Puppy Mill Mom Dogs Can Thrive with Proper Care and Training

Puppy mill mom dogs are often misunderstood, but with the right care and training, they can thrive and become loving companions.

These dogs have been bred repeatedly, which can lead to physical and emotional health issues. They may require more frequent veterinary check-ups to monitor their health.

A puppy mill mom dog may have been kept in a small, unsanitary environment, which can affect her behavior and socialization. Socialization is key to helping her become confident and calm in new situations.

With patience, love, and proper training, a puppy mill mom dog can learn to trust and form strong bonds with her new family.

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Puppy mills and backyard breeders are two types of irresponsible breeders that prioritize profit over animal welfare. Roughly 90 percent of puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills, which can legally keep hundreds of dogs in cages their entire lives.

Animals in puppy mills are treated like cash crops, confined to squalid, overcrowded cages with minimal shelter from extreme weather and no choice but to sit and sleep in their own excrement. Sick or dying animals receive little or no veterinary care.

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Backyard breeders, on the other hand, may appear to be responsible breeders, but they often lack knowledge on how to breed responsibly, such as screening for genetic defects. This can lead to animals suffering from serious behavior problems.

Here's a comparison of the two:

By supporting reputable breeders or adopting from shelters, we can help reduce the demand for animals from irresponsible breeders and give deserving pets a second chance at a happy home.

Puppy mills are commercial breeding facilities that mass-produce dogs and cats for sale through pet stores or directly to consumers. They're a major problem in the pet industry.

Roughly 90 percent of puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills. This means that many retailers unknowingly support these inhumane breeding practices.

Animals in puppy mills are treated like cash crops, with no regard for their welfare. They're confined to squalid, overcrowded cages with minimal shelter from extreme weather.

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Their living conditions are often unsanitary, with no choice but to sit and sleep in their own excrement. This can lead to a range of health problems, including malnutrition and starvation.

Sick or dying animals receive little or no veterinary care, making their suffering even more unbearable. Adult animals are continuously bred until they can no longer produce, then destroyed or discarded.

Kittens and puppies are often taken from their mothers at an early age, which can lead to serious behavior problems. This is a result of the inhumane breeding practices that prioritize profits over animal welfare.

Here are some of the common practices found in puppy mills:

Backyard breeders may seem like the nice neighbor next door, but they're often motivated by profit. They fill the classifieds with ads and may treat their breeding pairs as family pets, but that doesn't mean they're doing it responsibly.

Backyard breeders often don't know how to screen for genetic defects, which can lead to serious health problems in the animals. Responsible breeding is more than just putting two dogs together.

These unscrupulous breeders flood the market with animals, reducing homes available for animals from reputable shelters and rescue groups. Sadly, only about 15 percent of people with pets in the U.S. adopt them from a shelter or rescue group.

If you've adopted a puppy mill mom dog, it's likely she's anxious and fearful, but that doesn't mean she's not a wonderful pet.

These dogs have been through a lot, and the place to start training is with empathy.

They still make loving and fun companions, just like any other dog. My late Orion and my Arwen are both puppy mill survivors, and they're proof of that.

Your dog may need time to adjust to being outside, especially if she's spent most of her life in a crate or cage. Outside can be scary and overwhelming.

Don't force your dog outside if she's not ready - you're trying to find her base level of comfort. If she feels secure in her safe spot, even if that's inside the house, now is not the time to push her boundaries.

Housebreaking may seem like a challenge, but it's not a failure if your dog relieves herself in her safe spot. It means she's overwhelmed, and that's okay.

Allow your dog time to adjust, and remember that trust comes before housebreaking. Your dog isn't trying to sabotage your bond with her - she's just trying to get through each day.

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Puppy mill mom dogs often have anxiety and fear due to their early life experiences, but they can still make wonderful pets. They are loving and fun, and with empathy, they can thrive.

Their early life in cages, often from as young as 5 weeks old, can make them sensitive to new environments, making them think the new world is not safe. They have no sense of normalcy right now, as their whole world has been shaken to the core.

You need to give them time to adjust and find their base level of comfort. Resist the urge to force them into new situations, like going on a 5-mile hike, as this can be overwhelming.

Your dog's behavior may be shaped by their past experiences, especially if they came from a puppy mill or were raised in a small space. Many puppy mill dogs have been raised in cages until they're old enough to be sold, which can be as young as 5 weeks.

This early separation from their mother and siblings can make them more sensitive to their new surroundings. They may not immediately feel safe in their new environment.

Puppy mill dogs have often been treated as breeding machines, with little to no human interaction beyond meals. This can make them wary of new people and situations.

As a result, they may need more time and patience to adjust to their new home. They may not understand what's normal or safe, and may require gentle guidance to feel secure.

Their past experiences can also make them more anxious or fearful, but with empathy and understanding, they can still become wonderful pets.

Your dog may be in survival mode, so it's best to let them take the lead when interacting with them.

They may be in the back of their crate, plastered against the wall of the cage, and currently at a 1/10 for comfort, so don't force your attention on them.

You can prove to them that you're trustworthy by not forcing your attention on them, and instead letting them be.

If your dog is acting rambunctious and initiating play at a level 5/10, you should reciprocate at a 3/10, making sure you're controlling the situation at all times.

Avoid eye contact with a withdrawn or shy dog, as it can be interpreted as aggressive or threatening.

Pay attention to your body language, and instead of facing your dog, position your side or hip towards them, with your navel pointed away.

Your goal is to establish trust with your dog, not to "make friends" with them, especially if they've been through a lot.

By letting them decompress and not forcing contact or touch, you can help them understand that they're not in any kind of danger.

Don't breach the trust they may have in the situation by forcing contact or touch, and instead let them come to you when they're ready.

Gaining your dog's trust takes time and patience, but it's essential for building a strong bond with them.