Vetting Potential Owners

[Guest Tess32]

I put both work and home phone numbers of the new owner on the microchip information. If giving me their work number is a problem for the potential new owner I would certainly respect that, but I would find another home for the pup where that was not a problem.

You would seriously pass over a home because they didn't want to give you a WORK number?

[Gayle.]

I ve bought pups from breeders and have never been asked to supply anything other than basic contact details and certainly not work phone numbers.they would have no cause to ever ring my work, they are given my mobile if I deem it's necessary.

Even the breeder of the new pup I have, who is co- owned with her does not have my work phone number.

[Wazzat Xolo]

oh dear, I thinks some comments made by some people get taken to the extreme sometimes, wouldnt it be nice if the words on a page could really say what people were trying to say!

lol

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

I ve bought pups from breeders and have never been asked to supply anything other than basic contact details and certainly not work phone numbers.they would have no cause to ever ring my work, they are given my mobile if I deem it's necessary.

Even the breeder of the new pup I have, who is co- owned with her does not have my work phone number.

x2

and all breeders i have ever had contact with are more than happy for me to have their puppies because there is more than a work phone number that makes a good dog owner.

i am amazed at some of the responses to this topic.

[Gayle.]

If a dog is living with me, the details on the microchip are my concern, not the breeders or anyone elses.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

whilst i acknowledge that breeders put their heart and soul into breeding puppies and that they must make sure they are not giving puppies to inappropriate people, ie BYB's, i think some breeders forget that money is exchanging hands and not all puppy owners want such a close relationship with the breeder and vice versa.

i think this shows that there needs to be a lot of questions asked by both breeders and potential owners to ensure they are both on the same page.

there are certainly some breeders i would never buy a puppy from and it has nothing to do with the quality of the pups but a lot to do with their attitude towards the new owner.

[shortstep]

I put both work and home phone numbers of the new owner on the microchip information. If giving me their work number is a problem for the potential new owner I would certainly respect that, but I would find another home for the pup where that was not a problem.

You would seriously pass over a home because they didn't want to give you a WORK number?

Would you seriously not buy a dog just because the breeder wanted a work number for the microchip?

Yes I would pass if they wanted to keep that a secret. I do have people that have given me their husbands or wifes work number if their job is such that then can not be contacted in an emergency. Have also had most people give me another persons number for emergencies too, like neighbor or friend. I have had doctors, lawyers, writers, reseachers, professors, professional dog trainers, nurses and even a judge as owners. I think I know just about what every one of my owners do if they work, can't see what the big deal is. When I worked they all knew what I did and they all had my work number in case they need to call me during work hours.

BTW I do not have a set group of things/questions I ask my buyers, I do not ask them where they work for example as part of deciding if they are a good home for example. But if we reach a point where they want to own one of my pups I beleive they seem a good home, I would stop if they bolted at me wanting to know work contact information, where do they work ABC Puppy Mill or Animals for Reserch Center some other place I would find terriable? Who knows but it would put me off. However I have never had this happen. Most people just say what they do for a living as a matter of conversation. I do not think the people that have my dogs think I am bent on knowing personal information but I also don't think they beleive me knowing where they work would be a big deal.

I am sure there are many breeders or sellers of pups who never ask any questions at all.

[Wazzat Xolo]

I think the majority of breeders who are genuine are more intersted in finding a "right" home than the money ( if indeed any does) change hands.

I know a few Xolos who will be going to homes and the money that will change hands will cover desexing only, this is because I like the homes and the people and rather than get thousands of dollars I would rather have piece of mind.

I honestly believe most breeders have the pups best and the breeds best intrests at hear ( especially here on the DOL community)

I guess there are breeders and there are the breeders. I hope I am approachable to all my puppy buyers and I fully expect the relationship we form to be a bond for the life of the puppy, as if it wasnt I wouldnt be selling them a puppy!

Anyhow thats my 2 cents worth! Cant speak for others

Edited June 10, 2010 by Wazzat Xolo

[shortstep]

If a dog is living with me, the details on the microchip are my concern, not the breeders or anyone elses.

You are wrong at least in NSW. It is the sellers legal responsiablity to transfer the microchip into the new owners name/address phone numbers and so forth and the buyer must sign that paper work too. This is to happen either when the chip is put in or prior to, or if the chip in breeders/sellers name then all the forms to change have to be done buy the seller and signed buy, then buyer legally had to send into the local shire who trasfers to the new shire. I always wait to put the chip in until I know where the pup is going and it is done directly into the new owners name/information, the info is then sent to my shire by my vet, who then transfers to the new shire, copy to the owner and a copy to me and copy at my vet. edit to add; copy to Dogs NSW when doing registration.

Edited June 10, 2010 by shortstep

[shortstep]

Agree Wazzat,

If people want to pick up the pup and never speak to me again then they are not the people I want to place with. I do follow my pups for their whole life.

Edited June 10, 2010 by shortstep

[Gayle.]

My pups including my new co-owned one came to me chipped in the breeders name with signed paperwork to transfer to my name. They are then trf to my name with my contact details and no work number.

I don't care who knows wher I work, I just don't want to be contacted via work phone numbers. Not even my daughters school can reach me that way. They have my mobile.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

luckily i have found breeders who suit what i want and i suit what they want and they are very good breeders so i do not accept that requiring a life long friendship with puppy owners is a prerequisite for a good breeder

Edited June 10, 2010 by Jaxx'sBuddy

[shortstep]

My pups including my new co-owned one came to me chipped in the breeders name with signed paperwork to transfer to my name. They are then trf to my name with my contact details and no work number.

I don't care who knows wher I work, I just don't want to be contacted via work phone numbers. Not even my daughters school can reach me that way. They have my mobile.

In NSW, if you fail to transfer the dog into your name, your NSW breeder is liable for failing to follow the Companion Animal Act laws. I know as made this mistake. I was contacted by my shire about a couple of my pups, pups I had placed over a year ago. Turned out the new owners had never sent in the paper work to transfer the dogs and it was still in my name. I was legally responsiable to have made the transfer into the new owners name/address, it is agasint the law to sell a dog in NSW without transfering the chip to the new owner. They did not prosecute me, and we got it all straightened out in the end.

It seems that many new owners will not transfer the dog into their name, for several reasons. One being they may have too many dogs and not want the shire to know about this dog, they many not want to pay to register the dog in their shire and so on. That is why the law says that the seller has to do the transfer into the new owners name.

Edited June 10, 2010 by shortstep

[~Anne~]

but employer references? im sorry but this goes beyond reasonable questioning. how many good people would be put off by this?

i understand that people have to be careful but i hope not paranoid.

I agree, I think it is a little beyond what is needed or appropriate. I never even questioned if they work. I did ask if they rented or owned though (or lived with parents or whatever) as this was pertinent to assessing the ability to keep a dog into the future in my view.

Edited June 10, 2010 by ~Anne~

[Wazzat Xolo]

I had a five year old Crested dog I had on a permanent lease ( the owner lived in NSW I in WA) I had never met the owner, just talked on the phone. This beautiful boy died in 2006 ( Ricky and his rainbow bridge story is on DOL) I kept in touch with the old owner and still do in fact its because of her I got the Xolos! I am so excited as this year at the Brisbane EKKA I will meet her almost ten years after I got a dog from her. I still keep weekly phone and email ( although in her seventies she hates the computer!)

As with all of my puppy owners we all keep in touch, its a bond shared by the dogs.

I hope this gets across as I intend it, not all breeders are in your face nosey its more of a bond type of relationship, I have one with the Xolos old mom in the USA, in fact all her xolo owners world wide keep in touch with her and each other.

Having said that even dogs I have rescued and rehomed some owners send pics as they are so proud of their progress.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

but employer references? im sorry but this goes beyond reasonable questioning. how many good people would be put off by this?

i understand that people have to be careful but i hope not paranoid.

I agree, I think it is a little beyond what is needed or appropriate. I never even questioned if they work. I did ask if they rented or owned though (or lived with parents or whatever) as this was pertinent to assessing the ability to keep a dog into the future in my view.

absolutely appropriate as this can impact on the dogs circumstances as it can be difficult finding a rental that will take dogs.

when my daughter rented if there was ever any issues then she and or the dogs would be more than ok to come back home with me as i would never let dogs be surrendered due to her accommodation so sometimes there is support that backs upthe puppy owner as well.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

I had a five year old Crested dog I had on a permanent lease ( the owner lived in NSW I in WA) I had never met the owner, just talked on the phone. This beautiful boy died in 2006 ( Ricky and his rainbow bridge story is on DOL) I kept in touch with the old owner and still do in fact its because of her I got the Xolos! I am so excited as this year at the Brisbane EKKA I will meet her almost ten years after I got a dog from her. I still keep weekly phone and email ( although in her seventies she hates the computer!)

As with all of my puppy owners we all keep in touch, its a bond shared by the dogs.

I hope this gets across as I intend it, not all breeders are in your face nosey its more of a bond type of relationship, I have one with the Xolos old mom in the USA, in fact all her xolo owners world wide keep in touch with her and each other.

Having said that even dogs I have rescued and rehomed some owners send pics as they are so proud of their progress.

it comes across in an excellent manner

there is a difference between a natural friendship bonded by a mutual respect and love of a breed which you seem to have formed than a forced requirement from an overbearing controlling breeder

Edited June 10, 2010 by Jaxx'sBuddy

[Bundyburger]

Awesome information everyone.

I do think the "informal chat" vetting seems a great idea. People DO spill more when they don't think they are being quizzed and without realising will open up a lot anyway.

I personally am a very open person - no question bothers me and I often will offer information people don't want to hear LOL. I am honest too which could work against me I suppose when going for a breeder, i.e. if I was asked "has your dog ever got off the property", I would say yes because they have. That is a silly example but you know what I mean - some of my honest answers may not be ideal to someone trying to assess me LOL.

I am curious about the references idea too....how would one go about getting references for their dogs? I mean, I only know people in NZ (have not managed to make any friends in Oz yet) and th evet has only known us for a year so how would I get a reference? What if I didn't have a reference?

Do you look at current dogs if they already own dogs to see the relationship between owner and pet etc?

I guess a character reference from an employer would be a start. When I applied to be a foster carer they wanted references from my vets, employer etc.

Really, an employer? I personally think a reference from an employer is a bit OTT but that's just me. Maybe a friend or family member but an employer??!!

You have to be kidding me.. a reference from an employer is not going to be an indication of whether someone is a suitable owner or not... it is overstepping the boundaries big time.

[Greytmate]

My pups including my new co-owned one came to me chipped in the breeders name with signed paperwork to transfer to my name. They are then trf to my name with my contact details and no work number.

I don't care who knows wher I work, I just don't want to be contacted via work phone numbers. Not even my daughters school can reach me that way. They have my mobile.

If the mobile is your daytime contact number, then I would be happy with that.

If somebody is working, then they are usually being paid to do a job, not to sit around on company time chatting about their new pet.

But it is reasonable to require a new adopter or puppy buyer to be easily contactable.

GayleK, you have built up relationships with the breeders of your dogs, but pet owners often come along who are totally unknown. It isn't realistic to apply your own standards to those of the average pet owner, who will not be posting puppy pictures all over the internet for their breeder to see.

You have the dogs that you want, but by referring more inexperienced potential dog owners to pounds to buy dogs instead of rescue you will significantly reduce their chances of getting a good dog.

If breeders and rescue organisations make an effort to act professionally and openly, and follow privacy legislation, new dog owners generally do feel comfortable in handing over the necessary personal information to be able to be matched with a dog. That was my experience anyway.

[shortstep]

My pups including my new co-owned one came to me chipped in the breeders name with signed paperwork to transfer to my name. They are then trf to my name with my contact details and no work number.

I don't care who knows wher I work, I just don't want to be contacted via work phone numbers. Not even my daughters school can reach me that way. They have my mobile.

If the mobile is your daytime contact number, then I would be happy with that.

If somebody is working, then they are usually being paid to do a job, not to sit around on company time chatting about their new pet.

But it is reasonable to require a new adopter or puppy buyer to be easily contactable.

GayleK, you have built up relationships with the breeders of your dogs, but pet owners often come along who are totally unknown. It isn't realistic to apply your own standards to those of the average pet owner, who will not be posting puppy pictures all over the internet for their breeder to see.

You have the dogs that you want, but by referring more inexperienced potential dog owners to pounds to buy dogs instead of rescue you will significantly reduce their chances of getting a good dog.

If breeders and rescue organisations make an effort to act professionally and openly, and follow privacy legislation, new dog owners generally do feel comfortable in handing over the necessary personal information to be able to be matched with a dog. That was my experience anyway.

Nice post!

I did rescue for many years, one of my main goals is to make sure that any pup I breed never ends up in an animal shelter. I have for the past 20 years done this. If am not comfortable with someone, they do not get my pup. I do not have hard and fast rules about who gets a pup. I do not ask for references, however I do ask about where they go/what they do with their dogs like sports, who do they know in the doggy world and who they train with. I know enough dog people around that I can usually find out about them this way, and I do look into who they are, how they treat their dogs, and if they are kind and responsiable. If people with hold information or lie to me, then I will not place with them, even if what they lied about would not have been issue, the lying is a big issue for me. If others feel this is too controlling so be it. I only have my own goals to measure up to when placing my pups and so far I am meeting those goals, all of my dogs have very loving and forever homes.