A Couple of alarming trends are popping up in dog owners groups...

As a pet owner, I belong to quite a few Facebook groups which are dog related. Within these groups (which can sometimes grow to contain thousands of people) I am seeing a few very alarming trends.

Firstly, what I call the "breeding advice" trend. People within these groups will ask questions such as "how old does my dog have to be before I can breed her?" or  "I want to breed my female but my stud is no good anymore, does anyone in my area have a stud I can breed her with?" or "I have puppies for sale if anyone is interested."

This trend is alarming because it is clearly backyard breeders finding yet another way to sell their puppies online. No legitimate breeder would find a stud by trolling a Facebook group, if that's the way you find a stud for your dog you are a backyard breeder and you have no business breeding your dog. If you have to ask how old your dog has to be before breeding her, you are a backyard breeder and have no business breeding your dog. If you are selling puppies through ads in groups on Facebook you are a backyard breeder and have no business breeding your dog. The fact that these people are gathering in groups to teach each other how to exploit the family pet is pathetic and at the same time highly alarming.

Secondly, what I call the "medical advice' trend which usually consists of pet owners trying  to avoid a vet bill asking questions in the group such as "my dog won't eat has no energy and isn't breathing right what would you suggest I give him to help him?" or "my dog has blood in his pee somebody said cranberries would make it stop is this true?" and other equally ridiculous questions to which the answer is usually "see your vet."

This trend is alarming because some pets may not receive proper medical care if people listen to medical advice given over the internet by people with no qualifications. Now don't get me wrong it is great that people are getting together to share their dog ownership experiences with others. We can all help one another to learn and discuss our own experiences with the illnesses of our pets but every pet is different so that is never a substitute for taking a sick pet to the vet.