How to persuade someone to get a rescue dog?

[annavc]

A friend at work got a pedigree staffy puppy about a year ago. Her and her boyfriend both work all day so it was alone at home all day 5 days a week. I tried to persuade her then that it wasn't a good idea. Anyway to cut a long story short about 3 months ago the puppy chewed through the garden fence and escaped never to be seen again.

She now wants to get another puppy and is again looking at spending �600-700 on a pedigree pitbull or similar. I'm desperatley trying to talk her out of it but she'd determined to get another dog. My only hope I think is to persuade her to look at getting a rescue dog rather than a puppy and actually to get 2 so that they have company during the day.

I'd be really grateful for any advice anyone can give on how to persuade her either not to get a dog at all at the moment or at least to look at getting 1 or 2 rescue dogs. Her and her boyfriend had no experience of dogs before the last one and didn't bother putting a collar on her or getting her microchipped or spayed. I'm worried that the same thing will happen again.

Any advice really appreciated - thank you.

[File Cutter]

Maybe show her this site, there's a movie clip:-

http://www.staffycross.org/

The rescue centres are stuffed full of staffies and people like your friends are the cause of the problem.

Rescues are looking for GOOD homes so I doubt they'd pass their vetting procedures.

If they do get a dog try and get them to spay/neuter it.

[caz21]

I'm sorry if i sound harsh anna but i dont think your friends sound like responsible dog owners and are probably better off not getting another dog, maybe a fish, cat, bird instead?
The trouble with rescue dogs as opposed to a pedigree puppy is that you dont know thier past and can be a lot of hard work, which is very rewarding if you know what you are doing and do it right, but i dont think your friends would be a good match for a rescue dog! and to me it sounds like they are pretty much set on spending a lot of money on one anyway. (possibly more out of vanity?) I doubt a free/�20 rescue dog would be quite as glamourous as a pedigree for them IMO! x

[annavc]

Thanks File Cutter. I also doubt a rescue home would let them take one if for no other reason than them being out all day but maybe if they got told that by a professional rather than just me they might realise that its not fair having any dog. That's my hope anyway.

[File Cutter]

and show them this bit:-

"Sometimes, the owners just don't care. Their gardens are not secure and the dog has got out.
Its not the owners fault for not repairing the hole in the fence, It's the dogs fault for going through the hole. Sometimes, the owner says they will collect their dog, only they never arrive."

On this page:-

http://www.staffycross.org/pounds.html

[annavc]

Caz_21 I totally agree with you - I know they're not responsible - I guess I'm really hoping that if persuaded to go to a rescue centre they might see the consequences of not looking after them properly and be told by professionals that they are not (at least in their current situation) suitable owners. I'm hoping it might make them see sense. I'll definitely be showing her the website that File Cutter put the link to - the movie clip made me cry.

[annavc]

Thanks File Cutter I will definitely show her that.

[File Cutter]

Good luck - I know how frustrating it is trying to make people see sense in situations like this - you can only try!

[SaxyJag]

Much as they may love dogs, home alone all day isn't really a good idea for a young dog. The best way they could help a dog is to sponsor one through a rescue organisation.

Caz is right - maybe a cat would be better. If they're keen to have a more 'interactive' pet, then maybe a Siamese, which make ideal house cats.

[annavc]

Totally agree SaxyJag, I myself have a cat as I work all day and know its not fair to leave a dog alone for such long periods. I've tried so hard to explain that dogs are pack animals and need company but its a bit like talking to a brick wall. They don't like cats apparently so that's out as an option I'm afraid. I think they are pretty set on getting a pedigree puppy, either a staffy or some other breed of bulldog - one with short hair so it doesn't malt too much! All I can do is try to persuade them out of it but I think I may be fighting a losing battle. Thanks to everyone for their help though - I will do my best.

[shaneystar2]

These peoplem sound to me as if they don't want a dog but a status symbol. I would do my utmost to deter them. Dogs are 24/7.Unfair to leave them all day everyday. As for a rescue dog any responsible rescue place wouldn't entertain them as some do vet potential owners.Plus some rescue dogs bring a multitude of problems with them and would need constant attention,training etc.
Did they make any effort to find the dog which escaped?
If not I just hope it's ended up being taken in somewhere.

[annavc]

To be fair to them they have tried hard to find the one that when missing. I think I actually gave my question a totally misleading title (brain not totally engaged perhaps!). I don't actually think they should get a rescue dog, what I was hoping was if I could persuade them to consider it they might go to a rescue centre, get vetted and get turned down which might make them realise that they shouldn't have a dog at all. Maybe twisted logic there but they''re not listening to me so thought maybe they would listen to a professional!

Shaneystar, I think it is a status thing to some extent - the fact that they want a tough looking dog like a staffy or a pitbull which are so fashionable at the moment I think shows that. The whole thing makes me so angry and trying to reason with them is proving useless at the moment.