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Original poster

Am I entitled to my money back for a puppy I can't keep?

306 replies

cordonbleugh · 17/11/2009 15:22

basically, I have a puppy I can't keep, he is 13 weeks old, and has done exeptionally well with training etc, knows quite a few commands already, is very clever etc, apart from one issue - the biting, it's not just normal biting and rough play, but is actually very agressive.

Before you say anything, I have tried EVERYTHING to train him out of this, no techniques work, and when his agression is directed at my 3yo DD, I just cant take the risk that he will grow out of it.

It's not fair on her, DD can't be a normal 3yo, do anything she norally does for fear of getting attacked!

So, the breeder has agreed to have him back, but says she has no money to refund to me!

I'm assuming that she used the money for the sale of the puppies to pay off a large debt, because 8 puppies at £250 each is a lot of money!!

He is not purebred by the way, so he is not kennel club registered or anything like that.

I have asked her to have him back asap, otherwise he will go to dogs trust or somewhere similar, but now she is getting a bit nasty towards me (via text!) about the whole situation.

I made a mistake in getting the puppy and fully admit to that, now i just want him gone before he hurts DD again. I did a LOT of research, and waited months before getting him btw, so it was definately not and impulse decision, it just hasn't worked out

Anyone got any advice?

OP posts:
SarahSon · 21/11/2009 00:02

Yup, as I thought

Not dominance or pack theory at all, just common sense and respect coupled together with knowledge and understanding, always a winning combination!

Some behaviourists do still use (true) dominance/pack theory, IMO it is something that should be stamped on with large boots but people watch CM and assume that this is correct and go looking for behaviourists who say the same things.

LuckySalem · 21/11/2009 00:03

I agree, I believe CM can help some dogs but when people watch him and then walk down the street "shhing" their dogs and kicking them etc it just screams irresponsible to me.

Vallhala · 21/11/2009 00:05

Lucky if I saw someone kicking their dog I'd be of a mind to ruddy well kick them!

It beggars belief, doesn't it?

LuckySalem · 21/11/2009 00:08

Thats my opinion too BUT CM does it and he's a behaviourist so of course it's right.

Although like I've said I agree that some things he does can be useful - ie: not allowing the dog out before you, making sure its calm before leaving the house etc I dont agree with HOW he gets these things accomplished.

I can't decide who's worse, him for doing it or Nat Geo for showing it.

Vallhala · 21/11/2009 00:12

All agreed, "LuckySalem". Some things, like not allowing the dog out before you, are common sense (if you have big dogs like me and have tried to get out of a small doorway or kissing gate, you'll know where I'm coming from I'm sure!). But, as you say, it's how its done. My boys now sit at a door and wait because they have been taught to via patience, perserverence and reward. Result, safe dogs who don't think they can run rings around me literally or metaphorically and me not on my arse!

SarahSon · 21/11/2009 00:15

I have said all this before but it is my little soapbox

What makes me cross is that so much of it would help so many people, eg; a dog who barks at/attacks passing dogs... identify the moment when the behaviour first starts, ie the moment they make contact and their stance changes, showing that their mind has located the "risk" then break them out of it instantly. A great way to start helping a dog with dog-aggression, it is simply distracting them and making them focus on you rather than the enemy until the dog learns that they can ignore a passing dog without the world exploding...

That all sounds great but MR CM cannot leave it there, he has to go in with the techniques, kicking the dog (or at least what looks like kicking to most people) checking them with a collar too high up (perhaps fine once or twice but not again and again for sustained periods), standing over them until they cower...

It is so close, so near and yet is a world away from ok IYSWIM!

LuckySalem · 21/11/2009 00:17

Agreed completely sarah. Its such a shame cos if he stepped back and explained how this happened and just stopped he would help SO many more dogs but instead people getting it wrong are hurting more dogs than its helping.

Instead of checking the dog or kicking it, show it a treat, ask it to sit, to give paw or anything.

SarahSon · 21/11/2009 00:28

Exactly, I suspect it is all about speed. It does not make great TV watching a dog starting off a hundred yards away being distaracted with liver whilst another dog goes by...building up over a number of days or weeks...ie one of the ways it should be done!

Stronger technique makes more speed makes better TV - but nothing is said about all the dogs who were actually worse after he had gone away - there was even one who had to be PTS yet he still counted it as a success because it had looked like it worked in the video footage and then had the cheek to try to make out it was the owners fault and nothing at all to do with him...

LuckySalem · 21/11/2009 00:30

Was that the pinscher? (sp) little dobe.

SarahSon · 21/11/2009 00:33

I can't recal if it was a pinscher or a dashund (argh, cannot look up spellings at this time of night!) but it was definitly a small black and tan dog yes!

Wags · 21/11/2009 13:16

Hi CB, just want to say hope all goes well today and that Alfie gets safely to his new home. You can then get back to some sense of normalality. Well done to you as well for seeing this through and doing whats best for him. We all make mistakes and wrong decisions but you have taken a lot of flack for this. I think others would have stuck up 2 fingers and sent pup back to breeder. Would have been an easier option for you. But credit where its due, fingers crossed Alfie thrives in his new home and you and DD can relax again

Original poster
cordonbleugh · 21/11/2009 13:46

Thanks wags, have just seen him off with his lovely lovely new owners, so am feeling but also .

Have def made the right decision, breeder has shown her true colours!

OP posts:
SarahSon · 21/11/2009 13:49

Fantastic news CB, I am sure you are feeling a bit blue but you have made the right choice here, for him. Well done!

LuckySalem · 21/11/2009 13:51

Glad Alfie all safe and off to a new home!!

Well done CB!

Original poster
cordonbleugh · 21/11/2009 14:15

thanks guys, breeder still being nasty though..........i updated my facebook status to say "cordonbleugh is sad that alfie is gone, but his new owners are lovely people glad he's going there and not back to brum"

and the evil witch has replied......"Lmao. Where he would actually be trained. Nicely done. Do a better job with your daughter than you did with him, for her sake"

how cruel is that.

OP posts:
bigstripeytiger · 21/11/2009 14:16

Time to remove her from your friend list?

LuckySalem · 21/11/2009 14:17

Yeh delete I think.

Original poster
cordonbleugh · 21/11/2009 14:18

yea i think so, a small slightly fucked part of me wants her to keep being nasty though, then if she is serious about taking me to court it can be used against her.

and

OP posts:
SarahSon · 21/11/2009 14:22

CB, you have enough already. If you don't delete her now (which would be the "sensible" approach) it could look like you were trying to bait her, she could say you were leaving her inflamitory posts then deleting them or something equally nasty. Save what you have (do a print screen) then delete her and block her.

Original poster
cordonbleugh · 21/11/2009 14:25

yea i know..not feeling the most sensible right now though tbh although i wont do anything stupid.

OP posts:
Wags · 21/11/2009 16:09

Yes, get that finger over the delete button. Could you get a babysitter tonight? Why don't you grab some of your friends and go out and have a drink and chill time. Tomorrows a new (dog free) day and you can enjoy DD even more.

Original poster
cordonbleugh · 21/11/2009 16:21

lol, well, she is no longer on my friends list.......she got there first and deleted me!! Bloody cheek of it! I am though, because she was facebooking from her phone, and me on my laptop, copy and pasted most of the comments into a word document .

It was when i informed her that i had done that, that she deleted all her posts and removed me from her friends list.......but she was too late lol.

Anyway, i would LOVE to do that wags, but i only have 2 friends that i would go out with, and they are both on holiday so going out is not an option unfortunately.

Am taking DD to see the xmas lights being switched on in town in a bit though, and am quite looking forwards to tonights telly! Have a bottle of rose in the fridge that i might crack open though.

OP posts:
sowhatis · 22/11/2009 15:13

hope he settles in well and she breeder doesnt contact you again x

thesunshinesbrightly · 23/11/2009 20:39

Thank you for the apology OP,i apologise too for being rude.

JohnL1234 · 30/12/2014 23:06

The people who are replying to you here are breeders, so no wonder they are telling you not to expect your money back.
But any decent breeder WOULD reimburse you. If not all the money, then at least some of it. It's the right thing to do if you've been sold an aggressive animal. BUT these people breed dogs, so they tend to be heartless.

As for the comment someone made about there being no profit in it for breeders. What a load of BS. They wouldn't do it for nothing.

I'm sure by now you've given the puppy back. Don't worry love, what goes around, comes around.