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

[cordonbleugh]

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?

Vallhalla, have sent you a CAM, hope thats OK.

No word from CB here either Wags. It may help us both if you and I were to join resources - if you'd like to please email me at [email protected] (a disposable Hotmail address for the purpose of forum contact etc). I'll then tell you who I am/what I do etc too, for your reassurance.

Lol x posted Wags

Wandering off now to work out this CAM thingy!!

Val, I am so glad that Joan is now working with you. I felt so sorry for the dogs they had and was shocked at how they were kept. It was not what I was expecting. I didn't meet Joan, but I did speak to her on the phone and she seemed genuinely pleased that Scruff was being rehomed.

The kennel worker that I did meet was lovely and did tell me that if a situation was to arise with the cat, they would do their best to help me, even though that is not their policy.

Scruff is interested in the cat but has no desire to hurt him. It's a shame I can't say the same for the cat, but they are being closely supervised and I know my cat, he will calm down after a week or two and within a few months will even behave friendly towards the dog, just as he did with my JR and dd1's rabbit and the kitten. He is well used to new family members joining us.

Though he has now learned what happens when you try to hump the cat. I doubt he will try that again

I get the feeling now that he has come from an abusive background He flinched and cowered away when I raised my hand to indicate the sit command. He has also growled at DH's rucksack and is very uncomfortable around it. He also cowered when I picked the ruksack up to take it out of his sight, though he didn't try to attack the bag, DH or myself. I think his reaction was more in fear than aggression IYSWIM?

Vallhala - I have no intention of upsetting you and I certainly did not suggest the OP take the puppy to a pound.
All I was trying to say was that the pounds in themselves are not the problem- as long as councils are required to deal with the large numbers of homeless dogs in a cost- effective way then of course things will happen as they do. I can assure you that inaccurate bids for tenders are not confined to stray dogs. I don't believe for a moment that all the stray dogs could be found no-kill rescue places - there are just too many.

Point taken Bella, it wasn't you who suggested BDH I know, but someone did and I'm anxious to make people aware of the dangers of doing so. Best I stop wibbling though!

Shiny- he's fallen on his paws! Bless ya, the world needs more like you.

Wags - how the hell do access CAMs? I'm confused!

hi there, sorry, have been in bed with poorly DD all day! (pup has had free run of downstairs btw!!)

I got your emails vall, tried to call but no answer, tried to text but I think I may be out of credit- will email you again with my number so you can get in contact.

Im feeling a little overwhelmed by the kindness of some of you - vall, wags etc in making the effort to help me, completely going out of your ways to do so, so thankyou soo much for that!

At the moment I will take valls offers of help, but on the off chance that nothing works out there, then will be in touch with you wags if thats ok?

Vallhala - no, you are right to point it out.
Shall we take a two- pronged attack: I'll carry on trying to make sure potential dog owners know what they are getting into and you keep up your sterling good work?
Genuinely sorry if I upset you - I just feel the whole terrible situation needs addressing (105,000 strays a year) - not just the wholly unpalatable ways the councils deal with them.
We're singing from the same (dog hair covered) hymn sheet really.
Sorry x

Right, have emailed you with my number vall, I HAVE got credit so no idea why it wont let me text you!

My priority right now is DD, but second to that, is finding the best new home for Alfie.

Breeder is NOT going to be happy with me! What shall I do? Text her to let her know that I wont be giving him back to her? Or just not turn up tomorrow morning?

Thanks again to everybody who is helping, didnt start the thread expecting this at all, Like i said before, just asked a simple question, but then thats the nature of so many threads on MN, they spiral off in a different direction, more often than not ending with wonderful people helping others out

Chriky this thread now has over 200 posts!

Op - am glad that you have received so many offers of help from others on this thread.

Can I just clarify re my comments about rotweillers - I do not think that all Rotties are agressive, far from it - I had plenty of friends at school who had rotties as family pets and they were lovely dogs. But the fact remains that rotweillers are big powerful dogs that have been bred as guard dogs and in the wrong hands can do a lot of damage. Any reputable Rotty breeder will tell you that they can be very willful yet they are very inteligent so if not trained properly can be problematic.

And the problem is that many people aquire these dogs as cute puppies and lose sight of the fact that they grow enormous and are very strong.

I am simply saying that as a dog owner it would be irresponsible of me to get a dog that could potentially weigh as much as I do, and that if it decided to take off, I wouldn't be able to hold on to.

Certain breeds do not belong in certain households imo and the family home is not IMO a good place for a rotweiller, unless the owner of the dog is extremely dedicated to training it to ensure that its behavior is impeckible and it can be controlled at all times. Sadly there are too many dog owners that don't even train their handbag-sized dogs to this degree, so a rotweiller stands little chance.

No probs CB. Glad you have got options. I have contacted Vallhala anyway with some more numbers so she can co-ordinate with you if need be. Must be overwhelming enough for you at the moment. Hope DD is better soon.

thanks wags, I have now spoken to vallhala and found a potential new home for alfie, not in a rescue, but someone looking to adopt

Just waiting to hear from them and hopefully sort something out.

I know I have kept saying on here that I want him out ASAP, but if he has the chance to go to an ideal home, then I'm prepared to wait a little longer.

Now just have the dilemma of what to tell the breeder, as shes expecting my stepdad to take alfie to her tomorrow morning and that won't be happening now!

I would say something along the lines of 'I have fantastic news, I have found a wonderful, knowledgeable loving home for Alfie, isnt that great. Thanks for your help but I won't be bringing him back after all'. Then wipe number off your phone and never be tempted to contact the woman again!!

Great news by the way

It's nice to see that there is happy ending in sight.

Well done to Wags and Vallhala for their help.

lol cheers wags

I have just sent her a text saying - "hi there, got some great news, have found a fantastic loving new home for alfie to go to, someone with lots of experience and no children! So thanks for offering to have him back, but we wont be bringing him to you in the morning."

Thats ok isnt it? Intrigued as to what her reply will be, but hey ho!

oh shit - shes just replyed saying "you take the piss and im going to take you to court"

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking you to court for what?
she's been paid hasn't she? she's not given you a refund?

i paid her, no refund, no contract signed either

ignore it then, she sounds completely unhinged

shit shit shit "i know you wont give me the contact details. I have texts saying you are giving him back. And i am the breeder and reserved my rights to take him back if i felt something wasnt right- check your reciept. Oh and my mums a lawyer. you are a nasty person and you'll pay for this."

There is nothing she can do. She is not a register breeder, or a responsible one. She is however a nutcase!!!!! Can you call the police and report her for threatening you? I highly doubt that her mum is a lawyer. We don't even have lawyers in the UK, we have Solicitors and Barristers.

She is pissed off because she was planning to sell him on again to any one willing to pay, regardless of their suitability.

im going to copy all communication on here, so i have further back up, in case something happens and I lose the texts.

I replied saying " i am doing the best thing for alfie. Yes, i have gone back on my word to give him back to you, and for that i apologise. But i am the legal owner of alfie, i have record of transferring money to you, and several witnesses to confirm initial payment. I did not recieve a receipt, and if it were your intentions to take him back if you felt something wasnt right, you should have made that clear from the outset. I will keep your texts, and any further abusive or threatening messages will be used as evidence against you."

Dont know if I should have put that last bit but im so fucking angry with her right now! And that was my restrained response! Vallhala calmed me down a bit on the phone, although shes as outraged, if not more than I am!

she then replied saying "not once have i threatened or abused you. Merely telling you what course of action i am now going to take"

So my response was....." to quote "you are a nasty person and you will pay for this" is what you said. In my eyes, that is a threat. you wont have a leg to stand on in court"