Puppy got stepped on....how bad is it????

GSDcalab · 11-11-2012, 02:37 PM

Just got off the phone with the GSD breeder with whom we are purchasing a puppy. We pick up the 10 week old puppy on Wednesday, Nov. 14. I am worried because the breeder told me that her 6'5 husband accidentally stepped on "our" puppy with his work boots on. And, now, our puppy is acting very reserved, non-playful, and very skiddish. Breeder said the pup does not play with her siblings, just runs and hides. Poor thing.

Should I be concerned about behavior issues and/or health issues popping up with this puppy? Should I insist she get checked out by a vet before we pick her up? The breeder told me that if we decide we do not want her, we can choose another puppy from the same litter. Poor little baby...how can someone be so lame to step on a pup!!!!

Also, when we go pick her up, are there things I should notice about her to make sure she is ok???

Thanks for your replies!!!

hchorney1 · 11-11-2012, 02:42 PM

Ask for a vet check. They should be getting a vet clearance before you go to pick the puppies up anyway, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

onyx'girl · 11-11-2012, 02:44 PM

Did they take the pup to the vet to be certain she isn't injured? I don't know if I'd want a pup that is acting reserved, skittish or runs and hides....and if getting stepped on is the reason, the breeder should hold on to this pup regardless.

msvette2u · 11-11-2012, 02:49 PM

We rescued a pup a while back who got stepped on at 8-9 weeks and it broke his femur. They need to get that puppy to the vet.

sassynsweet · 11-11-2012, 03:00 PM

poor puppy! I hope it's okay!

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

Freestep · 11-11-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

Did they take the pup to the vet to be certain she isn't injured? I don't know if I'd want a pup that is acting reserved, skittish or runs and hides....and if getting stepped on is the reason, the breeder should hold on to this pup regardless.

I agree.

Plus, it says something about the pup's native temperament if she's acting skittish, running away and hiding. Some pups get stepped on, and they'll yelp and carry on for a moment, then bounce right back and go back to running around playing, no loss of confidence or attitude.

Granted, being stepped on HURTS and if the pup has had a total change of behavior, she may have hidden injuries--she needs to go to the vet for an x-ray. The breeder should not be selling this pup until she recovers, and I personally would not buy this pup even if (especially if) the vet cannot find any injuries.

Rerun · 11-11-2012, 04:17 PM

Totally agree with freestep.

In regards to your comment about how lame can a person be to step on a puppy - especially given that they have a litter of them, accidents happen. Puppies get underfoot and if he tried to miss one and lost his balance, etc ....crap happens. I'm sure he feels terrible about it.

GSDcalab · 11-11-2012, 04:32 PM

Thank you so much everyone for your advice. I REALLY appreciate it! I phoned the breeder back and she did not take the pup to the vet. She said that she "thinks" her husband just stepped on one of the pups paws and that the pup is walking fine. She was not actually there when it all happened just that she can tell from the personality change. I am very cautious about this whole situation but the breeder seems to think it is no big deal and that the pup will snap out of it. My two former GSD's came from this breeder and I absolutely loved both of my dogs. They were perfect!!! So, I am thinking I will just show up at the breeder's house on Wednesday and see how this little girl reacts to me. I feel so bad for the pup. Let's just hope and pray the pup is ok.

A little off the topic.....this forum has some special healing powers because you guys provided comfort to me recently when Callie, my GSD, died on Aug. 8. I went through every emotion possible but basically I was just so sad and heart broken. I still miss her deeply......and never thought I could have another dog because of the immense pain when they leave us. But, then I thought about how much I love having one and no matter how painful it is when the time comes and they leave us, I would rather share my life with such a special animal. Anyway, thanks.

GSDcalab · 11-11-2012, 04:40 PM

You are right, Rerun, accidents happen. I probably should have calmed down before I posted my thread....I was upset because I felt bad that she got stepped on and it probably didn't tickle.

I am not sure if the breeder's husband feels bad...I hope he does and is more careful next time.

msvette2u · 11-11-2012, 04:45 PM

No no no. The breeder NEEDS to have the puppy seen.
If a growth plate was snapped, the puppy could suffer from a lifelong deformity. The only way to tell is an x-ray and exam.

I'm more concerned about the breeder not seeing why the puppy needs to go to the vet.
Many dogs WILL run and hide when they are hurting or injured, so to avoid being injured again or having the injured part stepped on again.

11-11-2012, 02:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
GSDcalab New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 21	Puppy got stepped on....how bad is it???? Just got off the phone with the GSD breeder with whom we are purchasing a puppy. We pick up the 10 week old puppy on Wednesday, Nov. 14. I am worried because the breeder told me that her 6'5 husband accidentally stepped on "our" puppy with his work boots on. And, now, our puppy is acting very reserved, non-playful, and very skiddish. Breeder said the pup does not play with her siblings, just runs and hides. Poor thing. Should I be concerned about behavior issues and/or health issues popping up with this puppy? Should I insist she get checked out by a vet before we pick her up? The breeder told me that if we decide we do not want her, we can choose another puppy from the same litter. Poor little baby...how can someone be so lame to step on a pup!!!! Also, when we go pick her up, are there things I should notice about her to make sure she is ok??? Thanks for your replies!!!

11-11-2012, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
hchorney1 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 82	Ask for a vet check. They should be getting a vet clearance before you go to pick the puppies up anyway, so it shouldn't be a big deal. __________________ Heidi Max, GSD 2002-2011 Shadow, GSD Not So Little Black Demon Last edited by hchorney1; 11-11-2012 at 02:45 PM.

11-11-2012, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,352	Did they take the pup to the vet to be certain she isn't injured? I don't know if I'd want a pup that is acting reserved, skittish or runs and hides....and if getting stepped on is the reason, the breeder should hold on to this pup regardless. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

11-11-2012, 03:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
sassynsweet Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 40	poor puppy! I hope it's okay! Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ Alix Skylar ~ Aussie d.o.b. 11/7/10 Tucker ~ Yellow Lab d.o.b. 8/9/11 Hopeful Future GSD Owner

11-11-2012, 02:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	We rescued a pup a while back who got stepped on at 8-9 weeks and it broke his femur. They need to get that puppy to the vet.

11-11-2012, 04:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,990	Totally agree with freestep. In regards to your comment about how lame can a person be to step on a puppy - especially given that they have a litter of them, accidents happen. Puppies get underfoot and if he tried to miss one and lost his balance, etc ....crap happens. I'm sure he feels terrible about it.

11-11-2012, 04:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
GSDcalab New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 21	Thank you so much everyone for your advice. I REALLY appreciate it! I phoned the breeder back and she did not take the pup to the vet. She said that she "thinks" her husband just stepped on one of the pups paws and that the pup is walking fine. She was not actually there when it all happened just that she can tell from the personality change. I am very cautious about this whole situation but the breeder seems to think it is no big deal and that the pup will snap out of it. My two former GSD's came from this breeder and I absolutely loved both of my dogs. They were perfect!!! So, I am thinking I will just show up at the breeder's house on Wednesday and see how this little girl reacts to me. I feel so bad for the pup. Let's just hope and pray the pup is ok. A little off the topic.....this forum has some special healing powers because you guys provided comfort to me recently when Callie, my GSD, died on Aug. 8. I went through every emotion possible but basically I was just so sad and heart broken. I still miss her deeply......and never thought I could have another dog because of the immense pain when they leave us. But, then I thought about how much I love having one and no matter how painful it is when the time comes and they leave us, I would rather share my life with such a special animal. Anyway, thanks.

11-11-2012, 04:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
GSDcalab New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 21	You are right, Rerun, accidents happen. I probably should have calmed down before I posted my thread....I was upset because I felt bad that she got stepped on and it probably didn't tickle. I am not sure if the breeder's husband feels bad...I hope he does and is more careful next time.

11-11-2012, 04:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	No no no. The breeder NEEDS to have the puppy seen. If a growth plate was snapped, the puppy could suffer from a lifelong deformity. The only way to tell is an x-ray and exam. I'm more concerned about the breeder not seeing why the puppy needs to go to the vet. Many dogs WILL run and hide when they are hurting or injured, so to avoid being injured again or having the injured part stepped on again.

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