Dawg Unleashed # 16

Puppy or rescue?

Guess who? Of course, you know it is the one and only Dawg in the house. My topic for this blog is a bit controversial. I never shy away from a good dog fight, so let's rumble.

Folks keep asking my BFF if they should train a rescue dog or start with a pup for herding. Now I want all of my buddies, young or old, to find a great forever home. I hate seeing dogs (and even cats) abandoned in the country. People who drop off unwanted pets on some deserted rural road are the lowest of low life, IMO. Fortunately, I know that no one reading my blog would ever do such a dastardly deed.

That aside, I also realize that kind-hearted people, my favorite kind of folks, can feel torn between giving a rescue dog a chance and getting a puppy. So what is a BFF to do?

Either option can be the right choice. It all depends on what shoes you are wanting this dog to fill. If you are looking for a great companion dog, then a rescue can be an excellent choice!

On the other paw, if you are looking for a great companion to share your positive training or (hint, hint) positive-herding learning journey with, then a rescue can still be a great choice. Just be aware that your rescue may probably has issues that are going to severely limit their herding potential.

On the third paw, (an advantage to having four paws) if your goal is to have the best chance at training a herding dog to be really useful, I have to vote for getting a puppy. Granted, I am not all that enthused about having an ankle-biter added to my pack, but I know of many rescues, even some with great herding pedigrees, who were severely limited by their dubious and unknown backgrounds.

As much as I want people to breed dogs conscientiously and give rescues the homes they deserve, I know how difficult it is to become a good herding dog. Even with a wonderful relationship and all of the best training, learning to herd is HARD!

So pick the right dog for your needs and goals because developing a solid, useful herding partner is no walk in the park.

You have my permission to get a puppy, no guilt trip attached. At least then, when bad behaviors surface, you won't have anyone to blame but yourself. (It never is the dog's fault, in case you were wondering.)

BTW, if you have rescued one of my buddies and given them a forever home, live long and prosper!

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Until next time, tell your mates about this blog and...

Grow the pack!

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