Puppy People

[supercharged]

Hi all,

I have been a breeder for many years now and am not new to assisting puppy peple with their training/feeding/grooming requests on pups they have purchased from me. Recently though I had my first "bounce-back" puppy who is now nearly 12mths old. The owner declared he had separation anxiety amongst other things, barking and destroying her house. I was not in the position to take the dog back but assisted her to rehome. During this time it was clearly established she had failed this dog - lack of training, socialisation and family inclusion and I told her so in no uncertain terms that it was not the dogs fault (like she claimed) but hers and I would assist her to try and solve them. Then this lady goes behind my back to another breeder asking if she will help to rehome him! This other breeder pats her on the back an tells her she did all she could and its best to find him a home than work the issus out - oh and that I failed her as a breeder by not providing support! Ummm I have an folder with emails every second week to this woman frequently asking if there was anything I could help with. She failed to ask for help, I am not to blame surely?

So my question was, how much time to you spend making sure your puppy people are coping? Many don't have regular contact after a pup is purchased and I don't push the issue, I try to be a friend and there for them but I cannot force that relationship to occur.

What does everyone else do?

[LizT]

Without connected this to your individual situation. I personally only contact my puppy buyers on occassion, letting them know prior to them collecting the puppy that I am always there for them (as you did) that should they have any questions or concerns to please contact me, and IF they find themselves in need of surrendering the dog to contact me first. Some do, (contact me) usually in the early days and then I tend to contact them every few months to see how things are going/went, with desexing, puppy school, grooming etc.

I too worry that I am invading their privacy and don't wish to make a nuisance of myself. So I just try to be sure they know I am there IF they need me. Some never contact me but do respond to my emails when I enquire about the dog and are kind enough to send me photos. I certainly don't want to be "in their face" or appear obsessive either.

If someone contacted me asking for help with a puppy/dog from another breeder I would ty to help them of course, but also ask if they have contacted the breeder and I would probably contact the breeder myself so I could have the FULL story, as I hope that is what they would do for me.

[supercharged]

Yes thankyou for your input Liz, I was and am still annoyed...

A friend has suggested rather than asking if there is a problem maybe I can email every so often a "helpful hints" sheet that is related to a particular common puppy problem ie. barking or chewing etc. Just so I am not pestering.

But to be blamed for lack of support, no I don't think so, and for another breeder to condone her behaviour, that does not sit well with me. Shouldn't all breeders be pushing for resposible dog ownersip? Why tell her its ok to slack of and expect the dog to be a perfect citizen? It is the owners responsibiliy to put in the time and effort to train the dog right. I am here if neded. Now my ex-puppy owner is looking for another dog.....*sigh*....I guess some people cannot be helped. Grrrrrr!

[LizT]

Yes thankyou for your input Liz, I was and am still annoyed...

A friend has suggested rather than asking if there is a problem maybe I can email every so often a "helpful hints" sheet that is related to a particular common puppy problem ie. barking or chewing etc. Just so I am not pestering.

But to be blamed for lack of support, no I don't think so, and for another breeder to condone her behaviour, that does not sit well with me. Shouldn't all breeders be pushing for resposible dog ownersip? Why tell her its ok to slack of and expect the dog to be a perfect citizen? It is the owners responsibiliy to put in the time and effort to train the dog right. I am here if neded. Now my ex-puppy owner is looking for another dog.....*sigh*....I guess some people cannot be helped. Grrrrrr!

Sometimes despite the best screening done by breeders some buyers and breeds turn out to be less than compatable, although it is a worry when people "give up" on a dog only to go out and get another puppy immediately. It is a slightly different situation when they get an older dog, sometimes they don't work out and this is why they then go back to "Rescue" or the breeders. But a puppy is a clean slate and a lifetime responsibility. In my opinion ONLY when circumstances are that you have no alternative do you consider rehomeing, and then those circumstances usually don't permit the aquisation of a new puppy either. I too would be annoyed about this situation at it stands here.

Your friends suggestion is an interesting one but I (personally) would then worry about being a "know it all" or making assumptions about the new owners experience, it gets hard doesn't it.

[espinay2]

I like the idea of sending out 'hints' sheets. Was thinking about something along those lines - such as tending out 'terrible teens' info at appropriate ages etc. Or maybe something like a newsletter. I guess you have to give them the option of 'unsubscribing' if sending out a newsletter, and dont send it out too often, but most would probably have no issue with it.

[alpha bet]

It is great to keep in touch with your new puppy families, however it is important not to push yourself on the family but just remind them that you are there if they need you. I always send an email out when pups have been home after about 5-6 days, then again at about 5 months.

However one thing I find very effective for long term is (have done for the last 5 years) is send the DOG a Xmas Card - at the end of November - this is usually received with amusement and affection and often a follow up card comes back with an update photo of the grownup dog. This is a great friendly way to remind them that I am here if they want but also the chance for them to notify me of any change of address or phone numbers etc, even on one occassion the card comes back unknown at this address and I followed up on the mobile and got a new address.

Last year we started a new thing and was so much fun that we repeated so now we have - An Annual Picnic - 40+ humans - 17 and 19 dogs (approx 60% turnout) for both years with the oldest pups now being over 5 years old and my original foundation bitch could play and swim in the dam with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Huge advantage for me as a breeder to see different dogs as they grow, we take class photos of each litter and a group photo - This year we even had two families visit who are getting pups from the next litter - so they already feel very much part of the family.

The first example is an easy exercise for any breeder - even if you end up sending out 30-50 cards (cost of perhaps $25 for postage and everyone knows how to find cheap xmas cards)

The second example may be a bit harder (I live on a small farm) but it is always possible to consider a park or a dog beach...... perhaps even arrange a group walk around a local lake ending with a bbq in the park. A great way to promote your breed as you walk with 20 or so matching dogs you draw a lot of attention.

Remember its the thought that counts........

Edited April 30, 2013 by alpha bet

[mini girl]

It is great to keep in touch with your new puppy families, however it is important not to push yourself on the family but just remind them that you are there if they need you. I always send an email out when pups have been home after about 5-6 days, then again at about 5 months.

However one thing I find very effective for long term is (have done for the last 5 years) is send the DOG a Xmas Card - at the end of November - this is usually received with amusement and affection and often a follow up card comes back with an update photo of the grownup dog. This is a great friendly way to remind them that I am here if they want but also the chance for them to notify me of any change of address or phone numbers etc, even on one occassion the card comes back unknown at this address and I followed up on the mobile and got a new address.

Last year we started a new thing and was so much fun that we repeated so now we have - An Annual Picnic - 40+ humans - 17 and 19 dogs (approx 60% turnout) for both years with the oldest pups now being over 5 years old and my original foundation bitch could play and swim in the dam with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Huge advantage for me as a breeder to see different dogs as they grow, we take class photos of each litter and a group photo - This year we even had two families visit who are getting pups from the next litter - so they already feel very much part of the family.

The first example is an easy exercise for any breeder - even if you end up sending out 30-50 cards (cost of perhaps $25 for postage and everyone knows how to find cheap xmas cards)

The second example may be a bit harder (I live on a small farm) but it is always possible to consider a park or a dog beach...... perhaps even arrange a group walk around a local lake ending with a bbq in the park. A great way to promote your breed as you walk with 20 or so matching dogs you draw a lot of attention.

Remember its the thought that counts........

Love the photo of all your pups together - its so good when they go locally - not always the case though.

We do the Christmas card each year (via email) to sooo many and usually get quite a nice response back - but having said that there are some owners who send a photo often and keep in touch while others drift off and you may occasionally hear back or not at all. We do our own photo of all our dogs together posing with a Christmas tree etc. - we spent over 6 hours doing it - by the time we bathed them all and groomed them up to look as good as possible - but we do enjoy doing it.

As for the original enquiry - yes its very upsetting when something like this happens and we all do our best to find the best possible homes but what can we do once the pup is placed with the owner - I always tell my puppy owners to be to do their homework and research as much as possible but so many of my buyers have had a poodle before or have one so that seems to help matters but I also tell them its usually a 16 year commitment and at the very least a challenge till the puppy grows up a bit - send the pup off with lots of printed information etc. I send emails on the happenings with my own dogs and enquire - but as already said by others you can't be in their face if they choose not to bother with you once a pup is with them. You did all you could and try not to take it personally - its a pity that some breeders seem very ready to put down another breeder if the chance is given - this is not a good thing to do unless you have all the facts and are totally sure - but isn't it the way with some people not only in the dog world - they feel they can boost their self by putting someone else down.

Lets all just hope this poor little fellow only still a puppy really at a year does get to be with people who will bring out the best in him. He sounds like he will be better off away from his present owner.