Hi all

Just out of curiousy how do you breeders tell any potential puppy buyers that they are not suitable for the dog/breed, and that you are unable to sell them one of your pups. I now just say no but face to face its harder that that. Do you tell them to think about it and phone you after visiting thepups, then tell them " sorry but i am unable to sell you one because..."

Or do you shine a light in there eye and ask them 1000 questions and hope they will slip up some where, giving you a reason not to sell one

Heidi

maybe breeders should with all the "poor" owners out there .
Lel

It is one of the most difficult things to do. Initially you try to discover what they are like on the phone before they come but on several occasions I have been wrong with my first impression. One person that I first said no to because she had her daughter's nannie ring me to book a puppy and the nannie said it was for her employer. I said there was no way I would sell a puppy to someone who got an employee to ring. The employer has since become my best friend. The nanny phoned because my friend was crying so much because she had just had a dog put to sleep and couldn't talk. Since then over the years she has had two from me and we often laugh at my saying no.

But I have had to be very diplomatic with parents who have horrible little angels!!! I think that is actually how you do it is by being diplomatic.

It's much easier on the phone! Face to face it's very difficult to say "get out of here and never come back, I wouldn't trust you to look after a dead stick insect!"

The first step is to word your advert carefully-you must put 'to suitable persons only' or something along those lines and then you are legally within your rughts to refuse to sell a puppy to someone.
Regards Archer

Unless I am 100% sure from the initial phone call that this is the sort of person I would trust a puppy with, I tell the caller that all the pups are spoken for, but I am just waiting for a home check report on one family. I then invite them up to meet us and have a look at the babies. If they dont, then they are not enthusiastic enough. Nothing would have stopped me seeing my first puppy (and this was the same tactic the breeder used on me, so I know it works). If you like the person, then you can either admit to your deceit and tell them why, If theyre genuine they will understand, if not they will storm out anyway, And if you dont like them, then you call them later that day and say how sorry you are, but the other home checked out fine. It wont stop them obtaining a pup if theyre determined enough from someone else, but at least its not one of your babies.

That's an excellent tactic, Jane! The worst I had was someone phone from about 100 miles away, saying he'd like a pup, he'd post a cheque, and his son could pick it up in a fortnight....!! I gave up trying to explain I didn't do mail order.

The most difficult, though was someone who was really nice, had got work schedules organised, etc etc...but boyfriend (again a nice person) had no idea about dogs and was really rough to my 5-week old babies...he even dropped one from knee height. I was sooo angry...

Did you say anything - besides NOOOOOOO
of course
Lel

Hi Lel
When you hear that little cry from the baby as it takes it's first breath into the world,you hear that little suckling noise as it takes it's first feed from Mum,you slowly watch it's eyes open and it's ears un fold and open, watch it's little tail wag cos it's seen you clearly for the first time,when it sucks on your lip to try and get milk, and slides through the food when you start to wean and you clean it's little tummy,when it pounces on a toy and you hear that first bark, and it falls to sleep in your arms cos it's warm and safe...and for the past few weeks you've thought about nothing else, it's easy to say No even face to face..cos what choice do you have.I become like a lioness with cubs :)
I've only had to demand someone to leave once,they dropped their guard on the last visit and I realised they'd lied about their daily routine.Like other posters..you usually get a good idea of people over the telephone and if you don't like them, well there's always an excuse that springs to mind, and if your'e wrong and don't like them when they arrive, just plain talking , there's no way they're going to leave with one of your babies so you might as well just tell them instead of beating about the bush.I once got the kids to phone from inside the house to my mobile in the garden, I pretended it was my friends Mum, who had first option on the pups and made out that she wanted to see them before i had sold any.I apologised to the people and said I'd be in touch..BIG FIBBER...but it worked.That was in the early days now I just say things like..the kids are too young,too rough, the daily routine wouldn't suit the pup,anything I can think of really.
Tracey :)

I know, some people are such wallies. Another idea is to contact a breed club to see if someone in that area would pop in and do a homecheck. Then you get a second opinion on the people too.

"I now just say no"....didn't realise you were breeding already heidi.

That's what my breeder does Sam- when I was waiting for Kassie she had an older pup- 9 month old and it turned out they weren't suitable- they had the cash sat there in their hands but she still said 'No':o

Usually she weeds you/them out on the phone- invites you to see how you go on/react when she lets all the dogs run in at you- afterall the 8 week ball of fluff will end up that size- she asks you 101 questions etc and then makes a choice based on everything.

Stacey x x x

sam...I don't think Heidi IS breeding yet ...if you read her post , she does say Out of curiosity ...and I have to admit , though I want to breed sometime in the future , it IS the sort of question that has gone through my mind :)

Melody

But she says (and I quote) " I now just say no". So if she now just says no, then what is she saying no to?

I think the "now" is a speeling mistale, Sam :)

I think thatshe means know not now, has done it a coupl eof times in other posts!

Hi Heidi - you confused me a bit too :) although "now" (the words you used) does fit in your sentence exactly but "know" wouldnt/doesnt? :p
Gina

The sentence should read:

I know , *just say no* .......

So , she is saying ..." Yes , I know you lot will probably say *just say no!* "

HTH

Melody :D

I bow to your higher intelligence Melody :) :D :p
Gina :o

Higher intelligence? Hmm....more likely to be I know Heidi and read the post differently :)

Melody

True :D :D :D
Gina :p

... who is wondering whether to dirty her nice clean kitchen to cook the Sunday "lunch" (every one had a late breakfast) or cook it tomorrow evening ........??? .......... :o :o .. I am having such a nice lazy day so far .....

:D

The words Kitchen and Clean should never EVER be used together on a Sunday if you want my opinion :D :D :D So I guess that means Sunday lunch on Monday ;)

We are having an Indian from Asda tonight :D

Melody ;)

ha ha said I bowed to your wisdom :D :D
Gina :p

Well at least you can blame someone else when the family moan about not having Sunday Lunch today!

:D :D

Melody :)

I grill people carefully on the phone, If i like what im told i will invite them to view the litter, But im always straight with them, I tell them that they might be viewing my puppies, But this does not mean that i will sell them one, Most people are fine with this, When they arrive i always introduce them to my tribe, Before showing them the pups, This gives me a good indication of what they are like with animals, Then i have my eldest westie Megan give them the once over, She is a fantastic judge of character, Of course they have no idea Megan is judging them, They just think shes very friendly.
I always advertise early so i can meet people more than once, And my main rule is to send people away, After viewing the pups with 24 hours grace, So they can discuss what they really want and possibly view other litters, This way i can be sure they definatley want my puppies, And are happy to send me a non refundable deposit, If they decide to buy.
About 7 out of ten people decide to buy.

Hi everyone, I have 3 dogs all bought from different breeders. One breeder vetted me and the other two didn't discuss if the breed was suitable for me or not. It seemed like they were not really bothered where their pups go. Do you still question the prospective owners as much if they already own that breed? It shows that the breeders not only have to pick the prospective owners carefully, but the people buying the pups have to consider which breeder aswell.

If they already have my breed, I would ask to have a look at the one theyve got. I like the people who turn up with hundreds of photos and are sooo proud of their other baby...

Hi Bliss,

Off topic sorry but, could you mail me at preidie@yahoo.com was wanting to ask you something..

Nothing urgent..

Pam

I turn it on it's head, and say I don't feel one of my puppies will suit them! In an attempt to make them feel less disappointed I tell them that I am saving them from making a mistake that they could end up wishing they hadn't made 14 years down the line.

As others have said, some slip through, as they seem good on the phone.
What I do is speak to them on the phone and if I feel they are right I invite them to view the pups, but I warn them that I never commit to anything until we have met.
If I don't like them then I just say No.
I have had people turn up who have owned labradors all their lives and I have turned them away.
I also let the dogs help, we once had a couple come to view the pups and my eldest lab really didn't like the guy and I turned them down.
I think as AGIOSGSDS put it, when you have whelped the pups and seen them develop etc you have got the guts to say No to someones face. People normally see my pups at 4 weeks and what you have to remember is, Will you be able to hand them an 8 wk old puppy and sleep at night. If the answer is No then tell them they're not getting one.

Sam

As Melody said, I am not breeding yet, just gathering as much info as possiable for when I do decide to have a litter, hence the questions on contracts how legally binding they are etc etc. I now my breeder will agree to sell pup then if she does not like them she will phone up later and say " I have thought about it and do not think you are suitable for the breed etc etc"

Im just taking into account peoples tactics on how they say No without offending to much ;)

Do you think that a personwith tattos all over them and a earing in every place imajoinable would be as good pet owner as the usual couple, sometimes people can be judgemental about this, do you think they could be just as could if not better dog owner that the office woman? Also how about gay couples (men and women) do any of you pass judgement on these?

Or do you think it is down the the individual

There is a small mention about selling puppies in the Book Of The Bitch, It says ask as many questions as you can over the phone, what sort of questions do you ask to get a rough idea what that person is like?

When I was looking for husky number 2, O got turned down buy a breeder over the phone because I already had a male and I was looking for a bitch, I told him that my male was non kc and he refused me a pup point blank, I think he thought I was just going to breed off the two of them ( the boy is neuterd now). He asked me what I knew of the breed, how do I excersise my dogs I told him that my boyfriend went running every night with Zeus, he asked me if I attende rallies with my dog I told him no as he was purely a pet and was not interested in things like that, he said well sorry a 2 mile walk down the canal is no enough for a husky every day. A bit harsh dont you think?

Well I later found a breeder that sold me Saskia, and I do like showing now although rallies are not my thing, but that does not mean that they are not looked after at all.

I have just done a video diary of the pups and I am sending it off to my breeder the weekend, it will be much nicer that photos. I hope that I would receive nice things like that in the future when I decide to breed

So long as the people can afford to look after the puppy and will love them and are realistic in their expectations of how the puppy will fit into their life then I don't care what they look like.

I'd hate to think that I let ill founded predjudices get in the way of a potentially brilliant home for one of my pups.

Fiona
x x x

Heidi

I never knowingly discriminate but I suppose people do go on first appearances.
I know when we went to view rottweilers at a CH show, I took my sister along and she was under strict instructions to wear something casual but tidy. When I later went to view the litter from our chosen breeder, I again took my sister who at the time wore alot of ripped jeans and football shirts etc. I told her to dress nicely and she did.
When I have people view the labs I hate those that dress up as I know they are going to be covered in muddy footprints by the end of it but I know alot of our puppy buyers who are now good friends admit they did dress up to meet us the first time!!!

I worry slightly if people arrive wearing very smart, dark clothes. Dalmatians shed a lot of white hair that's well-nigh impossible to completely remove. If people like to dress in dark.....I can foresee problems. In fact when they first phone I ask if anyone in the family has to wear a dark uniform for work (policeman etc) and I'm sure they think I'm completely bonkers!

I try not to discriminate against unmarried couples - I know marriages break up, but single people split more easily. Saying that, I have sold to unmarrieds, and very well it's turned out too.

With families, I like to see how the children behave, not only with the adult dogs, but also with their parents (and me!). If they are sensible, polite and well behaved - not stuffed dummies but not shouting and messing around, then I reckon the dog will be brought up much the same way.

Looks don't bother me particularly....it's their voices on the phone that will put me off a lot of the time. Not regional accents, or anything like that! Just if they sound....I don't know how to put this inoffensively....stupid, I suppose! (Now waiting for the heavens to open and get a load of flak!)

I've only ever taken one puppy back..he was originally sold to a friend of a friend..the couple consited of a vet nurse and a police man..so now Im very open minded about who I sell pups to..a massive chap came with his wife, he was very rough and ready type to look at and I thought Oh my God..but he was an absolute sweetheart and regularly calls to let me know how pup is doing and what he's been up to.Their house is lovely and the pup is treated like a little king so appearances can be deceptive. :)

Those aspects do not even enter my head, it is the seeming stability of the home situation, and the way they are with animals, and their attitudes to them that you try and suss out with the long telephone converasations, and meeting them.

As long as the lifestyle will give the dog what it needs I don't care who they are, and what their marital status, sexual, religious beleiifs etc are.

hi DOGS
when we went to look at our mini schnauzer,the breeder i'm sure noticed my piercing's and tattoo's,but at the end of the day it is surely character and ability that should decide.some people are judgmental,and would see piercings and tattoo's meaning that the person would be aggresive etc.the breeder doesnt see this on the phone and will make a judgement on you from your attitude and the answer's to her question's,then the visit is to clarify you are suitable.thankfully our breeder wasn't negative to my personal choice.do you know if any breeders would turn away people due to their appearance?i love my dog regardless of what i look or dress like,and by the way he wags his stump im sure he is happy too.

I had one really lovely family after one of our Aussies - BUT they have a 2year old, and a 1 year old, and said that they hoped to have another baby within the next 18 months!!!!

I said, very gently, that I thought that a four-legged baby on top of two other babies would be far too much for Mum - but that they could come & see our puppies as often as they wish, and then, maybe in 3-4 years time, when we have another litter, they might be ready..... I said I would rather disappoint them now, then have them disappointed with a puppy & have to return it to us say 6 months down the line.

They accepted this with a good grace & have asked if they can see our puppies again around Easter time - and I've said of course. Maybe this way, when the family has grown up a bit, they might be ready for an Aussie - but it gives us lots of time to find out!

Margot

Margot

Iguess its just luck on how people are going to take it, if you explain it as best you can thats its in there best interest not to have a dog they take it alot better, what do you think? :)

Sorry haven't had time to read the whole thread, but because of lack of time generally I dont beat around the bush with enquirerers. I could be on the phone all day as I sometimes have more than one phone enquiry a day, which is crazy really as I seldom have more than a couple of litters a year. Because most of my initial correspondance with buyers is via e mail its a lot easier to say no in an e mail! I send them all the questions I want answers to and if the replies aren't "right" then I just say I dont have any left! simple. :-) If they press me I will tell them why. Though I am just the same with phone enquiries. I remain polite and pleasant (usually) but find it easy to be firm as my puppies are just too precious . After all these are strangers who mean nothing to me - but the puppies mean everything!

Has anyone here said NO purely through gut feeling . There may not be any actual reason for refusing just something you cant put your finger on ?
Lel

Hi

I have said no on gut feeling. I had an older couple turn up to view pups after I had spoken to them at length on the phone. They had had labradors for many years.
When they turned up they came in and I just had a feeling in my stomach that I have never had before. They viewed the pups and we spoke and they seemed nice but I couldn't get rid of this feeling and I turned them down.
I'm sure they now have a really nice lab from someone else but I couldn't let them have one of mine!

Among the first few litters I bred was a purchaser who said/had done all the right things yet I had a bad feeling. I took no notice of it - to the pups cost - and this was the only time i ever have had a puppy returned to me. They had said they had had puppies before but it turned out they hadn't and were too stupid/embarressed to contact me for help before things got out of hand. The dog ( a lab) came back to me at 5 months, comlpletely undisciplined and unruly, " deaf" to his name or any commands, not housetrained and incapable of greeting anyone without knocking them over. The only unspoiled thing about him was that he was still "sweet". I had been in touch with them several times and they always said " He's fine and wonderful" etc. Poor boy it wasn't his fault but mine. I have never ignored a "gut" feeling since. He did settle and was re homed succesfully.

I don't breed, but I rescue and rehome dogs. I ask a zillion questions, the first one ist usually: Why do you want a bull breed? And I take it from there. I have NO problem saying no and I tell them why, too. After all the dog and its well being is my main priority. I got a thick skin and usually jsut tell them in plain English, why not. PC, though :D. It's worse when you actually have them standing in front of you but I have learnt even that fairly fast. I kept thinking: Do I want XYZ to live with this horrid person? NO. But my home checke reveal more about the person than any phone conversation etc could. Also, their interaction with the dogs when they come to my sanctuary. The reaction of the dogs to them and the other way around. And the questions they ask and and and. It's in the interest of the dog to say NO sometimes and it doesn't bother me at all :D. AND I have always the excuse that Germans are rude anyway :D .

Taylor

My ex husband's second wife went to look at puppies and paid a deposit. The next day the breeder phoned and said she was sorry, but she couldn't have the puppy after all as she (the breeder) hadn't taken to her and didn't feel happy letting her have a puppy. ( I heard all this via the kids). I couldn't help but gloat a little bit as my ex went off with her and left me with 3 little kids!!

The breeder was very lucky to get away with that!! I was advised back in the 70's not to accept a deposit from potential buyers, because then you (the breeder) cannot change your mind about selling - that you have entered an agreement to sell and cannot back out!

I find saying no is easy, if you dont think that the person is right for one of your pups, you tell them so. I turned a lot of people down for one of cleos pups last year, one person got quite nasty with me, but he wanted a rott for the wrong reasons, like a shop dog on a chain, sorry but not one of mine.

debbie

I have to agree yes I have just said no with nothing to go on but gut feeling
Wish I could rely on gut feeling though as i have got it wrong . sometimes.