself) see them as part of the family and get the same (if not better) care as other members of the family.

But on the flipside - they need almost as much care as a child and they don't "grow up" and many people don't understand that part as well as the fairly hefty cost if you are on a tight budget.

But they certainly pay back everything in terms of companionship and laughter

Mrs OBumble

. A dog isn’t a fashion accessory or a social media prop — it’s a living creature that depends on you completely.

How did dogs ever survive before humans started providing for all their needs?

NIMAN

Simple and No1 reason, is that they require looking after, and many folk lose interest in looking after them and putting in any effort

ThePentagon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123971709#Comment_123971709

"they need almost as much care as a child"

Jeez, no they don't. Good grief 😆

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058428047/why-do-people-give-up-on-their-dogs-so-easily

Some people don't understand that dogs take a bit of minding and they can't tell you about themselves until they actually get a dog (or indeed most animals).

You also only see the positive side to owning animals (generall) on FB, and never get told the costs and/or efforts required to look after/train one (not an excuse mind, but could have been a lot of the reason for your second example there).

Then you have people who get dogs(animals) at the worst possible time in their lives (seen this happen twice) and let other people pick up the pieces, or have something totally unplanned come along and change their circumstances to the point that animal ownership isn't feasible. At the end of the day a dog/animal is just a dog/animal and as cruel as that might sound, people need to make priorities at times.

kirving

I wouldn't say that they're heartless necessarily - moreso that they have misunderstood (and often been mislead) about the amount of care a dog actually needs.

Recognising that you can't give the dog that care is a big step, and is an infinitely better option than keeping it and neglecting it even by a little. I think posts such as this further vilify people who have found themselves with a dog they got with good intentions, but now realise they cannot look after, which is far from ideal.

For the record, I have a dog, and have never given one away, and don't know anyone who has. I did have a friend when I was younger though whose family should have given up their dog, but instead kept it in a back garden with almost no social interaction. Was too young at the time to realise it, but now I'd be calling the ISPCA in a heartbeat.

pgj2015

Rough people love dogs but don't know how to or care about looking after them properly. They need to make owning a dog a hard thing to do, to stop riff raff getting a dog and then that dog becoming a problem because they haven't a clue how to train it or look after it.

Tork

I would rather someone give up their dog than neglect it. Is leaving it tied up all day or left out in all weathers in a tiny back garden any better?

BrianD3

There is a strong correlation between dog ownership and idiocy. While not all dog owners are idiots, IME most idiots own dogs. Stupid, impulsive, irresponsible people who never plan ahead for anything. The sort of people who seemingly get taken by surprise when small puppies turn into large dogs, how did that happen.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123971709#Comment_123971709

Quite simply anyone but especially young families, who are considering buying a dog for the first time, need to read and re-read this post- if you think you and your family members can’t commit right now to the responsibilities of owning a dog- not only accepting the joy a dog can bring but also sometimes the hassle the heartache and the cost- then don’t get one, until you can.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123973422#Comment_123973422

In fairness to the poster you quoted, there’s no harm in a little exaggeration when advising new dog owners - I get their sentiment here and they’re very much on the right track.

many dogs have health issues which require regular vet visits and great costs - others have significant exercise requirements which if neglected can lead to destructive behaviour in the home- demand for certain breeds because they’re “in vogue”- can lead to bad inbreeding practices amongst other things - the outcome being very challenging dogs with on going medical and behavioural issues- both time and cost sinks.

Almost as much care as a child? In general no- but get a dog with behavioural and medical issues? Well yeah, you’re heading towards that - at least temporarily

Galwayguy35

Because they are scumbags.

wildwillow

Sometimes it is better to rehome a dog than suffer the consequences. You are a bit too judgmental.

We gave a corgi to an adult only family when it became snappy towards my toddler and any other child visiting. Last straw was when the child's t-shirt was torn by the dog's teeth. Child was playing outside with some toy tractors, minding his own business when the dog attacked. Luckily, I was close so quickly distracted the dog. No amount of socialisation with the child worked and he lived happily for many a year when he wasn't competing with a child for attention.

Many neglected dogs would welcome rehoming.

z80CPU

When I was small, two nuns who were childhood friends with my mum would come visit with a corgi dog. After a few years, the nuns started visiting mum with another dog. The nuns gave mum a "child friendly" explanation in my presence, but looking back, I feel what willow says about "competing for attention" strikes a chord!

Avatar in the Post

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123972847#Comment_123972847

Short answer - They didn't

Long answer - look up domestication

Nigzcurran

On the dog selling website dogs.ie this morning was a family trying to re-home a 10 month old dog as it wasn't suitable for their house which I understand and it's far better to try re-home it now than in a few years time but what was really annoying was the fact that they were looking for €500 for it. It's just like a possession to them. Something to be sold on. In my opinion a decent person would be happy to pay someone to re-home their dog not try make money out of it. Rant over!

StevenToast

Im pretty sure if there wasnt as much benefits attached to children i.e. welfare, housing....there would be a similar amount looking to give away their own kids....

tara73

wrong approach to the problem I would say, more looking at the symptom than at the real issue: why are so many poeple getting a dog these days? When going out it's like almost everybody has a dog with them, unreal. Was there a massive hype not having a dog these days makes you a 'bad person' I missed..😂Seriously, this shouldn't be like that. Why do all people need a dog these days? Indicator sth.'s really not quite right in society anymore, if it's a fashion thing, filling a gap for being lonely or whatever else I can't think of.

kowloon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123971683#Comment_123971683

One was put down not for health reasons but because we were going on holiday and my parents thought he would be too difficult for a cousin to look after.

JFC, that's horrible.

Ozymandius2011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123975139#Comment_123975139

And that dog had once survived being run over. It was really strong. I remember the night Dad brought it back from a walk limping.