I just bought this dog from a local puppy store and supposedly, it has a bad reputation...PLEASE HELP!!!!?

Question

My friend just bought a Miniature Yorkie from this "bad" pet store about a month ago and is now in an emergency vet clinic with an uncurable disease....and lots of other dogs seem to have the same problem coming from there.

Supposedly, the owner gets all of these puppies from a mill where they are ALL sick and brings them in to sell.

My boyfriend bought me a Shih Tzu today from there and it very playful, however, are puppies supposed to breathe a little faster than an adult dog??? Also, the new puppy is constantly sticking its tongue out of its mouth while its mouth is closed and rarely puts it back in...sometimes it is very dry.

My friend just received news that her dog will most likely not make it and it too is leaving its tongue out.

I'm just really worried. This store has strict guidelines and once the paperwork is complete, there is NO refund regardless of disease. You may only trade current dog for new.

PLEASE TELL ME IF MY DOG'S TONGUE SITUATION IS NORMAL....

Answer 1

Take your dog to the vet.

Then ask your boyfriend why he bought you a dog from this store if you all knew about these problems.

If everyone knows what the owner does and where he gets his dogs why would anyone get puppies there?

I hope your dog is ok and doesn't have the problems of the other pet store dogs. Next time encourage your friends and your boyfriend to rescue a dog from a shelter.

Answer 2

First off, "miniature yorkies" don't exist. They're just smaller than the breed standards, which makes them more desireable among people who don't do research and want a really small dog because it's part of the new "trend". ALL pet stores gets their dogs from puppy mills, and do not let them tell you otherwise. It doesn't matter if they give out forms to register your dog. No good, reputable breeder who cares about their dogs would give puppies to pet stores. Puppies from pet stores are more likely to have tons of problems, genetically and physically. People who get pet store puppies find that the puppies die very quickly from illnesses, and of course the pet store has the no refund policy which makes it impossible for people to get their money back. People fall in love the minute they hold that precious puppy in their hands, so no one would trade their puppy for a new one. The pet stores know that, so they take advantage of it. The tongue situation with your shih tzu sounds okay. Have a vet look at your puppy just to make sure. You're really lucky your puppy hasn't ended up at the vet yet. Be prepared for anything, because that's the risk you take with a pet store puppy. All pet stores are "bad". I suggest that people don't EVER even buy pet products from a store that sells puppies. All that money you're giving them goes back to support the horrible puppy mills that churn out puppies by the hundreds. The breeding dogs live a horrible life they don't deserve. Hopefully you learn a lesson from buying a puppy from a pet store and advise others not to do it.

Answer 3

I would recommend that you have your Shitz Zu checked out by a vet and maybe check out some of the websites about the dogs to see about problems with inbreeding.
I find it absolutely intriguing that the pet store has a no refund regardless of disease and that suggests to me that the owner knows that the dogs are going to get sick and die. Maybe see if there is a way to get your money back because what the owner is technically fraud. Also, you may want to alert your local media about the situation so that others won't go through the same heartache. I am sure that the Humane Society may also want to become involved.

Answer 4

First take your dog to a Vet as soon as possible for a thorough checkup and tell the vet all you've told us about the pet store.

I don't think any dog usually hangs it's tongue out all the time as you describe. If you see a vet quickly, maybe your dog will have something that can be fixed.

Next, get names and addresses and phone numbers of all those you can who have purchased dogs that were found to be sick from that pet store. You may need to give copies to the people I'll mention next.

Then go to the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint.

And go to the local ASPCA or Humane Officer and report this. If you are in a large enough city, they might go to the pet store and find out where the pups come from and go inspect to shut down the puppy mill.

Go to local rescue groups and report this to them. Ask them if they can guide you as to what to do.

If you live in a large enough city, one of your TV channels might have a kind of "action line" program where they do expose shows on businesses that cheat people. If so, then talk to them about doing an expose on this horrible situation.

If the store is part of a major pet-store chain, then report to the president of the company, and the CEO. S*** rolls downhill in corporations!

I don't think it's worthwhile to sue the pet store. It might become a "he said, she said" situation and take more of your time than it's worth.

I think that, other than reporting to the agencies above who might be able to help stop them from selling sick animals, your best final step is DO NOT BUY FROM THEM. Talk to all your local vets so they can advise their clients to NOT buy from this store. If you have a veterinary school, talk to them about it as well.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't buy pets from any store that refuses refunds no matter what the disease is that the pet dies from. Any hereditary disease that causes a pet to die within 6 months of your purchase, purchase price should be refunded.

Answer 5

it may be from poorly formed or the lack of teeth. the tongue hanging out really has nothing to do with your friends dogs disease. the puppy most likely has parvo.

pet shop dogs are always from mills & byb's. reputable breeders NEVER sell puppies to pet stores.

your puppy is not a mini yorkie - there is no such thing. yorkies are in the "toy" group & there is only one size.

your friend should check to see if your state has a puppy lemon law

your friend may also want to speak with the state dept of AG

Answer 6

The fast and simple answer: never buy dogs from pet stores. Pet stores sell puppy mill dogs or dogs from backyard breeders. You never want to support such horrible breeders.

Answer 7

Go to the vet.
You need to start documenting any problems in case you decide to sue.

You can sue for the cost of the dog, as long as you give it back.

Either way, it needs to see a vet.

Don't breed OR BUY while shelter animals die!!!

And what was your boyfriend thinking? Did he know about your friend's troubles?

Answer 8

i don't think it is normal w/ ur story....if u have enuff money sue the store....they prolly kno tht they r sick tht is y they have a no refund policy....i would report this.....and i would get ur puppy checked right away since it came from tht pet store....and walk inside and see if they r doin the right stuff 4 the puppies....check it out....maybe research into it....tht way nomore ppl will be ripped off and the poor babies won't be gettin hurt anymore(u kno sick and all)

Answer 9

No, it's not normal, he needs to see a vet right away, he could have a serious respiratory problem. Also, stop supporting this business by spending your money there!

Answer 10

Take your puppy to the vet, it is the only way you will know for sure if your puppy is ok.