Kraftwerk / Wayne Curry - Page 9

I was there for just 2 months. mid Feb- mid April. Long enough to assist with the firing of almost the entire previous staff (who had reported Wayne to animal services over the care and treatment of puppies during the previous round of parvo prior to my hire. I had been convinced by Wayne that they were "setting him up". What a joke! The reasons I was not publicly expressing my experience prior...  1) I needed my job. and 2) It was not until Wayne and I had a serious butting of the heads, the day I was discharged, over how we would manage the outbreak that occurred April 9th. I was seriously concerned that another outbreak had occured despite our increased efforts to control the virus. I had though, in weeks leading up to that incident grown increasingly concerned with Waynes habits of ignoring disinfection procedures and quarantine periods and requesting staff to move dogs into kennels without disinfection between. The litter that became ill on April 9th had been moved in this manner and the kennel not disinfected. A week later they start dropping, every 6-12 hours another sick puppy. As I said, Wayne would not authorize hospitalization. I was told to treat on-site. One puppy died and I took the remaining for home with me as I was off work for the next 3 days (easter weekend) and I feared the puppies would die. After administering TLC and supportive therapy 24/7 for my entire weekend, I was ordered to bring them back to kennel grounds. 2 pups were still having profuse diarrhea and not yet eating, one was still vomiting.  I was ordered to reduce thier level of care to that which our untrained staff could provide. Wayne fired me. Immediately after I left the facility the staff was directed to return the pups to the main bank of kennel that housed 10-15 other susceptible puppies under 10 weeks of age.  This incident specifically made me realize Wayne's complete and blatant disregard for the welfare of every puppy on his premise at this time and all others to come in the future if this infectious disease is again allowed to run amuck with inadequate disinfection/isolation.  I also cannot simply let all those puppies get sick... most of them will die... without speaking out for them. Pray for I-litter... bless your puppies Ange. (and all the others).

Shelleystrohl.... you said it well!!!!

bump

What a sad story.
God bless the little mites and their Mommies.
SS

There is no longer an I-litter listed on Kraftwerk's website.

I just came across this site while I was doing some research on reviews for Kraftwerk K9.   Honestly, I wish that I had found this prior to purchasing my puppy from them.  In March of 2009, we found a puppy, born 2/13/09 from the E litter.  When I called Mr. Curry directly to discuss purchasing the puppy, I specifically mentioned that I had two small children (both under the age of 5), another older german shepherd and cats.  His comment was "Oh, I am glad that you mentioned that.  We will make sure the puppy is socialized with other dogs and children."  I remember this specifically because my childrens' safety is my main priority.  He also strongly suggested that i purchase the extra month of training for $1000. 

He also mentioned that they begin house training with wee wee pads and letting the dogs outside.  Because we opted for the training program, our puppy did not arrive until he was 3 months old.   By the 2nd day, the puppy was continuly challenging our older shepherd.  He snapped at my husband and my daughter.  And he growled and snapped at my leg because I was standing too close to his food bowl while he was eating.  He also did NOT recognize his name or ANY basic commands whatsoever.  I will give them this, he was able to walk on a lead and that was the only time he behaved.  The puppy urinated and deficated all over my housefor 3 weeks. He is now 4 months old.  He is finally using the wee wee pad and going outside.  He still challenges the other dog.  He has now taken on chasing the cats.  

Beginning Sunday, our puppy will be enrolled in puppy training classes in our area. 

I did contact Kraftwerk regarding the training and socialization.  The email I received back stated: "It sounds as if Rico is having a bit of an issue fitting in. During his training he was called by Rico and did respond to the name so I don’t know if it is just the new situation he finds himself in where he may feel a little intimidated. We did work on beginning housebreaking, the puppies are brought inside and any time they appear that they have to go they are put outside and praised when they “do their business"outside. If the puppies have accidents they are disciplined right then and taken back out. You have to catch him in the act and it sounds as if you are, so right when he starts you need to firmly tell him “nine” and put him outside making sure to praise him when he gets it right. It does take some time for the puppy to settle into their new homes. Rico didn’t show any signs of aggression when he was here, I verified this with kennel and training staff both so it may be that he is feeling insecure and he is acting out. Any time that he shows aggressive behavior he needs to be disciplined then and there so he understands that his order in the pack is at the bottom. Wayne has asked me to send you a puppy training collar and it is in the mail with instructions on how to use it. Please make sure to read the directions before using it as it makes all the difference on the effectiveness."  This is from the office manager at Kraftwerk.

I know this has become a bit of a novel and I do apologize.  I was very naive when purchasing the puppy and just want to make others aware of my story.  I think if we had recieved Rico at 8 weeks, instead of wasting time and money on the so called "training" program, it would have made a bigger difference.
Thank you
Jeannette Hill
New Jersey

Jeannette, I am very sorry about your situation. There are several schutzhund clubs in New Jersey with many excellent trainers as members. Please go to one and have the pup's temperament evaluated. Depending on the temperament, drive, working ability, you may be able to sell the puppy to a good home. However, you will NOT receive anything like what the bloated price you paid for it. ¶ I've never had a gsd that was not reliably housetrained in 2 days. Basic commands (sit, down, etc) they have down pat in a week. I cannot imagine what anyone would need from a puppy that would cost a thousand dollars. It sounds like you need to contact Pat Sweeney, not l Just post about your bad experience.

Thank you Mystere.  We have a meeting with Alpha K9 Academy, which has come highly recommended, on Sunday.  I am truly hoping the dog does possess a good temperament and is able to be trained.  After all, he is just a puppy and we would like to keep him.  I was just very annoyed about the whole puppy training program.  I was also concerned because I read other posts about a Parvo outbreak during the same time my puppy was born and housed there.  He has seen a vet already and so far, so good, but he goes again for blood work and fecal sample on 6/23. 

I apolgoize, but I am not familiar with Pat Sweeney.  Could I receive some more information on him?

thanks

Jeannette

Pat Sweeney started one of these threads regarding Kraftwerk and has asssembled others with complaints, as well as legal counsel. Click on his name here and send a PM.

I am sending this thread to very good friends/neighbors who were looking for a female shepherd puppy.  Guess where they were focusing!!!

They are probably not really ready for a second dog yet. 

They know now that it is best to do lots of research and visit in person.  That is what I did and I am a very happy camper even if Punky Puppy Boy Pharaoh is a lot stronger and higher drive than I was expecting.  I voted with my dollars and I voted for a small family kennel that gives the dogs a very good quality of family life.  I saw for myself how happy they were and how they get to live.  I am sure that it is not a perfect world and everybody therefore has some complaints from time to time.  But it was a good world filled with a lot of love.  There is no perfect world and all we can do is our imperfect best.

I too had been mesmerized with Kraftwerk Kennels and I planned to visit for myself.  I did some research and googled threads like "Kraftwerk complaints about puppy" and several other similar phrases.  I searched this board.  I corresponded with several people who were unhappy and what happened.  When I drove up to the Pacific Northwest, I did not stop to visit Kraftwerk.  I drove to several others and my favorites were Schraderhaus and vom Banach.

Thank you Julie Marlow for my beautiful Pharaoh vom Banach.

Michele