Owning a dog is a big responsibility that requires time, money, and energy. Not only do you have to provide for their basic needs such as food, toys, and exercise, but also veterinary care, grooming, and training. Understanding the specifics of the breed you are considering, as well as the general needs of all dogs, will ensure that you are able to provide the animal with the best possible life. But sadly, it's just too much to ask from some people.
Last week, Reddit user Tozz-- submitted a post to the platform's community 'Choosing Beggars.' In it, there's a screenshot of a message that one woman has sent to, most probably, a French bulldog breeder with a list of requests for a puppy that screams "I have no idea how to look after them."
Continue scrolling to get a glimpse of her outrageous ignorance and be sure to also check out the conversation we had on the topic with dog behaviorist and author Nigel Reed, also known as The Dog Guardian.
This woman wants to get a French bulldog for herself and her toddler
Image source: Graham Holtshausen (not the actual photo)
But her understanding of dog care shows that she should not be allowed anywhere near one
Image source: Kha Ruxury (not the actual photo)
Image source: Toz--
There are plenty of reasons why this woman may have chosen the French bulldog. With its large bat ears and even disposition, it is one of the world's most popular small-dog breeds, especially among city dwellers. The Frenchie is playful, alert, and quite adaptable. It's also affectionate; a natural charmer.
Dogs of few words, Frenchies don't bark that much but their alertness makes them good watchdogs. They happily adapt to life with singles, couples, or families, and do not require a lot of outdoor exercise. They get on well with other animals and enjoy making new friends of the human variety too.
It's also normal that she wanted a young one. "When you purchase a puppy, as opposed to a dog, it is easier to mold their behavior," Nigel Reed aka The Dog Guardian, who has been working with canines for over 15 years, told Bored Panda. "A puppy is less likely to come with behavioral issues. However, if you get a fully grown dog you have a much clearer picture of what they are like in regard to temperament."
However, the woman doesn't really comprehend what a 10-week-old puppy is going through; it may still get suddenly frightened of new people, animals, objects, or situations.
A 10-week-old puppy is learning as much as it can about its surroundings. It is eager to discover the world and will want to explore with its senses of sight, hearing, smelling, and tasting. What it wants least is spending 24/7 on complex tolerance training.
Anything it can chew on, swallow, fall in or get stuck in, it will if its owner doesn't provide a safe environment and supervise it at all times.
"Puppies are usually sold between 8-12 weeks," The Dog Guardian said. "At this age, they will require much sleep and attention. Toilet training is a laborious task at this point which can frustrate the calmest individual. A week after their 2nd jab you can take them out of home for brief moments."
And while you might find a debate on the importance of dog vaccines on social media, any qualified veterinary professional will tell you that puppies absolutely need them. They should get their initial shots, and then booster injections throughout their lifespan to ensure they stay protected.
Vaccinations are effective at keeping puppies and adult dogs protected against a range of infectious diseases, some of which - like leptospirosis and infectious canine hepatitis - can be fatal.
The Dog Guardian said you would be absolutely right to spend time selecting the most suitable dog for your family. But that's just half of the job. "The other part of the equation for a happy partnership is you, what you expose your dog to, your demeanor and knowledge, etc." he explained. "It astounds me that entitled people have a long list of unreasonable demands for a puppy, thinking it is automatically going to fit in with every situation and fulfill every desire. The work is on the owner to create a healthy bond with their dog by providing for its needs and nurturing them with care."
It's sad that people like this woman are still out there, thinking they know best and inventing their own dog care rules, at least they're in the absolute minority, as was demonstrated by the amount of shaming this screenshot has received on Reddit.
After her message was leaked online, people had a lot to say about it
