Well I obviously failed as Paul has just been sent a picture of the pup.

I hope for the puppy it's ok and, if it healthy, this isn't just a flash in the pan for them and its not re advertised in a ew months time when they realise just how bouncy a lab puppy can be!

I had a feeling that was going to happen!

How well do you know them? Will you ever get the chance to see it?

Hope all goes well for it and it becomes a much loved member of the family.

I don't know them very well at all...Paul has known him for years but only really speaks to him on the phone now. He's not great at taking advice, and thought we were cruel for having a crate for Tonks when she was a puppy! He was corrected very quickly. We crated her for no more than two hours when I had to work away from home and the rest of time she had me for company as I worked from home, plus two off lead walks a day in lots of different places, plus training....compared to their two dogs who have had the same on lead walk road public filed/park for the past 8 years!

Well another little update on this puppy. The daughter was desperate to get the puppy but it got more and more suspicious as they travelled up to get it. The man changed his mind as to the address they had to go to four times! And even changed the house number of the street when they were already in the street. They turned the car around and there he was standing outside the house with the puppy in his arms! They gave him the money and said they'd give him some water before they started the journey home, turned back from the boot of the car and the man was gone! They realise now that they should never have bought the puppy, and never agreed to go and see the puppy. They also realise that it s a completely false saving as they only paid £250 for the pup, petrol to and from getting it and, thankfully did the right thing when they arrived home with it, but taking it straight to the vets where they had to pay another £100 odd pounds to have it wormed, get its first jabs, and a full health check. Thankfully the vet thinks that they may have managed to come away with a healthy puppy but told them in no uncertain terms that it was the wrong way to go about getting a puppy. He sound like a good vet because he also warned them against using any putative methods and told them to stick to positive methods. He's also advised them about socialisation and the importance of training classes. He's also advised a gradual change of diet as the puppy has a squitty tummy and it was being fed pedigree chum puppy food....or so the man said.

I'm hoping they are now taking their responsibilities seriously as the daughter has cancelled her phone insurance in order to insure the puppy.


So who knows the story behind the puppy...it could be puppy farmed, or could be from a stolen litter. Who knows. I hope these people have learnt their lesson.

Why won't people learn, surely there is enough publicity nowadays to ensure that stuff like this doesn't happen as often as it does.
My friend who has the recent litter of Utonagan, also runs training classes. She was telling me that a couple have recently joined with an 18 week old GSD which is absolutely terrified of everyone and everything.
Apparently when they went to see the litter, they were in a shed with the mother and ran away and hid when they went in, yet they still bought the puppy. No idea what must have happened to them to make them like this, heartbreaking really.
I know it has hard to walk away, but a few pertinent questions on the phone as to health checks etc would soon show whether they were people with the puppies best interests at heart. Because going to see a litter like that, or having to meet someone on a street corner like they did, means you can't leave them in all humanity to their fate.
I really hope they stick with the puppy and it is a happy ending, but sounds like they have bought the puppy on a whim, it isn't a 'cheap' puppy as they thought, they never are, because of all the necessary vets attentions, and they don't know what they are in for further down the line.
I am so very sorry for this pup and can only hope it has landed on its feet and it doesn't find its way to rescue later on, or just be given away as 'they no longer have the time' which is a favourite excuse.

Most definitely. Paul, my partner, knew nothing about dogs when he met me but has learned along the way and I was pleased to hear that he had asked all the right questions and told his 'friend' that he should walk away, that he shouldn't go and see the pup because there was no way he would leave empty handed...but they still went up.

I'm doubtful as to whether they will stick with it through thick and thin but you never know. They know they've made a big mistake. I'm concerned that a lab puppy in a pretty inexperienced home with a young mum with two small children is just a recipe for disaster....I hope I'm proved wrong. I'm going to suggest they by The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Baily and read it now before any issues arise. It's such a simple readable book and have great advice in it. My friend runs training classes just a twenty minute drive from their house but I've since found out she doesn't drive. Paul has told them to look for APDT classes in the area and to sign up now.....but who knows. Fingers cross for the pup.

I don't think there is 'enough publicity' the vast majority of joe public don't use websites like this or even understand about BYBs or puppy farms etc.

In fact unless they are 'in the game' most don't have a clue about 'proper breeders' either.

I always hope most wanting a dog will go to dog rescues for one. But the world and his wife do love a small puppy don't they?

In all the rescues I've worked and helped in it was the tiny kittens and puppies who got rehomed fastest. There'd be a waiting list for those. Whereas the adult and older animals just got overlooked in the main. Especially if the would be owners wanted a dog for their kids. They just want CUTE.

Yes I agree. Having worked as a dog trainer taking classes you'd be amazed at the stories people tell. Puppies being passed from pillar to post, people pleased that breeders have been happy to bring puppies half way so they don't have to travel so far, ridiculous crosses being sold as pedigrees. We had one lady who said her puppy was a Cairn, which it evidently wasn't, then she said 'yes, mummy was a westie and daddy was a Scottie so that makes him a Cairn!" Around he there are so many people churning or litters of working cockers and selling them to anyone as ideal pets. The elderly, families with young children, people who work all day, all of them being told that a high energy highly intelligent breed will make the perfect family pet for them!