I adopted a 9 month maltipoo. She described the maltipoo as potty trained, that she could do basic commands, and that she was vaccinated.
Potty training: Only once I adopted her did I find out that she was only doggy door trained in a backyard with tile and fake grass. Lisa fed her outside and she wouldn't go back inside her house to go potty, but the maltipoo was not actually "potty trained" for anyone that lives in a house without a doggy door.
Training: The maltipoo would only "sit," although she definitely still needed practice. She was mostly crate trained, but, again, definitely not totally trained. Of course, I was expecting to have to train her a bit to adjust her to my house and all- but I was trusting Lisa when she said she was already potty trained and could do basic commands. Unfortunately, this was just not true and I could not justify her price at 9 months to have to essentially completely train her (and improve socialization).
Vaccines: Lisa gave the vaccinations herself. This meant that the vet did not accept her "vaccination record" (a printed paper typed up by Lisa) and that trainers were not willing to have the maltipoo join classes until her vaccinations were from a vet.
The maltipoo also had very poor socialization. She was very nervous around new people and would hide behind my legs. She would bark and lunge toward any dog larger than herself. I know that this is to be expected somewhat as she changes homes, but she definitely lacked proper socialization as she did not approach anyone like a well socialized dog would do.
In the end, Lisa took back the maltipoo and would only return some of what I paid- even though truly I feel as though I should have received a full refund since she was not honest about the maltipoo's training. I had told her I was willing to bring the maltipoo for training, but again, at 9 months, and at her price, I was expecting her to at least have a base level of being potty trained and know basic commands.
Finally, during this process, I had to endure Lisa's harsh language. When I told her the dog was not trained as described, she told me that I "didn't know responsibility" and asked "how [my] mother had raised me." I maintained a very calm tone, but she was very insulting. She said she should have never sold me the maltipoo because the maltipoo didn't like me (which was not true). Even if this were true, I'm not sure why Lisa would have done the transaction if she claims to love her dogs so much, unless she just wanted the money and to get rid of the maltipoo. read more