Life After the Puppy Mill: One Dog Mom’s Story of Love, Healing & Second Chances
- Ruth Hegarty
- Sep 15
- 4 min read
Adopting a dog with a traumatic past isn’t for the faint of heart. But for those who do, the rewards run deep. I recently sat down with Amy, a longtime client and proud dog mom to three former puppy mill survivors, to talk about what it's really like to adopt and live with former mill dogs.
"Puppy mill" is the term for usually large scale dog breeding facilities centered around profit vs. a love for the breed. Puppy mills maximize profit at the expense of dog health and wellfare. This type of mass-produced breeding is not only inhumane, but produces puppies who are often ill. Conditions are unsanitary, overcrowded and dogs receive little to no veterinary care. Most puppy mill dogs demonstrate reactive behavior whether used or breeding or born in the facility. that prioritize profit over the welfare of the dogs. It is estimated that there are upwards of 10,000 licensed and unlicensed puppy mills in the United States which produce more than two million puppies annually.
This honest and emotional conversation sheds light on the challenges—and the incredible joy—that come with giving these special dogs a second chance.
Pre-adoption Daphne Post-adoption Daphne Post-adoption Daphne
How Did You First Decide to Adopt Puppy Mill Dogs?
Amy: I’ve been a Pomeranian mom for 30 years now. My first two poms (and the first dogs I’d ever had) came from my ex-husband’s family, who bred dogs in what I now realize was probably a backyard puppy mill. I didn’t know any different at the time. They had clearly been taken from their mother too early and one of them almost died because of it. That experience made me rethink everything.
I knew I didn’t want to support the puppy mill system in any way, so when I was ready for another dog, I adopted an owner-surrendered pom from a shelter. Later, I found my current three—Daphne, Zephyr & Penny—through rescues that specialize in saving poms, small dogs, and mill dogs.
What Were Their Lives Like Before You?
Amy: Daphne and Zephyr came from Champlain Valley Canine Rescue, which travels to places like Ohio to pull dogs being discarded by mills. Penny was rescued through Peace, Love & Poms [Ruth here: I've worked with PL&Ps. They're a terrific organization I happily recommend] She was seven and had clearly been bred many times. All three dogs came to me with emotional and physical scars, as would be expected from their history.
One of the fosters for Champlain Valley Canine Rescue told me about visiting a mill in person—dark warehouses, cages stacked high, dogs living in isolation. It’s haunting to imagine, but it helped me understand where my dogs were coming from and what their life had been like.
What Kinds of Challenges Did They Face After Adoption?
The biggest one? Trust. They had no idea how to be “pet dogs.”
None of them are comfortable cuddling. They enjoy belly rubs and head scratches, but they don’t want to be in my lap or sleep in my bed. Zephyr’s teeth were worn from chewing his cage. Penny would fall asleep sitting upright—because she’d never had space to stretch out—and she still does. We call it Penny’s “power down” mode.
Reactivity developed later, especially with Daphne and Zephyr. At first, they were just scared and shut down. As they settled in, they started getting anxious and reactive, barking at strangers and doing fence patrol. Penny still struggles to walk on leash, freezing when we leave the yard.
Pre-adoption Zephyr Post-adoption Zephyr Post-adoption Zephyr
How Are They Different from One Another?
Each dog has coped in their own way.
Daphne is feisty and assertive.
Zephyr is earnest and cautious.
Penny is mellow but more anxious around new experiences.
There’s no one-size-fits-all profile for a “mill dog.” Some are withdrawn. Some bark. Some cling. Some don’t want to be touched. You have to meet each dog exactly where they are.
Pre-adoption Penelope Post-adoption Penelope Post-adoption Penelope
What Breakthrough Moments Stand Out?
There have been so many little victories:
The first time Zephyr rolled over for a belly rub.
Penny finally choosing to sleep in the bedroom after 18 months.
Watching Daphne's joy when learning a new trick for treats.
Each of these moments reminds me how far they’ve come. They’re still healing—and probably always will be—but they’re safe, loved, and comfortable now.
Has Training Helped?
Definitely. Engaging them in training gives them a job, a way to connect, and mental stimulation. The girls are especially food motivated and enjoy learning things like paw shakes and spins. Emotional behaviors, like Daphne’s indoor marking of anything associated with Penny, are more complicated and take longer to shift—but we’re working on it.
What Do You Want Others to Know About Adopting Mill Dogs?
That it’s absolutely worth it! Even if they’re not the snuggly lap dogs you imagined, you're giving a home to a dog that has suffered so much. That’s huge. Watching them slowly open up is incredibly rewarding.
Also, not all rescues or breeders are created equal. Do your homework. Ethical rescues will vet you carefully. Ethical breeders will be transparent about where and how their dogs are kept. If you can’t meet the parents or see the living conditions, walk away.
And If Your Dogs Could Speak for Themselves?
I think they’d say: “We’re good dogs. We’re just sometimes scared. We’re learning how to be dogs, and we need time and patience.”
That’s the core of it, really. They’re not broken. They’re just figuring it out, and it’s an honor to help them do that.
Final Thoughts: Loving a Dog Back to Life
Mill dogs don’t come to you as blank slates. They come with history, heartbreak, and huge hearts waiting to be healed. But if you’re patient, consistent, and kind, you’ll witness something extraordinary: their transformation into dogs who finally know what it means to be safe and loved.
💛 If you’ve adopted a puppy mill dog, I’d love to hear your story. And if you're considering it—take a breath, do your research, and know that it’s okay to learn as you go. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up with love.
For help with your reactive dog, schedule a free consultation with Ruth Hegarty.
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