The Value of A Good Contract - Page 1

Someone made mention of having good luck with a breeder.....and the thought: 

Good Contracts maintain Good Contacts

came to my mind.

As a professional dog trainer, provider of assistance dogs, and occassional breeder,  I have found that good contracts protect everyone involved.

When I sell an assistance dog, I fully outline on the contract what commands will be taught.  I video tape those commands.  I video tape the people handling the dogs.  I generally put a Rally Novice Title on the dog.  And I have a public access test done on the dogs by other trainers(I pay for that).

I completely outline what my responsibilities, as a provider, and what their responsibilities as a recipient, are.  I explain, in the contract, that there is an initial adjustment period of 60 days with dogs.

In my puppy/breeding sales contracts, I outline what I expect as to training(I have Rotts and GSD's, so I contractually require training in  a "professional setting").  If they live locally, they are given free basic training for the life of the dog, provided they come to my home.  I outline what I expect from them should they, at some point in the life of the dog, find that they are unable to keep the dog.

I outline what I will do if the dog is dysplastic, or has other genetic defects.  And I inform them that a replacement puppy may take time.

As a dog trainer, I outline to my clients what my expectations of them are.  And I outline what I will do for them.  I have in my contract a clause which states I can never guarantee dog training----simply because I cannot guarantee that the owner of said dog will follow through and do as they are instructed(housebreaking of those toy dogs is the biggest culprit of lack of follow through on the part of the owners).  Especially with aggressive dogs(I never take on seriously aggressive dogs over 75lbs, or bully breeds, anymore, due to health issues, however, I do refer them to reputable trainers)

So, that all being said....ask for things in writing....as I have been researching sending Leri Gallon out to a trainer to get his Schutzhund 1 on him, that is one of the things that I have been asking for.  "Do you work with a contract?"  "If not are you willing to?"  Resounding yes' are the answers that I am getting.