Advice on returning a dog

[The Original Kao]

I'm a bit confused about 3 weeks not being enough time to settle.
I have dogs come to stay with me regularly, for a few days up to a fortnight. A lot of them I've never even met before (it's all done through someone else who assesses the dog, speaks to the owner, delivers dog, gives us a schedule of feed times, walks etc. Which I know keeping them to what they are used to at home helps, keep reading you will see what I'm getting at here, hopefully ) I've only had 1 dog not settle from day 1 and he was used to a quiet home with no people walking past the window which we have here living on a well walked village street. I've had 14 different dogs stay with me so far.
If they're good off lead after a few days of them getting used to us and us getting used to them and practising recall in the garden, we can let them off lead and they will respond to us.
If they are good on lead they are good on lead from day 1.
If they are good with other dogs they are good with other dogs from day 1.....
Good with kids...... am sure you see where am going

 

[echodomino]

No one's called you an idiot.

I don't think anyone means to come over as rude or judgemental but as a group of dog owners who are very passionate about our dogs and a lot of us having a lot to do with rescues, it develops some very strong views.

 

[lochpearl]

Why didn't you write that in the first place. THank you no we didn't want a gun dog we have no interest in shooting but they told us he wanted to be a family pet not a gun dog.

I kind of did.................. I wanted to know why you wanted a dog - was it to shoot with or home? Internet is a funny thing and people always take things the wrong way when not intended.

I don't think that people are being judgemental I think that people are upset that they feel 3 weeks isn't long enough for any of you to get to know each other. Not only that, I really am sorry to say this, but the way you have worded your posts, it sounds like you don't give a fig about this poor soul, and that he is disposable. There are many people on this post who deal in rescue and rehoming dogs and to now hear first hand that a dog isn't right so it needs to go back and it's all about money is upsetting for them.

I am sure that you didn't mean to come across like this but I'm afraid it did.

Likening it to horses, you wouldn't purchase a cob trained by a racehorse trainer would you, so buying a trained gun dog that are bred for working and having it as a pet is likely to throw up problems.

 

[Spudlet]

You have to think about what the dog is used to... it's gone from being a gundog, so possibly kept outside, and doing work, which provides lots of mental stimulation, not necessarily used to being fussed over etc, to being in a house with people all the time, being given long but not necessarily stimulating walks, strange noises, smells etc. It's a big change for any dog to handle. Most likely a more experienced pet owners home that still could provide a job for the dog to do would be better - whether that job is agility, obedience training, or whatever.

For your situation, a slightly older rescue dog that has come from a home environment would probably be better. However you are going to need to train any new dog to your way of living, and if you can't commit to that then you need to rethink your choice of pet. And please ditch the dominance / pack theory thing, it's a load of rubbish!

I hope this poor dog finds a good home, it's not the dog's fault.

 

[lexiedhb]

I'm a bit confused about 3 weeks not being enough time to settle.
I have dogs come to stay with me regularly, for a few days up to a fortnight. A lot of them I've never even met before (it's all done through someone else who assesses the dog, speaks to the owner, delivers dog, gives us a schedule of feed times, walks etc. Which I know keeping them to what they are used to at home helps, keep reading you will see what I'm getting at here, hopefully ) I've only had 1 dog not settle from day 1 and he was used to a quiet home with no people walking past the window which we have here living on a well walked village street. I've had 14 different dogs stay with me so far.
If they're good off lead after a few days of them getting used to us and us getting used to them and practising recall in the garden, we can let them off lead and they will respond to us.
If they are good on lead they are good on lead from day 1.
If they are good with other dogs they are good with other dogs from day 1.....
Good with kids...... am sure you see where am going

Depends what type of dog they are and where they have come from I would imagine.

 

[pinky1401]

For the past six months the dog had been living in the breeders home with their family. It hasn't gone from being an active gun dog to moving in with us. It is a lovely dog but I have to put my child first.

In future I'll stick to guinea pigs...!

 

[The Original Kao]

Depends what type of dog they are and where they have come from I would imagine.

yeah after reading spudlets post never thought about the fact the 1's I get are from homes rather than a kennel environment. So I'm less confused now for a change lol

 

[lexiedhb]

yeah after reading spudlets post never thought about the fact the 1's I get are from homes rather than a kennel environment. So I'm less confused now for a change lol

Yeah mine had been in kennels for 6ish months prior to me getting him- 7 months on he is only really just settling now.

 

[Dobiegirl]

I also was confused, I thought as it was partly trained as a gun dog this is what its main job was meant to be. In that case £1k is too much money to spend on a dog that has to be rehomed you could have got one for a lot less than that from Lab rescue and other rescue sites. I paid £200 for my 18month Dobes which were house trained and little else. So before you bought this dog did you do any research about the breed and whether it would fit in with your lifestyle and had you discussed with the previous owner about returning the dog if it didnt work out.?

Every dog is going to need some sort of training which has to be kept up as no dog is perfect.

 

[lexiedhb]

For the past six months the dog had been living in the breeders home with their family. It hasn't gone from being an active gun dog to moving in with us. It is a lovely dog but I have to put my child first.

In future I'll stick to guinea pigs...!

I dont understand this- the dog has been nothing but nice to the child right?

 

[pinky1401]

He hasn't been living in kennels he has been in a home. I'm genuinely interested in the pack theory thing though. I did ring the breeder to ask talk to her about the aggression before we decided to take him back. They told me that he probably thinks i'm his bitch and that is why he is showing this aggresion. Do you think this could be the case? I'm not a push over and he sits and lays down etc when he is told to.

 

[pinky1401]

lexie read previous posts about walking with him. Am worried that she will be in the way next time he wants to be aggressive to another dog.

 

[blackcob]

yeah after reading spudlets post never thought about the fact the 1's I get are from homes rather than a kennel environment. So I'm less confused now for a change lol

Mine came from a home environment but was fostered with a pack of 13 other dogs and it was a busy town situation; poor lad got very confused when he ended up in a house in the middle of the countryside with just one uppity bitch. He still sometimes gets freaked out by the wind, creaking trees, gunshots etc. and always seems on super high alert in wide open spaces, whereas he just mooches along when we go into the village.

 

[AmyMay]

They told me that he probably thinks i'm his bitch and that is why he is showing this aggresion

B*LL*CKS!

 

[blackcob]

Utter boll*cks about the pack theory thing. I think this is about the fifth time this week I've said this but The Culture Clash is vital reading.

 

[pinky1401]

amynag - I genuinely would like to know why he is doing it then. Do you think it is that he is just not settled in. He seems very settled at home. He really does, he isn't pining he isn't restless he really does seem very settled.

 

[pinky1401]

blackcob - I would really appreciate a brief summary about it. I really would like to know more about this as I have just been told that that is how it is. i.e. he thinks he is in charge and he is being a protector

 

[echodomino]

Is it just the one dog or every dog he sees agitating him? Could be he's fine with the other dogs where you had him from but he's not been properly socialised with dogs in general. He could have had a bad experience that they've not told you about - one of mine was attacked by a black lab once, he's fine with dogs but freaks out if he is near a black lab now

 

[CAYLA]

Not read all replies (in a hurry) soz
I don't understand why a partly trrained gun dog= £1000 worth of perfectly trained family pet
I think you have been jipped and lied too, but I also think for £1000, these things should have been looked into, i.e proof (that he was all they sold him as). (I assume you did not just collect him and hand your cash over)?
I also think the 3 week issue has little to do with the problems he is displaying in regard to settling (sure if he was being destructive indoors or generally bouncy and unruly), I expect he already had these issues with dogs? do you out of interest know if it is just a lead issue? was he ok with the other dogs when mixed at the farm/gun dog place? obs these are totally different scenarios (dog mixing freely) is nothing alike dogs on a lead. Di you see him on a lead with the seller or was he walked by other dogs?
For £1000 im affraid I probably would want a perfect dog if I am taking on an adult (supposed trained dog) (something akind to a guide dog) I myself could give you a perfectly trained family pet for £1000 (Im in the wrong business)

How is this dog in the house? How old is he? what breed is he?
For what it is worth, no I don't think he he just aquired these issues whilst with you (but it is a good argument for the sellers not to give you your money back) but nor do I think (only from what I read) you used common sense when purchasing this dog (more money then sense) I do not mean that in a bad way AT ALL, just a good description for this situation.

I will probably make you feel rather peeved now by saying I have a beautiful 14 month old rescue lab boy and he is PERFECT in every way, his temperament is out of this world, he does not pull on his lead, he loves other dogs and has not got a bad bone in his body and he is perfect in the house (does not even need a crate), he also has outstanding recall with and without balls/toys/frizby he just loves people and thats enough for him to be the happiest boy and stick to you like glue infact im becoming picky as to where i place this boy, because I dont want him ruined. I will also be making sure whoever I do decide he goes to comes on walks with me and sees him in my home, outside, in the car, with dogs on a lead e.t.c and he will have full BACK UP and any training advice/support the new owner will need (not that they will)
He is neutered, chipped, vaccinated and will be insured for £150 donation.

Where abouts are you, if you don't mind me asking, and if the sellers refuses to take him back, what will you be doing with him? is further training an option here?

PS....I am also going to hazard a guess he was rarely walked off the farm at all!!! and had little chance to socialise whilst controlled (on a lead)

 

[CAYLA]

B*LL*CKS!

This quote should have included the OP saying she was the dogs bitch

Lol............classic
Who told you this......not the person who sold you the dog

 

[pinky1401]

It seems to be every dog - from jack russell to staffy to labrador! He was exercised in a pack off the lead. They said he wasn't a bully but equally he wouldn't be bullied.

I thought it was odd that he would attack a bitch too - I thought if anything it would of been a dog but maybe that is being naieve. He seems worse when we walk around where we live. If I take him in the car off somewhere he doesn't know he is ok.

Excuse my bad spelling.

 

[AmyMay]

amymay - I genuinely would like to know why he is doing it then. Do you think it is that he is just not settled in. He seems very settled at home. He really does, he isn't pining he isn't restless he really does seem very settled.

Doing what - chasing cows and horses and attacking other dogs?

Well, lots of dogs given half a chance will chase a cows or horses, because it's fun - that's where the training comes in (or the leash).

And the aggression, I can't answer because I'm not clear on the events that caused it.

Bottom line is dogs need training and re-inforcement. You say you don't have the time, money or inclination. So I would return to the breeder, or re-home elsewhere responsibly.

 

[The Original Kao]

Sorry completely off topic but.....CAYLA can you find me a female lab like the boy you described pretty please

 

[Dobiegirl]

Your dog isnt after domination he wants and needs leadership from you, op I know you are not an experienced dog owner and you are now worried about your daughter and you are probabley sending out worried vibes that the dog is picking up. Labs are usually the softest and easiest breed to train, they are people orientated and want to please. You have done the right thing in getting a trainer in but unfortunately they have realised you are not up to the job. No disrespect to you but I think whilst your daughter is small getting a guinea pig is the best option. When she is older perhaps you can adopt from a rescue shelter an older dog used to children and enjoy dog ownership which you are not doing now.

 

[CorvusCorax]

OP, this has been a very polite, informative and helpful thread with some excellent comments, please do take the advice.
Even dogs sold for thousands, police and personal protection, drugs detections dogs, 'fully trained' need tweaking and retraining here and there, there is no such thing as a ready-trained dog and three weeks is no time at all.

Dogs need training and reminders throughout their lives, even those competing at the top of their game, never mind family pets, and if as you say you cannot dedicate any kind of time or work on this dog then please rehome him responsibly from home to home through a breed rescue or someone like Cayla x

 

[pinky1401]

Dobiegirl! thanks for that! She hasn't realised that I'm not up to the job. I have had dogs before. I am more than willing to spend some time as I said keeping on top of the training, reinforcing what an already part trained dog should be able to do. I also wanted to do some agility or obedience once a week with my trainer - hence why I have been seeing her.
I can't believe some people are so rude!

 

[echodomino]

I am more than willing to spend some time as I said keeping on top of the training, reinforcing what an already part trained dog should be able to do. I also wanted to do some agility or obedience once a week with my trainer - hence why I have been seeing her.

Take him to obedience and see how he gets on before definitely taking him back, if you see your trainer once a week and do some homework and your trainer is a good one, you'll probably make him more managable

ETA there was a GSD where I used to train for agility and when she started she had to be muzzled and kept at the back, she can mingle with the rest of the class, on her lead but without her muzzle and has competed now

 

[CorvusCorax]

Who has been rude?!
Sorry, I misread, glad you are willing to put in the time and effort into training, I thought in a previous post you said you were not x

 

[pinky1401]

I am but I just feel a bit aggrevieved that I need to do intensive training rather than 'top up' keep on top of things training and then just doing agility, obedience for fun.

 

[Hedwards]

I am but I just feel a bit aggrevieved that I need to do intensive training rather than 'top up' keep on top of things training and then just doing agility, obedience for fun.

My rescue lurcher came to me with a lot of recall issues as well as being very 'interested' in other dogs (and i did have some concerns about agression, although i now know this isnt the case) - i havent done intensive training, but went straight into agility and flyball training - we've built up a really good relationship doing this and having fun, maybe it would be worth a try...?