Attacked by a dog trainer in my own home!

[mamiecarter]

I located a certified, qualified dog trainer and engaged her at a rate of $80 an hour to help me get my Cockerpoo under control. Nice dog. No food aggression. No aggression towards people. Some aggression towards other dogs.Mainly she barks and pulls on the leash when she sees other dogs and she pulled my back muscles badly when she recently caught me off guard. And she barks and even growls a little when new people come to the house.

She came to my house and I tried to discuss with her should I keep one of my cockerpoos 6 puppies that were playing on the floor and given that my husband and I are elderly should we try to keep the cockerpoo who may
be too strong for us to manage.

The dog trainer tells me because I have puppies I am breeding dogs to make money and I am personally responsible for dogs being euthanised in shelters because I let my dog have puppies. Well she didn't slug me but this was about as nasty a verbal attack as I could imagine.

I couldn't get her to stop demanding that I have my dog neutered so finally I told her to get out.

Some day I might want more puppies. I love puppies. People are very happy to get a healthy home raised mixed breed small dog. Some I am giving away (People I know, one lady with no money I didn't know but a good dog person). Others with an adoption fee. From 6 puppies I will wind up with $500. I had planned to spend it on the dog trainer to train the cockerpoo.

So how do I find a dog trainer that will help me train the dog and leave me alone about neutering her?

Some say their are too many people in the world. Should people who want children not have them because children are starving in many places? People are not dogs. However having puppies is not a crime or animal abuse.

What do you think?

 

[ricoba]

I think the trainer should have kept her opinions to herself.

But I also think you perhaps should have done some more research before inviting this trainer into your home.

just my two cents.

 

[casey2]

contact your vet

your local vet might have someone to recommend.

 

[Kona Lovers]

And she barks and even growls a little when new people come to the house.

I wish I could get one of our dogs to do this rather than welcome everyone under the sun!

Anyway, hope you find the trainer you need.

Marty

 

[Steve]

I'm sorry you had this experience. It's not acceptable for someone you have hired to train your dog to argue with you about neutering him. Extremely inappropriate on the trainer's part, tactless, and very bad business skills.

The suggestion to contact your vet for a referral is a good one. If that doesn't work, you could ask your friends or people in your neighborhood or church. Someone you know should be able to put you in touch with a professional dog trainer who doesn't bring his/her soap box along to the training sessions. Still another option would be to take your dog to a class at PetsMart. I took my dog Ellie to a class at the local PetsMart last summer, and it was good for both of us.

Steve

 

[DebBrown]

You might want to try a Gentle Leader harness. It sounds like your biggest problem is pulling on the leash and this might be a solution for you. I have used it with our foster dogs who come to us as big lovable dogs with no training whatsoever. The Gentle Leader harness has worked wonders.

Occasionally, a dog will really fight the head harness. In that case, they also sell a body harness that works well too.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9052&cmpid=01csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=001311900300P

So sorry you had a bad experience with the trainer.

Deb

 

[DeniseM]

I don't approve of the dog trainer's behavior, but as a point of reference, all dogs in our county are required by law to be neutered unless they are purebreds and the owner intends to breed them. If a dog is picked up by animal control, and doesn't meet these requirements, the owner is required to pay for neutering, before you can bail them out of the dog shelter.

 

[Wonka]

I would have told the dog trainer to "take a hike" a lot quicker than you did. At $80 hour, you didn't engage her to listen to her tirades and her behavior was extremely unprofessional.

 

[lprstn]

When we had our last dog we went to a trainer, and only focused on discussing the 1 dog we had. We interviewed, and got recommendations by our Vet, then we went to their facilities to see if their program fit our needs. I would advise your first meetings be places other than your home, and that you stick to the focuse of just the dog being trained.

 

[mamiecarter]

Gentle leader on the way. Thanks.

I sent the trainer an EMAil saying she might reconsider if she could get over her prejudices, other wise did she have a referral.

I have already ordered Gentle leader harness and head collar.

I was hopping a trainer could consult about getting Cockerpoo to not beat up so much on my two toy/tiny older dogs. And my Malti poo needs to stop attacking large dogs. I need group doggie dynamics help. (dog family therapist anyone?)

Trainer may decide to get over it since cockerpoo has to be rehomed if I can't get her under control.

When did dogs quit being pets and become moral issues?

Dogs are now child substitutes. ( OK so my dogs are child substitutes. But they are also animals.)

 

[DeniseM]

Hi Mamie - Although you personally may be responsible for your pets and puppies, millions of animals are euthanized in the US each year, because they are unwanted. That's a staggering number, and the cost to tax payers must astronomical.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I do volunteer work for Recycled Critter Rescue, and the statistics are pretty sad. Over half of the animals born today, both cats and dogs, will be put to sleep because no one wants them. Sure, they want the puppies and the kittens, but they don't want the grown animals. The more animals that are spayed and neutered, the less will have to suffer and not be loved by a someone.

 

[geekette]

Other side of the coin: because someone had a puppy they couldn't sell or keep, I have a fabulous companion.

 

[Wonka]

It doesn't sound like the poster is having any problems finding homes for the litter...so, what's the problem? I'd rather purchase a puppy from a caring owner than a puppy mill any day.

 

[Chrisky]

You have a Cockerpoo that beats up your 2 other toy dogs, growls and pulls you around on the lead, and a maltese that is aggressive towards bigger dogs! You need a professional dog trainer to show you how to train and control your dogs. That kind of behaviour is really not good and by breeding these dogs you are only perpetuating this aggressive behaviour.

 

[DeniseM]

Please remember to be courteous...Let's focus on the issues and not make it personal or controversial.

 

[PrettyKitties]

I don't thing anyone was "attacked." Verbally berated maybe. While the dog trainer arguably should have kept her thoughts to herself, I cannot say that I totally disagree with her. When I see the word "attacked," I think of a physical assault, not hurt feelings.

I like kittens, lots of kittens, but it would have been very irresponisble of me not to spay my cats because I like kittens & maybe could have found a home for the mixed breed kitties (i.e., mutts). Every kitten I could have found a home for could have potentially taken a home away from a shelter kitty who needed a home more. (All of my kitties are shelter cats.)

 

[rickandcindy23]

I don't thing anyone was "attacked." Verbally berated maybe. While the dog trainer arguably should have kept her thoughts to herself, I cannot say that I totally disagree with her. When I see the word "attacked," I think of a physical assault, not hurt feelings.

I like kittens, lots of kittens, but it would have been very irresponisble of me not to spay my cats because I like kittens & maybe could have found a home for the mixed breed kitties (i.e., mutts). Every kitten I could have found a home for could have potentially taken a home away from a shelter kitty who needed a home more. (All of my kitties are shelter cats.)

Our cats were from shelters as well. Our two babies, who are now almost 7, were in the pound at two weeks because their momma was hit by a car. So I took them home, bottlefed them (along with two other kittens who died in my care) and kept them. I hate to think of all of the cats who are trying to fend for themselves in the "wild." I wish people would keep their kitties indoors. They get lost, eaten by wild animals, and get in fights with other animals. It's a terrible world out there for a stray.

 

[mamiecarter]

I have more people who want puppies than I have puppies!

Yes I need a dog trainer. But because other people do not take care of their pets doesn't dictate how I live. And plenty of shelter dogs had owners die or go into nursing homes. My two toy dogs are rescues.

More people need to be educated about how big a responsibility dog ownership is. Someone just brought one of my puppies back because it cried all night away from his Mom. That is not realistic expectations. But there is a happy experienced dog owner on my waiting list coming for the pup.

 

[Eric]

STORIES LIKE THIS ARE COMMON

Dog neutering and spaying are now considered "mandatory" by most pet owners, but your local dog pound is still filled with unwanted dogs. That seems to prove that some people don't get around to taking their pets to the vet for this crucial procedure.

Some people don't choose to have their dog "fixed" before it breeds because the dog is male, and they don't usually have the responsibility of finding homes for the puppies that he fathers on their neighbor's unspayed bitch.

But why would someone choose to go through the bother of having a dog that isn't spayed, and that goes into heat at least twice a year? Perhaps it's because the owners have found that the puppies are easy to find homes for, either because it's a popular breed, or because the puppies will become small dogs, which are always in demand.

The owners may even be able to sell their puppies to people who appear to have good, loving homes for the pups. So why not?

Because, even if the pups are easy to sell or give away, it doesn't guarantee that they'll live out their lives with the people who took the cute, cuddly creatures home with them. If the new owners run into problems, the puppy is very likely to end up at the local animals shelter, although the people who allowed their dog to breed will never know about it.

Here's what happened to a litter of pups that I helped to find homes for:

A friend asked me to put a notice up on the bulletin board where I work, announcing that five free Border collie/chocolate lab puppies were available.

At the moment, these two breeds are popular, and within a week all the puppies were living with one of my fellow employees.

And within six months after that, I learned that three out of the five had ended up in the local animal shelter.

None of these folks contacted the person who actually gave them the puppies prior to giving them to the Humane Society, so she found out (through me) only after it was too late to do anything about it.

One puppy was given up because a veterinary check found it was suffering from epilepsy, an illness that would become expensive and could be emotionally devastating to the owners. They didn't feel they could properly care for a puppy with such a serious health problem, and it's unlikely that the Humane Society was able to find a new owner who was willing to take on the expense.

Another puppy was taken to the pound because the owners weren't prepared for a typical Labrador problem - the puppy chewed up everything it could find when it was left alone. Again, both adults worked outside the home for long hours, and the puppy had ten hours every day to remove the stuffing from the couch, take the arms off teddy bears, and gnaw on chair legs.

When it was locked in the utility room it managed to find a loose edge in the vinyl flooring, which caused considerable expense. When left outside in the fenced yard it howled, whined, and dug up the flower beds. After several months and hundreds of dollars in damages, the puppy went to the pound.

And the third puppy was given up because an older dog in the house didn't like the competition. As the puppy got older, the owners were seriously concerned that one of the dogs would be injured in a fight. Since they felt one of them had to go, and they knew and loved the older dog more, the pup ended up in a cage at the pound. Of the three, this one had the greatest chance of finding a new home.

I don't blame any of these folks for not keeping the puppies, but it was unfortunate that the "cute" had grown out of the pups before they were taken to the Humane Society for a second try at adoption.

And the original owner took every care to find good homes for the puppies in the first place. She couldn't foresee any of these problems, and did her best to screen the people who came to look at the litter.

Unfortunately, most people never know what happens when they give away a dog or puppy, so the consequences of not spaying or neutering their dog is never fully understood. They believe that if they give a puppy to a good home, he'll be happy and content with his new owners. In many cases, however, this doesn't turn out to be true. The animal shelters are full of dogs who once had a home, but the owners, for a variety of reasons, simply couldn't keep them.

The moral of the story? You already know that, of course. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for a spaying or neutering operation, if you haven't done so already. You and your dog will both be happier, and the local pound will have fewer unlucky pups to try to find homes for.
Article Source: ABC

 

[mjs]

Someone just brought one of my puppies back because it cried all night away from his Mom. .

So, I see you are only giving these pups to people that will be good dog owners. Good Idea.
Some people are too narrow minded to see th BIG picture. Even when they are given information.
Everybody else is wrong, I am right.

1 out of 4 dogs that go through 2 or more heat cycles develop mammary cancer.

 

[mjs]

Some day I might want more puppies. I love puppies.
What do you think?

I think you should go to the pound if you want more puppies. Your female dog doesnt want to have more puppies.

Most of us love puppies, but soon they become dogs.















What do you think?[/QUOTE]

 

[Eric]

All dog experts and rescue centers are wrong and you are right. Keep breeding, thats the responsible thing to do !!

Yes I need a dog trainer. But because other people do not take care of their pets doesn't dictate how I live. And plenty of shelter dogs had owners die or go into nursing homes. My two toy dogs are rescues.

More people need to be educated about how big a responsibility dog ownership is. Someone just brought one of my puppies back because it cried all night away from his Mom. That is not realistic expectations. But there is a happy experienced dog owner on my waiting list coming for the pup.

 

[DeniseM]

Since this thread is no longer in compliance with TUG Posting Rules, I'm closing it.

A gentle reminder:

5. Avoid posting about politics, religion, or contentious social issues
Unless directly related to timesharing, such discussions are prohibited in these forums, including TUG Lounge. We've been down that road before, it was ugly, and we are not going there again.

6. Be Courteous
As we read and respond to others, disagreements are inevitable. Differing points of view are welcomed, and indeed the bbs would be a dull place without them. All users are expected and required to express their disagreements civilly. Refrain from name calling and behaviour lectures. Personal attacks will not be tolerated and repeated offences could get you banned from the bbs. Lively discussion is what the board is all about, but that is no excuse for boorish behaviour or bad manners. We are assumed to all be adults. If you don't like a particular thread, stop reading it!