I don't disagree with a lot of what you are saying and getting any dog whether part trained or not is wrong unless you are prepared to put the time and effort in.

But for first time pet dog owners, I still think it has some potential merits.

There are of course plenty of differences between horses and dogs (not least that horses don't live with you as a companion), but a first time horse owner would never be advised to take on a young horse that still needed schooling. This would apply no matter how much research the person had done.

Starting with a pup is a huge chunk to chew off if you've no previous experience, even attending puppy classes, reading books and getting help on the internet. I can think of at least one ex-Dogsey member who I think would've done quite well and learned a lot from a pre-trained dog, but found starting from scratch with a pup too steep a learning curve.

I have never stopped teaching my dogs nor learning from them,even when very old they teach you new things - e.g. how to interact with them once they've lost their hearing. So I do think for inexperienced potential new owners, there is a lot that can be learnt from a well trained dog before embarking on 'schooling' a pup of their own.

I can also see some point for working dogs, depending on the type of work...for example, I would think nothing wrong in a shepherd buying in a ready trained sheepdog. Its not always feasible for them to train them themselves due to limited time and the risks that there is no guarantee that the pup they spend 2 years training will eventually make the grade.

Having seen handlers (usually `other` family members) having a go with the family dog at clubs - you know..yelling to an obviously bright but horribly confused dog sit down! or go and get it then! or now leave him alone or you won`t get a biscuit! (my personal favourite) the mind frankly boggles. Do they come with a manual? Do they even speak English?

That would be a good title for a dog training book.

I'm always amazed at the number of people who think that their dog speaks English and should grasp every command no matter how confusing..."Oi, Fido; come here! sit! come on...sit down...down...JUST LIE DOWN!!!? SITTTT DOWWNN!".

Some good comments but would like to add my personal views.

My son purchased a PP dog from the website mentioned and although I initially had some reservations about it, having seen the care taken to match the correct dog with the right owner, (my son chose the dogs he liked but the final decision was with the trainer which one he had), and the care taken in regard to my sons reasons for wanting a PP dog, the level of protection he needed and his circumstances, working hours etc. I was happy with the decision. My son had to attend training sessions with the dog before being allowed to bring it home.

Sonny has proved to be a brilliant dog, good with children and other dogs and regularly walks with mine and my other sons dogs. (if you want to see Sonny hes on page 4 of the Dogs previously homed section).

I went with my son when he fetched Sonny home and we were taken round the kennel block, watched a training session and given time to walk the dogs and ask questions, nothing was hidden and everyone was very friendly and open.

If someone decided they want a PP dog I would rather they purchased it from an experienced trainer than tried to train it themselves without the specialised knowledge required to do so safely.

Sonny is a PP dog and my son continues to keep his training up to date, but he is first and foremost a much loved member of the family. Once my sons partner leaves work they are planning on getting another GSD, this time a puppy and training it themselves (not as a PP dog but just to a good obedience level).

I personally dont see anything wrong in getting a trained dog, provided you do your research into the trainers qualifications and background experience and provided you are prepared to continue with the training once you have the dog. My son didnt have the time nor the specialised knowledge to train a dog to the level he wanted (although he has been around dogs all his life and helped me train my dogs) and I am pleased that he went to a reputable trainer.

If people dont have the skills surely it is better to buy a dog already trained than to attempt to train the dog and cause the dog problems or even worse, not train the dog at all and end up with an out of control dog.

Personally I like to train my own dogs and I also like to have them from pups (although 3 of mine are rescue and were older when they came to me) but not everyone is the same. I think there is room in the dog world for different ideas and different methods of dog ownership.

If dogs are loved and cared for and training is done in a positive way then surely that is the most important thing.

That is all brilliant. Making this particular company worthy

But i note one key point.
Your son was also trained.

Its the residential training, providing so called 'ready trained dogs' (for whatever purpose), that doesn't train the owner that we have been complaining about.

Quite often, such services are just a way to extort money, and can create the identical problem to the unskilled person who bought a dog and then caused the problem of it being out of control because they didnt train it properly.

Seen both 'ready trained dogs' and 'bought dogs' both end up in rescue as the owner didnt know what to do.

I would agree with you. I dont like the training 'schools' where you send your dog away to be trained either.

If you arent prepared to have some input in training your dog then you shouldnt have a dog in the first place.

I think there may be pros and cons on either side.


There is obviously a market for it, otherwise you would not get anyone providing the service.

I twill all depend on what you are looking for and how much experience you already have.

Personally it is not for me, but if someone thinks it is for them, then why not.





Also a very good point, but it could work if the owner is willing to take on the techniques of the method of training.

Where is wont work is when the new owner, thinks the dog is on automatic programme.. to continue the good work by himself

You cant realy compare the horse to dog scenario.

There is a world of difference in the education of a green horse , to that of an untrained dog.

Both may come as black sheets, but where as a dog /pup can progress in novice hands, a young unschooled , unbroken horse is a disaster waiting to happen.

There is far more involved in the education of a young horse to teaching a dog to sit /stay/come back and wait...

It is not advisable for any novice owner to buy a young unschooled horse ... exactly the opposite would apply.

That's why Schoolmasters fetch good money and are in high demand!!

In that world the horse can and does educate the owner... not the other way round.

Quote by Jackbox;
(sorry, haven't quite got the multi qoute thing going yet)

You cant realy compare the horse to dog scenario.

There is a world of difference in the education of a green horse , to that of an untrained dog.

Both may come as black sheets, but where as a dog /pup can progress in novice hands, a young unschooled , unbroken horse is a disaster waiting to happen.

There is far more involved in the education of a young horse to teaching a dog to sit /stay/come back and wait...

It is not advisable for any novice owner to buy a young unschooled horse ... exactly the opposite would apply.

That's why Schoolmasters fetch good money and are in high demand!!

In that world the horse can and does educate the owner... not the other way round.

This is a different argument horses v dogs, I also don't agree with much of it! So, the schooled horse takes the rider and educates him on his own? Also, there is far more involved in the education of a young horse? - that all depends on the planned/expected outcome of the dog/discipline and of course the horse. Both may come as black sheets.... equally can be said of both horse and dog can't it? Anyone getting my point yet?

I would nip that in the bud hun, try nipping it before the lunge stage,

I am working on her only had her a few weeks and she was in for a week as was spayed. She is defo work in progress LOL