What’s a mill dog?
Puppy mills are puppy breeding operations whose main goal is profit. They house a multitude of breeding animals and sell the resulting puppies online or to pet stores.
These facilities are regulated very loosely and are not required to provide a good, or even decent, life for their breeding animals. The dogs are given little if any exercise, socialization, space, or medical care.
A mill dog is a dog from one of these breeding operations. In this article, I am referring mainly to the puppy parents that are kept most of their lives as breeding stock in a puppy mill.
When their breeding lives are over, they are typically discarded by the puppy mill to make room for dogs that can provide the business service.
Sometimes the dogs are killed, but many times they are offered up to a rescue organization, such as National Mill Dog Rescue or others.
Some comments on supporting responsible breeding
If you are purchasing a puppy from a pet store or online, there is a reasonable chance the puppy came from a puppy mill. While these dogs need homes as much as any other, most dog lovers will implore you to avoid purchasing a puppy that you know or suspect came from a mill. The more dogs those operations sell, the more they will produce, perpetuating the business of puppy mills.
One way you can reduce your chances of purchasing from a puppy mill is to research the breeder you intend to purchase from. If possible, visit the breeder. Most reputable breeders are happy to show you the parents of the puppy and discuss how the puppy’s parents live.
Or…even better – adopt! Perhaps you would consider providing a loving home to a puppy mill survivor.
Challenges to adopting a mill dog
Adopting a puppy mill survivor is not easy. There are plenty of issues to concern yourself with before embarking on this journey.
They are often poorly bred and may have genetic or congenital issues. This, as well as negligence and mistreatment, could produce medical challenges that may shorten their lives and could be costly. They very often have dental issues requiring surgery. They may struggle to socialize with other dogs, walk on a leash, or connect with their owners. And they are notoriously difficult to house-train.
Here is a great article about what to expect when adopting a mill dog.
The 6 reasons mill dogs are the best
With all of that out of the way, there are plenty of reasons why adopting a mill dog is an awesome decision!
I’ve adopted three senior mill dogs myself and have met many others, and without a doubt, I will continue to adopt mill dogs for the rest of my life. It is an extraordinary experience filled with reward and purpose. The challenges are worth the reward many times over.
I will admit, that every now and then I wish I had a “normal” dog – less fearful, more friendly, younger, and more energetic, but I wouldn’t trade my mill doggies for anything, or any other dogs, in the world.
These are observations I have made in my experience with rescued mill dogs.
Of course, note that all dogs are unique, and I certainly cannot extrapolate my experiences to conclude that all rescued mill dogs are the same or that each of these circumstances will apply to every dog.
1. Volunteers and administrators are familiar with the dogs
At a rescue, as opposed to a taxpayer-funded shelter, volunteers and administrators are familiar with the dogs. Some rescues have behavioral programs where they assess a dog’s temperament and address issues the dog may be exhibiting. Many are fostered. These resources allow the rescue facilities to have knowledge of the dog that many shelters simply don’t have, including how they behave in a home and family setting.
Therefore, rescue organizations are actually able to help you find the right fit for your family and lifestyle. It’s not a gamble and a guess.
My most recent adoption through NMDR included multiple discussions with the behavioral expert most familiar with the dog I was interested in adopting. This volunteer ended up, based on our phone conversations about our home life and current dog, steering me toward a different dog that would be a better fit. And she is totally a wonderful fit. I knew I should listen to the volunteer and I’m so glad I did.
2. Mill dogs are often older dogs
Nobody doesn’t love puppies! But as cute as they are, they aren’t for me.
I love a senior dog. They tend to be calm, quiet, and patient. While they usually enjoy a bit of exercise, they don’t need a lot. So, they don’t mind skipping a walk on a snowy or rainy day, and they are just fine with a ten-minute jaunt around the block if that’s all you have time for.
3. They aren’t demanding
Rescued mill dogs have spent a good deal of their lives caged, with little attention or stimulation. What a sad and unnatural existence for a dog!
However, in my experience, this results in a low expectation of attention. Thus, they demand little.
Now, with that being said, I do have a 16-year-old chihuahua mix that loves him some attention! Well, I should say, he loves to cuddle. He doesn’t need much in the way of stimulation other than access to your lap. Once he’s there, though, he doesn’t need anything else.
The mill dogs I have had, and currently have in my life, don’t want much more than a stable routine and a secure home.
4. They tend to be quiet
Again, not all mill dogs are the same and there are certainly some barkers out there. But most of the mill dogs I have been in contact with are on the quieter side. It could be because barks go unnoticed and unattended in puppy mills, thus barking rarely receives any positive reinforcement.
One of my little dogs does express himself on occasion when he thinks we’ve forgotten to feed him, or he wants to be helped onto the couch. He also likes to signal to the neighbor dogs that he is in the yard if anyone wants to chat. But a handful of barks a day is all he does, and he’s by far the loudest mill dog I’ve been around. I’ve had a couple of others that I never heard bark at all.
5. They are grateful for everything they get
These dogs have very little in the way of expectation from their owners. They seem quite happy with a warm bed, a hearty meal, and kindness. They don’t demand. They are just content, genuinely. Give them a walk and a treat, a little backyard to explore, a cozy dog bed with a fuzzy blanket, and these dogs are in heaven. They exude gratitude in a very real kind of way.
6. It is so rewarding
Dogs are prone to recovery. They want to move forward and live in the moment. They do recover from past trauma, and it is extremely rewarding to witness leaps and bounds of emotional growth.
It is extraordinary, the feeling you get when you see a tail wag for the first time, or when they finally feel comfortable enough to explore a bedroom they’ve never been in.
I remember being so happy for my little guy when he finally got the hang of hopping onto the sidewalk curb without help, or when my little girl emerged from a hiding spot behind a chair just to see what was happening in the room.
You’ll celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and watch them develop into a dog that can enjoy a walk, a belly rub, or a camping trip. A dog that spent most of its life in a cage, finally able to live in a happy home with a loving family, is a wonderful thing to be a part of.
It won’t be lost on you, I promise. It is amazingly rewarding.
For a more personal take, read my Medium.com story RAIN DOG: The True Story of Apollo, Puppy Mill Survivor
If you have made the decision to adopt a mill dog, share your experience in the comments. Let me know if you agree or disagree with my assessment!
Here’s another story in this blog you might like! How to Have a Midlife Crisis Without Ruining Your Life