Question from my sister regarding the dogs in BC that were surrendered to a shelter

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

My sister just contacted me and asked me this question.  My BIL and her are considering taking one of the dogs from the BC shelter and this is what she wrote: 

Just spoke with the SPCA.  It was an irresponsible breeder.  Dogs came to them matted and with ear infections, very shy and nervous.  Very undersocialized.  They had not even seen a car.  We would be interested in Rikki or Cassiopia.  Is a 9 month old who is not fully house-trained a bad sign?

I am hoping that some of you who foster doodles can chime in and offer advice here.  My sister is home all the time and they have an older well behaved doodle who is used to other dogs.  She is willing to put the time and effort in but needs direction.

[Adina P]

Kamloops is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, isn't it?  I don't think she was truly 'close' to too many other breeders--at least not in a real life sort of way.  So I imagine, she may not have trusted others just from online encounters.  And who knows what else was going on in her personal, health, or family life.  The outcome is not good, but I think Nancy's (Ned & Clancy) assessment is possible.  That she just wanted to soldier on and not end what had been important to her...and perhaps that blinded her to her need for help.  Who knows.  Hoping for the best for all.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I certainly do not want to kick anyone when they are down, or criticize someone without knowing the full story, but what I do know is that she is fully aware that there are two very good, reputable doodle rescues who would have taken these dog in a heartbeat and found them wonderful homes. There was no need for them to have to go through the trauma of being in a shelter. This is also not the first time dogs from this breeder have ended up in shelters.

Also, when breeders buy doodles from other breeders, which seems to be the case with some of the dogs here, they have a contractual agreement just like any of us do when we buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, that the dog must be returned to the breeder if we cannot keep it for any reason. Again, responsible breeders have these clauses in their contracts to prevent the dogs from ever ending up in a shelter.

Now it is possible that she was so incapacitated that she could not speak or give directions, and others made the decision to place the dogs in the shelter, not being aware that there were options. If that's the case, it speaks to Laurie's point about the necessity of making arrangements and speaking about these things with family members before something happens.

I am not trying to assign blame or speculate on someone's misfortune, just want everyone here to realize that there is never a reason that any dog has to end up in a shelter.

I agree with Nancy, I think these are dogs from good lines who, with time and patience, will probably be very nice pets.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Are they there yet?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nicky, Sweetie was said to be paper trained or not trained or... just not the traditional training.

Not one accident or problem.  Spud showed her exactly what to do.  She would not ring the bell by the time she was adopted but she knew what it meant in just days.  She was also around the same age as these pups.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

First, kudos to your sister and BIL for even considering taking one of these dogs in.  Back in November another wonderful foster mom and I ended up fostering 2 doodles found in a horrible neglect situation.  While my heart broke at the condition of these dogs I was extremely nervous about taking in one of them.  It ended up being a wonderful experience being able to help rehabilitate little Oscar.  I have to say I was so proud of my family for loving this little guy as soon as he arrived and tearfully saying good bye when he left.  I ended up having him for about 2 1/2 months and a wonderful family adopted him. I know it does not always end up like this. Years ago I had to have a dog put down that I had been fostering for another rescue.  He had probably been beaten and had many, many issues that made it unsafe for him to be around my family.  It was a very difficult decision to make and I did not foster again until last year.  So I have been through both ends of the spectrum.  It is worth taking a chance on with these dogs:0)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ann was one of the first people to friend me when I joined doodlekisses. I would not have hesitated to get a doodle from her had I been in the market for one.  I know she has been battling health problems for quite a while now, and I think she has been trying to limit her 'stock' but I also think that like most of us do, she has been trying to soldier on and didn't want to change the life she has made.  I know my mom still thinks she could live at her home with part time help rather than the assisted living situation she is in.  I think we need to be charitable in our opinion about why her doodles  need socialization, have mats, infections.  As you all know, it can take a very short time for a doodle to mat, get an ear infection and be traumatized by events.  When we got Clancy he was not fearful but he was very insecure and 'needy.'  Nicky, if I were your family member I would NOT hesitate to grab one of those doodles and then follow Karen's suggestions.

[F, Calla & Luca]

So true Nancy. My mother disowned me many times after we decided she couldn't live alone any longer. And it doesn't take long for a doodle to become a mess. I think these doodles could be fine pets. No guarantees in this life though.

[Kelly B]

If it was only one dog with mats, ear infections, or under socialized it would be a different story and I would be willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. She knew there were people who would help but made the choice not to accept it. Unacceptable. This is also not the first time she had problems from what I've read.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I guess I am not comfortable in condemning someone from shelter gossip, especially when that person's life-long reputation was better than what is currently happening.  How many doodles from reputable breeders come with giardia or ear infections, or UTIs, or are very shy?  Quite a few if you read discussions on doodlekisses.

However you feel about whatever the background situation is, though, I still think these doodles are dogs from good stock genetically and would make nice pets.  All rescue dogs need support and understanding.  All dogs need socialization. 

The question was should Nicky's sister apply for one of these doodles?  My answer is that if she hasn't already, she is probably too late and will have missed getting what will turn out to be a great dog.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

She has applied and spoken at length to the people at the shelter ,only one dog was gone and then the people changed their minds so they are all still there as of today. I also expect that you are somewhat correct in that these dogs come originally from good stock and what was a good breeder in the past.

I would not consider it OK though to receive a puppy with ear infections, terrified, with giardia or other parasites and/or matted up though. Definitely not reputable breeders in my book.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nicky, Keep us posted. I hope she finds a wonderful dog and I hope these dogs find great homes. The whole situation is just so sad.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Week before last I was away in Spain when my partner ended up in hospital for some tests.  Riley was home alone.  I got a call at 11 am to say that he was delayed in the hospital and that he wasn't sure if they were going to let him go home.  I'm in Spain, Riley is home alone and I am starting to panic.( I reach for the Sangria to calm my nerves lol)  I called my ex husband and put him on standby to go to the hospital, get the house keys and (rescue) get Riley! I also called my pet sitter and put her on standby too (I also thought about heading to the airport and coming home).  As it happened he was released at 3pm and Riley was on our bed when he came home and absolutely fine.  He had been there for 7 hours at that stage.

Point about all that is that if you are an owner you have to have Plan B.  If you are a breeder you need a whole army of good plans if you are caring for several dogs.  Good thing about these pups is that I am hoping that their general health is good considering their background.  My BIL is driving the 12 hour (and overnighting) to the shelter at the weekend.