Ahhhhh!!! Need advice!! Just had a puppy viewing and although they seemed really nice and passed my telephone vetting the girls boyfriend let the puppy literally crawl off his lap..it hit the floor with his head and yelped, I think in shock more than pain....he seems fine but they had already paid their deposit and had their receipt so I couldn't say 'sorry but I'm not selling you this puppy'......now they've left I feel like I don't want them to have him! They didn't seem to think anything of it when he fell, they didn't even pick him straight up!!

What do I do?!?!  Does anyone know where I stand legally with revoking the offer of the puppy?

Not sure where you stand legally but I would contact them and let them know you will be sending the deposit back in the post.

I would be honest and explain that you don't feel they are experienced enough in handling dogs after that incident....say you are still worried about the pup,they should feel too guilty to argue.

Believe me as the pups grow and the time for them to leave gets closer if you have any doubts about new owners it will worry you silly so better to find a home you are completly comfortable with

Hope your little pup is ok,

Ali

This is exactly why many people don't take deposits.

I think I'd take the puppy to the vet tomorrow for a check, then contact these people and say that the vet isn't happy and so the puppy won't be for sale, and you are returning their deposit cheque. Send it recorded delivery.

I understand your concerns, but did you discuss the incident with them?

It might be they're inexperienced and need some mentoring rather than total rejection for the one incident.....

They might make really good owners with a little help, especially if they've passed all your other criteria.

They literally didn't even flinch when he fell, not did they attempt to see if he was ok or go to pick him up, I said to them that they have to be really careful when handling puppies and that a fall like that could seriously injure or kill him but they seemed unconcerned! To be honest I was quite shocked as they had seemed so nice!

Ditto to Jeangenie. I would NEVER take a deposit because I want to be able to change my mind right up until the day of collection -and I also want my buyers to be able to change theirs for any reason. All my buyers have been happy with this as they realise it works both ways. If they are not trustworthy without paying a deposit I'd not want them to have a pup anyway. Take JG's advice and return the deposit , then cross your fingers that they will not take it any further.

I sent a full explanation of why I would be returning their deposit and canceling the sale, I got a mouthful of abuse back about 'wasting their time' as they had a long drive to get here but I'm happy with my decision.

He also said that the puppy 'jumped' off his lap and was fine. Completely untrue since they are only 3 weeks old and unable to 'jump' and any puppy who falls is never 'fine'!! I witnessed the fall! His excuse for not caring was due to him being an unemotional person.

Looks like pups had a lucky escape. He's given me his bank details for return of the deposit so legally he's accepted it. Phew!

Phew lucky escape indeed! It's a minefield this puppy stuff! Is the puppy ok now?

In my opinion you have done the right thing..never doubt your decision. There will be the correct owner just around the corner. :)

The puppy seems ok, I'll be keeping a very close eye in him and straight to the vets if he needs it.
I had a bad feeling the minute they walked in, strange isn't it!

This little chap was slow to get going and lost over 30% of his birthweight before picking up slowly, he's really special to me (they all are but he's had so much special attention he's got a special place in my heart) I have no idea how I'm going to let him go now....I literally felt sick when it happened.

>He also said that the puppy 'jumped' off his lap and was fine. Completely untrue since they are only 3 weeks old and unable to 'jump' and any puppy who falls is never 'fine'!!

I had a prospective owner tip a 4 week puppy off his lap the way you do an adult cat. Luckily the pup landed on carpet and not a tiled floor, but they didn't get a puppy due to their lack of common sense.

> He also said that the puppy 'jumped' off his lap and was fine. Completely untrue since they are only 3 weeks old and unable to 'jump' and any puppy who falls is never 'fine'!! I witnessed the fall! His excuse for not caring was due to him being an unemotional person

Well,  I wouldn't want a pup of mine going to an  'unemotional person'  who wouldn't care if a very young pup fell off his lap.   How could a person like that give appropriate care to any living thing?   

Perhaps he should aim a bit lower,  something like a pot plant might suit until he understands that living things need care and young animals need even more care.

This is one of the reasons why I wouldn't have anyone viewing pups before 6 weeks of age,  and when they do come,  people have to sit on the floor and let pups come to them,  no picking up.

I also never take a deposit,  I want puppy buyers to be able to change their minds,  but I also want to be able to change my mind too.   

Good that you're sending the deposit back.

Lesson learnt I'd say.
I won't let strangers handle my THREE week old pups, I don't take a deposit so I can change my mind until the day  they leave.
I had a buyer travel from France to buy a male boxer puppy and I didn't like the way he handled him so I said no.
My husband had to help with his removal!

Whenever I've gone to view a pup I've never assumed that I would be able to buy one just because I wanted to and would have accepted the breeders decision if they'd said no. People seem to think that buying a puppy is like choosing a sofa!!

I opened to viewings early this time as I wanted to have the opportunity to develop a relationship with buyers before they collected their pups, this is my last litter for the foreseeable future (mums 5 and this is her second litter and I only breed twice so she'll be spayed in a few months). Its so disappointing to have to say no but what do you do! They're my babies and they need knowledgable caring homes that don't come with a health warning! Poor puppy!

Luckily my other two viewings went really really well and I'm super happy with their homes. I had one little male who walked over to his new owners the minute they got here, sat by his new dads side and refused to move....needless to say he'd chosen them and they were more than happy!

I opened to viewings early this time as I wanted to have the opportunity to develop a relationship with buyers before they collected their pups

Just one little tip for the future -this is best done BEFORE you have pups. Much better to meet the potential buyers and get to know them before the bitch has even been mated. You can then also see how they interact with your adult dogs without having the distraction of cute pups around.

Don't think I'll be going again

So pleased that you risked their abuse!

I once took a deposit (never again) and the man threatened me with his solicitor.  I was silly enough to deliver the puppy as the man was unable to drive.  I hadn't been in the house long before I realised my mistake and was so glad that I had taken a friend along for company on the long drive.

I had taken my usual puppy pack including both dry and wet food.  I knew that I would have to leave everything and just run, so I signalled to friend while I wrote a cheque out and left it on the kitchen table.  I was half way up his drive by the time he got to the door and threatened me.  I just said he could do what he wanted, but he was not getting a pup from me.

I was getting in the car when he shouted what was he going to do with all this dog food.  I said eat it your bl**dy self and raced off.

You did good labgundogs.

This is exactly why many people don't take deposits.

I think I'd take the puppy to the vet tomorrow for a check, then contact these people and say that the vet isn't happy and so the puppy won't be for sale, and you are returning their deposit cheque. Send it recorded delivery.

Me too!   Anything rather than let this poor pup go to these people!!    I never took deposits either.   And I have pulled out of a sale in the past - not because I didn't trust the home, but because the person concerned was just bugging me and all I could see was this going on for the life of the puppy!!    She was furious, but frankly as long as no money has changed hands, the puppy belongs to YOU, the breeder until then and if you aren't happy about the sale, for whatever reason, you are not compelled to go ahead with the sale.