Complaint Review: Jim & Karen Ellerbach

Tollgate Country Kennel :

We specialize in Shepherds For Law Enforcement .

Tollgate Country Kennel
23363 Tollgate Rd
Holy Cross Ia , 52053


In response , we have had no problems in 35 years , of adopting puppies
to families & Law Enforcement .

If anyone with a IQ of 87 would of taken them to a VET ;
( OR WOULD OF NOTIFIED US .)
They would of recieved all medical help available .

Due to these BLOGS :
We have taken the following steps, We will hold all parties responsible.

Jeff & Amy Schroeder
16989 Northern Hills DR
Dubuque IA, 52002

Linda Scovall
3345 Tibey CT
Dubuque IA , 52002

Tamara Luby
706 Lawn Drive
Loves Park IL , 61111

Cheryl R. Ross
5338 Shattuck Rd
Belvidere IL , 61008

Ken & Erin Guthrie
162117 Ave.
Rockford IL , 61100

Of all the puppies adopted in 35 years , there are these 5 complaints .
We find these people to lazy or cheap to take a member of the family
to a VET ! We find this Encourageable .

In response , to numerous postings ; which have been made Slanderlousy
against our time tested Reputation. We have been in contact with the following :
WWW.IC3.GOV/DEFAULT.COM :
THE CYBER CRIME UNIT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .
And we hope that others , will contact this Agency ,
who have suffered the same .
We hope the Parties involved will Apologetically stop all this HARRASSAMENT .
If they do not the following, Agency's have been in contact .

WWW.CYBERCRIMEUNIT.COM

WWW.IC3.GOV/DEFAULT.COM

Law firm of : McEnroe , Gotsdiner , Brewer , Steinbach , Hendrichsen .
Phone : 515-453-8260

Also Kroll Risk Management a WORLD WIDE IDENTIFY THEFT AGENCY .
This Slanderous form of Identifty Theft , We demand that it will stop if not .

For we intent on total recovery of Damages & Compensation .

Tollgate Country Kennel

Specializing in Shepherds for Law Enforcement

AKC Registered Kennel

42A0990

WARNING :

If any puppies appears sick , please call a VET , or any Animal Care Professional.
Because puppies can't speak for themselve's , And you as a owner are in
total control .

First of all I wish more people would take the time to call several veterinarians in your area for answers on the right breed and breeder for you. If you find a breeder ask them for the names of the last 10 puppy buyers for reference. That is a catch 22 because they may only give you the names of friends/family or homes that have not had any problems. The GoldenDoodle, Labradoodle, Puggle, ShihPoo etc. fad that has been sweeping the country has people dishing out all sorts of money for dogs that several years ago would have been referred to as mixed breeds that you could find at the local Humane Society for hundreds of dollars less.

I have worked in a local veterinary clinic for many years, have bred and shown dogs for over 25 years. I have several Champions and obedience titled dogs. When you come to my house to see puppies (you can come only after I have checked your references). You will walk into my house where you will find the litter in a sunlit room next to the couch where I sleep the first 3 weeks. You will see the mother and maybe a few relatives. I only have 4 adult dogs. This is not a "commercial" operation. This way you will see the temperament, size and grooming requirements of the breed. You will get a 6 generation pedigree and a contract to sign. I am not telling you this to sell my dogs because actually I have none for sale now or in the near future. I am giving you information on what to look for in a reputable breeder.

A reputable breeder cares about the home in which the puppies are going first and the check 2nd. They should ask for references. They should eagerly show you the dam of the puppies. If they are not willing to show you the dam or other dogs on the property then leave. If they use the old "contamination excuse" then why are they allowing you on the property at all? If they are worried about contamination they wouldn't let you see the puppies which would be the ones most susceptable to disease.

Keep in mind that the bitches look their worst at about the time the puppies are 7 weeks old. What that means is they will have lost or blown lots of coat and will not have a good representation in that area. They should be free of dirt and matting and in good weight. The puppies should be well socialized and eager to play with you. They should be in a clean, healthy environment. If the puppies look clean but their is alot of odor, the breeder probably did a quick cleanup before you came and the odor is probably representative of what the conditions are when you are gone. Do not purchase a puppy that seems fearful and hiding. I can almost guarantee you will have behavior problems down the line. Temperament like this can be due to genetics or lack of socialization.

When you make an appointment to see the puppies tell the breeder you are just going to look at the puppies and will probably not take one home with you on that visit. This way you feel no obligation. Please do not purchase a puppy out of sympathy. This only encourages the breeder to keep up the bad work.

A breeder should have a contract stating that the puppy should be seen by a veterinarian within the first 72 hours of purchase. This protects both buyer and seller. You should make this appointment before you go get your puppy.. A guarantee for genetic defects for 1 year is a bunch of fluff. My washing machine has a better guarantee. Most genetic defects will not be evident until ages 2 or after. Your breeder should present you with a pedigree at least 6 generations. Keep in mind that the pedigree means nothing if the breeder doesn't know anything about the dogs in the pedigree. Things listed on the pedigree should be all results of genetic testing. Eyes, hips, elbows, heart, etc.
I will say that there are some puppy millers out there with a lifetime guarantee only because they have a gazillion dogs and they will just go grab you another one.

Keep in mind that no breed is without its predisposition to genetic problems. Unfortunately when you take 2 breeds and put them together NO you do not get hybrid vigor you get a dog predisposed to hip dysplasia, PRA & heart problems bred to a breed predisposed to Epilepsy & bloat. That is just common sense. I just came across a Labradoodle page claming the hybrid vigor thing. If that made any sense that would mean that me with my German ancestory, if I married someone from Japan that our children would be free of disease.

Look up the genetic diseases of Goldens, Labradors, and Poodles. Many of these diseases can be tested for and the paperwork should be handed to you when you are looking at the puppies. You should see OFA papers (hips, elbows, heart), Cerf papers (eyes), ask about bloat, Addisons disease and epilepsy.

People, there are good breeders out there. You just have to look. They have good solid puppies, a great knowledge about their breeds and the dogs in their pedigrees. They will have a contract that is fair to both of you. Keep in mind that even with good responsible breeders that things can come up. Recessive issues that the breeder may not be aware of. Educate yourself about the diseases. Yes some problems can be environmental. If you have a breed predisposed to hip dysplasia and you overfeed the puppy and keep it on a slippery surface during the important stages of its life you can have a problem. I would side with the breeder if they can prove that the ancestory on the puppy has several generations of OFA certified dogs.

Any dog can have a knee problem but some breeds are genetically predisposed to it. If you are breeding dogs that are really straight in the rear you will probably have some knee issues. If you're breeding dogs you better know what "straight in the rear" means as well. Take a dog that is straight in the rear and overweight and you've got the poster dog for a knee problem. Small dogs can have knee problems as well and hip dysplasia. So many of these puppy mills have no idea how to breed for confomationally correct dogs. Dogs that can move and function the way they are suppose to with ease. There is a reason the herding breeds should single track and certain breeds have certain bites. All of this lingo is like a foreign language to puppy millers who could care less. Puppies are a commodity to them, like livestock. Unfortunately our clients want their pets to live beyond what the average slaughter age of a cow is.

Puppy buyers ned to do their job as well. Get those puppies into puppy class and train them. You have a responsibilty. Don't blame the breeder or the breed if your dog is misbehaving. How many dogs do you think end up euthanized in shelters because the owner didn't want to take the time out of their busy schedule to actually train the dog? Yes when our toaster breaks we throw it out and buy a new one unfortunately thats how people are treating their pets now too.

I am not here to slam those people out there that have Goldendoodle etc mixes and are happy with them and have had no problems. The above guidelines are for whatever dog you choose. You have breeders out there with fancy web pages and that can walk the walk and talk the talk but really have no idea what they are doing and no desire to be a responsible breeders. My feeling is that when I have brought a litter into this world I am responsible for them until they are no longer on this earth. If someone calls me 10 years down the road and says I can no longer keep this dog can you take him back, my reply is YOU BET.
That's all I have to say and sorry for rambling but the bottom line is do your research.

The majority of Rip-offs dont arise when a transaction goes according to plan, its when the buyer doesnt get what they paid for!


Im sure there is at least one happy customer from every business identified on Ripoff Report! Everyone gets lucky once in awhile, and hopefully this returning customer will get lucky twice.


If a buyer is ignorant of what to look for in a good breeder, or cant identify the red flags associated with poor breeding conditions, the odds of getting ripped-off is just a throw of the dice!


Make sure they let you view the living conditions! Make sure they let you view the parents and observe their interaction! Make sure they let you view all of the puppies from the litter!

Make sure the answers to your questions are the correct ones!
Instead of blindly agreeing to something, review all of the facts, then decide!

It saddens me to think that people are accusing jim and karen of producing sick and non healthy dogs. I have purchased a pup from them quite a few years ago but he was healthy! There were no problems

They even met me halfway with the puppy. Then they answered all of my questions.

That in my opinion is a person who cares, they care about their dogs and puppies. I'm sorry about your dog but i agree with jim and karen. Just like the other report I agree with them.

Whenever i have called to see if they have and GSD pups they answer my questions and in the future im looking forward to buying another puppy from them.

Jeff & Amy Schroeder :

Sounds like you don't even believe your vet !!!

The test was NEGATIVE !!!

Yes you were wrong !! You paid $200.. not $300.00 like you said.!!! We have
the check to prove it ..

Your vet said the test came back negative, Jeff you said the the pup has parvo.. So how can you say the pup had parvo.. Your vet said negative !!!!

You never contacted us when you put this on !!

Jim did talk to your vet , The vet said he did do a parvo test on Jeff's requestand she was Negative !!!!

Negative is Negative!!!

The vet said he never told Jeff she had parvo !! So there is a lie !!

All we asked for was proof from the vet she had parvo, and you could'nt provide any proof.. We didnt get anything that there was or if anything wrong, with the puppy.

We think you decided that you didn't want a pup and this is the story you came up with .. You know she was not sick when you were out and than
YOU had here put down !! HOW SAD !!!!

We are a licensed breeder and love our pets !!

Replacing a pup for you is out of the Question because your vet said the test was negative !! You had a healthy pup !! You have not proved anythingwas wrong with the pup !!!!

100% reimbursement is out of the question , You vet said NEGATIVE !!

Jim & Karen

I admit it! I was wrong! I apologize! It was only $200 and not $300!!
(I don't know how that $300 got in my head!) Everything else I stated is fact and can be confirmed.

The ridiculous ramblings in the above rebuttal are without merit simply a feeble attempt to validate your actions in which do not even justify a response.

In attempt to prevent recurrence of this type of situation I offer some constructive suggestions, not only for the short changed, heart-broken consumer but any puppies suffering unnecessarily to an untimely death.

A replacement puppy from the same litter as one deemed high contagious from reputable veterinarians is not a valid option!

%100 reimbursement is the only logical alternative!

Take advantage of any available breeder education and training courses.

Learn what to look for / the signs of an unhealthy puppy

Housing and sanitation requirements

Ventilation, lighting, primary enclosure recommendations

Nutrition and adequate veterinary care

This is your business, and you have the right to view these puppies as merely a commodity. Hopefully someday, armed with the appropriate education and compassion you and the hundreds of other back yard breeders will be respectful of the consumer as well as the pups!

Nov 6 2007 3:00 pm

You called and asked if i had any Labradoodle pups. I said yes i have 1 girl & 7 boys.You said i only want a girl...So that is why i only showed you the girl !! Yes in my garage cause it was very cold out !!

You and you wife came and played with the pup for over a hour.. You both decided you wanted to purchase her..I sold he for $200.00 not $300.00 like you said.. That is on the Policy !! And we have a copy of your check that you stopped payment on !! So there's your 1st lie!!

I showed you the POLICY that shows the 72 hour health guarantee along with the shot records .. You understood and signed it .. So when you got come you called the vet to set an appointment up..So that is why you took her the next day!!

Nov 7 2007

Jeff brought the pup out and said he wants his money back that the pup has parvo.. Jeff had the door open to his suv to show Jim the pup .I was looking out my front window at the time and he had her in a see through crate. The puppy was barking and wanting to get out and play..

Jim said he asked Jeff if he had proof from the vet .. Jeff said no !! Jim said its on our POLICY that you have written proof from the vet .. Jim said just go back to the vet for the proof and make sure he sign's it.. As stated on our POLICY !!
Well thats the last we heard from Jeff Schroeder !!!

Later Jim did talk to his vet .. The vet said he did do a parvo test on the pup at Jeff's request and she was NEGATIVE !!!

NEGATIVE IS NEGATIVE !!!

The vet said he never told Jeff she had parvo !! So there's another lie !!

All we asked for was proof that she had parvo and you didnt have any !!

We do have a POLICY but you failed to proof anything !!!

We think you decided that you didnt want a pup and this is the sad story you came up with !! She sure didnt look sick when you were out, and than you had her put down!!!! HOW SAD !!!

You as a business person you know about POLICYS and totally understand them..

We are a licensed Kennel and Love our pets!!

We are referred from alot of LOCALLY VETS !!! And from people that bought pups in our past that there pets died from old age ... Doctors, lawyers, drug task!!

We have taken action on you for SLANDER !!

On ROR its says you were suppose to contact to let us know you were doing this ..Well you have NOT !!!

You need to get this off ASAP and on any other site you put us on !!!

Like we said we have contacted a lawyer and we can get you for SLANDER !!!

Jim & Karen