Isn't it typical! My pups are almost 14 weeks old and I have one "spare" that I had started to consider being MINE as all enquiries I had about him were totally wrong and I turned 4 people down. I didn't want to keep two pups but at least they were opposite sexes and I can cope if I have to -have already started training both in class etc. I was going to give it one more week and then say I am definiteyl keeping both -but of course it would be a lot BETTER for both the pups and myself f I only had the ONE, as she could get a lot more attention etc.

Well a couple of days ago I had another enquiry by e-mail and once I'd asked questions I actually burst into tears -because I knew this was a person that WAS suitable and ought to be allowed to buy my puppy, so I'd have to say goodbye! (I won't go into details too much.) He e-mailed yesterday moning again and said he'd be away from yesterday evening but could he come and meet the pup on Sunday? I replied immediately and said Sunday is fine but could we make it evening because I have something to do during the day, and it's so hot during the day anyway. (He wasn't very far away.) I asked him to let me know ASAP, gave my phone number and said we'd give him directions and address as soon as he got in touch. I also asked a few more questions and put in writing my conditons i.e. contract, pup not to be sold on, he is endorsed etc and asked if all that was agreeable to him. He's not been back to me yet even though presumably he could have done before the evening -although it doesn't have to mean anything. I've mailed again saying he needs to contact me before 11 am tomorrow as otherwise he won't be able to reach me and we can't arrange anything in time.

Then this morning an even BETTER buyer appears, I mean if you had to design the perfect buyer this one is IT. Both are good but this one just that bit better and I liked the fact she has 2 other dogs so the pup would have doggy friends -the first person would have him as a single dog.(Nothing wrong in that of course.)

So now I've had to tell the second person I have to wait for the first to get back to me before I know if the pup is available or not. Every part of me screams the second is is THE ONE, but I can't see how I could turn down the first one when I've already said he can come visit and I was happy with his answers......and he's not said anything that I disagree with -at least not yet, still need answer to contract, endorsement etc of course -and I've asked what training methods he uses, the second one does clicker.

Guess I'm not really after answers, this was just a rant. :)

Oh, wow.  I guess you want to keep one of them, right??  No chances of you selling both the pups you've got?

Have to say, Goldmali, you're v honest.  I think, if I was the breeder in that situation, I'd try to arrange things so the second buyer saw the pup first and got the chance to say yes/no for sure.  I'd try not to tell the 1st buyer about the 2nd buyer until they've either decided to take it or not.  I know that's a bit underhand and not first-come, first-served, but I'd want to be greedy and have the best home for the pup! :)

I'd tend to go with the second buyer, are any of these in competition or pet trainers or anything? Just wondered, it may be a long shot but some of us might know one of other of them...

I think that, hard though it is, you do have to choose the best one for the pup and not necessarily the first one...not easy!! Good luck :)

Lindsay
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Hi Lindsay

Both are actually from abroad, the first one having moved here recently, the second having been here some years. (You may have seen my mails elsewhere about the first! ;) ) The first wants a companion that he can train just for fun, has experience of ringsport and the breed and wants to spend a LOT of time training -but I don't think he has plans to compete in anything although I'm not sure. The second competes in agility and has in her country of origin in the past had one of the top ten obedience dogs of all breeds so has a great track record (she sent me an entire CV of her dog experience, stated clicker training already in the 80's), AND she'd be happy to show as well which means I'd get to see the pup now and then. (In my own opinion, he is very promising, both for show and work, very nice looking and very toy orientated.) She is at home all day, spends hours with her 2 dogs, and trains agility twice a week. The first goes to work but has a wife at home.

Yes that's it, most definitely keeping the bitch pup, to get a bitch was the entire reason for this mating. :)

Personally I would not have made any decision until I had met either in person.  How many times do people sound great, say all the right things and then when you meet them you just don't like the way they are with the pup or you get an uncomfortable vibe.  You can't tell from an e-mail or a phone call.

This is why I prefer to get all this done and dusted long, long, before now, so that you don't get uncomfortable decisions like this.

If I were you Goldmali, I would have your Sunday meeting with the man, and also make one with the woman and then tell them you will make your decision that day, you may be right and the second owner is better or you may be wrong, you truly won't know until you meet them and sit face to face.  So, you are going to hurt someones feelings possibly, but at least afterwards you will feel happy and your pup will have the best home, just be honest with both and make your decisions on face value. :-)

This is why I prefer to get all this done and dusted long, long, before now, so that you don't get uncomfortable decisions like this.

I believe puppy buyers were all booked to start with, but there was a problem with another breeder with similar lines breeding at the same time, which neither knew about...

Lindsay
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Exactly, that was it -I lost 2 buyers due to another breeder mating my bitch's litter sister to the same dog when mine was already pregnant , and, perfectly understandable!, some people preferred less travel as we are on opposite ends of the country. :) Also the second bitch had LOADS of bitch pups (7 !!) and I only had 2 but most wanted girls! Nobody's fault.

Yes that's a very good point Carrington, and indeed I have not said to the frst he can DEFINITELY have the pup, I have said I am happy with his answers and next we'd need to see if he likes the pup and the pup likes him etc. I also said I am very careful whom I sell to and I already turned 4 people down.

Thank goodness, then that is perfect, meet them both. One things for sure, you are going to get a great owner for your pup one way or the other. ;-)

Let us know what happens....

Yeah, meet them both and be honest about it. Explain to both of them that there's another buyer and that you'll make the decition once you talk face to face. In the end of the day it's only up to you...... you're the breeder and you make the rules ;).

That sounds like good thinking to me ...

Well it's Sunday, I hope by now the perfect owner has made themselves known. :-D I'm glad you have two potential people that would both make a good home for your puppy. You will be sad to see him go after all the time you have spent with him (I think it's a dog?? sorry if I got it wrong) but knowing he'll get lots of one-on-one attention will make it easier.

Well the first person, who lives just 40 minutes away, e-mailed and said he couldn't come today after all, could he make it next weekend instead. First off, he was that close he could surely have come today if absolutely necessary, secondly he could  have made it an evening in the week, thirdly next weekend I have a dog sitter (hurray!!) and am going to my breed's 2 back to back champ.shows so will be away all weekend. Whereas the second person, who lives over 3 hours drive away, was perfectly happy  to come anytime and so keen she mailed me 6 times yesterday and the first time today already at 6 am! So I said she could come up first then, and there was no doubt at all -she was right. So I've just waved goodbye to the pup and wow did that hurt......... My favourite pup, and 14 weeks old tomorrow, WAY different to any of the others leaving at just over 7 weeks......... But I know I'll hear from his owner regularly and I will get to see him again as he will be shown. Not to mention I can now spend all my time and energy on just the ONE pup which will be a lot better for her.

Great news :) Glad it all worked out for the best. Sounds like your pup couldn't have asked for a better home :)

Seems like the decision was almost made for you doesn't it. Fate has resolved your dilema. Congrats on finding a perfect home for you little one.

Karen

Just read this Marianne,
Sounds like the best home!  So glad things have worked out well!

Will see you next weekend,
Sarah.

Yay, that's such great news!!!!!  Have you told the 1st person yet, and what did he say?!

E-mailed the first person, no reply as of yet. Did give him details of 2 other breeders he could approach.

Great result! :)

Sad to see him go I'm sure but a great sense of relief in finding such a reassuring placement too, well done :)

Glad you found him a lovely home :)

I must say, although it took a while for the last 2, I am SO pleased with all the homes. 6 pups, one I've kept for showing & obedience. The other 5 went to: 3 for agility and showing (to people that already compete in agility), one as Search & rescue, one for showing and a bit of fun training.

It will be 2-3 years before I have another litter now and I think I'll really need the break, LOL.

Goldmali, what happened to the other pup, the one you were looking to donate somewhere?  Was that the search and rescue one?

No the Search & rescue one was booked long before birth. The really high drive one I thought I'd end up donating, all of a sudden a perfect buyer turned up for him, again for agility. :)

Oh, excellent!

Goldmali.  Being also in a numerically small breed your situation is quite usual for us, as with you no matter how many homes you have lined up there will always be the wrong sex born etc. 

I have hardly ever had ail the pups leave by 8 weeks and for one reason or another have usually had some pups stay to about 14 weeks.  Sometimes it was to honour holidays or timing for export, or simply a suitable home hadn't materialised before.

These are very hard to see leave, especially if you are not keeping one.

Great stuff! Glad it all worked out so well, and you've found such a good home for the little man. :)

So glad it's all worked out wel - hope to see you next weekend !

Yvonne

So glad it's all worked out for you and the pup - if the owner kept emailing as you said, she was really keen and I think deserved to get the pup! :P

Lindsay
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Heard from the new owner already today with just good things to report. :) :)

Isn't it a great feeling to see all your "little ones" end up in the best homes possible??!

def the right descision

Alls well that ends well :)..delighted for you Goldmali!!!! Fabulous news! :D
(I'm hoping the good fortune continues for the house! got everything still crossed for you)

Aw thanks HG. :)

Well the puppy situation resolved itself in the best possible way so hopefully this is a sign that the house situation will follow in the same way. :D

SSssssh, just had a phonecall, there is another possibility of solving the house problem. I daren't hope to much but at the very least it is another avenue to explore!

:::fingers crossed, quietly hopeful, and all those things that something good is about to happen on the house front

Just received a second mail today already :D :D. This is the main part of it:

He is eating well. Very happy. We went to the park and he got to meet lots of dogs -- I'm thrilled with him. He was not terribly shy and seemed very comfortable. I love how he watches me -- checks in all the time :-).

Good news Marianne about your little guy!  The updates make it all worthwhile don't they ;)

It's sounding better and better - maybe things are on the up for you Marianne!!

Great that the pup owner is keeping in touch so early, :)

4 e-mails today so far about how pup is doing! :D :D

  :P

Fantastic news, it sounded like the best home. How nice of that man to make it an easy decision. :-D It's great that the new owner is keeping you updated.

Now we'll go pretzel ourselves over the shhhh thing we're not supposed to talk about.. ;-)

Isn't it just the case that things often sort themselves out.  I don't breed and if I am interested in a pup I try to go straight up.  We have always dropped everything and twice did a 4.5 hour journey within a couple of days of speaking to the breeder.  Definitely not the commitment or desire to have the dog from the first person.  So glad that it all worked for the buyer you were veering towards anyway.

Louise