Reasons to NOT sell a puppy to someone - Page 2

I wish there was a service available to screen potential puppy buyers. Looks like I may have to place 2 pups in the near future and worry where they may end up. I use to think my instincts about people were pretty good but lately my batting average hasn't been that great. I need to ask a lot more questions and maybe start actually visiting homes.

 

by triodegirl on 18 July 2008 - 09:07

 

I wish there was a service available to screen potential puppy buyers. Looks like I may have to place 2 pups in the near future and worry where they may end up. I use to think my instincts about people were pretty good but lately my batting average hasn't been that great. I need to ask a lot more questions and maybe start actually visiting homes.

Contact a GSD rescue group and get a copy of one of their prospective adoptee questionaires.  Do the home visits or find someone you trust, who also has GSD's to get them to do it for you if the placement is too far away.  It may not be your instincts.  Con-artists are getting wiser.  I'm not sure threads like this help.  Any of them reading it now will know what could be asked and how to answer the question.  

After reading this board for a few years and seeing the dogs passed around and the complaints about breeders, I would say I wouldn't want to sell to anyone I don't know personally.  The nitpicking and whining from people who have bought a dog that they can't handle or don't understand is ridiculus.  It must be the breeder's fault that the pup is biting their hands all the time or chasing the cats.  Now we want our full refund plus costs or we'll sue.  It's scary out there breeders!

One last litter for me so I can get the pup I want and then I'm concentrating on my Bengals:)

I would guess that I have got to be one of the more discriminating when it comes to which homes I select as future homes for my pups. On my current litter I have turned down 18 Applicants and accepted 2 so far. The two Applicants I approved so far with this litter were in my opinion choice homes for GSD's, and I have German Showlines. One home is a Doctor that has owned GSD's in the past, has 340 acres, 100 of them on a Mountain with 40 Quarter Horses (pack and trail) and I think this pup will have a superior home, tons of love, attention and exercise with him and his family. The other home is a College Student majoring in Zoology and also working at a zoo in the Ambassador Animal program, training animals and studying animal behavior. He traveled over 800 miles between work and classes in the middle of the night to pick up his pup and he has plans of advanced Obedience and Social training so that she can work with him at the zoo as an Ambassador for visiting groups.

Reasons to refuse a home? Anything from a bad vibe, lack of experience with large breeds, know it all attitude, or anyone I don't feel we would have a good future relationship as I do want to remain in contact and have a good relationship with All of my puppy buyers to insure my pups best interests are covered and buyers have all their questions answered.

Reasons I have refused buyers?

1) Someone telling me my 2 page puppy Application was too lengthy

2) Someone refusing to give my required 2 person and  vet references

3) Someone telling me they lost one of their dogs due to being Hit by a Car and killed because they had no fencing so they want another GSD to replace it.

4) Young families were the dad wants a GSD and the mom left at home days with young kids all day is expected to be the one housebreaking, training and raising it

5) Young families with 2-3 young kids living in a residential neighborhood and wanting their first dog (there are many other breeds more suitable for this family and my suggestion is to check out their local animal control or rescue first.

6) Someone telling me that they will not provide names of the younger members of their family required on my Application

7) Someone telling me they will not abide by my advice on the food or vaccination schedule for THEIR puppy

8) Someone telling me their Vet knows much more about the Breed than I do so they don't have to follow my breed specific advice on my GSD puppies feeding or vaccination programs ect.

9) In General anyone living in Residential areas that expect a walk to the park every night is sufficient with any breed

10) ANYONE who's first statement is my last GSD was 110 pounds and I want one just like that

11) Someone telling me the pup isn't for them but for anyone else (friend, gift, surprise)

12) Anyone telling me that they raised all their ankle humpers on Purina and that is all they will consider feeding

13) Anyone wanting a GSD because their neighbor or friend has one and their dog bites anyone that comes on their property and that is so cool

14) Someone that calls and their first question is do you have a pup they can have for free because they don't have money to buy one but promise to give it a bath every week and feed it family meals cause they have lots of food with the Food Stamps they get.

15) Anyone refusing to sign my Sales Contract

16) Anyone that's main concern is will this puppy ever chew their precious antique furniture or get mud on their new hardwood floors cause they don't want that kind of dog.

17) Anyone with another puppy at home under 4 mths or anyone requesting 2 of my pups within a 4 mth period.

18) ANYONE I feel uncomfortable with at anytime and for any reason during our interviewing or even their answers on my Puppy Application

19) Anyone refusing the puppy I feel i

cont.

19) Anyone refusing the pup that I feel is most suited to their home, lifestyle and experience.

20) Anyone thinking they Know it All and can't possibly learn anything more!

IMO, the reason that some people can't handle German Shepherds is the dog is smarter than they are and the dog knows it!!!

Sandra

Mystere

I suppose this is an opportunity afforded me due to my location in the States. In my State there are many Sheep and cattle ranchers that can provide excellent homes and experience with herding dogs, there are ranches, Mountain dwellers with land, farmers, and many excellent homes which can provide active homes with room for this breed. There are very few residential homeowners in town that apply for my pups and for these city dwellers I'd rather recommend the local shelter, a different breed or a rescue and as of yet I have only placed one pup with a residential home. This home had a 16 year old boy that the family waited 2 years for him to be able to drive, get his grade avg up to the A-B level and until he showed great responsibility and maturity before they allowed him his dream of a GSD puppy. They prepared months in advance and proved to me they were ready for the ownership and had already purchased a 48" 2 door crate and bed, bowls, my recommended puppy chow formula, installed invisible fencing, counseled with their (Holistic) veterinarian, provided several super references and proved to me their son was active in many clubs/groups and activities in which he planned on including his puppy, and already had scheduled both puppy classes and basic obedience classes. They were willing to drive in from out of state for an interview and everything "clicked" between us. 

Why would I want to place a pup with a family in town, with a tiny yard, with no experience with high energy dogs, living a sedentary lifestyle, when I have so many more suitable applicants? I for one do not want to hear months down the road my pup was dropped off at a shelter because it barked at neighbors cats, dug up a garden out of boredom, got hit by a car escaping out the front door, got torn up at a dog park because that was the only place they had to let him off leash, or he hung himself cause they had to chain him in the yard cause they got tired of having to walk him around the block once a day.

I guess I'm just lucky I have the opportunity to provide my pups with what I hope will be the best possible homes/lifestyles for them to be the "Best that they can Be"

On the flip side many ranchers don't kennel their dogs and one can be shot for crossing the fencline, to the neighbors ranch. I also live in town with a small yard and have 3 GSD's. I have a huge park 3 houses down adn my dogs get allot of excersize adn OB to keep their bodies and minds worked.

For me it's most of what everyone else has stated. I also go on my gut feeling and if my dog's respond well to them or not. Right now I am selling 2 of my dog's, but will NOT ship out as I want to meet the possible new owner's and maybe check out where their forever home might be at, as well as everything else.