Taking on an older, partially trained dog dilema

[Englishmike]

Hi ,

Thanks for the great web site.

I have a dilemma. I think that can only be answered by experience that I haven’t got. We were set on getting a puppy from a well know and respected breeder. Then out of the blue we had an offer of a 3 year old partially trained dog that would short circuit me a one year training. He takes a whistle , has a good stop but he cant drive yet . His main fault is he keeps looking back at his trainer rather than focusing on the sheep. My dilemma is this, the little doggy just loves his trainer and has a total bond with him. I tried to see if he would work for me, but he wouldn’t (not surprising I guess as I had only known him for 20 minutes although other dogs have in a similar situation), and when I took him for a walk, every 20 yds he kept stopping and looking back for his owner who was well out of eye contact , and when I finally let him off the lead he turned and ran back to his master” . My dilemma is we already have a great little bitch called Tam, I cant have three dogs however if I buy this dog rather than the puppy, and I do like him, is there a risk the dog would pine to much be miserable and find it really difficult to become faithful and bond with me ? I guess that depends a good bit on me. Or would it be better to get the puppy who doesn’t know any different ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Guest carol campion]

Hi ,

Thanks for the great web site.

I have a dilemma. I think that can only be answered by experience that I haven’t got. We were set on getting a puppy from a well know and respected breeder. Then out of the blue we had an offer of a 3 year old partially trained dog that would short circuit me a one year training. He takes a whistle , has a good stop but he cant drive yet . His main fault is he keeps looking back at his trainer rather than focusing on the sheep. My dilemma is this, the little doggy just loves his trainer and has a total bond with him. I tried to see if he would work for me, but he wouldn’t (not surprising I guess as I had only known him for 20 minutes although other dogs have in a similar situation), and when I took him for a walk, every 20 yds he kept stopping and looking back for his owner who was well out of eye contact , and when I finally let him off the lead he turned and ran back to his master” . My dilemma is we already have a great little bitch called Tam, I cant have three dogs however if I buy this dog rather than the puppy, and I do like him, is there a risk the dog would pine to much be miserable and find it really difficult to become faithful and bond with me ? I guess that depends a good bit on me. Or would it be better to get the puppy who doesn’t know any different ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

 

There is always a risk when buying an older dog or trained dog that it might be unhappy in its new home. That being said, I have had many dogs I have bought from here in the states and overseas and have never had one not go to work for me right away. I do have a friend though, who imported a dog from Scotland and the entire ordeal was so stressful, she has never really worked for her.

 

I think the greater problem here is buying a dog that has a seeming confidence problem. YOu are already seeing the problem with its owner. At age 3, it should be driving. It could be a change of hands will do the dog some good, but you never know and I would worry about some level of poor training gone into this dog to create a lack of confidence or else just a insecure dog in itself.

 

A plus when buying a started dog—you know what it can/cannot do on stock. A plus for buying a puppy—it hasn't had a chance to get screwed up by anyone—yet! A clean slate. On the other hand, you don't know how it will turn out.

 

In buying a trained/started dog, I would by one that doesn't already have an obvious flaw.

 

So Mike, where are you from? Are you English or in England?

 

Carol

[Englishmike]

Hi Carol, Thanks for getting back so quick. Yes I am from England, Norwich in Norfolk on the east coast. Post code NR5 0JB if you Google earth it.

We have a couple of really good trainers locally,both national runnners. I suppose I cant give their names on the forum. We recently did have a second dog, the owner said had fear aggression. We were going to take him on a 2 week trial and see if I could sort him out. We had him for 6 days, took him to a trial and other places where he met 100 dogs ++. He fitted in perfectly and had a great relationship with out little bitch Tam another BC. The owner when she saw how well we did, realize it wasn’t fair aggression at all and wanted him back. I didn’t realize how attached to a dog I could become in four days ! So there’s the caution I have to get the right dog. But it did prove the idea would work , to my wife, who’s name is, yes you guessed it, Carol too.(great name ) Any way the potential puppy is extremely well-bred from a national open dog (sire) and a bitch who’s dad was also a champ. With the older dog I have a problem breaking up a great relationship he has with his trainer, and maybe with the faults he has perhaps its best to pass such a friendly dog by . So what I think Ill do is go for the puppy and whilst he is settling in continue with Tam, She has some faults as well but maybe Ill start another thread as I don’t think its been covered yet and could be of real interest and debate. If you ever get over this way drop us a line and come and see us.

Many Thanks.

There is always a risk when buying an older dog or trained dog that it might be unhappy in its new home. That being said, I have had many dogs I have bought from here in the states and overseas and have never had one not go to work for me right away. I do have a friend though, who imported a dog from Scotland and the entire ordeal was so stressful, she has never really worked for her.

 

I think the greater problem here is buying a dog that has a seeming confidence problem. YOu are already seeing the problem with its owner. At age 3, it should be driving. It could be a change of hands will do the dog some good, but you never know and I would worry about some level of poor training gone into this dog to create a lack of confidence or else just a insecure dog in itself.

 

A plus when buying a started dog—you know what it can/cannot do on stock. A plus for buying a puppy—it hasn't had a chance to get screwed up by anyone—yet! A clean slate. On the other hand, you don't know how it will turn out.

 

In buying a trained/started dog, I would by one that doesn't already have an obvious flaw.

 

So Mike, where are you from? Are you English or in England?

 

Carol