What would you do? - Page 3

Cj, I have not had this issue with ANY other dogs I have obtained or bred myself, save for the one I did eventually place as a pet. Usually, dog/puppy comes out of the crate biting like mad, adults are driven and want to eat me. Usually, not always. The longest adjustment period for an 8 to 10 wk old puppy that I have experienced, is about 2 days. Puppy says hey, this foods pretty good, accomodations are warm and comfy, I get to play and bite stuff. These people must not be too bad, I think I like them. Hey KIDS!! These toys are FUN!

Jenni, I DID want to compete. I do have children who also did want to train and compete with her.

Melissa

Maybe because you wanted it SO badly, your expectations were a bit unrealistic in the time frame? Is that possible? Maybe because you had super high expectations and wanted a certain thing exactly, you were looking at her critically when she didn't immediately display those traits and that is certainly not going to help because you're creating a distance between you and the dog, consciously or subconsciously. 

I would likely give the breeder the benefit of the doubt and probably would have kept her at least a month. I'm not judging you; I'm just answering what I would have done (or what I think I would have done). 

I sold a pup who would not even stand up for visitors who wanted to see him. He was my dog early on- no interest in visitors. Aloof to the point of extreme. He is not a good sport dog for an inexperienced handler, ok for experienced, but he is a very very good and strong family protection dog. He has bonded wonderfully with his new family- it just took time. He was polite but aloof with them. Reserved until they earned his affections and respect. Now they'd be hard pressed to find a more loyal dog  or one more in tune with them. He is extremely handler-oriented and to quote them "wise way beyond his years." His owners are experienced. I would wager a less experienced home would have some trouble with him getting a bit big for his britches. I think those type pups are super rewarding, but not for those who have a goal within a certain time frame. 

I will say $2k including shipping is quite reasonable if the dog is that well bred. There are breeders selling very mediocre dogs for $2500 on limited reg, plus shipping. Again, it's all relative. 

Anyways, thank you for some additional insight all who replied.

Best regards

Melissa, I posted before I saw your post, FYI.

The dog would likely never be a dog to switch handlers easily or work equally well for different handlers. You probably made the right decision. 

I know my expectations are very high, but I was well prepared to walk away from the litter if the "perfect" for us puppy was not there. It happens. For a working dog, I do like to see certain traits right away. Drive, grip, willingness to follow handler, confidence... within a few days of being on the ground.. I like to see a HAPPY puppy. I'm sure she will turn out just fine with her perfect for her home. I just don't believe that was ours.

Yes, other little handler in training living here. I may let him finish out Nero's IPO1. I know he can do it, I just don't want to admit that he's growing up and has the knowledge to do it.

Melissa

I doubt the breeder is angry with you so much as frustrated that you weren't seeing what they were seeing. It can't be a good feeling to have a pup not work out in their intended home. That's why I would've given her longer. I don't prefer pups who will just work for anyone right out of the box.   I know that's the fad now in training, especially sport or police, but I prefer a dog who has a bit more backbone and whose respect you must earn. "Willingness to work for handler" is subjective to a degree, in that the dog must first see you as the handler for that to apply. My point is that I question whether she saw you as her handler, that's all.I would've admired her (as you stated yourself she was perfectly confident and independent) for a few weeks and then seen how she came around on her own, without me trying to force myself on her. With this type pup, I guess I treat them more like an adult import. 

Melba:  FWIIW;   I just placed a female with exactly what you are describing, however I kept her, now almost 6 years old and it has been one of my hardest placement or replacement I have ever had to do in 40 years.  You did the right thing by returning her NOW;  wished I had done so but geographically it was not possible and I THOUGHT the breeder would be pissed at me ( also have known her for 25  give or take) years and just could not make the bitch work for my household and needs.  Do not feel the bitch was happy here but kept trying, soooooo long story short I found what I think is now the perfect home for her.  But it really cost me $$ wise by waiting almost until she was 6 years old (got her at 10 weeks) and feel really bad the almost 6 year old bitch has to readapt to a home at this stage in her life, however,  it is working, but I am lucky I found this special home for her, also people I have known for several years who's bitch recently passed away at 14 l/2 years old.  So she went to a good home but the stress has been overwhelming for me and I am sure for my girl.

Just a little scenario for you to think about.  Don't look back...  Nan

I would expect to give an adult, an import no less, a few months to adjust. Like Nans said, that was my biggest fear that she would not adjust and now I have an older puppy, or adult even that I've tried to make it work and it just didn't. I had an import like that. I tried to make it work for 5 years. Time did not make a difference. It was sad for her that I was not her people and sad and frustrating for me trying to fit a square peg into a round hold.

I'll likely just wait until one of my co-owns is titled and bred... pick a puppy and go from there. There was a litter I could have had a puppy from, and I chose not to because this little girl was coming and I'm not crazy or young enough any more to raise 2 working puppies at the same time. Been there, done that... too old LOL. At least I feel too old most of the time. HA. It's ok, I have no problem waiting for the right puppy.

I appreciate you guys taking the time to respond and indulge my curiosities.

Melissa

i had a pup that for the first weekish litterally did not care about anyone in the house. super independent. you could scream and the dog wouldnt turn around. grew up to be clingy like all shepherds are. enthusiastically greets EVERY member of the house when they come home no matter what time of day or night. 

pups are all different. for me the ONLY thing i care about in a pup is confidence. good nerves. everything else comes with maturity if the genetics are there. i had someone freak out when a pup wouldn't chase a ball over and over at 20 weeks. same pup became a ball monster at 6 months. now walks around the house with a ball in his mouth. my current pup chases a ball over and over at 12 weeks. they are all different.  i do sympathize with not wanting a 2000 dollar dud but imo you freaked out way too soon. especially on lines that are known to be more serious and less sporty. 

It was known that I wanted a dog that could be serious and compete to a high level if I so chose, but could relax in the house and wasn't "on" all the time. Balance.

I did not "freak out". I calmly told the breeder what was going on. It was stated that I would give her a couple weeks, but I was not seeing what I would like to see. Breeder said return her asap and I did. Again, I have dogs and have bred dogs from the exact same lines that ARE both serious AND sporty enough to compete. One is a national level dog (and Cert K9) with a club level handler and the other is a club level dog that would protect his family with his life, has titles in multiple venues. Many many that I have whelped are very similar. I am very close with most who have a dog from me.

I've seen plenty of dogs out there that did not live up to what their genetics said they should have been. Look at the classifieds or even rescue and you will find well bred "pets" who did not live up to their genetic potential, or washed out of whatever program.

Melissa