I really have no idea what to do here. I sold a puppy to an elderly couple who claimed to have experience with dogs. Even upon first encounter I didn’t feel it was the right fit and was very upset but just trusted that they would take care of him. After 6 weeks I received a message saying he has tried to kill their other dog and is being very aggressive, would I take him back. I agreed to take him back but explained that they would not get a full refund and I would need to assess him before I could understand how much I could rehome him for and therefore refund them. They agreed to this and brought him back to me with his papers and microchip and contract still in my name. He was the sweetest puppy when he left me and upon bringing him back he has shown no aggression or dominance whatsoever, around any of my dogs all ages and sizes. There were multiple breaches of contract, the contract states that he will be kept under appropriate control in their home which was clearly not upheld as he “tried to kill” their dog multiple times. He is slightly underweight and is no longer house trained, doesn’t know any of the commands we taught him or know any name at all. I have explained to them that I will refund 50% of what they payed as this is what I will advertise him for when I rehome him. I have recently sold another pup at the same age and really struggled and had to lower his price so much. They are saying they want all of their money back, I don’t know what to do.

You’ve got him back, that’s the important bit. Maybe offer them what you sell him on for, less a bit for you feeding him etc while you’ve got him.

That’s exactly what I did and they’ve declined and are saying they want him back because they can’t afford to be out of pocket however they’ve not upheld their end of the contract but will not accept anything less than what they payed. I just don’t feel okay with that because honestly selling him on I’d get about half of what they payed me. I also don’t feel okay with him going back to them because they can’t control him and have shown neglect. I don’t know if I have to give him back just because they’ve asked for him back even though they’ve returned him

I doubt they can do anything, they handed over the pup to you hence relinquished ownership. You could always call Trevor Cooper of Dog Law (cost you about £30) and then you will legal advice which will most likely get them to understand.

Morally, if it was me then yes I would give them half of the price back. It sounds like this was an expensive pup so you can understand why they don't want to lose the money.

In future, learn from this. Don't ever sell a pup if something doesn't feel right -chances are your gut instinct is correct. Add a time clause to the contract. Mine says that the full purchase price will be repaid if the pup is returned within 2 weeks, but not later as of course an older pup with potential issues will be harder to find a home for and may indeed end up having to be kept.

Having your puppy back is the important thing. If they haven't activated the KC transfer I would refund all their money and get them off my back, it is not worth the stress. You may not get the full price when you sell him, but the way puppy prices are these days, you are not going to make a loss.

When we had to take a puppy back (that thankfully didn't happen very often) I told them I'd make them a refund less my daily minimum 'boarding fee'.  Which I did - this was a puppy we'd kept back until we had a litter from the sister of her dam, which was 'better' than this puppy.  I don't normally do that (those we keep back, stay) but we were pressed for numbers and I wanted to keep two from the sister's litter,  so decided to let her go.  So she was older and I charged very little for her.  The new owner seemed ok with what I said I'd do but later came at me saying had she known she'd not get a full refund, she'd have sold her elsewhere herself!!  Hum.  Happily I found a new home for the pup, so she received almost a full refund.  But then again we are not talking the figures that puppies sell for at the moment, regardless of age!

Stick to your guns - at least you have the puppy back!!

But again, if you want them gone, make a full refund?

Imo the main point here is the health and welfare of the pup.  Fortunately u know have him back and he hasn't become part of pass the parcel from home to home if he is resold by peolle who arnt able to look for a the right home for him .
As goldmali says ring Trevor Cooper of dog law to make absolutely sure of your financial position and if its advised to return full purchase price I would do that especially if it closes this unfortunate situation .
You don't need the stress ,rehabilitating puppy is the most important thing

I agree, ring Trevor Cooper of DogLaw - they deal with this kind of situation all the time and will give you advice about where you stand legally. Then you know what to say to the people, can back it up with the law, can say you've consulted a lawyer and so on. It's only about £30-60 ish for a phone consult with Trevor Cooper.

You can find out more details here: https://doglaw.co.uk

Can you tell us what breed of dog they had (their dog he tried to kill?) and what breed he is? (As you're not trying to sell him here and not just had a litter I assume that's acceptable??) It's hard to imagine the situation and I bet it was just an over-excited puppy playing too boisterously with a timid or unhappy older dog....

> I bet it was just an over-excited puppy playing too boisterously

Absolutely, puppies are savages and they can sound really aggressive, it's all normal puppy play.

I don't think you should pursue the breach of contract thing, I've no idea how you judge/expect them to have the puppy under control   Just be grateful to have him back and be very careful with the next home.

I would stick to my guns, give them what I sell him for.  That's it, no discussion and I wouldn't sweat it.  They either take that or they don't and if they don't they can try and take it as far as they want but I wouldn't be budging.  Don't be too hard on yourself these things happen and you have your lovely pup back and hopefully find him his wonderful forever home this time.

The trouble with sticking to your guns is that they could attempt to sell him for the full price on one of those ghastly sales sites. Better that the breeder is able to choose a suitable home where the positive handling methods are understood. Just my opinion.

I thought OP has the pup back so no idea how the elderly couple can sell him??

Thats how I've read it  the couple are demanding a full refund .not sure that that can actually be done which is why I would take legal advice just to cover my back.

Sorry, missed the fact that he had already been returned.

> They agreed to this and brought him back to me with his papers and microchip and contract still in my name.

What does your contract state about returns?

> Even upon first encounter I didn’t feel it was the right fit

You already knew they shouldn't have the pup according to this statement.  If I have any doubts I refuse, refuse, refuse.  I once had people travel 4 hours to collect their pup.  After 2 hours at my place I knew 100% that they didn't deserve one of my puppies.  So I refused.  And let them drive 4 hours back home.

I would always give back 100% of a puppy's cost, if I had been silly enough to make your mistake.  My puppies are worth a full refund.

Reading through all of your statements I get the feeling it's all about money.  Is that why you bred a litter during lockdown?

I am maybe going to say something unpopular but you will have made a LOT of money on this litter with current prices. You sold a pup to a home you had misgivings about from the start . I think this is your mistake and you should fully refund. The amount made on rest of litter will easily cover the loss

They have been good returning the puppy and not selling on, you do your part and pay up.  In future don't sell to homes you have bad feelings about and have a clear contract of what amount of money will be returned if a puppy is returned at point of sale.

I think it depends on just how much you want to get rid of them. You can either give them the money back and draw a line underneath it, OR you can say to them that you are not giving them the whole amount as the puppy was not looked after correctly - after all, did they take the puppy to the vet when he showed signs of aggression to see if it was a medical issue? etc..

Ali xx

I have never bred but I would just be grateful to have the pup back and offer 100% refund.
They could have flogged it on scumtree to any old joskin