Quote:
Originally Posted by magicgenie  For the most part people coming here for puppies are highly educated professionals with a long history as pet owners. They often talk very lovingly about a dog they just lost to old age. We establish common ground for a conversation and decide about a puppy based on a feeling of mutual trust. If I felt the need to phone someone's vet I would not even consider letting them have my puppy. I always do ask them to tell me about their past experience with pets, and you'd be surprised how often people will tell about how bad they felt last year when they had to give their Cocker Spaniel to rescue because it was untrainable. No, they don't get my puppy after that. |
I have recently had the pleasure of speaking to several people about my little boy. This has been an eye opening experience to say the least. For breeders, I can imagine it is the most stressful part of breeding.
I have to say most the inquiries I've had say they just lost their pet Yorkie. I am starting to get the feeling this is what they think I want to hear, as if it will make me feel compassion and I'll just hand over my pup. I am learning more every day that asking for a vet reference as well as filling out an application is very important.
It is amazing how people can come into your home and paint a beautiful picture of being a wonderful pet owner only to call and find out they have owned 5 dogs in 6 months. People can drive the best car, wear the nicest clothes and have the best professions and still be abusive parents. So how can one judge a future pet owner by a simple conversation with a person and establish mutual trust?