Puppy Mill Rescue Dogs – Advice for Adoptive Families

I’m a Labrador Rescue foster mum. I’ve been looking after rescue dogs for several years, and have two foster fail puppy mill rescue dogs. My girls were overbred in unspeakable conditions for the first three years of their lives. When their fertility dropped, they were no longer useful to the puppy mill, so thankfully, they were surrendered to Labrador Rescue. Some puppy mill dogs aren’t so lucky. There are plenty that face euthanasia when they stop conceiving. When a large puppy mill is closed by a council or animal welfare organisation, Labrador Rescue is usually called in to collect any labs. We have seen horrible things. Awful. So, let’s talk about what you can expect if you adopt and puppy mill rescue dog.

Labrador Rescue Rehabilitation

All puppy farms are different. Some are “backyard” farms with 15-30 dogs, usually caged part-time. Others are large-scale operations with hundreds of dogs, often kept in overcrowded cages with no access to the world outside. Some of these dogs have never set foot outside their small cage. They were born there. Bred there. Rescued from there. The lasting impacts on the dogs vary, some dogs embrace the release, others carry trauma with them. When your puppy mill rescue dog arrives at Labrador Rescue, we begin rehabilitation. Some dogs, like Shy, take years to adjust to life outside the cage. Adopting a rescue dog through Lab Rescue means that the dog has already undergone extensive rehabilitation, but, there may be some lasting impacts to keep your eye on.

Puppy Farm Rescue Dogs May be Timid

The world can be a terrifying place if you’ve never seen anything but bars and concrete. Dogs that have been permanently caged may be frightened of human interaction. Our foster carers patiently train these dogs to trust humans. But you may find that your puppy mill rescue dog is shy around strangers and takes some time to adjust to your family.

Puppy Mill Rescue Dogs are Beauty Queens

Most puppy mill dames are chosen for their good looks. Responsible breeders will choose dogs based on their lineage, health, genetic superiority and temperament. Puppy mills choose them based on looks. The cuter the puppy the easier the sale. So your puppy mill rescue dog will likely be utterly breathtaking, on the outside. There’s no guarantee that their inner health matches.

Medical Issues

Puppy mill rescue dogs may carry any number of inherited conditions, just like any purebred dog that hasn’t come from a professional breeder. The dog’s early life can also impact their health. Your puppy mill dame has been making puppies and breast milk since her first heat. She may have had poor nutrition throughout and a lack of healthy exercise. This all adds up to poor bone health and potential issues with her reproductive system. Your girl may also have damaged teeth from trying to chew her way out of the cage (no, sadly, I’m not kidding, it’s very common). She may also have “puppy acne” from living in unhygienic quarters and nervous habits like chewing at her own skin. Most puppy mills don’t get their dogs medical attention beyond the basics. Your dog may have had prolonged ear infections (we’ve had dogs with such bad ear infections its rendered them deaf), parasites, kennel cough and mastitis. Labrador Rescue takes care of all of this before you meet your new dog. We also desex all dogs before rehoming them. We get them the medical care they need prior to adoption. This means that your new rescue dog is in the best possible shape when she comes to you. Our network of highly recommended vets take excellent care of your future dog.

Irrational Fears

Every one of my puppy mill fosters has feared the garden hose. It’s likely that this stems from their cage being “hosed out” and they’ve undergone a hosing down when dirty. Some dogs fear the sound of metal clanging. Others fear brooms. Many of the dogs rescued from puppy farms will fear doorways. They’ve learned that attempting to cross a barrier results in punishment. They may cower and tremble when invited to walk through a door. Our foster carers will work diligently to overcome this behaviour, but from time to time, you may find your rescue dog frozen in fear at crossing a threshold that reminds them of their old life.

Poor play skills

There’s nothing so heartwarming as a puppy farm rescue dog with the zoomies. Most arrive at Labrador Rescue with no notion of “happy”. They do not play. They do not understand fetch, or swimming or anything that brings joy (being labs, they quickly learn treats bring joy of course). So, when a rescue dog gets the zoomies for the first time, it can literally bring you to tears. Our carers will attempt to teach dogs to “have fun” but it’s an ongoing process so when you adopt a puppy mill dog, you might need to spend a little extra time teaching them what joy is.

Bossy and Meek all at Once

Our girls are submissive around other dogs – unless there’s shenanigans. Puppy mill rescues tend to have zero tolerance for other dogs fighting or behaving in a dangerous manner. This is likely the result of having puppies in an overcrowded situation – keeping them safe when there is a dog fight nearby.

Slow to Bond with Other Dogs

The foster dogs I’ve worked with from puppy mills are also very slow to bond with other dogs. We’ve always had labradors that are inseparable best friends. Not these girls. Even with the sisters they were rescued with, their bond to other dogs is a little broken. These girls have likely had dozens of litters of puppies in a few short years. Each litter removed as soon as they were weaned, and then the next pregnancy started. I can’t help but think how heartbroken my girls have been over the years. It’s not at all surprising that they find it hard to form relationships with other dogs. One of our girls took three years before she’d snuggle up with another dog.

Deep Bond with People

Every dog that comes to Labrador Rescue is in crisis. It might be as simple as losing the people they’ve always known or as complex as surviving unspeakable cruelty or neglect. Each dog is different in how they adjust to the new life. The foster carer will work on their bonding skills and a dog won’t be made available for adoption until they’re ready. There’s a reason that I have failed to let go of two puppy mill rescue dogs. When they bond, they bond HARD. They quickly become your shadow. Your baby. Seeking constant affection and reassurance. If you’re not after a full time, needy companion, a puppy mill rescue dog might not be the right choice for you. I love showering them with kindness. It’s my life’s calling.

Who should Adopt a Puppy Mill Rescue Dog?

Puppy mill rescue dogs are all different. Some adapt quickly to the new world and are able to overcome the traumas of their young lives. Others spend a prolonged period in Labrador Rescue’s care to ensure they’re capable of finding happiness in their new home. Generally the ideal rescue family is:

• Attentive. Ideally, someone will be home with the dog most of of the time.
• Patient. Willing to work through the dog’s struggles with kindness.
• Empathetic. Your dog has birthed and lost countless puppies. Be prepared to cuddle her when she needs it.
• Didactic. She’s been in a cage all her life. Teaching her how to behave gently and with compassion is vital. It’s not just about training though, the ideal adoptive family should commit to helping her explore the world around her, take in new experiences, try new things – all at a pace that works for her.

Can You Help?

Puppy mill rescue dogs are among our most expensive to care for. They require desexing, vet care and often, prolonged foster care. Often, we receive dozens or even hundreds of puppy mill rescue dogs at once, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to rehabilitate. Can you help? We always need foster families, adoptive families and we’re always fundraising. We’d love your help.