OT-my Diesel - my service dog

[SarahL2491]

I need hugs and maybe more from my forum family.

I emailed my breeder today (remember she really controls the dog) and mentioned I had a bad day and Diesel wasn't responding to any of her suggestions for not barking.  She suggested rocks in can, misting water, etc., and Diesel considers those a game!  

She writes me back and says she wants to take her back, she has some other people interested in her and thinks it isn't working out………..huh?

So I've pleaded with her and sent about 4 emails and will probably pray half the night……..I will be beside myself if I have to give her up.  I just finished her last series of shots and rabies and am waiting to do her spay for 2 more months and have found a local trainer who will come to my house and do one on one training.

Hugs anyone?  Am desperately needing them AND prayers
Thanks
Sarah

[HVAC]

Breeders and rescues make these elaborate contracts. I am not sure they can take your dog away as long is well cared for and you get it spayed. I worked in veterinary Medicine and Vets could not take away an animal from someone who was clearly abusing or neglecting it. If you were showing the dog and had joint ownership that is different. This breeder is not mean just overly concerned.

Alex

[Lulu54]

don't stress over finding the contract- and give the treating vet office a call and ask them to send you copies of the records.  be sure to keep us posted on what happens next - we've  got your back!  

[HVAC]

Pray on it. Polly and I will to.

Alex

[mikeysmom1995]

Hi Sarah and Diesel puppy,
best of luck to you with this very unnecessary stressful situation. I hope things will calm down quickly for you both.
Many HUGS and many prayers too!v
Regards, barb

[Corriel]

Hang in there! More hugs and prayers coming your way.

Corrie

[SarahL2491]

Thank you to all of you, my friends.

I still have her, at this point, but feels like I am constantly looking over my shoulder.  

I am trying to think of a way to put many of the important parts of my contract in the "photo" page of my site, so my friends can read it, but not post, which can be googled.

I also have to find the contract.  I have to, that folder also contains the vet records I need to forward to the new vet.

Also, I got an email today from ADA and they want to talk to me about my questions about the first vet!  I WILL keep all posted on that one.  I feel that the vet broke 2 rules, neither of which I can prove but just knowing the answer will satisfy me.

Keep those hugs coming, am not out of the woods yet AND I have not sent any emails in that direction!

[candy158]

wow, I agree with people, I don't get how the breeder can just take her back.  I don't think that is legal.  Even if you did sign a form, it doesn't give her the right to make the call and say she is not working out.  My daughter bought a Labradoodle and he had lots of issue with kids, and she came and helped out and worked with Quila and got him doing well.  So, she NEVER said to take him back, after all, I understand maybe the breeding rights if you were breeding, but you are not, so I would not take what she says to seriously.

I will make you tea a cookies, be there for you, and for sure sending big hugs and prayers coming your way.

love ya my friend,
Candy
xox

[Maracamama]

I agree with everyone else.  This doesn't sound right and it's cruel to both you and your puppy.

I definitely wouldn't be sending my puppy back to this breeder.  You have invested time, money and lots of love into this pup.  I hope things work out for you.

Hugs,

Laura

[maxthecat43]

HUGS!!!!

Does this person have a conscience?

[gypcwmn]

The more I think about this the more pissed off I am!

I happen to be a vindictive little ***** when people act this way.

Since we have no choice about having MS I would use it.

If push comes to shove I would contact local news station,
Tell them what is going on & play the poor me I have ms card
& this terrible breeder is trying to take my dog that is intended for me to be able to do things that others that are not disabled take for granted!

I'm pissed! What an *******  she is!! Ugh

[kwarendorf]

I'm with Laura. Unless you signed something that obligates you to return Diesel for some/any reason, do not speak to her again, ever, for any reason.

Kyle

[supermum_ms]

*****************HUGS**************

I just couldn't imagine anyone trying to take Hobo off me, regardless of their reasoning on barking......................find out your legal rights!

Just some thoughts on Diesel's bad barking day,

They say you only have up to 30 seconds to tell the dog off, before he can't associate your unhappiness with his behaviour, so you really do have to be quick to catch him. Diesel's a puppy, so barking isn't unusual for puppies and more so in certain breeds, but if he's not a barking breed it might be an idea to try to work out why or what he's barking at? Is he's barking whilst at play or all the time?

IF your house generally quiet and he's barking at unexpected sounds that invades his space, have a try at putting a radio in different rooms, tuned to different channels, so he can hear talking, music and stuff that is labelled as music but it's debatable. The idea is that like a baby that's sensitive to sounds, the more exposure he has the less it will bother him and bark.  

If Diesel is smart, he might have learnt that he get's attention if he's barking, and gets to play another game. You could have a try at giving him his 'come' command, if he's not there yet in his training, sound sensitive/investigating dogs often respond well to a whistle, clicker or bell, don't stop making the sound until he comes to you. Once you have him, make sure you really stare him down to remind him you are the alpha and he needs to understand you are his boss. When he complies it's a good idea to reward him with a special treat eg chicken cubes or time with his reward object, so he connects the treat with doing what you want of him.

Hobo is normally a quiet gentle giant but oh boy is his bark loud and scary sounding. He is sound sensitive so if something is going on over the fences, or down the other end of the house, he goes into protect mode and loudly barks to warn off the threat. I've noted his barking increases when 'I' go to investigate and or stop him, I honestly believe he's trying to protected me and it doesn't help stop the barking if I go to him, but if i make a repetitive noise eg tap on the window, clap etc  he just has to come to investigate the noise and in doing that, he stops barking and actually comes to me. It didn't take him long to work out and now its automatic that he comes if he hears me clapping, worth trying sound distraction with Diesel.  

Big Hugs...........JJ

[Lulu54]

Sarah, please Stop! Breathe!!! And don't email this person again.  Ever.

You and Diesel have bonded - you are willing to work with Diesel and do the training.  This is not like a service dog trained already for you - there is a difference, i believe. This is not a case of it not working out for you ....

It sounds like she is manipulating the situation with you and that worries me, a lot.  The next thing she might say is she wants more money for you to keep Diesel....  which is definitely a form of extortion.  

Work with this local person - keep up the good work with Diesel and know that you can do this on your own.  You are a smart woman and can work through the problems with support from other trainers.

I would ignore her - completely.  Do not ask for her help, again, because it will just open you up to more distress.

I'm sending so many gentle hugs your way along with a whole posse of people to have your back on this one.  

argh!!! This is really infuriating to me.  ~Laura

[Corriel]

What an irreputable breeder! Ditto what others have said but why is she saying it isn't working out? Shouldn't she have to prove that if she can legally take Diesel back?

How could she do this to you AND Diesel? Posession is key here I hope.

Many hugs and I hope this is resolved soon!

Corrie

[karryon55]

Hi Sarah, this sounds a bit odd to me. Theoretically if the breeder wants the pup back they would have to come to the US to get her if you didn't send her on her way back to Australia. That is a long way to go & a lot of money involved.

Did you sign a contract that would say such a thing? I would not make anymore contact if the breeder is being like this. The only circumstances where they normally would suggest a pup be returned is based on one of the parents having a serious health problem & then if your willing to take that risk you can keep the pup.

I think regardless the breeder would have to get through a lot of red tape to get Diesel back so I wouldn't fret about losing her.

In regards to the barking the trainers always said to me if you don't want your dog to bark you must first get them to speak/bark on command. My little boy went through assistance training a long time ago. :-) I usually just show my boy the water spray (he hates water) but I have heard dogs don't like citronella so you could try adding some to the water spray. They also sell citronella collars that release the sent every time the dog barks & the dog learns to not bark as they hate the smell.

I'm so sorry the breeder has said this to you. I will pray for you & I am sending lots of hugs your way.

Karry.

[doublevision1]

ps: I have a friend who curbed her Wheaton Terrier's barking by squirting lemon juice in its mouth. Not sure dog trainers would agree with this strategy, though it did work.

Omar is barking quite a bit, but we're presently focused on curbing his mouthing behaviour.

[gypcwmn]

Hi Sarah, This does not sound right to me! Did you not pay for Diesel? Did you sign a contract saying she could take him back solely because she thinks she is entitled to? I am a breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels & have been for almost 40 years & I have never heard of a breeder taking back a puppy unless the new owners wanted it that way.

I do not know all the details but I would think it would be extremely difficult if not impossible for her to take Diesel back.

I would not give him back!!!  What kind of a person would do something like that!

Sending hugs!! As a side note I have found that making the sound that Ceasar the dog whisperer makes works wonderfully when you want to get a dogs attention.

[doublevision1]

Are you legally obliged somehow to return Diesel under certain circumstances? The only thing I've heard of along these lines is that a dog may have to be returned to the breeder if the owner decides they must give it up for some reason. But just because there are training challenges? You hired a trainer which is the correct thing to do. If you have no contractual duty to the breeder, then do your best not to be guilted into giving up your boy. Avoid contact with her if necessary.