Hi I had a couple to look at the pups, and they choose one, they have paid a deposit a cheque which i have not cashed, it is still in my kitchen draw, I received an email from them today telling me to get her tail docked, for one they are 3 weeks old, 2, I don't want them docked, I have replied in the heat of the moment<g>telling them that I will send the deposit back 1st class post and they are not having one of my puppies, how do I stand legally, i've calmed down a bit now and my brain has kicked in<g>
Wendy

They chose an undocked pup - what is their problem? If they change their minds, that's their lookout.

Have they, or you, signed anything that says they have bought the pup?

Just tell them you can't dock a pup at 3 weeks and return their money. You should have no problem, they left the deposit for the pup they saw, not with modifications, what are they thinking, they are not buying a car when they could decide to have it modified, if they wished. There got me going now.

I signed a receipt for the cheque, and we discussed their tails, the wife was fine about it, the husband said he thought they looked silly but they would get used to it!! I told them i don't dock and my reasons, and they went away happy I thought anyway, then this email, ARGHHH it makes me so mad!!!
wendy

As Jackie said, point out to them that it would be illegal to dock the pup's tail at that age. They sound like hopeless owners anyway, so you're well shot of them.

Perhaps they want out of the deal too and are using the tail as an excuse

Hi,

Think you're on very safe ground, as apart from fact they chose it undocked, it's illegal to dock a puppy at that age, so can't see them being able to take any action against you. Send them back their cheque, with a friendly note saying you hope they find the right puppy, and hope you never hear from them again :)

M.

Hiya
I have no advice im sorry but id probably go as far as to say... "i think you are better off not selling one of your pups to them"
Having just thought about it... why do people dock tails anyway? Does it matter if the dog has a tail or not?

Donna and charliex

Donna, yes to some people it does, but they would sort that before they booked a puppy not after seeing a pup with tail and leaving a deposit. I can understand people wanting a docked pup but that is sorted before not after the visit to the breeder.

Hi just a quick update,The lady? phoned me this morning, apologising for her husband sending the email, she said she would still be happy to have the puppy and they wouldn't have it docked, but her husband still thinks they look silly with tails, but he would get used to it, then she asked if I was happy to go ahead and sell them the puppy, I politely told her that I didn't believe her that she wouldn't get it docked, and basicly told her she was not going to have one of my pups!!!
I am returning the cheque by recorded delivery this morning and hopefully that will be the end of it!!
Many thanks for all your replies
Wendy S

Good for you, Wendy. I'm sure you've done the right thing, because you would always have had a niggle in the back of your mind....
:)

Good for you, you stick to your guns they don't sound like the right people to have one of your puppy's anyway. Good Luck.
Tracie

What breed are they? I can't see why dogs look stupid with their tails, thats as nature intended. If they don't like the way they look then they should choose a breed that doesn't have a tail, or get a fish instead!!
Well done for telling them where to go, if the lady's husband went as far as to send the e mail he could easily get the puppy docked without his wife knowing.

You definitely did the right thing! despite anything else, that couple clearly can't communicate with each other effectively, if they can't manage to reach an understanding with fellow humans, what chance do they have of understanding a dog?
What breed are they?

Jo

If the husband isn't 100 percent happy with the pup now then I doubt that will change, after all the pup is going to be a lot of hard work for the next few years (if they're lucky :) ;) ) and that tail will be a significant part of the dog and it isn't going to shrink :). The best you could have done is send the cheque back. Better than the pup being sold on to goodness knows where.

Hi thanks for all your replies, its their loss as she is the most gorgeous puppy :)) they are English Springers bred as pets not to work!
Wendy