I very rarely rehome any of my dogs, but we have an 18 month old who in my opinion would be much happier as an only dog,  he craves attention, and doesn't fit into a pack situation that well.

So after much thought we decided that if the right home came along we would consider it.

Early in December a possible home turned up, nice couple, one child who livesd with previous partner so is only there occasionally.  Both in full time work, but husband would be able to take dog into work with him permanently.

they came to visit, made all the right noises, including that they thought that it would be sensible to have him after Christmas so that he didn't have the excitement of Christmas to deal with as well as I new home.  I was slightly apprehensive in the fact that the wife had never had a dog although husband had, so suggested that we took him down when they were ready to have him.

They have kept in touch right the way through, asking about feeding, health, toys etc. etc.

We took him down there today OMG.  Didn't even go into the house the garden was so insecure that it wouldn't have kept anything in, no gate post to front gate, just pushed onto Shrub to close it.  Huge gap between back gate and gatepost that an elephant would have got through.  Broken fencing panel at back, with gaps right through.  They lived only about 1/2 mile from a major trunk road, and very close to a main throughfare into their town.

She said that they thought that they could keep him on the lead at all times, so he wouldn't get out!!!!!

Nice people but not a clue, hadn't even bothered to get a crate as was suggested, he has always slept in one from a puppy.

All I could picture was one very confused dog escaping and getting onto the road and ending up badly injured or dead.

Therefore one dog has come home with us.  I am still in shock as I really thought that after all these years I have interviewed people for puppies that I could suss out the wrong ones.

I have two people coming tomorrow to be interviewed about a forthcoming litter and I am trying very hard to calm myself down, so that I don't give them a really hard time.

So all of you out there be very very careful where your puppies or older dogs go, as if you are anything like me, if they are the otherside of the country I very rarely visit their homes before letting them take my precious pups away with them. 

What this is all leading to is with the range of areas that everyone on here comes from, would any of you be prepared to just do a quick home visit for any of us breeders, if the new home is too far for us to visit ourselves???

Jayne

Thank goodness you took him LD,rather than the couple picking him up.

I would quite happily do home visits in my surrounding area, for anyone who required it. That seems an excellent solution to a  problem many of us have to deal with.

It was just one of those gut instincts Kayc, that made me suggest it. Thank god I did, thats what has made me feel so sick about it, the what if!!!

I wonder if there would be anyone who would be prepared to make a list of willing homecheckers, so that we could all make use of it if we needed to. It need only have e-mail address, area willing to travel to etc.

It wouldn't need anyone to actually interview the people as we are all quite able of doing that part, just to check out home garden, etc.

I know I would certainly be willing to check in my area.

I'm willing to home check in North Bucks area.......

Hi Kayc what a excellent idea home visits, especially now where people are able to travel further distances to get the puppy they want, my last litter all of my puppies went to local homes so that was easy for me to vet the homes, but thinking about it our first boxer came from wales and all the breeder knew about us was what she was told although i made add we did have a safe secure garden for our pup.I would be willing to check any home in my area for anyone

Well im having problems the other way around. Was supposed to be looking at a puppy bitch last night as id posted last week under breeder questions.

We booked the car last week all things go.  On Wednesday she told me she had given the bitch to some one else. Fine.

She had one dog puppy so agreed we would bring murph up last night to see how they got on. On the thursday tho the daughter called to say they would bring down to me to see how murph was on his own patch.  Thought this was fine as I had got their name through the Scot Gold retr secretary so not a puppy farmer, also an opportunity to show our house and reassure them we have a good home .

They were supposed to be here at midday. Its now nearly five, not a phone call or anything.  I called at 13.10 and her son said theyd left ages ago.

Im trying not to worry that theyve had an accident or anything but if they they are ok I think its the height of rudeness not to have been honest and said they werent happy giving us a puppy for whatever reason or that they had given it to someonelse like they did the bitch.

I am glad though in regard to the original post that you did discover that the home wasnt suitable. 

Oh god, Jayne. So pleased you went to take the pup rather than just letting them take him. Bloomin good job aint it?

Hopefully before long you'll have a wonderful home for the dog to go to, keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I will be more than happy to do home visits within my area, unfortunately I dont drive but my oh would be happy to take me. I live in the north east of England but would probably only be able to cover a small area, suppose every little helps though.

Amy

OK I'll volunteer to make a list of willing people, so when its done, anyone can e-mail me and get a copy.

Mind it probably would be useful to have another person to have a copy of th list, just in case I do something stupid with my computer, as most people will tell you I have serious limitations. LOL

My e-mail address is jaynealpe@pipruda.fsnet.co.uk

Anyone interested mail me with your e-mail address and areas willing to visit and I'll do the rest.

Maybe we could set up our own home-check system - so if, for instance, I wanted to check out a home in Yorkshire, I could put up a posting, & then we could go to PMs - it might be easier working that way rather than putting up a central register?  We could supply Breed Club references to each other - so that we knew that it wasn't  Penny Puppy Farmer doing the checking - a possibility do you think?

I must add that we're not expecting puppies, nor do I need any homes checking out!!!!

Margot

Thats a good one Margot.  I like that idea

I agree, probably the best way.

What if a member wasn't a breeder and not involved in breed clubs etc?

I do think that it would need to be a registered breed club breeder to do these checks. As LD said, it is only the surounding area and saftey aspects etc.that would be required. The selling breeder would, I imagine be doing all the preliminary interview by e-mail, telephone etc. 

If a prelim preview was satisfactory, detailing homing area, safety aspects re garden etc. A check on the area and home in question would initially tell if the prospective buyer were telling the truth.  If garden security were an issue and pr. owner said that this would be dealt with before arrival of pup/dog, then another check at a later date could confirm, one way or another.

Pros and cons really need to be thrashed out on this but the concept is feaseable

I wouldn't thuink they necessary have to be a member of a breed club, just someone with dogs, who could report to the breeder on conditions of fencing to garden, type of area, type of house etc.  Once that was done then breeder can make up their own minds on the prospective buyer.

To be honest if you are referring to yourself Digger, I would take your opinion with no problem at all. The same as a number of people on here who aren't breeders themselves, you are all dog lovers and know what dogs need for health, safety and comfort.

I am more than happy to assist in any way Jayne & living in Scotland means I could take the Northern volunteers if you wanted?   PM me, off to make tea for me, 5 dogs & the cat!   Will be back later!

<<<<I do think that it would need to be a registered breed club breeder to do these checks. As LD said, it is only the surounding area and saftey aspects etc.that would be required. The selling breeder would, I imagine be doing all the preliminary interview by e-mail, telephone etc.  >>>>

Oops, have just re=read my last post, That should have read I DONT think that it would need to be, etc etc etc.  B*****y dyslexic keyboard :D

I must know you better than you realise Kayc I understood exactly what you meant :-D

I think that the list of Home-Checkers is a brilliant idea.I am a Foster Mum For Chinese Crested Rescue, and me being here in Yorkshire sometimes it can be difficult if a prospective home turns up hours and hours away especially as i always have a house full of dogs and cannot always leave them if i do not have anyone to see to them all, so if there was a list available of poss Home-Checkers in various areas that would be fabulous.And the same way i too would be willing to help anyone else that need a home checker here in  Yorkshire

We home check for BSDs already - partly for rescue but also for any breeders who want homes checked out - we would be happy to help with other breeds and can check homes in the Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire/Norfolk border area.

Yvonne

Hi I would be willing to check homes in the area around Brighton, Crawley,E/W/Sussex. Are we still emailing our details to you Lady Dazzle ??????

Yes please Jenny that would be brilliant.

Thanks