'I don't want to be the bad guy here': Person tells their sister and mother that they have to return the newly adopted Australian Shepherd puppy because none of them have the time to take care of it properly, the mother gets angry

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jun 20, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Adopting a dog is one of the most amazing and beautiful things that you can do - for yourself and for a puppy that needs a home. But it's not an easy thing to do. It's not a task that you can underestimate. Dogs are high maintenance creatures - especially some breeds, and adopting dogs is a responsibility - a big one. They depend on you, they need you, especially as little pups. It is your responsibility, before adopting, to make sure that you can actually take care of one. Properly. 

The sister and mother in this story, who adopted a high maintenance, mega energetic Australian Shepherd puppy, did not think things through. And although we know that returning a puppy after having adopted it is one of the most painful, saddest things that you can do, there are some situations - like this one - where that solution, unfortunately, might be what is best for the dog's needs. 

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  • 01
    "[I told] my mom and sister to return their dog to the breeder."
    via Unsplash / Melissa Keizer keizgoesboom

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    "Telling my mom and sister to return their dog to the breeder."

    Hello, my sister has recently brought home an Australian Shepherd puppy as her new dog. He, of course, is very active and requires a lot of attention and care, which I don't think either of them can give him at the moment.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 03
    My sister is on track to becoming a nurse and works at a home care facility at the moment, so she is gone most nights and sleeps during the day and will most likely go to college.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 04
    My mom works nights as well and gets home in the early mornings. We do have the space plus a nice backyard, but one side of the fence is completely fallen over; our neighbour has not wanted to fix it.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 05
    I am at home all the time due to an accident I had on my motorcycle, so I can't play that much or take him out to exercise. I can barely walk normally right now. Plus, I have a 6- month-old poodle mix, which is very chill and likes to lounge around most of the time versus my sister's dog.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 06
    I am in no way telling her to take the puppy back because of my dog; they do play together, but I keep them separated because her puppy plays way too rough and nips really hard, plus we have two cats.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 07
    My sister has warmed up to the idea somewhat, but my mom really wants to keep it and gets mad when I bring up the idea. I just want the puppy to have the best quality of life and be with someone that can take it out on walks, to the park, hiking, etc.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 08
    My sister informed me when she went to the breeder that they made her sign a contract that if any time she thought the puppy was too much or was not the right fit, they would rather have him returned to them than be out in a shelter.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 09
    Sorry if I did not follow the correct format; I have never posted something this long. I don't want to be the bad guy here but I want the puppy to live his best life!
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10517369600
    via Unsplash / Melissa Keizer keizgoesboom

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Look, we understand everyone's point of view here - the concerned sister who thinks the puppy should go back, the excited sister who's so happy about having adopted, and the mother, who so desperately does not want to give the puppy back. We get it. Which is why it's hard to be mad, especially when the right decision seems to have been made at the end. 

  • 11
    rhytard897 ΝΤΑ Your sister got a high energy working dog with little time. This breed requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Its a puppy too, so it needs obedience training. Not enough activity will cause the puppy to be destructive. She should return the puppy to the breeder before it absolutely wrecks something. Your mom did not buy the dog. Does she help out with its care at all? If so, I do think she has more of a say on what happens to the dog, but if not, its completely up to y
    via rhytard897
  • 12
    Confusion-Capable OP My sister has paid for everything my mom just plays with it here and there since the puppy is currently surrounded by a gate in the living room.
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 13
    Confusion-Capable OP Yes the breeder told to my sister if it wasn't what she expected or he was to much she can take him back!
    via Confusion-Capable
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10517369856
    via Unsplash / Melissa Keizer keizgoesboom

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    lilolememe ΝΤΑ She NEVER should have gotten an Australian Shepherd if she couldn't take care of it. The owner is fully responsible for all care. Your mom doesn't get to decide when it's the sister's dog. She probably will lose her money, but it's wrong to get such an active breed when you can't give full care which includes A LOT of exercise and training.
    via lilolememe
  • 16
    She shouldn't be putting anything on you - that includes feeding, letting the dog out, training, exercise, etc. It's the owner's responsibility. If she's going to be a nurse. she's definitely not going to have time for a puppy.
    via lilolememe
  • 17
    galaxysucculent NTA. Australian shepherds are one of the highest energy working breeds. They NEED a good amount of daily physical and mental exercise. It's not optional and without it you're likely to end up with a neurotic, destructive dog who has serious behavior problems.
    via galaxysucculent
  • 18
    It's straight up cruel to keep a dog in a situation where they aren't meeting their basic needs. Your mom and sister are delusional to believe that a high energy herding dog fits into their lifestyle in any way, especially with you unable to walk. Way better to return it to the breeder now and let the breeder find an appropriate home. Clinging to the dog when they can't provide what it needs is selfish.
    via galaxysucculent
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10517369088
    via Unsplash / Melissa Keizer keizgoesboom

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 20
    MAJOR UPDATE- Spoke to my mom when she arrived home and texted my sister. My mom, of course, was sad, but after reading your guys' comments to her, she understood the needs for the puppy. My sister is going to contact the breeder tomorrow to go over the contract!
    via Confusion-Capable

  • It's the fact that she was able to listen to others and put the dog's needs above her own desire to keep it is what keeps us from being angry. She understood. That matters. 

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dogs adoption puppy mother adopted doggo australian shepherd sister
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