As the sixth season of "Die Welpen kommen - mit Martin Rütter" kicks off, renowned dog trainer Martin Rütter is once again sounding the alarm against purchasing puppies from commercial online platforms. "I would never support this kind of trade," the 54-year-old declared emphatically during the show's premiere on RTL. His warning comes as a response to the growing trend of acquiring pets through seemingly trustworthy internet portals.
In the first episode, viewers meet Matthias and Marwin from Emden, who believed they had done everything right in their quest for a puppy. They had found a 9.5-week-old Golden Retriever named Leila on a trusted online site that boasted a certificate of reliability. "The site has a certificate," Matthias confidently asserted. However, Rütter countered this claim, stating, "No reasonable breeder in the world would list dogs on commercial web platforms. That’s just not cool!"
Rütter's concerns are not unfounded. He emphasizes that the risk of buying a dog that is poorly socialized and prone to illness is "extremely high" when purchasing from such platforms. Instead, he advises prospective pet owners to seek puppies from registered animal welfare organizations, promoting his own campaign, "Adoptieren statt Produzieren," which encourages adopting rescue dogs instead of buying from breeders.
As Matthias and Marwin eagerly prepared for Leila's arrival, Matthias expressed his fondness for Golden Retrievers, noting, "I just love the breed; they are easy to train and very loyal." Rütter, however, highlighted the breed's hunting background, reminding viewers that Golden Retrievers require proper training and attention to avoid behavioral issues. "I can tell you fiery stories about how things can go wrong. No breed will just manage on its own," he cautioned.
Upon bringing Leila home, Matthias and Marwin, who are avid Werder Bremen fans, had outfitted her space with green and white dog equipment. After their first walk together, Matthias brought home a stick for Leila to play with, but Rütter quickly warned against this practice. "Please never play with sticks!" he urged, explaining the potential dangers involved. "The puppy chews on it, small splinters can break off, and they can either be swallowed or get stuck in the mouth area. A dog can seriously injure itself while playing with a stick!"
Despite the warnings, Leila appeared healthy and began exploring her new home with confidence. Rütter reminded the new owners that it is crucial to establish rules for the puppy. "It’s important to have clear guidelines," he stated, emphasizing the need for structure in training.
In the same episode, viewers also meet Nadja Lucaßen, who runs a "Welpenwaisenhaus" in Nettersheim, dedicated to caring for abandoned or mistreated puppies and kittens. She highlighted her commitment to giving these vulnerable animals a good start in life, including the Pointer-Mix puppy Balou and his seven siblings, who were abandoned together.
The Kremer family is interested in adopting Balou, having previously owned a dog and now also keeping chickens. Rütter raised concerns about this potential adoption, noting that if Balou learns to chase chickens, it could lead to significant behavioral challenges down the line. "If the dog has two experiences of chasing, it becomes much harder to correct that behavior later on," he warned.
Meanwhile, another couple, Laura and Pieter, who already have a one-and-a-half-year-old white Swiss Shepherd named Bakuma, plan to introduce a new puppy from the same breeder. Rütter expressed skepticism about this decision, suggesting they wait at least three years before bringing in another dog. "With a one-and-a-half-year-old still in puberty, adding a new puppy can lead to chaos," he cautioned.
Pieter, who has taken a course as a dog behavior consultant, felt prepared for the new arrival. However, Rütter advised against leaving Bakuma alone with the new puppy during their initial interactions. "Pieter should have stayed with Bakuma," he explained. "It sends the wrong signal that the puppy can explore freely while Bakuma is left out. This can breed jealousy and confusion between the two dogs."
Since 2019, Martin Rütter has been providing valuable tips and educational support to puppy owners through his television series, which airs on Sundays at 19:05 on RTL. The sixth season promises eight new episodes filled with insights and guidance for both new and experienced dog owners.
As the show continues to air, Rütter's message remains clear: potential dog owners should tread carefully when considering where to purchase a puppy. His commitment to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare shines through, encouraging viewers to make informed decisions that benefit both themselves and their future furry companions.
