Should you ever listen to a guy at a pet store

[newbiebeardie]

I went to a local pet store a few weeks ago to buy crickets. While I was standing there, a man walked in with two baby beardies. He asked the pet store employee to take a look at them because one had attacked the other one. There were no toe/tail nips, but the beardie owner said that it happened a couple of times. The babies were cute, of course. He said they were from the same clutch, but WHOA...there was a huge size difference. One was about 11 or 12 inches while the other one was hardly 7 or 8 inches and way skinnier

The pet store employee tells the guy "that's weird. They usually get along pretty good." :shock: Are you kidding me!? I threw in my 2 cents and told the guy that it would be in his best interest to separate them, especially if there were obvious signs of aggression. I told him that the bigger one would likely start showing its dominance and could seriously injure the other one. The pet store guy, unfortunately, threw in his comment of "eh, they should be fine." In this environment, I imagine the guy would listen to the pet store employee over me

Sadly I think you are right. As I have mentioned I have not yet got my already much loved beardie ( charlie as will be) but I have done reems of research to make absolutlys sure I knew what I was getting into, that I could give adequate care and also as I am a childminder christmas is a good time to bring him home its quieter and will break him into the house gently. Once settled he will be spoilt rotten and never want for love and affection. Ive been back to my local reptile centre on many occasions since I first fell for beardies and have been so shocked at what I have heard people being advised sometimes. Sand for babies, red light, they are BETTER off as a pair argh!!! heat pads are apparently the best source of secondary heat geeeee the list is endless. Several times I have waited and spoken to people suggesting they look online in books and on here for advice and explain about the research I have done myself. There ought to be regulations which state people who sell ANY animal need to go on a training course to at least learn all the basics and know about the animals they sell. Or that there is at least one specialist on site for each animal at all times. I have had so many different sorts of animals dogs and cats when younger but tortoises, rabbits, hamsters, tropical fish is another big bug bare with me I and my family have always had them and I would consider myself pretty knowledgable but the things you hear people being told are unreal. I currently have 2 rabbits I had 3 but one of them had to go back because the credentials of the breeder had not been checked properly and I actually had a wild rabbit cross ( not sure how the vet knew that) but she was sooooooo aggressive.

From now on I go to pet stores either after careful research so I know all the warning signs like I have for bd or go direct to a breeder and ask to see the parents too whatever the animal. You definatly get a better idea what you are getting that way and the background of your animal. As far as advice owner forums, vets, books and website are my only point of call now. I have seen too much bad practise to trust anything pet stores tell me. Don't get me wrong I am not saying they and their staff are all bad you do get knowledgable people in these places. I guess I would just say proceed with caution and double check from another source.

Good Luck
Newbie

 

[boxers]

It is really sad reading some of the things you guys have been told by pet store employees.

Like the others said they are there to sell you something and as the particular place I went to did not sell ceramic heaters for example they would hardly tell me it was the best option.

I just wanted to add that I tell every customer in the reptile aisle that our "uvb lights" are bullshit/trash/various other irate adjectives, and the only way they're going to get a good one is to order it online. I get a sticky-note and write down reptileuv.com & beardeddragon.org, for the people who actually turn to look at me and listen to what I have to say.
A woman practically got teary-eyed with me the other night, asking how I could stand to work here, and thanking me for trying to give out information that helps the pets as opposed to making a profit. It felt really good.

But she brings up a valid point; after working at Petsmart for a year, I have seen too many of its faults and would love to find somewhere that treats its animals better. But then I worry, because who would give the customers the advice they need if I were to leave?

The main problem is not that people are knowledgeably mean and negligent- just that they don't care to do any background research. It's just a job. I've bought at least one book for every pet I own, and on my breaks at work, I read about the ones that I don't own/know enough about. It's not hard, and I wish people would give it a damn try.
Last week, I mentioned to an employee that our baby beardie looks awful and will probably die soon and how unfair it is that we can't do anything about it. He looked at me, horrified. "What do you mean?? What's wrong? Why d'you say that??" I pointed out the stress marks, noted that the crickets in her cage are too big for her to eat, she lays up on the rock as close to the lights as she can get which would imply she's cold, she never moves from that spot (lethargy!), the lights are pointless. He was so... defensive? Saying that she was fine and I'm being negative. It was a really sad eye-opener.
He cares about the animals, he really does, but without knowing what is best for them, how does that help??

[ The afore-mentioned woman suggested I write off the baby dragon as having died, and take it home to try and save. While this is do-able, I am still broke from my last attempt to keep one of our beardies, so she would probably die in my care just the same, with no medicine.. ]