why do people think "puppy" = "angel" ?

[frontierrots]

This is not directed at anyone in particular

Working at a boarding kennel, being a trainer and breeder and having a website; I get questions EVERY day about puppies. Based upon what I read here the sentiment I experience is widespread.

No matter the breed, no matter the size people are ALWAYS distraught, baffled, dissapointed whatever when their baby puppy growls, bites, guards, you name it

Why do people think that uneducated babies are going to be perfectly well bahaved. Why do they think these teething, intelligent creatures will NOT bite, chew, get into trouble, guard objects or food, growl, dig, pee, bark, cry, etc without maturity and training?????

I have to say I am totally amazed each and every day.

[Judi W]

Well, what about thinking of them as some piece of sporting equipment that is supposed to be conditioned for the Olympics from day one? That not only leads to a disappointed owner, but to a miserable puppyhood for the poor dog.

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

Why do people think that uneducated babies are going to be perfectly well bahaved. Why do they think these teething, intelligent creatures will NOT bite, chew, get into trouble, guard objects or food, growl, dig, pee, bark, cry, etc without maturity and training?????

because ignorance runs rampant in this country. because the "instant" "now" mentality is highly regarded! because WORK is what OTHER people do.

We live in a "fast lane" society where things are either INSTANT or wrong.

and because, in general, people are idiots!

[RottiMomCT]

Well, quick answer - people expect a puppy to be sweet and cuddly and non-threatening in any way shape or form...and when said sweet lwittle puppy wuppy shows any signs of protest or makes any noise other than an excited bark, the owner is shocked and immediately thinks 'aggression'...and why is my dog doing this??!!

[Miabella]

Originally Posted by sophie's-mom

and because, in general, people are idiots!

LOL. I guess I am the weirdo, because I tend to think puppy= unruly monster/landshark.

[miccmill]

Originally Posted by Miabella

LOL. I guess I am the weirdo, because I tend to think puppy= unruly monster/landshark.

I think this way of puppies too, LOL and I love it when they do this stuff. It's part of the fun of seeing their little selves emerge.

They are little angels when they're sleeping though.

[Patty1231]

I agree with your assessment, Laurie!! I'm amazed at the number of posts about puppies biting. Well, duh - they're PUPPIES!! My hands/arms and feet/ankles had sharp little teeth marks all over from Rocco, including most of the furniture in my entire downstairs!! I'd never had a dog before but I knew to expect that particular aspect of puppyhood. Now, how MUCH destruction that little mouth could do I had a bit underestimated!

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

....Why do people think that uneducated babies are going to be perfectly well bahaved. Why do they think these teething, intelligent creatures will NOT bite, chew, get into trouble, guard objects or food, growl, dig, pee, bark, cry, etc without maturity and training?????

I have to say I am totally amazed each and every day.

I will speak on behalf of my sister (and I think she is a good respresentative of a good many people)....

She does not own a dog. She goes to someone's home and sees an old, sleepy dog and thinks..."I'd like a dog like that too!" She mistakenly thinks ALL puppies/dogs/animals should be like that or there is something wrong with them. She has NO IDEA the work/patience/sacrifice/responsibility that comes with a dog.

She does not like my dog because his is "big" because he "pants" because he requires "exercise" because he likes to "play"

I think she better stick with a stuffed animal. I brought her to the Humane Society to prove my point. It didn't take long before the "barking" got to her and she became irritated with the noise.

[Tank's Grandma]

They're probably the same people who have a baby and are amazed when they find out they can cry for hours on end and don't know what to do about them....
I agree with SM (please help me )

because ignorance runs rampant in this country. because the "instant" "now" mentality is highly regarded! because WORK is what OTHER people do.

[MontanaRott]

I would say the images we are bombarded with on tv in the movies, books and magazines that show puppies as warm fuzzy to cute for words creatures, help promote in some peoples minds, that they are angels. I mean think of the Charlie Brown cartoon we all grew up with, Happiness is a warm puppy!
And Phil and I were recently talking about this very thing and wondering if, the negatives that people associate with the Rottweiler, are so engrained in their brains, that, that is behind some people FREAKING OUT, thinking that they have a blood thirsty child killer in the making, when their puppy is a puppy and BITES them with the relentless single-mindedness we have all experienced! I mean holy cow, why else would some people freak out over a puppy being a puppy, unless they believe all the hype, and have never been around a well trained, well socialized Rottweiler?

[Sargeant_C]

First off I wish one of you would of told me this before I had puppies here! I have found out that they do not come trained! Gee thanks! LOL

But I think we see the lil itty bitty ones who are sleeping and think ohhhh how cute... just like a newborn baby.. we did not know it would turn out to be a mouthy teenager. ( again someone could have warned me) We see the few who have the knack to train a pup and have no problems and we think ahh that is simple... then we get one... and the story changes.

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by MontanaRott

wondering if, the negatives that people associate with the Rottweiler, are so engrained in their brains, that, that is behind some people FREAKING OUT, thinking that they have a blood thirsty child killer in the making, when their puppy is a puppy and BITES them with the relentless single-mindedness we have all experienced!

This is a very interesting point - I hadn't thought of that. I wonder if people would be as concerned about their sheltie puppy doing the same things?

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

This is a very interesting point - I hadn't thought of that. I wonder if people would be as concerned about their sheltie puppy doing the same things?

Judging from reactions of the folks we have talked to, I would say no.

[RottyMom]

I often wonder when people don't want an older pup because they think it's better if they have a dog from a wee pup. Puppies are trouble pure and simple (I love puppies..but you know what I mean). They are a whole lot of work and yes...they bite!

[Judi W]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

This is a very interesting point - I hadn't thought of that. I wonder if people would be as concerned about their sheltie puppy doing the same things?

Let's be realistic. If your Sheltie puppy grows up to be a monster, you can easily pluck the devil up by the scruff and toss that sucker across the room or out the door. Only an idiot would imagine that they might be able to do that to an adult Rottweiler. It is entirely justified to realize that there is indeed a difference between the breeds.