Many dogs are put up for adoption because the original owner feels the dog is "hyperactive.'' In reality, these dogs are the ones originally purchased to be companion animals to people who work long hours and lead otherwise solitary lives. The reason for giving up on the dog (and blaming the failure on "hyperactivity") is because no one fully explained that a puppy can't be left alone for 10 hours and then be expected to snooze all evening on the sofa. There's nothing hyper about the pup's exuberant greeting behavior. It's just a normal puppy's need for physical and mental activity. This misunderstanding of a dog's life has led to an increase in cats as pets because they better fit this lifestyle.

Author(s): McLennan, Bardi
Publication: Dog Fancy
Issue Date: August 1993