ataro

I want to warn anyone who is thinking of dealing with this Russian kennel, to go to Moscow and visit them to make sure they don't get ripped off. I have had no end of trouble with this breeder and I would not recommend them.

I recently bought a show prospect puppy from these people and the puppy is a complete basket case with zero confidence and lacking in stability - it is unable to adjust to normal everyday life:

- It pees/poops immediately while screaming any time it is left in a crate or alone
- It pees and runs away from any new experiences or encounters, including something simple such as a visitor coming to the door or saying "hi" in a soft voice.
- It is obsessed with its own filth (poop), and that of others
- It licks itself and the walls obsessively
- It barks and freaks out at inanimate objects
- It is afraid to go outside, and as soon as it has done its business, it tries to run back in
- If we go any further than 50m from the house, the puppy shuts down, puts its tail between its legs and starts shivering
- It snaps and snarls at my 14 month old because it gets stressed out really easily
- It has no interest in other dogs or people, and freaks out if dogs/people are walking behind it (even at a distance of 20m)

I have had this puppy for 8 days and have tried to slowly introduce it to new people and environments, but it just shuts down and starts shivering or peeing. There has been absolutely no improvement since the day I got it.

1. The breeder told me that they never saw any problems with the puppy before. In fact, their description of her temperament was "confident and self-assured", but had I known otherwise, I would not have put down the deposit.

2. Then they admitted that she peed whenever she encountered something new, but that they thought it wasn't a problem.

3. Then they said that puppies not sold until they are 5 months old, living in kennels, can develop these sorts of behavioural issues (the puppy is 3 months old)

4. Now they are calling me a liar and saying that they have never seen temperament problems in any of the dogs they've bred and supposing that I am not taking care of the puppy properly.

5. They are blaming me for a loss of profit, trying to make out that I ordered them to keep a puppy natural (not true - the puppy was 3 weeks old and still had a tail when I contacted them) and as such they will now have trouble selling her in Russia if she is returned.

6. They do not want to refund the price I paid or even contribute to the costs of shipping the puppy back despite the fact that they were dishonest to me. The truth is, they really just don't care about anything but money.

pdubois64

I have been considering importing my next pup but stories like these make me reconsider this. It's hard to resolve any problems when a breeder is on a different continent. I also worry what psychological damage is done shipping a pup for that many hours, especially when they are really young and still in the fear stage. When I see a line I like in Europe I try to find a NA breeder with the same lines.

Good luck with your pup, hopefully things will improve in the coming weeks when he gets settled in.

ETA: I believe you are in Europe so this doesn't apply to your situation.

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Dillon:b.2/19/09 d.9/28/12 "The best walks in life are always the briefest"

VZ-Doberman

Sometimes buying a puppy is better handled face to face. Sorry for the predicament you and the puppy are in.

ataro

Yes, I am in Europe (Germany).

Needless to say, that will be the last time I ever buy a puppy over the internet. Regardless of how well known the kennel is, you always put yourself at risk and in many cases the breeder can just run off with your money while wiping their hands clean.

I have been trying to work on things but there is absolutely no improvement. This puppy is unsuitable for a busy lifestyle, and one which involves children even just as visitors. I am going to rehome her, and try to find a suitable place where there are no children (she gets snappy when she is stressed out, and she gets stressed out very easily) and preferably located somewhere rural or semi-rural.

If she can't even adapt to a quiet street (usually maximum of 3 people walking during day time hours) within a week, there is no way that she is going to be able to cope with travelling around yearly (which is my lifestyle and one of the reasons I need a stable, confident dog) and probably not even showing, since she already sees 3 people as a crowd and intimidating. She also freezes and shuts down when encountering strange dogs any closer than from across the street (regardless of whether or not they are friendly).

So, right now she is basically living in "hell" and is constantly stressed out and nervous whenever she leaves the house even just to go to the bathroom. She is so anxious that she licks herself obsessively and freaks out at inanimate objects.

Darkevs

I do believe the money is why some breeders breed.

it may not have been when they first started.....but then..............something changed, and it became all about the money.

not saying your pups breeder is one, but.................

So sorry the young Dobiegirl is so stressed.

I hope she will come around.

Hugz to her.

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

Sherryh

ataro, you can find some great trainers we have some on the forum. Don't give up this puppy who needs you so much. My prayers are with you.....There are people who care so hang in there!!

ataro

I have no doubts that the breeder is all about the money. Their last email to me was "do what you want with the puppy". Not exactly the words of a caring, responsible breeder.