How Many Dogs Are Too Many?

I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community. Why? Because I testified in support of a new regulation to limit pet ownership to no more than a total of three dogs and/or cats, older than six-months of age, in one household.

The reason for the age threshold is to give people time to place any puppies or kittens that their family pet has.

Every major dog/pet organization I'm familiar with opposes such regulations or laws. That includes not only the animal rights people but mainstream groups such as the American Kennel Club (AKC).

So why would I break ranks and support it? Reality.

I support limitations on the number of pets in one household for the following reasons.

1. Nuisance laws are difficult and expensive to enforce.

In one instance in my town ? that has laws on nuisance dogs ? the city police had been to a house three times after calls from neighbors. In each instance, the dogs were quiet when they arrived and no ticket was issued.

That's the problem with the type of enforcement other dog-owner groups want. It requires catching the animal/owner in the act. Then both have the right to protest and appeal any fines or other punishments.

How much of a city's budget should go to this type of effort? It is much more cost effective to enforce limits on the number of pets as this can be more readily identified and controlled.

2. The worst pet owners are beyond caring about the law.

They fall into two categories. One is the drug addict, gang members or other criminal who breeds big, dangerous dogs for protection. An example is a homeowner who had 14 Pit Bulls in his metropolitan home.

The other is the disturbed pet collector such as a woman who had 40 cats in her suburban house. She had no recognition of why this should be a problem and was surprised that her neighbors called the police because of the odor from her house.

Neither of these types of pet owners are going to be deterred by a misdemeanor fine.

3. Dogs in packs are difficult to control.

The more dogs in the home, the more problems you have. Initially it may be as the dogs joust among themselves for positions in the pack. Even once that's been settled, outside events ? such as a dog coming back after a hospital stay ? can trigger another round of fighting for position.

There's always a danger the dogs may get lose. Having three or more dogs in one backyard can be intimidating to neighbors and other small pets in the adjoining homes.

A neighboring community has a dog park near a beach and people are often knocked down by packs of dogs. The dogs aren't attacking them; they're just running together and oblivious of their impact when they knock down a little one or older person.

When dogs are in groups, they work together and mob psychology rules. They may attack and kill smaller animals not for food but for sport or territory. Even dogs that live with cats will kill other cats when working in a dog pack outside the home.

4. Dogs in packs are more susceptible to illnesses.

As a former breeder, I truly appreciate how difficult it is to prevent the spread of diseases when you have many dogs in one home or kennel. There's a reason it's called "kennel" cough.

5. Some dog owners have lost perspective

One of the objectors to this new rule participates in a rescue organization. She had six people testifying on her behalf as to how needed her service is (I agree) and how well she manages her household of dogs.

None of the six people, however, live near her. When her neighbors testified, it was another story. She had started her rescue work by telling the homeowners group that she would have no more than six dogs at one time.

In one instance when the police were called to her home after a loose dog attacked a neighbor's pet and discovered she had 23 dogs there. This is just a typical suburban home ? not a rural or country area.

I'm sympathetic to wanting to care for abandoned and mistreated dogs but neighboring home owners have rights as well. If you've paid $600,000 for an 800-sq ft home in California (as our Sunday newspaper stated), you are going to be very concerned about maintaining property values.

Too many dog owners are oblivious to the rights of other people. Just walk in any city park and see how many people don't pick up after their dog.

I love dogs but I wish I could have more confidence in their owners. I recognize that I may be assigning many strays to an early death, but I can't waive a magic wand and make all pet owners responsible owners and care givers.

Limiting the number of pets in a household is a cost effective measure to solving true problems.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and the creator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com, your online resource to Toy dog breeds.

---

Dog Training For Beginners

Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More

Teach a Dog To Swim

You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More

Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bird Cage

If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More

Ten Most Popular Goldfish

You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More

How To Use Leading Your Horse To Get Control And Response

I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More

?Sit Up? Buddy: Training Your Dog To Sit Like You

The trick of "sitting up" is easily taught to small... Read More

A Review of Cat Fancy Magazine

Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is... Read More

What About a Newfoundland Dog

Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show... Read More

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 Donts Rules

A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More

How to Groom Your Horse

Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More

How To Find a Lost Cat

Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More

Dog Flea Control Management: How To Prevent, Treat, And Kill Dog Fleas

Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More

Introduction To House Training

The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More

The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More

Dog Jewelry: A Celebration of Mans Best Friend

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More

Oscar

Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More

How To Choose A Professional Dog Trainer

1.) Versatility- A good dog trainer will use techniques and... Read More

Hypoallergenic Dogs

When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More

Boston Terrier - The Costs Of Owning A Boston Terrier

Having a dog is a little like having a baby.... Read More

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying?

Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More

Give a Homeless Cat or Dog a Gift of Good Cheer

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, full of... Read More

Stop! Dont Give Your Cat That Chocolate!

"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More

Canine Arthritis Medicine

Before you decide to give your dog canine arthritis medicine... Read More

Dog Training Basics

All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during... Read More

Our Pets Behavior

Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More

My Dog Died !

Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More

5 Common Grooming Mistakes Made by Professionals

1. Using tranquilizers.This is illegal in many states but other... Read More

Cleft Palate In Dogs

Sometimes puppies are born that can't suckle properly, and it's... Read More

My Dog Won?t Stop Digging - What Can I Do?

Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More

Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?

"Doggy breath" ? that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths... Read More

How To Recognize A Respiratory Tract Ailment In Your Parrot

A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More

10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time

The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More