??? Free Puppy??? Anyone done this? - Page 1

My bitch is due to whelp in a few weeks. I would really like for one puppy to go to a ScH trainer and am considering placing one for free with the stipulation of training and updates. Anyone willing to share their experiences with a similar situation? How did/would you handle it? Anything I should be concerned about? What type of contract has anyone utilized? Thanks for any input.

Why not offer a refund for titles earned?

I like mirasmom's idea.

As to the original idea, if I knew the person I'd consider it. I can think of a couple people I know personally who would be great homes for any puppies I had.

When I was showing AKC (not GSD) I thoroughly did my research and decided from whom I wanted to buy a puppy. Long story short, I was refused the dog I wanted to buy but the breeder had something else in mind and let me have a 4 month old puppy she picked for me & I bought for a token $150. That dog went on to enormous success for me both as a show dog, an obedience competitor, and as a producer. This breeder had seen me around the show rings for a couple years and knew that I truly was competing and training and for her as well as me it ended up being a good deal.

The only other people I know who have had success with this are people who donated puppies to Junior Handlers.

The only exception I'd make to not knowing the person themselves would be someone recommended by one of the few people I absolutely 100% trust.

I would do a refund, not free.  You can offer this for all your puppies.  If a performance or show title is achieved, they get back X amount of money.  You have to consider in your contract things like genetic health, hip certification, options in each case, and know that there's possibility, like an act of god (broken leg, handler gets sick, whatever) that the dog may not be able to be titled.  Have a good basic contract, then go from there, stipulate the kickback for each performance title, and the time period if any.

 Thanks for the responses.

i understand the philosophy behind "never free" when it is to an unknown home or mixed puppies. i know people tend to value something they have paid money for more than a freebie. i just think this is different, or would hope so. i guess i think a professional trainer would place more value on a potential sch prospect than someone taking a mixed breed home to the kids. Also, i suppose my question about stipulating in a contract that if it does not work out, it is returned. 

i offered the refund on titles with my last litter. I had one person telling me he was going to use the pup in the police department. He got fired and the dog is his pet now. Another person talked about sch training, but never followed through with the plans. 

Again, thanks for the input. it might have been a bad idea on my part. I just know my husband and i did some creative workings to have some horses trained and campaigned at a fraction of the normal cost or free, thus making our other colts more known. It was just a thought on my part.....

I know people who have done it, but it was for people with whom they already had a relationship. For example, a good club member whose current dog is getting older.
--Mary

     darvin...Like stated above by gagsd4.....In the right situation," free" could be a real blessing for the right person and the pup....: )


                Good luck....: )



                      Deanna...


            

Thanks Deanna. That is what I am looking for in this scenario...a good relationship and right situation!