For years, the slogan “Adopt, Don’t Shop” has been a rallying cry for shelters and rescues advocating for homeless dogs. It was a powerful message when overbreeding and impulse puppy purchases were leading to overflowing shelters. But in today’s world, we’re facing a different crisis. The issue isn’t just where dogs come from—it’s what happens after they go home.
More than ever, shelters and rescues are filling up with adolescent and adult dogs, not because they were irresponsibly bred, but because they weren’t trained. The problem isn’t the puppies; it’s the lack of training and commitment from owners.
It’s time for a new movement: Train & Grow With Your Dog.
Shelters Are Overflowing—But It’s Not Puppies Filling Them
Take a look at the dogs in most shelters today. You won’t find kennels packed with fresh-from-the-breeder puppies. Instead, you’ll see a heartbreaking trend: adolescent and adult dogs who have become “too much” for their owners.
These are dogs who:
Jump on people and pull on the leash because no one taught them manners.
Bark and lunge at other dogs because they never learned how to socialize properly.
Guard their food, toys, or space because no one taught them to feel safe.
Have endless energy because they were never given an outlet for it.
Develop separation anxiety because they never learned how to be alone.
None of these are reasons to give up on a dog. These are training and lifestyle problems, not dog problems.
Why ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ Isn’t Fixing the Issue
The “Adopt, Don’t Shop” movement was born out of a need to combat irresponsible breeding and puppy mills. While that message still has a place, it’s missing the mark in today’s reality.
Many of the dogs in shelters today weren’t irresponsibly bred—they were irresponsibly raised.
Rescue organizations work hard to find homes for these dogs, but without the right education and support, the cycle repeats:
Dog is adopted. The new owner is excited but may not be prepared for the work ahead.
Dog struggles with behaviors. Without training, normal adolescent challenges become overwhelming.
Owner feels frustrated and helpless. They think they got a “bad dog” instead of realizing they need better guidance.
Dog is surrendered back to the shelter. Now older, with more ingrained behaviors, making adoption even harder.
It’s not enough to just promote adoption. We have to promote education, training, and long-term commitment if we want to see real change.
What We Can Learn from Germany, Sweden, and Finland
Countries like Germany, Sweden, and Finland demonstrate that an entirely different approach to dog ownership can lead to fewer dogs in shelters. Their focus isn’t on mass adoption campaigns; it’s on responsible ownership, ethical breeding, and lifelong training.
Germany
Strict Breeding Regulations: German laws ensure that dogs are bred responsibly, prioritizing health and stable temperaments.
Mandatory Training & Licensing: Many cities require dog owners to pass a handling test (Hundeführerschein), ensuring their dog can behave well in public.
Low Euthanasia & Shelter Rates: Shelters are primarily filled with older or special-needs dogs, not young, trainable pets.
Sweden
Comprehensive Owner Education: The Swedish Kennel Club promotes lifelong training and responsible ownership.
High Reclaim Rates: Over 90% of lost dogs are reunited with their owners within 24 hours.
Minimal Stray Population: Sweden’s strict pet ownership culture means very few dogs ever end up homeless.
Finland
Responsible Breeding Practices: Ethical breeding ensures that people get dogs suited for their lifestyles, reducing surrenders.
Community Support & Training Culture: Dog training is seen as a necessity, not an optional extra.
These countries prove that the best way to reduce shelter numbers isn’t just adoption—it’s preventing dogs from needing to be rehomed in the first place.
Training Should Be a Rescue’s Core Mission
If rescues want to truly help dogs stay in their homes, their message has to shift. Instead of just focusing on adoption, they need to focus on education and ongoing training support for adopters.
Here’s what that can look like:
Providing training resources at adoption. Every adopter should receive guidance on basic training, behavior management, and how to prevent common issues.
Partnering with trainers. Offering discounted or free training sessions as part of the adoption process can make all the difference.
Changing the conversation. Instead of pushing “Adopt, Don’t Shop,” rescues should be saying:
“Adoption is the beginning, not the end.”
“Train & grow with your dog.”
“A trained dog is a happy dog.”
When rescues make training (with balanced trainers not force free propaganda trainers) a requirement instead of an afterthought, they set both dogs and adopters up for long-term success.
The Hard Truth: It’s Not a Puppy Problem, It’s a People Problem
The majority of shelter dogs aren’t “bad dogs.” They’re dogs who were never given the guidance they needed to thrive.
If we want to reduce shelter numbers, we don’t just need to push adoption—we need to push responsibility, training, and education.
Dogs aren’t disposable. They aren’t born well-behaved. They require patience, effort, and consistency.
Adopting a dog isn’t the end of a journey—it’s the start of one. And if we want fewer dogs in shelters, we need to help people understand how to successfully train and grow with their dogs.
Because the best way to save a dog’s life isn’t just to adopt them. It’s to keep them in their home for life. A Compassionate Perspective on Rehoming
This isn’t about shaming owners who find themselves in situations where rehoming is truly the best option. Life happens—unexpected hardships, medical emergencies, and circumstances beyond our control can make keeping a dog impossible. Responsible rehoming exists for these cases, and shelters should always be a safe place for dogs in genuine need. But when shelters are overwhelmed with dogs who could have stayed in their homes with the right training and support, it takes away resources from those who have no other choice. By promoting education, commitment, and proper training, we open up space for the people who truly need it—ensuring that shelters remain a last resort, not an easy way out.
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