Without knowing all of the specifics, I'd say the vet is *probably* ripping
you off (tough to know for sure without being there, or knowing all the
interaction between you and the vet, sometimes you say things like that, and
then the other shoe drops, and you have to take it all back).
I've always maintained that it is nearly impossible for someone *else* to
train *your* dog. You have to learn how to handle him properly. How to talk
to him, and to understand him, and his body language.
The key to house training a dog (or any training issue really) is to set him
up for success. When you aren't around, you need to crate him, or confine
him to a relatively small area until you feel you can trust him while you
aren't there (most dogs won't poop in their crates, as they know they'll
have to deal with it when they do). When you are around, you need to watch
him like a hawk, and interupt him if he starts going in the house.
As far as his chances at a local shelter, in my experience, most shelters
around here are filled with 'mutts' its almost unheard of to get a pure bred
dog in there (although you do). So that shouldn't really be a strike against
him. Also, many are low-kill/no-kill shelters. They will only euthanize the
dog in extreme circumstances (like health or severe behavioral issues). It
sounds though like you'd really like this to work. But *you* have to be
willing to put the effort in if its going to happen, and that doesn't mean
quiting your job and spending all day with your puppy. It means learning how
to understand your dog, and dealing with him on a level that makes sense to
him.
I would really recommend finding a new vet, and attending an obedience
class. As far as 'reporting the vet' well... that's up to you. I wouldn't,
but you could.
Dale
<margeliske3.TakeThisOut@hot-ail.com> wrote in message
news:edur921jv9t7enqsomfemusp3udf8l8717@4ax.com...
> In December 2005 I got a free puppy. Well, it was not exactly a puppy
> anymore and was 7 months old. In February I took it to the vet for
> shots. The vet charged me $180 and told me to bring the puppy back to
> be neutered the next week. I did and that cost me $245. While I was
> there I told the vet the pup was regularly pooping in the house. The
> vet told me he could correct that behavior and told me to bring the
> dog the following week. When I brought it, he told me I would have to
> leave the dog for a week and would be charged boarding fees. That
> cost me $530. When I got the dog home he did the same thing as before
> and continued to poop in the house. The vet told me I would have to
> bring the dog 3 times a week for therapy sessions. This has been
> costing me $345 each week ever since, and I have seen no improvement.
> On top of that, I have to take off of work 3 times every week for half
> the day to take the dog and wait till the session is over.
> Then, each week the vet tells me he has to give the dog more shots and
> check to be sure the nutering surgery is healing, which costs another
> $200 each week.
>
> Not only is this costing me more than I earn each week, but it's
> eating away at my retirement funds. So far I have spent over $5000 on
> this "free" puppy. I can not afford this any longer. I love this
> dog, but I am going broke fast. I even told the vet that he can have
> the dog, but he keeps telling me the dog will soon be healed. Besides
> the cost, my employer told me this week that if I continue to take off
> of work each week, I will be looking for a new job.
>
> I never realized that owning a dog was so costly, and would take over
> my entire life. I can not take this anymore, but I dont want to take
> the dog to the humane society where it will be killed if no one gives
> it a home, and since it's just a mutt, I really could not sell it or
> probably not even give it away.
>
> What should I do?
>
> Marge
> >> Stay informed about: I cant afford this dog 
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