Cross Breeds - made a bad decision and bought a puppy?

made a bad decision and bought a puppy?

So my husband and I just bought a puppy from the Humane Society yesterday - all by my request, I just wanted a cute little puppy and thought it would be good practice before having a baby etc. Anyways, being a little afraid of bigger breeds, and having a smaller house, and having a cat, I really wanted a smaller breed dog but those go so fast at the humane society, so we ended up getting a shepherd/lab mix that definately also has a bully breed in it (brindle coloring, pointy tail). Anyways, the second we got home I am just having the worst "buyers remorse", and absolutely do not want to keep the dog. I just realized with both of us working long hours it is not the best decision....even with a walk in the morning and one at night, she will be in her crate for about 17 hours per day. And I know that if we brought the puppy back today (still only 12 weeks old) she would get adopted immediately, and I would think they would be more understanding there if we brought her back right away instead of waiting a month or two. I realize we would not get the adoption money back however it would be money supporting an animal shelter so I would be fine with that. My husband, who did not want a puppy to begin with, keeps telling me to give it a week or two, but I know that with us both working long hours during the day, it would be the best decision to bring her back asap so that she has the best chances of being adopted again..... I feel really horrible and couldn't even sleep last night, but my question is do you think it's the right thing to do, if we realize right away this isn't a good decision? Or should the mentality be we got her, now we have to deal with it (husband). well my husband really wants me to wait a day or two, so weds. morning will be decision day. I think what upsets me is that I have never HAD a dog so I always thought it would be fun to have one - and now I am realizing I'm NOT a dog person at all (it is a very well behaved puppy - she is already going to the bathroom outside, slept in the crate last night without crying, alreadys walks well on a leash- so it is absolutely nothing against her at all). I would really hope that if we take her back they would not be too mad at us at the humane society... also, the next 4 weeks we have a houseguest that would be able to take the puppy out during the day if needed - after that she would be crated from about 8-5 everyday, and then at bed time. I already know it was a bad decision (I should've listened to my husband!) he is being supportive (while being a little frustrated of course) The part I'm most worried about is how to face the people at the humane society because I am going to feel like one of the 'bad guys'... to Mandi - I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. from reading all the advice so far, it seems like the best thing to do is talk to the SPCA about the situation, they could maybe keep in contact with you to let you know if your dog got adopted or not? For me, since our puppy is so little, I know her getting adopted wouldn't be an issue (in fact it would probably happen the same day) it's just the shame of bringing her back, and being one of those people that return a dog, that makes me feel awful. But I need to suck it up and do it, because there is no way in heck my husband is going to do it for me! One question though for the person who stated the breed mix was bad - what exactly makes the breed more aggressive? I ask because she seems really sweet, but is aggression something certain breeds are prone to develop at a certain age?

Public Comments

Yes it is the right thing to do and i am surprised at the Humane Soc allowing you to have a pup who is going to be crated 17 hours a day......................questions certainly need to be asked of them allowing someone to have a dog knowing it will not be cared for as it should.
I think you've answered your own question. It's very brave of you to face up to the fact that, from what you say, you've made the wrong decision. If you're unable to get someone to come in and see to him for a while during the day, then I think taking him back is the best decision for him. You can at least reason it out and will feel happier having made a positive decision.
First off don't beat yourself up over your impulse buying. Dogs are so adorable especially puppies. I would not wait a few weeks if you decided you do not want the dog. It is not fair for the dog. It is not possible and down right wrong to leave a dog in a crate for 17 hours.
do the right thing and take it back the puppy deserves a better life than what you are describing, everyone makes a mistake don't feel bad the time to take him back is now, some one will adopt it and give it the love & attention it needs.
take her back. it's the only solution.
You should take the dog back...no dog can be crated that long, especially a puppy. Its good that you used common sense and acknowledged your faults.
This is a hard one. First of all, you are an adult and should have been able to fight the spur of the moment buying decision. It is a puppy it is an inanimate object, it requires responsibility to care for and you knew that. Regardless of the size all puppies require the same amount of energy so you should've thought about the 17 hours the dog would be in the crate before ever going to the animal shelter if you knew you wouldn't have the self control to not buy. Now with all that being said, I do give you kudos for realizing early on you need to return the dog. If you take your husband's view on keeping the dog you are going to end up spiteful towards the dog. Dogs are a lot of fun but you have to be ready for one and it has to be the right one. I say take the puppy back ASAP you didn't do the right thing by adopting it but you are doing the right thing by returning. As it is still a puppy it would get adopted relatively quickly. It wouldn't be fair to the and you know it, if you wait a week or two that is going to be even harder on the puppy when you take it back it is going to feel abandoned, and that's not fair to it. Next time, do a lot of research and make sure you get the right dog for you and make sure you are ready for the responsibility. Until then avoid the shelter if you can't resist the urge to buy.
Absolutely do not feel bad. Take the puppy back right away and explain that by you keeping him would not be fair to the dog. Let them know how much you really want one but would not be able to give it the time it needs. It's best to be honest about it and let them know, I have seen too many dogs wind up in the backyard tied up or kenneled with very little human contact. It's very sad. Maybe you could volunteer at the shelter on one of your days off once a month. This would give you the opportunity to be around dogs and care for them but just not as a full time job at home.
Call the humane society ASP & explain why you need to bring her back & if money is no issue & would help others puppies & dogs in thier care by all means do so. Any dog shouldn't be crated for 17 hours! that cruel they need 24 hr care & watch time to play & Bond! Good luck
you are correct. It is a dreadful combination anyway and can be quite aggressive. Take it back. you don't want your money back but I am sure the Society would welcome a small donation eg $20.
I'm sort of going thru the same thing. I went to the SPCA to find a ferret for my 17yr old daughter and they didn't have any. So, stupidly, I decided to check out the dogs. I had JUST lost (as in she died) my dog and I was in this really emotional place (I still am... all I DO is CRY! UGH!). I saw this puppy and I thought "she's MY dog! Its a sign from god!!" I'm still not sure why I thought this honestly. I NEEDED another dog because my dog was also my service dog. I REALLY just jumped the gun on it against my husbands wishes and everything. Now, I'm realizing this Lab mix dog is just TOO MUCH for me, Im handicapped and I cant run to get her energy levels down! My other dog was a Boxer but she had a really mellow temperment. I'm toally stuck and I don't know what to do? Should I give her back to the SPCA? Would they kill her because she's too old now and kinda crazy? I'm so scared of them killing her! I don't know how to find her a GOOD home? She just doesn't have a mellow enough temperment to be my service dog. If I could keep her and get another dog I would but I have to other dogs n this city only allows three... my husband would like none though honestly :o( My other two dogs are too small to be my service dog, in case youre wondering. I need a dog 50-80lbs. Another problem with my adopted dog is that shes not gonna be big enough and I would have BET she would be big when I got her but shes almost 8months old and shes only 35lbs. I just wasnt thinking right. ETA: My dog died of a heart condition for which she had been seeing an actual doggie cardiologist for plus her reg vet very frequently till the day she died and ON the day she died :o(
Lesson learned. Take the dog back this AM. Be happy with your cat for right now.
The best thing to do for the pup and yourselves is to return her ASAP Realizing that you should not have gotten a pup/dog at this point in your life and this soon after getting her, it would be best to return her without delay. It would certainly be in her best interest to be back in the shelter until an appropriate home can be found. The shelter never should have allowed you to adopt her if they knew she would be crated for 17 hours a day. That is just simply absurd. Even an adult dog should not be crated more than 8 hours and a pup especially since they can only hold their bodily functions for so long and need to be taken out every few hours if not sooner (depending on the pups age) . Did you tell the shelter as to how long she would be crated? Return her ASAP. It would be cruel to keep her for any amount of time and could cause the pup emotional harm if not given the time and affection that she deserves. As you stated if you return her she will more than likely be adopted with no problem and find a forever home. Just an FYI .... smaller breed dogs can hold their bodily functions for even less time than larger breeds and definitely can not be crated for long periods of time. Your husband wanting to wait a couple of weeks to see how you both feel may be a good idea for you but how about the puppy? Being confined to a crate for the amount of time you stated is no way for a pet to live. The only decision should be to return her immediately so that she can find an appropriate home. You are making the right decision to return her but do not wait even one day. If you already know it was a bad decision and your husband never wanted a dog to begin with then take her back. If both you and your husband were not with the same thought, and both had wanted a puppy/dog as well as had enough off time to properly care for a pup, then getting a pet should never have been an option. I have to say that it certainly is better for the pup for you to realize so soon after bringing her into your home that it was a mistake and am happy that rather than just keeping her, where she may end up being resented that you are willing to return her so that she can find the family that right for her.
Being in a crate 17 hours is no life for the dog, do the wise thing and return it or look for an apropiate home for him, people who will treat him well and have space to play, You mean well and its good your concerned about him, but as i said, a crate is no life for a dog, so I suggest he moves out. good luck
I think you have two options: 1. You could take the dog back (the sooner the better if this is what you decide). 2. You could put the dog in puppy daycare, or have a neighbor or friend stop by during the day to walk the dog. I would only go for option 2 if you think you can keep the dog with you for most of the time at night and on weekends. You want this to be your dog, not someone else's dog that lives in your house. Also, just a general suggestion, if you do keep the dog, take it to a reputable trainer (one who works with you and the dog) on weekends, and make sure to socialize it. Training bonds you to the dog, and socialization prevents aggression problems, which is especially important if you're planning on having kids while the dog is still around. Good luck with whatever you decide, and thank you for being so responsible.
I would return the dog, it will be adopted by someone who really wants it. Keeping the dog in a crate for 17 hours a day is no kind of life for the dog.
im so surprised the humane society gave you guys a dog!!! they always ask how many hours a week do you work!!! buts thats how they are, they take adoptable puppies out of pounds and sell them to people like you. with a puppy i recommend one of you stay home for a few days and continually watch the puppy, teach him not to go certain places in the house, not to go near wires or outlets, potty train etc. crates are a cop out for dogs that arent trained how to behave in a home. my dogs are allowed full rang of the house anytime. we have rules, like no getting on this bed, or sofa, or in this room. and they respect those rule, through continual training. i would find the dog a new home yourselves obviously the human society took your money and did not prep or screen proper owners. theres no reason they human society should earn double for this dog. either that or get a dog walker, most are really cheap
1. Find someone responsible who can give it a better home and devote more time to it. (Its what id do) (I fond a poor little stray Maltese that I couldnt keep because I already have 2 doggies of my own so I posted it for free on craigs list and the lady that adopted her worked with animals and her home was nice for the dog and she had a yard and other dogs for it to play with, I went and checked it all out before I gave her the dog, it was a good end to that story =}..) OR 2. Take it back A.S.A.P. so someone else comes along and wants to adopt the little baby.
.Why make the dog suffer in a crate for 17 hours a day over a 2 week period. Take it back now so they can find a home that actually wants it.
I work at petsmart i see people bring bac there adopted pets all the time for some of the same reasons if ur thinking about taking ur dog back DO NOT BOND with it it could get attached to u the best time to take them bak is wen there about 12 weeks or about after 3 days u have them