The original question was asked, and I probably should have elaborated on it more, because pet shop dogs are quite used to stepping in, sitting in, maybe even wearing their own "mess", especially after being in those conditions for 2+ months...therefore, they kind of come home "trained" that that's okay.
To quote the Yorkshire Terrier book that I'm currently reading, "Dogs are, by nature, clean animals and will not remain close to their relief areas unless forced to do so. In those cases, they then become dirty dogs and usually remain that way for life."
That was my concern. I'm familar with Wizard of Claws and that they don't exactly have a loyal fan base; neither does Just Puppies, but that's where we found our first beagle and she has always been in perfect health. EVERY retailer that has been open for more than a week has ex-customers with bad experiences. *cough*SPRAWL-MART*cough, cough* But if every, single experience was purely a bad one? You wouldn't have to create web sites warning people, they would have gone out of business long ago and without our help. (If people can afford to fork over $3,500 for a dog without batting an eyelash, I doubt they'd have a problem finding the money to hire a lawyer if something happens to that puppy.) We all have to make our own choices - I refuse to set foot inside of that certain mass retailer and would rather support Wizard of Claws than a dog rescue. Those are my choices. I make them as informed as possible and do not take the purchase of our newest, and last for many years to come, family member lightly.
I appreciate the concern, but I really would have thought that after I explained that I knew the risks that were a associated with buying a puppy (Period. Pet store or any form of breeder, only they know the truth about that dog.), this would have let up and we could have gotten back to the actual question this was started for.
On a slightly related note, we may have found a girl
in our area, in our price range, and from a breeder that appears to care about his dogs; complete with references and three-year health warranty. The only fishy part about him is that he claims to have already started working with the dogs on housebreaking. They're presently 8 weeks old.
Hmm...yeaaaahhhh...maybe they ARE trying, but I don't know how much it's going to work. And if that's the worst fib I have to worry about from him? I think I can deal with it. And, if all else fails, Dorothy's been on Wizard of Claws since I started searching, I doubt someone will decide to take her home anytime soon, unfortunately.