Puppy Advice (merged)

user55

I'm begging you to rethink this dodgy sounding situation!

There are thousands upon thousands of dogs in rescue situations who need a loving home. If you want a specific breed, google the rescue organisation for the breed. Otherwise, just google pet rescue. There's loads and loads and loads of websites to get you started. Try www.dogsblog.com for a start!

PS make sure you read up on the characteristics of whatever breed you are choosing, to be sure it will fit with your lifestyle!

Smashing

Dog food companies drastically overestimate the amount of food needed, mainly so that you buy more.
Your husband is the problem - why eat her food when if it's left something better comes along?
Put food down for 20 minutes. If it's not eaten, take it away and try again next meal time. Your husband may want to feed her all manner of things, but that does not guarentee that she is getting all the nutrients she needs.

Ruffles_2

I agree with wuno, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. What you've said has set serious alarm bells ringing in my head. Not vaccinated, farm, half price, not KC registered (this costs about £14) so there's no excuse not to,unless the mum has had more litters than she should have in a lifetime or unless the parents aren't KC registered in which case you could be buying anything.

It's very hard to say no when your faced with a cute pup. You might be lucky and get a healthy dog but think about the pups mum (if it is a puppy farm) and think about the life she's subjected to. Have a look on this website http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!/manytearsrescue/ (replace the !!!'s with free webs) read some of the horror stories and have a look at the state of the ex-breeding girls and boys. If your not careful, you could be putting money into the hands of the people that abuse these dogs.

Puppy farmers sadly don't come with a flashing neon sign stapled to their head and suprisingley just look like regular people. If you are going to visit this puppy, please have a look at these sites so you can make an informed descision. http://www.dogs-r-us.org/index.shtml http://puppyfarmtails.bravehost.com/index.html

Kimberley

Don't get the pup, go for a rescue instead, i know you say you have fallen in love with it but would you still feel that way if you were forever paying out for vet fees? I don't trust the sound of this, listen to your mum.

wuno

Smashing wrote: »

Dog food companies drastically overestimate the amount of food needed, mainly so that you buy more.

Completely true. If the weight is stable, the volume of food is right.

I would rehome the OH and keep the dog.....:D

suki1964

Sorry but good reputable breeders - the only people you should even think about buying a pup from (other then a recognised animal charity)-do not have pups still at home at 7 months old unless they were keeping it back to see how it was going to turn out for showing. And to have a pup that's not wormed or vaccinated - well what can I say other then PUPPY FARM

Puppy farms come in all guises, not just real farms with barns of poor dogs just used for breeding.. Puppy farmers will bring a dog to you, meet in a car park, or even have a normal home set up. Back street breeders are just as bad (in my book) churning out ill bred pups just for money.

If you have your heart set on a certain breed of pup and then go through the breed club http://www.theborderterrierclub.co.uk/. Find the number of the secretary operating in your area and the areas you are willing to travel to and ring them and ask for contact numbers of any breeders who have a litter planned. Get in touch with breeders, be prepared for some very intrusive questioning, be prepared even to have a face to face "interview" and be prepared to wait. A good breeder will want to be assured that his/her pups are going to the best home possible and a good breeder will often have a waiting list for their pups. Good breeders don't often have websites advertising pups for sale, although websites showing off their dogs and dogs achievements in either show ring or working environment is a different thing altogether.

I hope you walk away from this pup and I wish you all the luck in finding your pup.

TAG

Thanks for the replies. I'll try the 20 minute method, re train DH, and if still no joy then perhaps a different dog food.

pink_piggy17

NEVER give a dog catfood, the protein etc. levels are far too high for a dog.
Also, tinned food is basically muck, your dog would be much healthier etc if you were to switch to a good quality, natural dry food e.g. royal canin, burns etc.

pink_piggy17

Rescuing a dog is always the number one best option, going to a 100% reputable breeder is the 2nd.

this dog sounds like it is either from a puppy farm or a clueless backyard breeder. never left the farm sounds like it means dog has no basic training, never had any exersize and never been socialized properly. of course, if they aren't a large scale puppy farm you could buy this dog simply to rescue her from the situation she is in. If you think dogs are being neglected continually, report it ASAP.

Bromley86

G-G wrote: »

Although, tomatoes and real chocolate are a no no..

Our girl gets ketchup (to prevent grass burns - seems to be working) and the tomato sauce pilchards, so I'd be interested to know if there is a problem with tomatoes.