Tuning pegs

Wish I knew how to post a picture. I bought a dulcimer, that sounded horrible. A friend that plays guitar said it was the tuning pegs. So I took them off went to a music store in town and the fella said the dulcimer is handmade,good wood but the reason he got rid of it was due to the peg holes are unique and would be hard to fit. I wonder if I used dowel rods, I think this would work but can't figure how to get the rods not to turn when I played it. I figured anyone making a dulcimer might know.

Maybe it's unfixable. Anyone living in Southern Indiana or northern Ky maybe I could bring it to you for help Thanks