Complain about a product or service

Canine Corral

Huntington Station, NY

Steve of Brooklyn NY (11/19/03):
I purchased a German Shepherd Puppy approximately 3 1/2 mos old from Canine Corral. I brought him home and for approximately one week the dog was deficating 7 to 8 times a day. I contacted the store and they told me to feed him rice and then if that does not help I should send him to the vet. I brought him the vet to discover that the dog had a parasite which cause his bowel problems.

The vet further examined the dog and discovered that the puppy had a congenital defect. One of the testicles had not dropped. They stated that the dog needed to be neutered or it would die. The vet told me that once a puppy develops a congenital defect such as this a reputable breeder should not sell or breed this animal blood line.

I had contacted the store and they told me that someone would call me back. I called again and finally reached the person and she stated that they would assist me in whatever surgery the dog would require. I stated that I paid over $800 for a purebred dog that was supposed to be healthy. She replied bring him back for another one, reimbursement or keep the dog. I told her I would return the dog.

I returned the dog and the person supposedly responsible for these matters was not there. I told the person at the place that I would not leave without my money. Once they saw the medical reports from my vet and my conviction at having this matter resolve they reimbursed my funds. However, I lost over $100 in food & vitamins purchased, $60 in vet fees. At least the dog got the medical care it needed.

Desiree of New York, NY writes (11/18/02):
On November 4 2002 I purchased a puppy from Canine Corral, a 3-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel female. The day of purchase I took her to one of their vets and he gave her a clean bill of health. When I got home I noticed she was sneezing and had what appeared to be a cough. Three days later it's worse.

I again took her back to their vet who gave me antibiotics and said it was just kennel cough. Three days again she's getting worse but the shock was while rubbing her belly I noticed she had suture marks on her lower abdomen. I called Canine Corral and was told, "oh, that's from a weak membrane. Some puppies have to have surgury for it but it's nothing to worry about. I could not believe what he just said. I then took her to a local vet and after x-rays and an exam she has a respiratory infection and the doctor could not figure out what could possibly be the reason for her surgery.

I do not wish to give my dog up. My children have already become very attached to her. I would like all medical bills paid and would like to have the price of $2400 dropped to a reasonable price knowing that now I am taking a big chance on my dog. I should have been told of any conditions prior to buying her.

Desiree should sue for reimbursement for the medical expenses in Small Claims Court.

"D" of New York writes (2/28/03):
We purchased a mixed-breed puppy from Canine Corral in 1999. Canine Corral lied about the puppies mixture and approximated weight when they knew her dam and sire's breeding history. Less than even a day after we bought our precious little package home, we bought her to the vet because she had trouble breathing, and a running nose. When we contacted the shop they said in these exact words, "Bring it back, and pick a new one". When asked what they would do with our sick pup, they said, "Euthanize it"... I, personally, would not take that.

Our puppy ended up in the hospital for over three greuling weeks, iv, surgery, etc. The vet said he had never seen such a bad case in a puppy, and that if we had waited until the next day, that she would have died. The vet, seeing first-hand what has happened with Canine Corral's puppies before, agreed to treat our pup free of charge. Occasionally waliking into Canine Corral every so often, I see more and more cases like mine. It is truly heartbreaking.

Lori of Ronkonkoma, NY, writes (7/12/02):
Purchased a "purebred" chocolate Labrador Retriever August 2001. Dog is now 1 yr old and showing aggression toward children for no reason. Just walking in the room can make the dog lunge and bite. Currently seeking help with pet behaviorist/trainer. Showing signs of possible INBREEDING -- mass producing certain high-demand breeds for the purpose of making money.

Places like Canine Corral should be closed for Inhumane treatment of animals. Places like this are reinforceing puppy mill situations. The reason why I bought a Labrador was because they are known to be non-aggressive. Spent over $850.00 to purchase dog not including intial vet care such as shots. Now will spend much much more in training cost.

Economically is costing $175.00 per visit for a one-hour session with trainer each week. Purchasing of special food with low protein, larger crate, special leashes, vet bill of $500.00 for testing of thyroid, cbc and so on. Neutering as well. Children are now afraid of dogs. Extremely stressful to live our lives on guard but are emotionally attached to this dog which is why we are doing all this.

Kiera of Commack NY writes (10/8/01):
I purchased a puppy from Canine Corral on January 10, 1999. I owned the puppy for a year and a half. Out of nowhere on July 23, 2001 my dog got sick and died that very day. She was only 21 months old.

It was reported by her vet and by the emergency vet that saw her the day of her death that she was born with congestive heart disease which resulted in the congestive heart failure she had the day she died.

When Canine Corral was notified of the death they wanted x-rays of the dog to determine the death. The x-rays were given to them for two weeks and I was told nothing could be determined becuase the dog was exhaling when the x-ray was taken, and that the dog probably died from heat exhaustion.

I am in the process of getting written documents from both vets and two certified radiologists stating that her death was in fact due to congestive heart failure which was caused by her being born with congestive heart disease. The store is willing to give me a replacement puppy, but I am fearful of this happening again. I would like to have the full amount of payment back from the store.

From the death of my puppy I experienced major emotional damage. Princess was her name, and she was like my child. I cared for her, fed her, took her to the doctor regularly for check ups. She slept in my bed with me. The day she died was a shock. The day before which was a sunday she was fine. She was running around and playing.

"D" of Westbury, NY (3/1/02):
We purchased a Bicon Frise puppy from an AKC breeder and when he was 12 weeks old signed an agreement with Mike of Canine Corral to train the puppy. Because of our hectic schedule Mike strongly suggested that the dog be left with their trainer for 3 to 4 weeks. Despite our apprehension we agreed with the guarantee from Mike that the dog would be returned trained to go outside, sit, heel, stay and come and that they would follow up with weekly personal instruction when the dog was back in our house.

We picked the dog up after 4 weeks and the only thing the dog was trained to do was stay in the crate. He defecated in the crate, in the house and listened to no commands. When told this, Mike indicated that we were not the first to complain about the training or lack thereof by the trainer the dog had been placed with. Both Mike and Ira agreed to send another trainer to the house to assist us. This trainer, Peter, was able to show us how to handle the dog when he decided to show up. We met with him 3 times for about 30 minutes each time over a period of 2 months. There was no consistency in appointments and in fact appointments were made by Peter and never kept. He would call every 3 weeks or so to find out how we were doing.

Ira and another woman manager were told of our difficulties and Ira agreed to refund our money ($1,000). When we neither heard from them nor got a refund after 4 weeks we called again and the manager indicated they were not going to do anything, either refund or training, since it was their opinion that the dog was trained and we the owners were not. We hired them in good faith to help us train the puppyand they have now abandoned us. If they feel we should be "trained" then it is their resposibility to show us what to do. This is not the first dog we have had and have found it insulting to be treated this way.

The dog was purchased to replace a Bichon that we had that had died after 18 years.

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