Advice- Just adopted puppy at a distance dog facility was stepped on, leg fracture.

[Anonymous]

Puppies. Are. Not. Presents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trainer was responsible, took the puppy to the vet: slight leg fracture to 12 week old puppy. From photos the puppy looks fine, report says minimal issue but I haven't spoken to their vet nor mine yet.

A slight leg fracture is a lot like a small heart attack. There's really not a good size for a fracture on a load-bearing structure. Since you haven't talked to a vet, you have no idea how bad this actually is. Closed fractures don't show in photos.

Anonymous wrote:The pup has to stay there additional week (s?), also the pup was to be van transported to us in another state. I am very upset, pup was a birthday gift to my DC and now will not be on time.

This isn't a great plan. Having someone else train a puppy you bought from states away, sight unseen, is a problem. Being stressed that the "gift" won't show up on time is the absolute wrong priority. A pet isn't a gift. This is a massive red flag.

Anonymous wrote:I am worried, the leg won't heal right plus my current dog at home is bigger and playful. I would imagine the pup won't be able to play around for weeks on end.

Legitimate concern. Depending on where the fracture is, how severe it is, and how well the pup is treated (clinically and by whoever is caring for it during its recovery), this could be something the pup outgrows, or it could be a lifelong liability (and see the next question for why that should matter to you).

Anonymous wrote:Plus will I still be eligible for the dog to get dog insurance now?

As a pp said upthread, if you don't already have insurance, this will be considered a pre-existing condition, and nothing related to it will be covered in the future. That's a LOT of risk. If you don't have the money for out-of-pocked expenses for this dog, and are relying on insurance to help you with future needs beyond basic care/maintenance, I'd strongly suggest getting another dog. While this may heal fine (again, depending on the above variables), this may create all kinds of lifelong issues, especially if it doesn't heal well. If you can't afford that out of pocket, starting today, this isn't a good dog for you.

Anonymous wrote:--Is hairline fracture for a pup hindering to growth development? Will it heal normal?

Depending on where it is, it might be okay. Healing this "normally" depends on a lot of things, like where it is, how it happened, how calm the pup can be kept while it heals... Without any further information, I would say that structure defects often cause lifelong health complications. If the dog is just going to be a couch potato, it might be okay. If you plan to go hiking regularly, or wanted a running buddy, this is probably enough of a concern that it should just be considered a dealbreaker.

Anonymous wrote:- How long does it take to heal? I never experienced this even with a human.

Fractures in humans are comparatively easy to heal, because we can stay off the damaged limb(s). This isnt' like a fractured arm in a kid where you can splint and sling it and keep them from using it. It's a puppy, who understands basically nothing of human commands, with an injury to what it uses to get around. Fractures take many weeks to completely heal.

Anonymous wrote:- Will he be able to be active with a bigger dog when I bring it home?

When are you bringing "it" home? No, unless you're not bringing it home for several weeks (so that it can completely heal wherever it currently is), it will not be able to be active with a bigger dog, or really at all. This may also cause pack dynamic issues between the newcomer and your existing dog, especially if the puppy can't fight back, get away quickly, etc.

Anonymous wrote:- I'm worried about the van ride, one more different person handling the pup and transportation drive.

Yeah, the whole "immediately to a trainer" mess was its own problem, and this definitely complicates it. You have a dog in pain, with someone who probably doesn't really care all that much because it's a job, not their personal pet. This dog is quite likely to have behavior issues due to the number of transfers, similar to a shelter dog.

Anonymous wrote:- Anxiety, psychological state of pup being locked in a crate at the trainer away from other dogs playing with him for couple weeks to heal and ride home, plus hand over to us, new family.

Yes, exactly. This isn't a good dynamic for a dog who knows it's safe at home, trusts its people/pack, and has some familiarity with the daily goings on. At best, this pup will heal and get used to things there, then get completely uprooted a second time when transferring to you. Definitely less than ideal.

Anonymous wrote:- Will we eligible for dog insurance now? Merle dog.

As a pp said upthread, for things that aren't related to this, probably. For anything that could possibly be linked to this, probably not.

Anonymous wrote:Is their anything else I should be thinking about? I am waiting for the x-ray and reports. The trainer is a separate entity from the breeder (works with them) and was picked up from the breeder from the trainer. We paid 50% to the trainer already.

Ugh

You're gonna get ugly with me for saying it, but you really ought to be thinking about why you're getting a puppy, especially as a gift for a child who isn't going to be the one handling/training it. Even after a couple months with a trainer, without the injury, this puppy would still have needed considerable leash training, would keep making messes inside because it's a puppy, and would need consistent, capable handling. Sounds like your husband isn't going to do that, you don't sound experienced enough to do it yourself, and your kid is a child. This alone is a bad dynamic for a puppy. Then you add the injury and...

Please opt out of this one and reconsider what everyone on this thread has said to you about this situation. This is a bad dynamic, with the possibility of being a lifelong problem for this dog (who you'd then try to rehome, which would be catastrophic)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trainer was responsible, took the puppy to the vet: slight leg fracture to 12 week old puppy. From photos the puppy looks fine, report says minimal issue but I haven't spoken to their vet nor mine yet.

A slight leg fracture is a lot like a small heart attack. There's really not a good size for a fracture on a load-bearing structure. Since you haven't talked to a vet, you have no idea how bad this actually is. Closed fractures don't show in photos.

Anonymous wrote:The pup has to stay there additional week (s?), also the pup was to be van transported to us in another state. I am very upset, pup was a birthday gift to my DC and now will not be on time.

This isn't a great plan. Having someone else train a puppy you bought from states away, sight unseen, is a problem. Being stressed that the "gift" won't show up on time is the absolute wrong priority. A pet isn't a gift. This is a massive red flag.

Anonymous wrote:I am worried, the leg won't heal right plus my current dog at home is bigger and playful. I would imagine the pup won't be able to play around for weeks on end.

Legitimate concern. Depending on where the fracture is, how severe it is, and how well the pup is treated (clinically and by whoever is caring for it during its recovery), this could be something the pup outgrows, or it could be a lifelong liability (and see the next question for why that should matter to you).

Anonymous wrote:Plus will I still be eligible for the dog to get dog insurance now?

As a pp said upthread, if you don't already have insurance, this will be considered a pre-existing condition, and nothing related to it will be covered in the future. That's a LOT of risk. If you don't have the money for out-of-pocked expenses for this dog, and are relying on insurance to help you with future needs beyond basic care/maintenance, I'd strongly suggest getting another dog. While this may heal fine (again, depending on the above variables), this may create all kinds of lifelong issues, especially if it doesn't heal well. If you can't afford that out of pocket, starting today, this isn't a good dog for you.

Anonymous wrote:--Is hairline fracture for a pup hindering to growth development? Will it heal normal?

Depending on where it is, it might be okay. Healing this "normally" depends on a lot of things, like where it is, how it happened, how calm the pup can be kept while it heals... Without any further information, I would say that structure defects often cause lifelong health complications. If the dog is just going to be a couch potato, it might be okay. If you plan to go hiking regularly, or wanted a running buddy, this is probably enough of a concern that it should just be considered a dealbreaker.

Anonymous wrote:- How long does it take to heal? I never experienced this even with a human.

Fractures in humans are comparatively easy to heal, because we can stay off the damaged limb(s). This isnt' like a fractured arm in a kid where you can splint and sling it and keep them from using it. It's a puppy, who understands basically nothing of human commands, with an injury to what it uses to get around. Fractures take many weeks to completely heal.

Anonymous wrote:- Will he be able to be active with a bigger dog when I bring it home?

When are you bringing "it" home? No, unless you're not bringing it home for several weeks (so that it can completely heal wherever it currently is), it will not be able to be active with a bigger dog, or really at all. This may also cause pack dynamic issues between the newcomer and your existing dog, especially if the puppy can't fight back, get away quickly, etc.

Anonymous wrote:- I'm worried about the van ride, one more different person handling the pup and transportation drive.

Yeah, the whole "immediately to a trainer" mess was its own problem, and this definitely complicates it. You have a dog in pain, with someone who probably doesn't really care all that much because it's a job, not their personal pet. This dog is quite likely to have behavior issues due to the number of transfers, similar to a shelter dog.

Anonymous wrote:- Anxiety, psychological state of pup being locked in a crate at the trainer away from other dogs playing with him for couple weeks to heal and ride home, plus hand over to us, new family.

Yes, exactly. This isn't a good dynamic for a dog who knows it's safe at home, trusts its people/pack, and has some familiarity with the daily goings on. At best, this pup will heal and get used to things there, then get completely uprooted a second time when transferring to you. Definitely less than ideal.

Anonymous wrote:- Will we eligible for dog insurance now? Merle dog.

As a pp said upthread, for things that aren't related to this, probably. For anything that could possibly be linked to this, probably not.

Anonymous wrote:Is their anything else I should be thinking about? I am waiting for the x-ray and reports. The trainer is a separate entity from the breeder (works with them) and was picked up from the breeder from the trainer. We paid 50% to the trainer already.

Ugh

You're gonna get ugly with me for saying it, but you really ought to be thinking about why you're getting a puppy, especially as a gift for a child who isn't going to be the one handling/training it. Even after a couple months with a trainer, without the injury, this puppy would still have needed considerable leash training, would keep making messes inside because it's a puppy, and would need consistent, capable handling. Sounds like your husband isn't going to do that, you don't sound experienced enough to do it yourself, and your kid is a child. This alone is a bad dynamic for a puppy. Then you add the injury and...

Please opt out of this one and reconsider what everyone on this thread has said to you about this situation. This is a bad dynamic, with the possibility of being a lifelong problem for this dog (who you'd then try to rehome, which would be catastrophic)

This is a good summary. This trainer seems like a money grab. If you are committed to this dog, you go get it now, not wait a minute longer. The dog got the injury with the trainer. How could someone leave their dog with someone who had this happen and how did it happen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, to address some of your concerns, the puppy will very likely heal completely fine and not have long term issues. The puppy will need to be kept crated to allow the leg to heal, not fun, but not the end of the world. Once the pup is home, follow up with a visit to your vet to be sure everything is healing and that you were given accurate information about the extent of the injury. Ask the trainer to foot the bill for this as he is responsible and should have insurance to cover his liability. If he refuses, take the dog to the vet anyway and pursue damages later.
On your child's birthday, give the puppy supplies and a photo of the puppy. Explain to the child when the puppy will arrive. Problem solved
You will need to supervise your adult dog with the puppy and probably separate with baby gates until they adjust. They're eventually going to be evenly matched, but the puppy's leg needs to be cleared by your vet before they can play.
A fracture should not impede you getting insurance for your puppy. They won't cover anything related to this injury, but anything else should be unaffected. You mention that the dog has a merle coat, so I assume a herding breed, have the puppy genetically tested for mdr1 which will affect the ability to tolerate some medication. It is good information for you/your vet to have.

OP here, Thank you, truly! The trainer has been responsible and caring with my pup. She has a good relationship with the breeder which has good reviews and standing, including BBB. I am already attached to this dog, although I have not seen the dog personally. I have had many conversations and videos. We brought home another dog 7 years ago, different breeder, the same way, and had no issues. My other dog is healthy and has never had a problem so this new leg dilemma is all new to me. Going to training right away was a condition my husband placed in order to adopt a second dog- not that I have to explain!

Thank you again!

You do the training at home with a local trainer. If you love this dog, you don't leave it in a bad situation and you go get it now.

[Anonymous]

distance dog facility ????????