New Buckeye

[JLSOhio51]

... First tell her the laws. Be careful when talking to her though, don't be harsh or demanding. Many non-reputable breeders can be very defensive of their dogs and it's best to keep on their good side while trying to convince them that what they'er doing is wrong... then contact someone to put a stop to it (maybe AKC or the law, someone else could help you better than me with that). I'm so sorry this is happening to you, it's so sad to see people like this breeding.

Tabitha:
You strike me as a true Southern Belle (if not in fact, at least in temperament). Believe me, I mean that in the truest, most positive aspects of the stereotype. From my point of view, the last thing I would be concerned about would be putting the breeder on the defensive. Don't get me wrong, I believe in being as non confrontational and non threatening as possible when trying to resolve differences. BUT, the breeder's defensiveness is far outside my sphere of concern.

She (breeder) clearly knows that she has done wrong since her own Craig's List ad listed 8 wks., according to DoDAH's post. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that this transgression is far from the only one that she has indulged in. Clearly there are many other issues with which to be concerned. If I were to find myself where DoDAH finds himself now, I would be direct (but not rude), concise, and quite frankly I would hope the breeder would get defensive as I rescinded my contract to buy the pup. Perhaps then, she would give her actions a second thought going forward (probably not).

To DoDAH:
At the point that you find yourself now, I do not envy your decision. If the 6 wk./8wk. issue was the only one with which I was concerned, I know I would be torn about taking the pup anyway. But, the "walk away" camp is statistically correct. It would be risky to take the pup.

 

[Tabitha]

Jeff, first of all you made me blush at the Southern Bell comment. When I was 5 that's what I wanted to be when I grew up, I guess dreams really do come true!

The reason I say to get on their good side is because from my own experience I've found that if you make friends with people you don't like/agree with you stand a better chance at convincing them to stop doing things the wrong way. To them, it sounds like your giving you opinion and not trying to boss them. With some people it doesn't work, but it's worth a try.

 

[Sharon]

So I had no idea that 6 weeks was too early, but figure you all are much more expert than I am in this regard so I did a little research. What I found initially is that there are 2 camps: one age based, one development based (non nursing obviously, other factors).

HOWEVER, what I discovered is that Ohio has an 8 week law! CRAP! What do I do? The breeder had both parents on premises, the mom was there and looked great, the pups were all sable but one which was lighter like the father. The breeder is a late-middle aged woman on a small farm in the middle of very rural south-western Ohio and although I suspect may not know this law....I'm suddenly suspicious because her last "craigslist" ad from more than a month ago showed "8 weeks" as the age. The Ohio law specifically states that (among other things) no dog shall be offered for sale under 8 weeks of age.

So what to do? Call the breeder? Call the State of Ohio? Cancel payment on the check I left? and the hardest part: abandon this amazing little Harley to be?

Hi and Welcome.Your pup sounds like it is from a BYB(backyard breeder).There's alot of great sheltie breeders in Ohinly you can make the descision on what to do.Good Luck

 

[JLSOhio51]

...The reason I say to get on their good side is because from my own experience I've found that if you make friends with people you don't like/agree with you stand a better chance at convincing them to stop doing things the wrong way. To them, it sounds like your giving you opinion and not trying to boss them. With some people it doesn't work, but it's worth a try.

Tabitha:

I know you're right about this, but I just couldn't hold it that far together. The best I could do would to be to be non threatening and civil. But, she would know that I was very unhappy.

 

[Laddie's Mom]

Welcome from New Zealand.

Gosh, I am sorry you are going through this, how heart-breaking.

The breeder that we got Lad from would not let me take him until he was 8 weeks old, she was most strict on that.

I hope things work out for you.