Pug Abandonment

As mentioned in our previous article, there are many reasons why Pugs end up in the care of rescue organizations. While there is little we can do to plan for the unexpected events in life that may occur and cause people to give up their Pugs, we can have an impact on the avoidable areas which cause abandonment. With this goal in mind, PugVillage.com decided to look at the most common reasons for dog abandonment, and relate those to Pugs in an effort to educate people in the hopes of reducing incidents of Pug abandonment. If we can prevent even one instance of Pug abandonment, we’ve taken a step in the right direction.

Housetraining problems are and have always been one of the most common reasons for dog abandonment. As stated several times on this web site, Pugs are not easy dogs to housetrain. They’re small dogs, which automatically makes them more difficult to housetrain. Pugs are also stubborn, and none too fond of rain, snow or cold weather. You should be prepared for housetraining difficulties if you get a Pug, and willing to spend as much time as necessary, even years to successfully housetrain your Pug. Although not often stated, the difficulty in housetraining Pugs is reason enough to suggest that first time dog owners with no housetraining experience should consider a different breed.

Veterinary Costs is a common cause of dog abandonment, and this particular issue is becoming an increasing concern in the Pug community. As the popularity of Pugs continues to increase, the overall health of the breed itself is declining rapidly with increased instances of genetic health issues brought about by the proliferation of disreputable Pug breeders taking no care in their breeding practices. Many of the most common genetic problems in Pugs require expensive veterinary treatments, and perspective Pug owners should give thorough consideration to the possibility of facing high veterinary costs before they decide on a Pug.

Barking is often cited as a reason for dog abandonment. In fact, barking is one of the more common reasons why people give up their dogs. Pugs are not generally known as “barky” dogs, but it would be irresponsible of me if I didn’t duly note that barky dogs are usually the result of their owners making them that way by encouraging barking. Given this fact, it’s important to note that even a quiet dog like a Pug can be made into a barky dog. If you get a Pug, keep this in mind.

Hyperactivity demonstrated by constant motion and destructive behavior is a major cause of dog abandonment. As with barking, Pugs are not generally known to be hyperactive dogs…just the opposite in fact. However, there are some Pugs that are extremely active, and some of those Pugs are destructive. This isn’t often caused by owners, and is more a matter of luck of the draw. It’s worth mentioning though that sometimes destructive behavior can be minimized or even avoided through common sense…Owners who complain about their Pugs getting into the laundry and tearing clothing to shreds for example can easily prevent this behavior by keeping their laundry off the floor and out of Pugs reach.

Aggression is a fairly common cause of dog abandonment but usually not a major concern with Pugs. Treat a Pug well, gently and teach children the proper way to interact with dogs and you’re unlikely to have yourself an aggressive Pug. These are the most common reasons for dog abandonment, and as you can see, veterinary costs and housetraining problems are the two most closely connected to Pug abandonment. All of these reasons should be considered when contemplating getting a Pug, and we strongly urge you to read our Don’t Get a Pug article for other reasons why a Pug may not be well suited to you.

For the good of the Pug breed, Pug Rescue, individual Pugs and owners, it is absolutely imperative that you educate yourself thoroughly about Pugs before you get one. Furthermore, even after you get a Pug it is equally important that you consider your life as a Pug owner a life-long learning experience. Read about housetraining techniques to make that task easier. Learn about their health problems to help you deal with these issues should they arise. Be aware of the potential costs involved with owning a Pug so that you can budget yourself accordingly. All of these things, as well as many others are ways in which you can give yourself the best possible chance of having a positive Pug experience.