Buying a trained dog

I have fallen in love

http://www.a1k9.co.uk/Trained-Obedie...epherd-488.asp

I know I can't have another GSD at the moment so really shouldn't torture myself with looking at particular websites. I love the A1K9 website though, and am a regular visitor.

I have had my eye on Cookie for a while ... isn't he stunning?!

What are people's views on buying an already trained dog? I never used to think it was for me, as I enjoy training my dogs myself, love the puppy stage and getting to know my dogs from babies.

However, recently I have started to consider buying an already well trained, older dog in future. There must be loads of benefits to this, including being able to get out with the dog straightaway, furthering the dog's training without having to start from scratch, having a dog that is already very well socialised and calm around other dogs, people, children and livestock (which is invaluable when living on a farm) without the risk of missing something etc.

What are your thoughts? Would it be something you would consider?

If not, why not?

He's gorgeous, but I bet they don't come cheap! They must cost at least £4,000 a piece for the imports as you can't import a dog for much less than £2,500 and I'd say that was cheap! My two cost me £3,500 and £3,000 so to have an import then the cost of training = expensive!
They do seem to have a lot of happy customers but I love the puppy stage and hated missing out on it on my two imports.
I also wonder what guarantee's they offer if the dog goes a bit haywire?
I wonder how they cope changing homes at that age as most dogs will have a few issues with that kind of change even if just temporary for a week or so.
Becky

He's a beauty. very stunning.

I think I'd miss the puppy stage myself, although having had rescue adults they too can be a pleasure.

As for already trained I can see the appeal, but do they train you as to how he has been trained, ie to stop any mix ups in commands etc.,

I do wonder whether there would be less dogs in rescue if fewer inexperienced people took on pups without a clue of what they are letting themselves in for.

I could definitely see a place for pre-trained dogs, though I guess new owners could still get it wrong and undo most of the training.

For me, personally, I can't see me ever buying one (but then I'd never buy a pup either); if I wanted a ready trained dog, I'd just be patient and seach the rescues - they do turn up on a fairly regular basis.

PS - Cookie does look great

I don't think I would do it. Dogs react differently to different handlers so you could be paying for fresh air....

Having just got Tango...she is well socilaised, happy, needs some training work but nothing major...hmmm...as Hali says, in the future i have to say we will be trawling the rescues. I, at this point, can't even say we would have a puppy again......never say never though huh?!!!!

no such thing as a pre-trained dog, simply because the dog is being trained by its owner at a certain home.

what happens after a week or two once the dog has a new owner and a new home, and that is just an ordinary person whom isnt a skilled/trained dog trainer?

its true that pups end up in rescue because people dont train them, but that means they dont attend training classes with their dogs

however, i can also tell you, in my years working full time in rescue, i have also been given dogs by people that sent them off to be trained by someone else, then still had the problem a week or two later.

its not for me personaly, but im not against it,

but a pre trained dog is of little or no use in the hands of someone who doesnt know how to work the dog,

I would think for it to really work the new owner should go and do a residental training course with the dog before taking it home. More so if the dog is trained for PP, its a time bomb in the wrong hands.

I think it is unnecessary for a pet to be honest. I can see that a pre-trained dog would be good for specialist purposes (protection work, gundog work, etc.) but for a pet it is a waste of money IMO. The puppy stage and training the dog is the fun part.

.........totally

Perfect! Definitely for me!!!! I wouldn't actually want to buy one ready made though, no, I'd go through all the puppy stage with my own training and then at 6 months old I'd love to send him/her off somewhere just to get all that training I've done with them polished off kind of thing! Isn't he gorgeous too, I'd take him on anyday!