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ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > Bought a Male 7 months old from a reputable breeder on here and he is terrible what can we do (65 replies)
Bought a Male 7 months old from a reputable breeder on here and he is terrible what can we do by lyndabmack on 20 January 2010 - 18:25 |
| We purchased a dog off this website the breeder was advertising a male 7 and half month old, with a good pedigree , the owners website is www.dealaxe.es He lives in Spain and so do we , he told us the dog was living with his parents and was now ready for re homing he charged us 800 euros, and arranged delivery by MRW couriers today, the dog has arrived, he is absolutely terrified, he was starving hungry, and thin looks like a dog from a rescue centre, it took us 5 hours to coax the dog out of the car into our home, he is terrified of us, he is snapping and growling at us , we have fed him and tried to get near him but he just growls and shows his teeth, he was starving hungry, i emailed the breeder, who now has told us that the dog isnt used to people, has been kept on a farm , in a field in a pound of 4m square since being a puppy, hence he is not used to people, not used to home environment, or trained what soever, he has never had a collar on, or a lead, he is an absolute "WILD ANIMAL" I am really upset, and dont know what to do, i was so looking forward to welcoming him to our home, but i am afraid he will go for my children, i dont have anywhere that can be penned off outside for him plus i dont want a wild dog i want a pet. Can anyone tell me of my rights if i can insist the owner take him back, i am concerned the dog is very unhappy, and upset and wants to be outside, there is no way we will ever get him back in a car as he has now been put off cars due to his 10 hours in a small cage in the back of the couriers van, please help someone im frantic for our safety and the dogs |
lyndabmack by lyndabmack on 20 January 2010 - 18:29 |
| 92065 listing on this site is where i purchased this dog from please help anyone , he is now in my kitchen growling and will not allow us near him , i have children and 2 cats which are terrified of this wild animal |
by Mystere on 20 January 2010 - 19:23 |
| Have you called the BREEDER about the problem and what did he say? I cannot give you any advice regarding a breeder and purchase in SPAIN. But, your post does not indicate that you have contacted the breeer about this situation yet. Is that correct? |
Mystere by lyndabmack on 20 January 2010 - 19:32 |
| I have contacted the breeder via his email address and it was at this point he told me the dog had been kept in a pen in a field and not had any contact, he had not been trained and not had a lead or collar on, when we were buying him through emailing he never said at any point the dog was Wild, i thought buying a 7 and half month male, would have been passed the puppy training and safer for our children but this is not the case at all , he is totally wild he is messing all over our carpets, taking food off the kitchen side, and so agressive, im worried sick any help would be appreciated, i thought buying a pedigree was the best thing to do to get a good pet for us |
by malshep on 20 January 2010 - 19:49 |
| I am not going to be harsh here, a pup that is a kennel dog is not going to be house broken so messing all over the carpet is showing signs of stress. I hope you where not hard on this pup because he did this. Taking food off the kitchen is also normal for a pup who has not been trained. This pup is very confused again because he has no training. You need to start from scratch: just like an 8 week old pup, it sounds like he loves food this is a good thing because you can teach him using treats. Last thing get a trainer to help you with all of this the outcome will be a wonderful pet. Always, Cee |
by crhuerta on 20 January 2010 - 19:57 |
| Always give a new dog the proper time to adjust to it's new environment. Puppies are like children in many ways......they need the proper guidance to become well adjusted adults. JMO Robin |
by GSDSRULE on 20 January 2010 - 19:59 |
| Don't know much about Spain, don't know how much 800 euros is, but I would be taking that dog back and getting a refund. I don't think the op wanted a wild animal as a pet. That dog may NEVER be right in the head. |
GSDSRULE by GSDSRULE on 20 January 2010 - 20:02 |
| eta This "breeder" is NOT reputable if he hid all this pertinent info until AFTER he unloaded the skitzo dog on this family. SHAME on him. |
by Jenni78 on 20 January 2010 - 20:14 |
| I think it's a bit early to say he'll never be right in the head, but it doesn't sound like a good situation at all for the OP. Get him a crate or separate him somehow so he can slowly adjust to a very big change in surroundings. I feel very badly for the dog. I wonder what would happen to him if he went back. Clearly, he wasn't treated well before. I personally would keep him and do my best to get him to come around, at least until I felt he was safe enough to rehome or sell to someone w/a better situation to properly deal with him. It does not sound to me like the OP has the experience level needed to deal with this. I also have a hard time understanding why you would buy a dog w/out asking a few more questions, esp. w/children. The breeder admitted he'd not been around people much, so would he have said that up front if asked? Who knows. I just would've asked many many more questions before bringing a 7mo old into my home. Sounds like a lot of assumptions were made and little homework was done. I'd need to be more convinced there was really something wrong with the dog AND the breeder tried to hide it. Lyndabmack, I can tell you from your posts that you would think one of my 7mo olds was a "wild animal" as well. Except for the aggression toward people (she's not shy or skittish), the pup I just sold would be a nightmare for you- I'm quite sure she'd grab food from countertops and do all the other things you mention. Why? Because she's a puppy and she hasn't been taught not to. I guess what I'm trying to say is while I definitely don't think that dog belongs in this home, and in no way was the pup brought up properly, it may not be as bad as it sounds if someone w/a bit more experience were to have ended up w/him. I wouldn't write him off just yet, but I certainly would quarantine him immediatly- there's simply no reason to have him running all over the house if you're afraid of him!!! |
Jenni78 by crhuerta on 20 January 2010 - 20:32 |
| I think if any owner is un-happy with any dog...they should let the breeder know....perhaps the return of the animal would be best. BUT...also....I choose to not conclude that any dog "un-seen" could be honestly evaluated as crazy.....or hopeless. Some non socialized dogs act like idiots around new situations, until they have time to adjust......some have bad nerves, and will never adjust........can't really speculate. I believe that all dogs should be allowed time to adjust to a new environment...whether we think they need it or not. My suggestion would be to return the dog...period. It is obviously not what the purchaser expected. I really hate these types of situations. Again...just an opinion. Robin |
by cphudson on 20 January 2010 - 20:44 |
| 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 |
cphudson by cphudson on 20 January 2010 - 20:51 |
| 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 |
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 |
by Jenni78 on 20 January 2010 - 21:12 |
| Molly said what I was trying to say so much better. |
by alaman on 20 January 2010 - 21:20 |
| 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 - 21:52 |
| 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 - 22:32 |
| 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 - 22:55 |
| 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... |
by lyndabmack on 20 January 2010 - 23:14 |
| 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 - 23:37 |
| 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 |
buckeyefan gsd
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