Advice on returning a dog

[PolarSkye]

Hi

I need some advice, we have had a dog for three weeks. He isn't what we were told he was. I can't walk him happily as he shows aggression to other dogs, chases cows etc. He is a part trained gundog and we wanted a part trained dog as we have a small child who has to be in a buggy when I walk the dog so it needed to be well behaved on the lead and off - it isn't. Therefore he isn't suited to us and we are returning him. We paid serious money for him and have been told that we won't get any back as now the dog isn't the same as when they sold him to us. While he has been with us he actually attacked another dog.

I'm really sad about this and frustrated we aren't rich and have spent nearly £1,000 on this dog so far. Do I have any leg to stand on or are they right?

S x

A reputable breeder would be happy to have the dog back - their dogs carry their reputation with them. Whether or not they would refund your £££, I don't know. Why did you think a part-trained gundog would make a suitable family pet?

P

 

[NOISYGIRL]

We rehomed an English Springer, she was 14 months old at the time, I had no idea what training she had we just had to have her as the original owners decided they didn't want her anymore, she had a few temporary homes before finally coming to us. She had no recall, pulled on the lead.

Took a while and she's still not 100% on recall sometimes she's like yeh in a minute, but I like her to come when I say not when she feels like it. Took a good few months go get her out of the pulling but its worked and she walks lovely on the lead now. Previous owners used to shut her in a cupboard if they had visitors, not sure if thats why she doesn't like the car, small space ?

Anyway, all I'm trying to say is you haven't given this poor dog much time, he's already had the upheaval of moving to you, now going back.

I think you have to have a bond before they start to trust you etc, I had perfect recall with my GSD but I had him from a puppy and I think it makes a BIG difference.

I'm not sure many dogs would recall to someone they didn't know.

Couldn't you take the pushchair out empty with him a few times ? He may not have seen one in his life, everything is new etc . . . .

Its like that bloke off country wide I was watching the other week, he wanted a trained sheepdog cos he didnt' have time to train it himself, he went to see a professional breeder/trainer of them and he tried to command the dog who promptly didn't listen and she said it takes time, that dog only knew her whistle/commands her voice.

Its sad for the dog, funny how they didn't keep it if it was already living in their family home, makes you think doesn't it ??

You say you've spent £1000 on it so far, on what ? was that how much you paid for it ? can't believe it, although I saw bulldogs in the paper the other day for over £1000, mine was free

 

[NOISYGIRL]

Where is it being sent back to ? the farm or the family home ?

 

[devilwoman]

I'd just like to add my two penneth if I may this is long so please bear with me ----

About 10 years ago I took on a 4 year old rescue boxer, I had had a boxer previously for 7 years until I sadly lost him and so was very very aware of the breed, this dog was told to me to be very good with children, on lead, in home etc, etc, (at the time my children were 4 and 6 years).

On the 2nd day we had the dog my husband put his arm out to stroke him and he lunged at him and bit him on the hand, quite nasty but we made excuses that he needed to settle etc, so he got reprimanded and it was forgotten, for the next 3 or 4 weeks he showed serious signs of aggression towards my husband only, never me or the children, but also a very very bad agression with other dogs when out walking.

After we'd had him approximatley a month, my husband took him for a walk, around the corner came another guy with a small collie on a lead also, our dog pounced onto the other dog seriously attacking him, my husband dragged him off obviously but in the scuffle got bitten very badly on the elbow, when he got home with the dog I was standing in the kitchen cooking, the dog came into me all waggy tailed, my husband closed the front door was ranting and raving telling me what had happened to the other dog, as he told me about himself getting bitten he raised his arm to show me the bite he got and at that point it was horrendous, the dog just ran at him full pelt up the hallway and lunged onto him, he knocked him to the floor (bearing in mind this was a large entire dog) and was standing over him making the most horrendous savaging noises, I grabbed the dog by the collar and dragged him off and into the garden slamming the door behind him, I myself got bitten in the "rescue" on both hands between the fingers, my husband was a mess, the top of his jeans were like they'd been through a lawnmower and his skin underneath looked the same, he also had several puncture wounds up his arms, hands etc, I phoned an ambulance as my hubby blacked out, they took him to hospital, in the meantime my mum came to look after the children (who I hasten to add I had thrown into the living room and shut the door on them so they were safe) and I took the dog to the nearest vet and had him pts. I think what i'm trying to say is I understand where this lady is coming from regardless of whether she paid for this dog or not, children are too precious to risk and although that dog never ever made any noise towards my kids, he COULD have done, or they COULD have got caught in the crossfire and if they do get caught in it it is catastrophic. As a mother (and one who absolutely loves my animals, the horses and the dogs alike) I love my children more and would not ever put them at any unnecessary risk again.

 

[Ravenwood]

I've only skim read this thread so may be making some incorrect assumptions but...

I am assuming that this dog (is it confirmed to be a lab?) has been bred and trained by a field trialler. These dogs are an awful lot sharper and more highly strung than your average pet lab. Field triallers sell a lot of dogs that don't make the grade, for lots of money, as part trained - its very common. Its takes a lot of time before you know whether the dog will be up to competition standard or not and the dog will have gone through the same training process as a top FTCH up until he was sold.

I really wouldn't recommend anyone buying a dog from these circumstances as a family pet without expecting some trouble on the way - if at all!

I am also assuming (correct me if I am wrong) but the fact that you (OP) mention that you meet a lot of dogs on your daily walks, you are not in a rural area.

To be completely frank here - if all of my assumptions above are correct then unfortunately you have an awful lot of work in front of you to turn that dog into the family pet lab that you thought he would be.

Start off by looking at his diet - make sure he is on a low protein food. Why are you the only one to walk him with your daughter? Why can't OH take him out too? Does he ever get a run off lead? If not I am guessing he is a very frustrated dog!

Personally I doubt you will get a penny back from where you bought him, if you are looking to claw back your money, advertise him in the Shooting Times with a full explanation and let him go to a home where his needs will be met.

Once bitten, twice shy eh? Better off going to a commercial type charity for your next dog!

 

[Toffee44]

I havent read beyond page 4 but thought I would just say this:

I have got Teal, who I got through here. Described well trained, good with other dogs etc

Well I have had him since Feb and only now as in the last few weeks have I got a dog thats stopped being aggressive (nervous/ protective to me related). A dog that is showing to be well trained and polite.

All I will say is that dogs like horses need time!!

Teal is to a degree gun dog trained and is a lab x springer spaniel, I love him to pieces but it has a been a bit bumpy. I was totally gutted when what I though was going to be a easy run turned into a lot of socialisation and training again. We went hugely backwards just after I lost his dad, who I adopted him with. He started weeing indoors, barking at other dogs (before it was just a growl).

But the last few weeks ahve been lovely, we also have a STOP. And will be attending an informal shoot next month, cant wait (informal being it is on my friends land with his friends and their dogs about 5-8 guns in total and as long as the dog has recall you're welcome actually tempted to take Dylan (11month old rottweiler x )as his stop is better than Teals lol)