I have someone coming to look at a puppy tomorrow. Subject to us all getting along, the family continuing to show by their behaviour/responses that they are suitable owners, them liking the puppy and her liking them, there is one other thing.

The wife will be giving up work in 4 weeks time and would like me to keep the puppy for them until then as her current working hours are very long. They have children of 12 and 14 so I will obviously be looking to see how they behave around the dogs and also how the parents handle the children. This is crucial to whether I say yes or no. I sadly won't be keeping a pup from the litter after all, so she will be the only pup after next weekend when the last pups will have gone. It will mean that a lot of her early socialisation and training will be down to me. The lady has said that they are willing to pay for her to stay here but what would be a fair price and do you have any other opinions on this please?

Many thanks in advance

We had a similar scenario, although the puppy only stayed 2 wks. longer.  We never charged anything & although it was hard work also felt privileged to be able to keep him for that bit longer.
As your puppy may be staying for 4 weeks, perhaps just charge a very small nominal fee for the last 2 wks.

Also starting the Insurance from the official sale date.

Some years ago I kept a puppy for an extra 6 weeks due to a booked holiday and the agreement was that pup was paid for at 8 weeks, at which time I would do the Insurance.

In the event the people did not pay by 8 weeks (and I thought it petty to remind them abotu it) and at 10 weeks the puppy whilst still in my care hurt it's leg, turned out to be a green stick fracture and cost me over £200 to sort out.  Had the pups Insurance been activated and ownership changed pup would only have been boarding with me and been covered.

Pups leg healed fine and all was well, but obviously I was £200 out of pocket.

Thanks for that advice Barbara. I'm surprised to hear the new owners left you with the vet bill though!

Yes, in keeping the pup it is best to start the insurance, I used to always have two, one petplan and of course the KC insurance, so would use one of them when keeping a pup over 8 weeks for a new puppy owner. I know we have had this conversation before but can't remember the outcome the last time I kept a pup the KC would not start insurance for the breeder, I think this changed again, but not sure what their rulings are today.

It's great that these new owners have offered to pay extra, never met any that have even thought to offer, so good people. :-) I must admit I have never charged or taken full price before collection, (usually just get a nice bunch of flowers :-D ) But of course it is the sensible thing to do in this fickle world, so quite sensible to take full payment first and I think you should. Even if I did charge I don't think I could charge more than £10 a week, just doesn't feel right to me, after all the food isn't extra as usually have a good lot of puppy complete left over for my girl to finish off so it is no extra foods to buy along with a portion of the chicken, mince etc that is always in stock, it's just the socialising and playtime, toilet and first stage commands, which are time consuming, but I love it so not much of a chore.

I think it has to be a personal thing of what you would charge, some breeders I guess may charge daily rates, it also may impact on some people's lives, back to work or holidays etc, I guess some breeders may be put out in having to keep a pup for an extra 4 weeks (although it should be catered for) if it impacts on work then of course you would need to make a charge to cover.

They sound to be very sensible people putting the pup first. :-)