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by cphudson on 20 January 2010 - 20:01
I'm sorry to hear your new addition into your family didn't work out as you planned. I don't live in Spain so can't advise you on the breeder / laws.
But I've rescued many dogs like you described, with time shown love, given lots of socialization, & training they all made wonderful pets.
It would take a long time at least 6 months but in the end the dog would be truly thankful to you for saving him from that previous life.
I would not send the dog back to the breeder only to live in little pen with no human contact again. Instead find a good trainer you can work with.
If you can't keep the dog then give him to a rescue that will work with him then find him a good home, at least you saved his life & will be offering him a better solution.
It might be difficult but you can't judge his temperament right now coming from such a neglectful state. He is most likely very confused & scared. I doubt he is truly aggressive temperament or you would have written he had bitten you / your family, not just snapped at you. If he is snapping then he is communicating the only way he knows how. It's his way of telling you you are pushing him too far so back off I don't want to bite you.
Plus this dog is not food / toy guarding, or attacking your cats which in such a unsocialized dog if he was truly aggressive would be doing, since that is all he would know from a life without humans.
As crazy as this might sound, I think this dog has a even temperament for a 7 month old puppy living on his own in a tiny pen & neglected.
Some helpful advise that might help you with this puppy. First need to find him a safe place to contain him so he doesn't run free throughout your home & learning bad habits, like steal food off the counters.
Lure him in the area you wish to contain him in with food. If you have a spare bedroom, laundry room, etc.. all are good choices. If you don't set up a ex pen / large crate for him.
Once him is in his contained area & more relaxed then you can begin working with him. Start by finding something you want to read. Sit inside the dogs contained area or next to it with your back turned toward the dog.
Now read the book out loud in a soft soothing voice. Do not try to make contact with the dog, especially watch him in the eyes or pet him right now. Have some healthy treats ready in your pocket.
When he approaches you / relaxes while your reading toss him some treats. Repeat this with your spouse / older family members. Do this for short burst throughout the day.
The next day repeat but sit closer to the dog this time, once again no eye contact or touch. When the pup approaches you or makes a move forward toward you, toss him a treat.
He should approach you by this point also. When he does don't overly pet him / hug him, this could scare him. Gentle pet him once or twice then give him a treat.
Gradually when he stays with you hold the treat in you hand making a fist so the dog has to sniff your hand but not get the treat. He he does this pet him in one short stroke & reward with a treat.
By the third day the pup will easily approach you when you come near him, because he should have learned to trust you & that your safe now. You can start working with him now.
Do not feed him in a bowel during this time he should be hand feed only twice a day. Use his feeding time as a positive training + socialization time.
Put a collar on him & feed / treat + praise so it'll be a positive experience for him. Attach a leash in the same manner then let him drag it around.
Teach him how to sit, look up at you, down, come, etc.. all by luring him into positions with his food. A dog like this can not have corrections until all his foundation training + socialization is complete.
He should learn the very basics fast, since that is how he is getting his me
But I've rescued many dogs like you described, with time shown love, given lots of socialization, & training they all made wonderful pets.
It would take a long time at least 6 months but in the end the dog would be truly thankful to you for saving him from that previous life.
I would not send the dog back to the breeder only to live in little pen with no human contact again. Instead find a good trainer you can work with.
If you can't keep the dog then give him to a rescue that will work with him then find him a good home, at least you saved his life & will be offering him a better solution.
It might be difficult but you can't judge his temperament right now coming from such a neglectful state. He is most likely very confused & scared. I doubt he is truly aggressive temperament or you would have written he had bitten you / your family, not just snapped at you. If he is snapping then he is communicating the only way he knows how. It's his way of telling you you are pushing him too far so back off I don't want to bite you.
Plus this dog is not food / toy guarding, or attacking your cats which in such a unsocialized dog if he was truly aggressive would be doing, since that is all he would know from a life without humans.
As crazy as this might sound, I think this dog has a even temperament for a 7 month old puppy living on his own in a tiny pen & neglected.
Some helpful advise that might help you with this puppy. First need to find him a safe place to contain him so he doesn't run free throughout your home & learning bad habits, like steal food off the counters.
Lure him in the area you wish to contain him in with food. If you have a spare bedroom, laundry room, etc.. all are good choices. If you don't set up a ex pen / large crate for him.
Once him is in his contained area & more relaxed then you can begin working with him. Start by finding something you want to read. Sit inside the dogs contained area or next to it with your back turned toward the dog.
Now read the book out loud in a soft soothing voice. Do not try to make contact with the dog, especially watch him in the eyes or pet him right now. Have some healthy treats ready in your pocket.
When he approaches you / relaxes while your reading toss him some treats. Repeat this with your spouse / older family members. Do this for short burst throughout the day.
The next day repeat but sit closer to the dog this time, once again no eye contact or touch. When the pup approaches you or makes a move forward toward you, toss him a treat.
He should approach you by this point also. When he does don't overly pet him / hug him, this could scare him. Gentle pet him once or twice then give him a treat.
Gradually when he stays with you hold the treat in you hand making a fist so the dog has to sniff your hand but not get the treat. He he does this pet him in one short stroke & reward with a treat.
By the third day the pup will easily approach you when you come near him, because he should have learned to trust you & that your safe now. You can start working with him now.
Do not feed him in a bowel during this time he should be hand feed only twice a day. Use his feeding time as a positive training + socialization time.
Put a collar on him & feed / treat + praise so it'll be a positive experience for him. Attach a leash in the same manner then let him drag it around.
Teach him how to sit, look up at you, down, come, etc.. all by luring him into positions with his food. A dog like this can not have corrections until all his foundation training + socialization is complete.
He should learn the very basics fast, since that is how he is getting his me
by cphudson on 20 January 2010 - 20:01
Oopus sent the last message too soon.
A dog like this can not have corrections until all his foundation training + socialization is complete.
He should learn the very basics fast, since that is how he is getting his meals through hand feeding & reforcing the positive behavior you want.
You'll be able to take him outside the following day he was comfortable dragging the leash around. So now you can start housebreaking routine.
Do not discipline him for any mistakes in the house, it's not his fault he doesn't know any better yet. It more your fault for not properly containing him, watching him, & keeping him a o house breaking routine.
If you find a good trainer to help you train, socialize, & apply behavior modification if needed then he should be the wonderful pet you hoped for pretty soon.
Good Luck
A dog like this can not have corrections until all his foundation training + socialization is complete.
He should learn the very basics fast, since that is how he is getting his meals through hand feeding & reforcing the positive behavior you want.
You'll be able to take him outside the following day he was comfortable dragging the leash around. So now you can start housebreaking routine.
Do not discipline him for any mistakes in the house, it's not his fault he doesn't know any better yet. It more your fault for not properly containing him, watching him, & keeping him a o house breaking routine.
If you find a good trainer to help you train, socialize, & apply behavior modification if needed then he should be the wonderful pet you hoped for pretty soon.
Good Luck
by eichenluft on 20 January 2010 - 21:01
Keep this dog in a crate or pen, make sure he is not around your children or cats. Give him clean water, a comfortable warm place to sleep, a dog house or crate where he feels safe - and feed him. Let him relax and adjust to his new situation before you try to handle or touch him. Feed him for a while, then try to feed him by hand - teach him that you are his friend and you won't hurt him. Right now he's frightened - give him a chance to learn not to be afraid of you. He may turn out to be a completely different dog if you give him a chance to adjust and feel comfortable, learn to trust you. After he trusts you, then put a collar on and start training him with treats and love. Handle him a lot. Groom him, take him for walks, teach him to play with toys. Later you can decide if you want to keep him or not - then at least he will be ready for a new home if you want to find him one. Consider him a rescued dog - he needs your help. I'd try to get your money back for the dog, but I wouldn't give the dog back - he's not worth a penny in the state he's in. Keep the dog, do right by the dog, and try to get your money back. But the main thing is do right by the dog - he didn't ask for this to happen to him. You may be his only chance of living a good life.
molly
molly
by Jenni78 on 20 January 2010 - 21:01
Molly said what I was trying to say so much better.
by alaman on 20 January 2010 - 21:01
For that kind of money (over $1100 in U.S. dollars), I would get in my car and take him back to the breeder and demand my money back. Unlikely the dog will ever be exactly what you want - have seen this before.
by lyndabmack on 20 January 2010 - 21:01
I cant get in my car and take him back i cannot get him in a car , and its 12 hours drive from where i live, i am so annoyed this dog has not been brought up right, he doesnt know what love and care is bless him ,but i feeli have been ripped off big time and beware of this type of goings on, i wish i had asked all what seem sensible questions, but one presums when a good breeder is advertising on here the dog is in good care and been brought up properly, at least to know commands, and people, i mean 7 months old, never been on a lead, never been in a house, what is this breeder thinking, if he was a 6 week old pup then yes u expect all the mess and i have had plenty of pups that i have trained no problem but he is a big dog, who seems very aggresive and who can blame him but at 800 euros this breeder has some answering to do
by Jenni78 on 20 January 2010 - 22:01
Lynda, we all agree with you that he was not brought up right. He's lucky to have found someone who cares, and we're hoping you can learn to get along w/each other. Like Molly said, see if you can get a refund; hell, link the breeder to this thread so he/she knows people know about this, and see what he/she says. Maybe they'll give a partial or full refund, maybe send a trainer on their dime...who knows.
by GermanShepherd<3 on 20 January 2010 - 22:01
INSIST on taking him back! stand up for yourself! to see how much he cares for his animals say i will euthanize him if you do NOT take him back, ANY REPUTABLE breeder would take him back. If he doesn't, you got tricked by a back yard breeder. Just because they make grand names about pedigrees doesn't mean you will get a grand pup. You have to actually research his pedigree.. ask questions..his website and dogs look beautiful..who knows maybe he gave you a different dog not from his kennel..
did he give you pictures of the dog, so you can be sure this is him? if he didn't i am sorry but i don't know what evidence you have...
did he give you pictures of the dog, so you can be sure this is him? if he didn't i am sorry but i don't know what evidence you have...
by lyndabmack on 20 January 2010 - 23:01
Yes he sent a pic, but the dog looks far thinner, and not a happy chappy at all, i have got the papers but its not the papers im concerned about its the poor dog and how to cope with him , its easy training a puppy i have done it several times, but a 7 and half month old that isnt trained, is a night mare which im sure a lot of people know , but i have never come across a dog of this age not being trained, at least to go on news paper, but obviously this dog has never seen a news paper only an outdoor kennel, i think its an absolute disgrace, how are people allowed to keep them in such a state, arent pedigree breeders vetted, i thougth he would at least be used to people and be trained, i just hate the though of him being outside in a pen, i cannot live with having a dog in a pen that isnt what i want and i dont think the dog deserves it either,
by buckeyefan gsd on 20 January 2010 - 23:01
you sound like you have given up.
he is a pup he can learn.
its fairly obvious that he was not wanted where he was,
so why keep complaining.
either suck it up and put forth the effort or find someone who will!!!!!.
i agree that he will come around but you can make it a much easier
transition if you go the extra mile with him
good luck
jamie
he is a pup he can learn.
its fairly obvious that he was not wanted where he was,
so why keep complaining.
either suck it up and put forth the effort or find someone who will!!!!!.
i agree that he will come around but you can make it a much easier
transition if you go the extra mile with him
good luck
jamie
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