Shelter Systems Run As Profit Shelters

In my area, and in some personal knowledge about someone in the area who purchased a shelter, I believe and I think it may be common knowledge among those in the shelter industry, that there is a trend going on to make profit on the non-profit industries. Shelters these days have basically, in my opinion, replaced pet stores. This is where the worse than puppy mill puppies go to these days. And I am not saying I don't like shelter dogs, I do. I wish I could go in and adopt a mixed breed, but my husbands allergies do prevent this for me. And now I have fallen in love with the Doberman, and don't think I will be able to break the cycle. Sorry digressed there. I know that I have seen actual internet advertisements that suggest ways to make your shelter a "profit" business. Now some shelters do this in a better way, as I believe Sue Engel's shelter may, by providing training to adult dogs. That being said, I have never met Sue or gone to her shelter. But the things that she seems to be doing and have started are more in line with what I would support at a shelter. That being said a shelter that is providing a trained dog, with fees added on for this service, is probably providing for itself. While these new profitable "non-profits" are making enough with their fees, and still targeting the community for "donations". I have requested the tax records on non-profits in the area this year, as with reduced income, I need to consider my contributions more carefully. I was astounded to see the cash in the bank, and payroll some of these places had. (I am actually not just talking animal shelters here, but other types of non-profits as well). I think there, and believe I remember from my education, that non- profits that do not accept money from the government, do not necessarily have strict stipulations on how much can be accumulated. Or how it can be disbursed (salaries et---and I am not saying shelter workers should not be paid a fair wage). The Red Cross or Human Shelter Organizations, for instance, have very strict regulations that include mandatory audits (annually at least) of how and where and how much and in what ratio their money goes. Why are puppies producing more revenue when they are not purebreds? Everyone (thinks they) want a puppy. Few people want to actually research what they are doing. Shelter is a simple place to go. Now plenty of puppies available there from 150-300. One day spur of the moment shopping. Puppies end up being untrained dogs, go to different shelter, fate is later decided there. This is something that I haven't seen discussed too much. And so I did want to share my opinions on it, because I think it's important. And I am not saying I don't want to save the poor puppies from Virigina or Georgia that make it too Massachusetts. I am just pointing out something that is happening in our shelter systems, that I don't think is talked about too much. A good thing that I think is happening, is with networking, the computer, and pet finder, dogs and puppies that are found in areas where they might be likely to be euthanized, are being picked up and transported (sometimes) to areas where they are more likely to find the appropriate home. As with anything, it's six of one, and a half dozen of another.

Shelter Systems Run As Profit Shelters

In my area, and in some personal knowledge about someone in the area who purchased a shelter, I believe and I think it may be common knowledge among those in the shelter industry, that there is a trend going on to make profit on the non-profit industries. Shelters these days have basically, in my opinion, replaced pet stores. This is where the worse than puppy mill puppies go to these days. And I am not saying I don't like shelter dogs, I do. I wish I could go in and adopt a mixed breed, but my husbands allergies do prevent this for me. And now I have fallen in love with the Doberman, and don't think I will be able to break the cycle. Sorry digressed there. I know that I have seen actual internet advertisements that suggest ways to make your shelter a "profit" business. Now some shelters do this in a better way, as I believe Sue Engel's shelter may, by providing training to adult dogs. That being said, I have never met Sue or gone to her shelter. But the things that she seems to be doing and have started are more in line with what I would support at a shelter. That being said a shelter that is providing a trained dog, with fees added on for this service, is probably providing for itself. While these new profitable "non-profits" are making enough with their fees, and still targeting the community for "donations". I have requested the tax records on non-profits in the area this year, as with reduced income, I need to consider my contributions more carefully. I was astounded to see the cash in the bank, and payroll some of these places had. (I am actually not just talking animal shelters here, but other types of non-profits as well). I think there, and believe I remember from my education, that non- profits that do not accept money from the government, do not necessarily have strict stipulations on how much can be accumulated. Or how it can be disbursed (salaries et---and I am not saying shelter workers should not be paid a fair wage). The Red Cross or Human Shelter Organizations, for instance, have very strict regulations that include mandatory audits (annually at least) of how and where and how much and in what ratio their money goes. Why are puppies producing more revenue when they are not purebreds? Everyone (thinks they) want a puppy. Few people want to actually research what they are doing. Shelter is a simple place to go. Now plenty of puppies available there from 150-300. One day spur of the moment shopping. Puppies end up being untrained dogs, go to different shelter, fate is later decided there. This is something that I haven't seen discussed too much. And so I did want to share my opinions on it, because I think it's important. And I am not saying I don't want to save the poor puppies from Virigina or Georgia that make it too Massachusetts. I am just pointing out something that is happening in our shelter systems, that I don't think is talked about too much. A good thing that I think is happening, is with networking, the computer, and pet finder, dogs and puppies that are found in areas where they might be likely to be euthanized, are being picked up and transported (sometimes) to areas where they are more likely to find the appropriate home. As with anything, it's six of one, and a half dozen of another.

Confidence For People Going Into New Field

I have to say, I am hoping any new people who have been involved or just are witnessing this sudden rash of "arguments" aren't lacking any confidence in themselves. Through my life I have learned, if you want to do something, do it. Other people are going to have a problem with it for whatever reason as follows: 1. The need to be right (don't even bother arguing with this crowd, you will NEVER win) 2. Jealousy (they don't want anyone else to take their place or be as successful in the future) 3. The need to make someone else feel insignificant (makes them feel more powerful) 4. The need for debate (some people just like to debate, but those people usually don't get nasty) And sometimes this argument or debate is informative, and sometimes it's really annoying and petty. But if you are doing what you want to do, you are not hurting anyone or thing, and you see improvement in yourself, you just need to buck up, and not give a flying fig about what anyone else thinks. Even if they have thirty or more years experience, does not mean you don't have the right to find your own way. Whether you do what people call "positive" training, or you do balanced training, do the best you can do and log your results. At some point if results are at a stand still, find out why, but remember not everyone's opinion is gospel. It's important for you to weed out the good, bad and ugly LOL. And they are all here on this list (different characters for different people). If I was ever waiting for anyone to put their seal of approval on me, I would still be pumping gas at a gas station like when I was 17. I wouldn't have become a comptroller for billion dollar companies, but more importantly I would not have become a dog trainer (not as $$ lucrative but much more lucrative life wise) If you want to be successful at XYZ, you go out there and get the info and experience, but do not let anyone else put you down or belittle you. How do you do that? Just shut off those voices and keep on going! Decide which voices are helping you achieve your goals and which ones aren't. Sometimes someone who was helpful in the beginning may not be so helpful as you become more accomplished. Thank them, and go on. So the new ones, keep your confidence about you, even when uglyness is being thrown your way. I must admit, some of these discussions have made me loose some respect for other trainers on this list, which is not to say I haven't been sucked into these "discussions" once or twice before.

Allergies to Dogs

Different people are allergic or not to different breeds. My step mother is not allergic to English Sheep dogs (my husband is allergic to English Sheep Dogs), but is allergic to other breeds. When we were first looking for a dog (9 years ago) we found out this unfortunate fact, as every time I brought my husband to look at a dog in the shelter I was volunteering at, (and I was sure to bring the dog outside of the shelter) he would have an allergy attact right away. As far as controlling allergies, my husband has other medical issues, and is on much medication all the time. As you know, medications can have side effects, and side effects in combination with each other. Instead of wasting our time and money and jeopardizing my husband's health in any way, it seems more expediant to have a dog that he is actually not allergic to. He also has severe asthma, so a medication not working right or conflicting with anther medication can cause severe problems. How did we find out my husband wasn't allergic to Dobes, when we realized that there were breeds of dogs that my husband WAS allergic to (we had thought him only to be allergic to cats before), we began visiting breeders, and talking to them around their dogs for at least an hour. So we were walking in the kennels et, and it would become apparent (especially with so many dogs around us) quickly if Robert was in fact allergic to that breed. Everyone's chemistry is different, and the allergies don't conform in the stereotypical way most people will have you believe. One of my pet peeves in the shelters (I was looking for a Dobe in our shelter system before picking out Leon), is these shelter staff that will tell you unequivically, that no one is allergic to dogs that have standard poodle type hair, or dogs that don't shed, or all short haired dogs. It annoys me because they are not (in my opinion) giving out anywhere near close to the correct info, and could be about to cause some nice family or person some real heartbreak. Not every person has an "easy" time controlling these allergies. Some people actually are best to find (if possible) a breed of dog where they don't need to rely on medication to keep their breathing at an acceptable level. Good inquiry.

Embarrassing Training Moment

I've started training two large St Bernards to go to the bathroom in one area on this fenced in estate. Owners know they are supposed to be training with me, but so far they are only following directions that I leave with them, instead of coming out and trying it with me. Any way, first day there I bring the dogs out one by one. First the older 175 pound dog, and then the younger 135 pound dog. The older one finishes first so he gets unhooked and gets cookies, and I go to my truck to get the prong collar to train him to be sent to the area. Just as I get there, the younger pup goes number two, so I close the door to my truck (I think I do any way), and I rush over to give the cookie and say good bathrooms when he is done. I look back, and I see Tango's face looking back at me from my truck window----later on it was too steamy to actually see his face. Seems I didn't close the door all the way, and the smarty pants figured out how to nudge it open and get in. I walk around to the back and open the door. "Come on Tango". Now this is the first day of training, and this is either dogs first day on a collar at all (he's still on just a flat at this point). Tango looks at me and stretches out full length along the back of my truck. Clearly he is enjoying Jazz's comfy and very fluffy doggie bed. Alrighty then, I take my trusty leash and hook it up to his collar (which I told the owners was to large), and begin to tug. I successfully pull the collar off of Tango's head. Tango does not look very impressed by me, and shows no signs of moving. This is the point where you are praying that the owners are not peeking out of the window to see how you are handling their very large dogs. I figure at this point, I will take Cash out and we will begin training. Jealous Tango will certaintly want to come out then. Bingo, thank God. I really was not relishing asking the owners to remove their dog from my vehicle. Now it's week 3, and Tango still looks longingly at my vehicle, and I shut that door but tight!!!

First Trial Observed

At the AKC event that I just went to in Fitchburg, I was very surprised that just about every dog there was well behaved. Some of the show puppies were somewhat pulling on their leashes, but by and large, everyone, human and animal, seemed to be getting along, and focused on the task at hand. While hanging around the Novice and Open A events, I talked to pet dog owners who were competing. While their dogs were not doing as well as the Novice B competitors, still the dogs were in control and performing the obedience commands in and outside the ring. During the group part of the competition, no dog broke. Most of these pet owners belonged to obedience clubs. I was surprised and pleased that I saw all these pet dog owners competing, and I was the only training apprentice looking on. I was expecting more people like me, and less owners, but there I was the only one. In talking with them, their dogs were not always so well behaved going into these situations, each one had issues to work on, and they worked hard at their training. While they weren't perfectly in position, it still showed in the ring. Many of them got their first leg that day.

Some People Give Me Nightmares

Oh yes you are!!!!---different that is than the general public. The range of people out there looking for dogs is staggering. Granted most are good hearted people. I used to work as a controller for a manufacturing plant that employed.....cheap labor. Okay, translation, people who were not incredibly bright or kind hearted. Now don't anyone get offended, some of these people were great hard working people who earned very little money because they didn't complete high school (but were still smart and hard working), but some of them deserved the low pay they got, in fact, in my opinion they were paid too much. One such employee lit himself on fire with gasoline one day just to see how quickly it would get out of control. Burnt himself pretty bad, and he wasn't fired. Anyway, another of his ilk went out one day looking for a dog. Imagine my horror when he said he went to Sterling Animal Shelter where I was currently volunteering. This is a shelter that does minimal screening, but they do require proof of house ownership or landlord approval. He was denied and pissed, and eventually gave up his quest. "Fire boy" was successful in his quest (went to a different shelter but he may have had landlord permission). Got a lovely pit bull. Thought it was funny when the dog got all protective of him with his friends, dog bit several of his friends (while "Fire Boy" laughed at the antics), and finally one bad enough to be put to sleep. I saw this person's (Fire Boy) interaction with the dog, and the dog only did what he was taught to do. You may mean something different then screening processes. In my opinion the local shelters around here do not have adequate screening processes. Some of these dogs come out of a bad situation just to land in worse. You can never guarantee that a rescue will get the right home, but shelters can do their best with the budgets and staff constraints as far as I am concerned. Even the good hearted people sometimes have not aquired enough knowledge to adopt certain breeds or temperments.