Confidence tricksters and scam artists are everywhere, just waiting to pounce on the gullible public, and nowhere are they more active than in the world of dogs. These unscrupulous individuals can be male or female, young or old and can be found in all walks of petdom. Newspaper advertisements are their favourite channel for luring victims and the smalls are where you’ll find them lurking - they are the dog brokers, puppy farmers,  fake behaviour specialists and suspect puppy and dog trainers. The shame is they care little for the welfare of poor animal and much about their pockets!

Puppy Farmers

• Puppies are mass produced in filthy, unhealthy conditions.
• Bitches are kept in cages, permanently pregnant whether sick or dying.
• Puppies of several breeds are usually sold from holding stations or motor cars.
• Inbreeding and disease is rampant in these puppies, which often die of infectious diseases, leaving the purchaser with huge vet bills and broken hearts.

Do not support this industry because you will be encouraging this despicable trade.

Dog Brokers

• These are the salesmen of unscrupulous breeders and puppy farmers.
• The same telephone number appears in several ads for different breeds of puppy.
• Your required deposit will vanish with the promised pup!

Fake Behaviour Specialists

• These are self- appointed experts with no accreditation (An accreditation is awarded by an recognised organisation and is earned by merit.)
• A correspondence course in animal behaviour (Ethology) is not an accreditation.
• These people take money under false pretences and give genuine practitioners a bad name.

Puppy Schools or money making rackets

This is the critical period of your pup’s development and could make or break your puppy for life

• Hands on experience and a good understanding of dog behaviour are pivotal requirements.
• Attending a seminar is not a qualification nor is having trained a dog in the past.
• Kennel Union of SA working championship status is an indication of ability.

Dog Trainers

• Avoid trainers who charge large sums of money and make empty promises - ask for past client references.
• Expensive glossy posters and pamphlets or a glib sales pitch does not indicate ability.

Buying a puppy is indeed a risky business so do your homework well. A registered KUSA breeder who doesn’t mass produce and really has the pup’s best interest at heart is first prize in my book. And when it comes to service, word of mouth is always a wise choice.
Scam artists and pretenders all have one thing in common … how much money they can make and how quickly they can make it!