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Do people do enough research before getting a pet?


ManaMinori

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Personally, I don't think they do. 9 times out of 10, it would seem like the owner of pet doesn't know what traits that animal they own might've been specifically bred for, and how that breeding influences its nature, and ultimately, its actions. Such as a certain type of dog being bred through the centuries for its ability to carry out the task of killing another animal, and to attack without provocation or warning, like fowl, rats, or when hunting down fugitive slaves. The dog retains the behavioral functions it was bred for, and many people seem ignorant and blind to this, especially when it becomes an issue of the dog attacking some other person, and it's the pet that gets blamed (and likely put down), deemed 'too aggressive' or what have you, when it may be simple a matter of selective breeding for those traits. So should more people do their research and know what qualities and behavior their pet was bred to have, before attempting to own a pet? Or is training all it takes to change hundreds of years of behavioral traits and performance traits that the pet may have been bred to have?

 

 

 

have an article: http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/anp/2013/07/30/the-science-of-how-behavior-is-inherited-in-aggressive-dogs/

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=1778&S=1&SourceID=47

Edited by Nightmare Muffin
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They see a cute face and a wagging tail and all rational thinking goes out the window.

 

Take the Dachshund as an example. Today people keep them as pets because they look funny and are unique. But I bet most don't give a moments thought to why they look the way they do. It was no accident that they have short legs and long bodies. They were purposely breed that way for pursuing and flushing out burrowing game from holes in the ground.  

 

It's the same way with certain other breeds. People get them because they like the way they look or what they represent, without giving any thought to what the animal is capable of doing. What it was meant to do.

 

Hugs and kisses don't erase hundreds of years of selective breeding. People that say the only reason a pit bull attacks someone or something is because it must have been mistreated by it's owner are looking at the situation thru the distortion of "Disney" goggles and are trying to project human emotion onto an animal. The dog does not attack because it is spiteful, it does it because that is what it was designed to do.    

 

Once upon a time, dogs had a purpose, a job to do. But more and more they have been relegated to being novelties and laying on living room couches.  

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I agree.  I cant tell you how many times I have really wanted a certain kind of pet, but then after some research I found that there is no way that I would want that kind of animal.  A Capuchin monkey for example, I always thought would be a really cool pet to have, and there are many people who do.  Upon researching it more, I found out that they, though at a young age can be very affectionate, typically grow to be very aggressive animals, and are very dangerous to have.  It definitely changed my mind. 

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My buddy got a pygmy marmoset on a whim. The thing urinated constantly-when you walked into his house the smell hit you like a brickbat. He couldn't give it away-and so was stuck with it. A little research beforehand would have saved him a bunch of hassle.

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Personally, I don't think they do. 9 times out of 10...

 

Naturally, it's everyone's individual responsibility to research any pet they plan to get.  Pet stores, breeders, etc. really should meet them halfway, though.  One time I was at a mall pet store (in the US) that was selling a very young, foot-long Reticulated Python.

 

A Reticulated Fucking Python.  Like this one, which just finished eating a deer:

3.jpg

 

A lady was asking about it, having been impressed by its stunning coloration.  The dumbass at the pet store told it her it would maybe get 3 or 4 feet long.  I informed both of them that Retics grow to 22 feet or more.  The employee felt dumb, and the lady left.  If I hadn't said anything, she would have unknowingly taken that thing home, and in 3 years would have been hating life.

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Naturally, it's everyone's individual responsibility to research any pet they plan to get.  Pet stores, breeders, etc. really should meet them halfway, though.  One time I was at a mall pet store (in the US) that was selling a very young, foot-long Reticulated Python.

 

A Reticulated Fucking Python.  Like this one, which just finished eating a deer:

3.jpg

 

A lady was asking about it, having been impressed by its stunning coloration.  The dumbass at the pet store told it her it would maybe get 3 or 4 feet long.  I informed both of them that Retics grow to 22 feet or more.  The employee felt dumb, and the lady left.  If I hadn't said anything, she would have unknowingly taken that thing home, and in 3 years would have been hating life.

should the pet store even be selling that thing as a pet? O_o I would've called the cops, because surely selling anything that could grow to be that big has to be illegal

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should the pet store even be selling that thing as a pet? O_o I would've called the cops, because surely selling anything that could grow to be that big has to be illegal

 

It varies state to state.  Many states have very limited laws on buying, selling and own exotic pets.  In a lot of places it's perfectly legal (but still stupid as hell) to own tigers, cobras and other things that can kill an entire family.

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I know that there are people out there that don't do the proper research before getting a pet.

My neighbor is a good example.

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Heck no they don't, though honestly it isn't getting "violent dog breeds" that bother me. Dogs that were bred to guard were bred to listen to their humans above all else, and that is the central trait in a dog, thus if your dog that you raised from a puppy attacks you, then you personally almost definitely messed up (unless the dog has a mental issue from something like inbreeding)

 

No no, what's bad is people getting something like a pit bull and thinking they can just leave it chained up outside all the time. What's bad is people getting huskies who live in tiny apartments and don't have time to walk the dog for more than five minutes a day. What's bad is getting a rabbit and assuming that you should treat it like a dog. What's bad is buying exotic animals with no thought as to whether they should even be pets in the first place. What's bad is making an animal suffer because you thought it would be fun to have but couldn't be bothered to do enough research to even know if you could raise it right, let alone give it the life it deserves.

 

I have very strong feelings about people getting animals that they aren't equipped to care for. Very, very strong feelings....

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I'm actually one of the few people who puts all of their time and effort into researching before getting a pet. Same goes for the rest of my family. We've been doing this for a few years now and have recently gotten a new dog just a week ago. Because it is a team effort, we have to put all of our support into making our new dog feel happy and at home. It isn't easy, but so far it's working.

 

But to be realistic, I honestly can't resent anybody who think that pets are all about love and affection. Sure it isn't the smartest move if you constantly hug it or kiss it, but many people, especially ones who don't have a pet, would think that their pet is cute and would think that the pet would appreciate human interaction. Some people will then find out that they don't like that sort of interaction, but you can't blame them for being ignorant about it, as most pets in media are always perceived as friendly and adorable, if not a little silly.

 

I'd still encourage people to raise their pet properly, though. Even though it's always good if you're affectionate towards your pet, you can't be too affectionate. Some people should keep in mind that dogs think like dogs and not like a human being, which is no wonder why some people make mistakes. Same applies to cats, rabbits and other pets.

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nope. Not weird at all. People just don't think. It's something I'm used to seeing, personally. =_=

Crap, I can't believe I made so many grammar mistakes in my post you quoted :facepalm:. Yeah, it's pretty sad that as children, we listened and obeyed adults because we used to think they knew it all and were above all, and they make us know it at every chance. Only to discover they are not so above all, making mistakes they told us to not make  >_>

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I have very strong feelings about people getting animals that they aren't equipped to care for. Very, very strong feelings....

Me too.  There's a restaraunt near me that has a pet snapping turtle on display.  The poor thing has a horrible undersized tank of water, with nowhere to get out of the water.  Now, I don't claim to know much about snappers, and I realize they primarily live in water, but I don't think they're like fish or cetaceans.  I don't think they live their whole lives in deep water.  This poor guy doesn't even have some shallow water to rest in.  He has to swim to the surface to breathe.  I don't know, maybe that's normal for them, but it looks cruel to me.  In any case, the tank is way to small for him, and it pains me to see him put on display like that.  I've written multiple letters, which I'm sure were all thrown away.

 

Not to offend or judge anyone, but I don't think it's right to keep any animal that has to be in a cage/tank.  Cats and dogs are fine, because they live largely as we do.  Most dog and cat owners pamper their pets, let them sleep on the couch, play with them, watch TV with them in their laps, etc.  They have good lives.  But caged animals are another matter entirely.  It doesn't seem right to me.  I suppose it's okay with certain types of pets, if the owners really give them the attention they need, and let them out every day for physical and mental stimulation.  But animals are not toys to be put on display for our amusement, like that poor snapper.  I tend to feel this way even with lower creatures like fish or tarantulas.  Even though they don't have emotions, it still seems wrong to me.  I will point out that my family got a rabbit (at my request) when I was a kid, and we never gave him proper attention, so we're guilty, too.  But we learned our lesson.  Some of the worst examples are the large, exotic birds.  Parrots and the like.  Parrots in captivity have been known to self-mutilate, to peck themselves bald and bleeding out of depression and frustration at being imprisoned.  It's tragic, really.  So often, people do not think of things from the animal's perspective.  How would you like to live your life in a cage?  Most people wouldn't, which is we use that as punishment for criminals.  (And even they get to go the exercise yard every day.)

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Me too.  There's a restaraunt near me that has a pet snapping turtle on display.  The poor thing has a horrible undersized tank of water, with nowhere to get out of the water.  Now, I don't claim to know much about snappers, and I realize they primarily live in water, but I don't think they're like fish or cetaceans.  I don't think they live their whole lives in deep water.  This poor guy doesn't even have some shallow water to rest in.  He has to swim to the surface to breathe.  I don't know, maybe that's normal for them, but it looks cruel to me.  In any case, the tank is way to small for him, and it pains me to see him put on display like that.  I've written multiple letters, which I'm sure were all thrown away.

 

Not to offend or judge anyone, but I don't think it's right to keep any animal that has to be in a cage/tank.  Cats and dogs are fine, because they live largely as we do.  Most dog and cat owners pamper their pets, let them sleep on the couch, play with them, watch TV with them in their laps, etc.  They have good lives.  But caged animals are another matter entirely.  It doesn't seem right to me.  I suppose it's okay with certain types of pets, if the owners really give them the attention they need, and let them out every day for physical and mental stimulation.  But animals are not toys to be put on display for our amusement, like that poor snapper.  I tend to feel this way even with lower creatures like fish or tarantulas.  Even though they don't have emotions, it still seems wrong to me.  I will point out that my family got a rabbit (at my request) when I was a kid, and we never gave him proper attention, so we're guilty, too.  But we learned our lesson.  Some of the worst examples are the large, exotic birds.  Parrots and the like.  Parrots in captivity have been known to self-mutilate, to peck themselves bald and bleeding out of depression and frustration at being imprisoned.  It's tragic, really.  So often, people do not think of things from the animal's perspective.  How would you like to live your life in a cage?  Most people wouldn't, which is we use that as punishment for criminals.  (And even they get to go the exercise yard every day.)

you nailed exactly how I feel about animals in cages/ tanks as well. (this is why I've long since stopped enjoying going to the zoo)

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Nope, most people don't do nearly enough research (if any) when they decide to get a pet and very few seem to understand they're making a lifetime commitment. This is why so many animals up in shelters, because they were bought on a a whim and when the person realized they couldn't handle them/didn't have time to potty train/etc they dump them at the pound. I think one of the things that disgusts me the most is when animals are bought as gifts (ie "Christmas puppy") for children, they're treated like toys that can be discarded when the child loses interest. My own rabbit was someone's throw-away "Easter bunny".

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I have done extensive research when I thought about getting a tortoise a couple years ago. After about a year I had to move and knew I wouldn't be able to provide a nice home while we were moving (5 days of moving) so I gave him to away to spare him any stress that was going to happen to him during the move. Plus it was getting too much to handle for me.

 

But other than that I haven't researched for a pet. With animals such as cats and dogs I try to approach gentle and calm. 9 times out of 10 that works the trick and they are following me everywhere.

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Me too.  There's a restaraunt near me that has a pet snapping turtle on display.  The poor thing has a horrible undersized tank of water, with nowhere to get out of the water.  Now, I don't claim to know much about snappers, and I realize they primarily live in water, but I don't think they're like fish or cetaceans.  I don't think they live their whole lives in deep water.  This poor guy doesn't even have some shallow water to rest in.  He has to swim to the surface to breathe.  I don't know, maybe that's normal for them, but it looks cruel to me.  In any case, the tank is way to small for him, and it pains me to see him put on display like that.  I've written multiple letters, which I'm sure were all thrown away.

 

Not to offend or judge anyone, but I don't think it's right to keep any animal that has to be in a cage/tank.  Cats and dogs are fine, because they live largely as we do.  Most dog and cat owners pamper their pets, let them sleep on the couch, play with them, watch TV with them in their laps, etc.  They have good lives.  But caged animals are another matter entirely.  It doesn't seem right to me.  I suppose it's okay with certain types of pets, if the owners really give them the attention they need, and let them out every day for physical and mental stimulation.  But animals are not toys to be put on display for our amusement, like that poor snapper.  I tend to feel this way even with lower creatures like fish or tarantulas.  Even though they don't have emotions, it still seems wrong to me.  I will point out that my family got a rabbit (at my request) when I was a kid, and we never gave him proper attention, so we're guilty, too.  But we learned our lesson.  Some of the worst examples are the large, exotic birds.  Parrots and the like.  Parrots in captivity have been known to self-mutilate, to peck themselves bald and bleeding out of depression and frustration at being imprisoned.  It's tragic, really.  So often, people do not think of things from the animal's perspective.  How would you like to live your life in a cage?  Most people wouldn't, which is we use that as punishment for criminals.  (And even they get to go the exercise yard every day.)

 

I would agree with this in most cases, but I will say that there are animals that can be kept in cages/tanks happily. In fact, I happen to have one. I have a domesticated rat, who I keep in a tank for her own protection, as she would likely get hurt if allowed to roam free. I keep her home clean and give her plenty of mental stimulation both inside and outside the tank, and domesticated rats do in fact like living with humans and develop bonds with their owners. Mine licks me to show affection, comes when called, and generally behaves like a small dog.

 

Research is always key, to reiterate that very important point. A few animals can live in cages happily, if they are taken out frequently and kept happy and healthy, it's just important to know which animals those are :)

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i don't think they do either, it seems more like a spur of the moment thing and then they get the smallest cage they can and they just wing it and hope the animal lives. to many people get a pet without even thinking about where to put it or how to care for it, like all the easter chicks people buy for kids that most of them die or get dumped after easter when they figure out that chicks poop and that they also give off a  DUST as they grow that covers the inside of the house, you also have to keep a heat lamp on them and all kinds of other things, easter chicks get poked a squeezed for a day or two until the fun wears off the day ater easter and they either die or get dumped someplace because they dont want to care for it. or they get mistreated because it grows into a chicken and they have no place for it or the city wont let them keep it.

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