Just found out a few nights ago that a dog I bred was put to sleep for wetting in the house.  The owner said she couldn't cope with the smell of urine from him any more and had him taken to the vet to be pts, he was only 4years old.  She also said that he was being treated by the vet for pancreatitis.
The dog stayed with us while the lady had gone on a long weekend break. The dog showed no signs of ill health while with us.  I have the same vet and called him to ask what symptoms etc I should have looked for while the dog was with me and he said that he had given the dog his booster 3 months previous and he was not treating the dog for any ongoing illness, the dog had been on two occassions in the last 3years with upset tummy but no other signs of illness.  I asked him about the dog being pts and all he would say was there was a temprament issue.  This lady lives in the next street, I asked why she didn't contact me, her answer was that she is suffering from depression and not able to cope.  She said that she told the vet he had bitten a grandchild, because she knew she needed a reason for him being pts.
No matter the checks you do and how close the contact with owners you never know 100% what is happening. 
The old saying of Behind Closed Doors!!!!

How sad!There are so many if only's in this.....
Clinical depression is so widespread these days and who knows what goes on in people's minds,but what a sad outcome for this poor dog.I think the vet should have done some more research into this before putting the dog to sleep!! There was nothing more you could do Abbeypap but my thoughts are with you :)
Jacqueline

I'm so sorry you had to learn of this. What a shame and what a waste. I don't know if this would help for future reference, but I wonder if you could put in future puppy contracts that if for any reason the buyer doesn't want the dog anymore, wants to re-home, give to friend, have pts.....for any reason, that you reserve and insist on first right of refusal....meaning the buyer MUST contact you and let you choose what to do with the dog. You can then take the dog back. If they breech the contract perhaps there's legal action you could take. A contract is a contract if it's done up right.

I know this doesn't help now. And this must make you feel awful. What awful people to think of these precious beings as so dispensible.

Carrie

At least the vet was upfront with you, I'm surprised that he even spoke to you.

As you say, it's scary how eventhough someone is close to you and you think you know them that something like this can happen.  I've found out that people who are your friends and have a dog aren't always the best to own one. 

I feel so sorry for you, we try to do our best for our dogs and this kind of thing happens.

How very sad,you must be devastated:0( i am really shocked and surprised though that the vet would put a perfectly healthy pup to sleep simply because this woman said he bit a child,surely there should be a law that you must have proof of this happening??Disgusting!!

Jestony, looking at it from another point of view - I had to take a dog I'd bred to be pts because he had made an unprovoked attack on a little girl (thankfully he was on the lead at the time & so didn't cause too much harm). It was a devastating thing to have to do & the last thing I would have wanted would have been for the vet not to take my word for it & to have to go & get proof of his deed. What proof would be acceptable anyway? Bring the little girl to the vet's so he could see her scars? Drive 40 miles to get witness statements? It's hardly in a vet's JD to be judge & jury as to whether a dog should be pts or not.

think biting a child and weeing in the house are two different things though :(

Lel - the "excuse" the owner gave was that the dog had bitten a child which was why it was pts.

ahhh poor dog, why on earth didnt she tell you she couldnt cope, sounds to me as if her depression was the problem not the poor dog :(

Heidi

Hello All

Thank you for your replies, I was devastated when told the dog had been pts, but I also feel sorry that the lady felt unable to come to me.  Depression is something that can hit anyone at any time and it isn't something people discuss with neighbours or the breeder of there dog, unless you have a very close relationship.  I found out today that the lady's 85 year old mum is in hospital and really quite ill.
All my puppies go out with (elastic on their tails, lol) a return contract, and though I might not have weekly contact with owners I do call them at least once every couple of months after the first year, in the first 12 months I call at least once a month just to keep contact and ensure that there are no issues with the dogs settling into their new homes.  My husband is quite thankful that I don't breed large litters or that often. 
I know that it is to late for what if's, it can't change anything, but sometimes it's good to talk.

Regards
Joan

Exactly Anwen it was an "excuse" which is why i think somehow the vet should of looked into it a bit more,after all if a dog bites a child even its its only a nip i would of thought the parents would of involved the police,they should of at least taken the child to the doctors so in which case "there is two ways of obtaining some proof",dont get me wrong,i have 4 children myself and take a serious veiw when it comes to dogs biting children,but just feel its so unfair that these people used this as an excuse just so they could get rid of the poor little soul,much more should be done first before healthy dogs/pups are pts,after all they are living creatures and have rights too and should not be regarded as "disposable",i can fully understand where you are coming from though and yes i would imagine in a lot of cases maybe is hard to obtain proof,a very sad situation all round though:0(

I can understand how you feel Joan. My mum has put my dog to sleep after I have moved to England because he was messing in the house. It wasn't dogs fault as nobody bothered to take him out for walk. I used to take him on regular basis & he never used to have accidents indoors. I felt so sad when my mum told me that the vet has put him to sleep. I think the vets shouldn't agree to it but instead recommend training classes in some cases.  

Hi Abbeypap

Obviously this person has not house trained the dog properley?
I have a 14 week old staff and he lets us know when he wants to go outside! He is fully house trained now.

There is no need to put a dog to sleep for weeing, it's a natural thing, only for a dog who isn't yet house trained, he/she doesn't know where is right and where is wrong!!

4 years old is a very young dog. Why didn't the vet ask why this dog was to be pts?

Ashleigh

"She said that she told the vet he had bitten a grandchild, because she knew she needed a reason for him being pts."

Sorry,
I didn't read that far....too horrified to hear about the dog!

sorry again,

Ashleigh

I have mental health problems and I got one of my dogs rehomed.  I took the choice to get him rehomed because I knew I wasnt able to care for him as well as he deserved.  My parents helped a lot and looked after him while I was going through a time of being very unwell.  I would never even have thought for a second about getting him PTS. its just not right to me.

I have a pup now, Sally.  Shes 12.5wks and is doing really well, still pee/poo in house but we're working on training.  Just wanted to say I read this and I want to say I care.

It never ceases to shock me what some people will do to their dogs.
im so sorry for you