We've been had by a Doberman breeder! Now do we keep him or get rid of this poor dog whose used to us!?

Question

We got a Doberman puppy (5 mos old) from what we believed was a "Reputable and responsible" breeder who professes to "specialize in Dobermans for first time owners." It was a BIG deal to pay her $4,400 for our dog. He was $3,000 plus $1,400 for training that meant he never jumped on our furniture or people, and didn't chew anything other than his toys or bone. After MANY phone conversations & e-mails, I surprised my husband (who REALLY wanted THIS dog as he was described to him) and bought him. He's a mess! We've paid trainers (former Westminster judges) & vets tell us that we've been had! His temperament was sold as "IDEAL companion & STRONG candidate for protection training." He's been described as "autistic." EXTREMELY afraid of people & now spent well over $2,000 on tests, Rx's & foods since he's had diarrhea from Day 1. We love him & it's just two of us in a very calm environment. We have NEVER yelled at or hit him, yet he's so fearful it's sad. What should we do? Thank you!

We DID do all the research and chose this breeder from many! If you look at the web site, you'll believe it too! MANY phone conversations took place & shots/medical records were provided AFTER we paid. The catch is that if we NOW look at the web site, it's VERY clear that it's very deceptive advertising. For example, there's a photo and mention of the man who trained the Dobes for that doberman pack robbing a bank movie. What it doesn't say is "NONE OF THOSE DOGS WERE FROM US!" She apparently gave/sold ONE dog to this man and now cashes in! You wouldn't figure this out right off the bat. The key to all of this is that she told us on the phone all about this puppy's parents. After we got him and asked for photos of the sire and dam, THEN for the FIRST time, she said, "Oh, I got him from a breeder friend & don't know the parents, I'll send the pedigree. We've done EVERYTHING humanly possible to help & keep him but the STRESS is unbearable now, not to mention we're up to $7,000..

I wrote this 4 strangers 2 comment because we DID our homework & it took 5 YRS to buy! I want people to know to what degree of deception & sophistication advertising has gotten! We're hard working, loving, intelligent people & were dooped! Don't buy a dog from a breeder any farther than driving distance from your home! Know them, research them, pay for background checks, meet parents of the "to be puppy" & visit the litter from day 1! Pay someone experienced in litter testing to pick your pup! Our 1st choice was keep him NO MATTER WHAT! Unfortunately, it's getting impossible! The training of $1400 is COMMON! He arrived house broken, has never jumped on anything or anyone! Smart breeds like Dobermans are COMMONLY well trained (basic commands) by five mos (to that lawyer who attacked us)! His chronic diarrhea is not bacteria or thyroid & she sold us a "perfect companion dog/STRONG candidate for protection. She lied, he's a sick & fearful/skiddish sad dog who's breaking our hearts!

Answer 1

I am a Doberman owner of 17 years and I work as a behavioral trainer with a Doberman rescue group.
First off you paid far to much for a dog even if it came trained to cook and serve you dinner $4,400 is enough to buy 4 show quality dog from most breeders.
Did this dog come with any type of healt guarantee? If so I would be looking at finding out what the breeder is willing to pay for.
What type of tempermant gaurantee did the dog come with.
Any dog that woud be decsribed as a "strong candidate for protection training" would and should NEVER be placed with a first time dobe owner. This is a HUGE red falg to me that the dog may have some serios tempermant issues.
A fearful dobe is a dangerous dog. Fear biting and fear aggression is very very dangerous and with a dog like a dobe it is even worse.
You need to find a reputible behavioral trainer and have them eveluate this dog. Get something in writing. Speak with the breeder and see if you can return the dog. If not I would go after them in court as this is not the dog that you were told he was.
If you are afraid of this dog either place him in rescue and be truthful with the rescue about the dog and why you are placing him. Or have him humanely euthanised.
Dobes have many health problems and can be neurotic wrecks. They take a very firm hand and lots of time and training effort on the part of the owner. If the owner does not train with the dog the dog will rule the house.
If you really want to keep this dog in your home get with the trainer and work one on one with them on each of the problems one at a time and work through them until you have a bearable living siuation.
I would be very sure to contact the BBB and possiblely the AKC about this breeder.
If you would like me to answer specific question feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 2

Oh you are so going to get dumped on with this q. lol. However, much as you might be tempted to allow this, I'd give it a lot of consideration first. Do you realise that once you have allowed him to be used, he will always have his mind on 'the next one'? He won't be quite as much your dog as he is now. In other words, you will be opening Pandora's Box with him. Some dogs take to stud work better than others in this respect, but it is a risk. Next, Dobermans are prone to some inherited problems, hearts, wobblers being just two. Do you know enough about the various bloodlines in your breed to be sure you won't be doubling up on a genetic fault with any visiting b itch your boy might attract for a stud? Have you shown him? Have you put him through the various Schemes? Can you be sure these bitches have also been tested etc? As for ready homes via family and friends - forget that one. Even with a stranger, it's amazing how people 'vanish' from the scene by the time puppies have actually arrived (been there, done that!!). And the owner of the stud has just as much responsibility for the future of each puppy he sires, as does the breeder of these puppies (or should have). Have you seen his breeder since you had him - provided she's reputable (and if he was sold without endorsements I'm highly suspicious of that one!) she should be able to give you an honest assessment as to just how good, in reality, your boy is (we all think we have the best!!) No, you don't, in the UK, 'register a dog as a Stud Dog with the KC'. He has to be a registered dog (as a puppy) and have no endorsements (not for breeding) against his registration. That's all - and assuming the breeder of the litter wants to register the puppies with the KC! (and her b itch has to be registered also) Lastly, do you know that a male can pick up an infection from a visiting b itch? Doesn't often happen with the occasional mating, but it can and it's worth taking into consideration. Bottom line - flattering as it may be to have your dog admired in this way - there are huge responsibilities involved in having your dog used at stud. Think carefully about this. What he doesn't know, he won't miss!!!!! Add - Living in the UK, where putting a Ch.title on a dog, especially in the more popular breeds is very difficult, I don't personally put quite as much emphasis on the 'must have a Ch. title' as others in other countries. There are some extremely good dogs out there with much to offer their breeds, who, although shown quite successfully, don't actually ever make a Championship. And how often is the non-titled litter brother of a big winner, the better producer. But I still urge this owner to think twice on this idea!!

Answer 3

Here is the deal.. If you call the breeder and complain, etc... more than likely he'll take your pup back and offer you another pup from either the same or a different litter. The chances of getting your $ back are slim, unless you get legal councel involved. You say you love your pup - enough to keep him and put up with his medical bills? If you do, then I would contact the breeder and ask for you $$ back (tell them trading the pup in for another is not an option - you have grown attached to the pup but feel you were robbed), talk about getting legal involved. If you can't get all of it back, at least half maybe? If you give this pup back in exchange for another who know's what the breeders will do with him (re-sell him, euthanise. etc...).

I purchased a full-breed dog a few years ago. I had a lot of problems with him, including constant diarrhea. After many tests and medicines (and hundreds of $$s) my vet didn't know what else to do. I took him to a dog internist/specialist. Come to find out he had a issue with his thyroid. Once on thyroid meds, he calmed down a lot and stopped the diarrhea.

So, don't give up hope. Perhaps you just haven't found the right doctor/vet that can pinpoint the real issue.

Answer 4

Have you contacted the breeder? How exactly have you been had? I know someone who bought a German Shepherd from a reputable dealer and it had a lot of problems too. It wasn't the dealer's fault. They have no way of knowing the dog will have the kinds of problems you are describing. Most reputable dealers that charge that much for a dog will take a dog back if it has significant unforseen problems and even find a home for it. The first step would be to contact the dealer. If they can find a good home for your special needs dog, then have them give you another healthy dog. If not, keep the dog and get your money or some portion back. If the dealer refuses to deal, sue him/her as others have suggested.

Answer 5

What kind of bloodlines is this dog? What kind of guarantee did you get with this price too? First of all, if he was sold for protection, a former Westiminster judge is not the right person to be going to for training. You need to get involved with a trainer that deals with high drive dogs, and does protection and Schutzhund work. I am not saying a heavy handed trainer by this. There are plenty of good Schutzhund trainers now that do not get heavy handed. Do you have a diagnosis for the diarrhea? The fearfullness sounds like a socialization issue , especially if this was an older puppy. You can bring him different places, making sure that people don't stare at him or touch him in the beginning. Hopefullly a gradual socialization period will help with the fearfullness. Where do you live? I know of a great trainer in Indianapolis. She breeds Malinois , and has shown in AKC, Schutzhund and French ring.

Answer 6

depending on which state U live in (assuming U're in the USA), there may be a 'puppy lemon law' that U can use; keep ALL those bills, and sue the #*!#.

OTOH, the pup didn't do any of this; U were scammed by a real, live, thinking Homo sapiens, not a Canis familiaris. don't be mad at the pup for something he didn't do, and cannot change.

go to , get a clicker, and find a local POSITIVE reinforcement trainer; U can rebuild this pup from the ground up. it will take time, but if U build on every prior lesson, it won't take as long as U think.

also: see Barking Mad, a BBC-program that shows on Animal Planet TV channel, 6 days a week: from 8:30 to 9 am M - F, and from 8 - 9 AM on Sundays.

it's a group of experts in animal behavior, who together help pet owners, or zoo-keepers, or riding-stable owners, etc, to improve the environment, or the behavior, of animals in their care.

they use safe, R+ techniques - there's no 'don't do this at home!', as in Cesar Milan (do NOT emulate that man - his techs are dangerous! that's why the disclaimer runs on the bottom of the TV screen.)

agility can help build confidence in Ur spooky pup; but start EVERYthing at home - don't flood him, or put him in situations that are too overwhelming. start small, build one step at a time.

patience is important; speed can really make him worse, not better.

hope U get every penny from the breeder- and THEN SOME! shame on them...

Answer 7

Good Gracious! I'm glad to see that at least a few people gave you good advice. I agree with Tlctreecar. No doberman should have been sold to you with that strong of protection drive for a first time doberman owners...although it doesn't sound as though he has it. His fearfulness can be dangerous in any dog, but especially a large dog. I also train dogs, own and compete with dobermans and have worked with rescues. Find yourself an experienced positive trainer - and research them - don't just take what they say at face value. Get references and speak to their clients. Find out what type of methods they used. Be patient, it won't happen overnight.

Answer 8

Definitely try to get your money back or get some compensation for vet bills. And file a complaint with any clubs this breeder belongs to.

It is NOT a waste of money to hire a trainer, as another poster suggested. This dog is not going to get better if he just knows he is loved (in fact, this is true for most dogs with troubles). You have serious behavior issues; you need a professional behavior specialist to help you. Being a show judge is not an indication of a knowledge of behavior or training; judges simply know what a given breed is supposed to look like. Ask your vet for a referral, or go to www.apdt.com and search for a trainer with CPDT after her name.

If you feel this is all more than you are capable of handling, contact Doberman rescue about placement. Otherwise, euthanasia is your only option. Certainly sad, but not as sad as a dog living his life stressed and afraid.

Answer 9

I think that you need to decide whether you really want to keep him, or if he is miserable enough that he should be put down..as re-homing is not really an option for him..
If you were to sue the breeder, you are likely to win, but the judge can only allow the actual price paid for the pup, and you have to return it...
So, it all comes down to..Do you love caring for the challenged dog, or would you be happier to have him put down and move on to another dog...
One 'therapy' that may well work, is to adopt a nice pup to be his companion..I have rescued many dogs with 'mental illness' and a small, good natured dog does really help them to be more accepting of all situations...One of our best little ambassadors was a Pug,. Others were a Doxie mix, and the other was a Poodle,,

Answer 10

Sue the breeder, keep the dog and do the best you can. And learn in the future that no reputable breeder will charge that much. I don't know the going rate for dobies, but I know that if you want a top notch hunting lab that's been fully trained, you are only looking at $2500 and you'll have proof of it's pedigree, health certifications and of its hunting ability.