Puppy mill dogs are survivors who have endured extreme hardships in their lives. They have grown up in horrendous, unsanitary conditions and have never had an opportunity to experience a home where they can feel safe, secure, and loved.
Adopting a puppy mill dog is one of the most compassionate, meaningful things you can do as a pup parent. And while it does come with many challenges, the effort involved is worth it. You’ll be giving them a second chance at life and providing an environment where they can flourish and experience what it means to be a dog!
Below, we’ll delve further into what exactly puppy mills are, what to expect when adopting a puppy mill dog, and the main challenges involved in their care. We’ll also touch on the adoption process.
A puppy mill, or a puppy farm, is a farm-like breeding facility that prioritizes profit over the welfare of animals. Puppies are bred in abundance and kept in unsanitary, unsafe conditions with little experience of the outside world.
Many puppy mill dogs are kept cramped in small cages, aren’t socialized, and don’t receive adequate veterinary care. They also aren’t screened for genetic conditions, meaning they have a higher risk of health complications later in life.
Puppy mills sell puppies at a fraction of the price of reputable breeders and often supply puppies in bulk to pet stores. You should never buy a puppy directly from a puppy mill, even if you feel by doing so you are trying to “save” them.
While you will be helping the pup, you’ll ultimately be supporting and funding the puppy mill, giving them the means to breed more animals.
The best way to support a puppy mill dog is to obtain one through a reputable rescue organization or shelter.
Puppy mill dogs can give as much love and affection as any other dog. However, they do come with a few challenges due to the lack of socialization and neglect they have suffered in the past.
Unfortunately, puppy mill dogs are more prone to behavioral issues, such as barking, chewing, and reactivity, and they often struggle to adapt to home life (and the world around them). Many puppy mill dogs are also scared of humans and require a lot of socialization and reassurance to open up their hearts.
Below, we’ll touch on the main challenges of adopting a puppy mill dog to give you a better idea of what to expect, and whether it’s something you can manage as an owner.
Puppy mill dogs see everything as “unfamiliar.” They haven’t had time to get accustomed to cities, houses, people, leashes, vehicles, other animals, and practically everything else beyond a cage’s four walls.
Due to this, they get overwhelmed easily and can be highly reactive. They require owners who are willing to work with them and prepare them for the outside world with training, desensitization, and counter-conditioning.
Puppy mill dogs usually arrive at shelters with little to no training, meaning you’ll be starting their training entirely from scratch. Unfortunately, puppy mill dogs are also a lot more difficult to train due to their poor socialization, and many do require the help of a professional trainer to succeed.
Puppy mill dogs are more prone to having destructive habits such as chewing, scratching, and excessive barking. Training can help curb these behaviors. However, it can be more difficult for puppy mill dogs to drop their destructive habits, especially if they have been using them as a coping mechanism to relieve their stress.
Puppy mill dogs were raised in an environment where they weren’t properly fed and, in many cases, had to fight other dogs for food to survive. Due to this, many puppy mill dogs exhibit resource guarding around their food or toys.
Puppy mill dogs have a much higher risk of health issues than puppies obtained from reputable breeders. They do not undergo genetic health screening and have not received adequate veterinary care during the early stages of their lives.
They have also been exposed to horrible, neglectful conditions, and many arrive at shelters with infected wounds, fractures, dental problems, parasites, and matted hair. What’s more, puppy mill dogs are rarely provided a diet that supports their growth and are often malnourished.
Dogs have a natural instinct to not soil the area where they sleep. However, puppy mill dogs have never been able to act on this instinct — they’ve been restricted to small, cramped spaces where they have had no choice but to defecate where they sleep, and have now become accustomed to this behavior.
This means most puppy mill dogs arrive at shelters with potty issues, and they’re also a lot more difficult to housebreak. You will need to teach them the basics and “rewire” their brains to get their natural instincts flourishing again.
Puppy mill dogs come with many challenges, but the process of rehabilitating them and watching their true personalities shine through is a reward like no other. With plenty of guidance and support, puppy mill dogs make wonderful lifelong companions who will provide you with unconditional love.
Adopting a puppy mill dog from an ethical rescue also means you’ll be supporting a good cause and freeing up space at the shelter, giving the organization the ability to help other animals in need.
However, puppy mill dogs aren’t for every individual. They require an owner who is experienced, committed to training, and willing to work with them through all their difficulties.
A few other things to consider when adopting a puppy mill dog include:
Puppy mill dogs are available for adoption from shelters and rescues all across the US. If you’re considering adopting a puppy mill dog, the first step is to reach out to these organizations directly and ask if they have any pups available.
There are also online adoption websites that you can use, such as ASPCA and Adopt a Pet, and there are several organizations that specialize in rescuing and rehabilitating puppy mill dogs, like National Mill Dog Rescue.
Once you have found a puppy mill dog you are interested in, you will need to send in an adoption application form. The application form can be lengthy and you’ll be expected to answer personal questions relating to your home, lifestyle, and dog care experience.
To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are some of the most common questions that appear on an adoption application form:
Once you have sent your application to the rescue, you’ll usually hear back within a few weeks. If they deem that you’re a good fit for the puppy mill dog, you’ll be invited to a meeting where the staff can get to know you better and explain the pup’s individual needs.
Some rescues will also arrange a home visit to check that your environment is suitable for the pup.
If the rescue still believes that you’re a great match for the puppy mill dog — and you feel ready to begin your adoption journey — you’ll pay the adoption fee and be allowed to take them home with you when they are ready.
Most rescues charge between $50 and $350 for rescue pups, though the exact fee can depend on the organization and factors like the dog’s history and age.
While it’s undoubtedly a joyous occasion to welcome your new dog home for the first time, it’s important to be mindful of their needs. Many puppy mill dogs will be incredibly overwhelmed at first. They’ll need a lot of support, reassurance, and training to help them feel comfortable.
We’ll share a few tips on how to prepare for a puppy mill dog’s arrival below. Shelters usually always provide new owners with care guides, training support, and information about a pup’s individual needs, so make sure to read through their resources too!
Puppy mill dogs come with more challenges than typical dogs you find at shelters, but those who have the experience, time, and financial means to support them are sure to be rewarded with lifelong companionship and unconditional love.
Remember that you can always seek professional help from a trainer or certified behaviorist throughout your adoption journey, and there are also plenty of helpful online training guides for all different experience levels on our Dog Academy platform!