Would you pay for him?

[shannonroselive]

So, my son has got us looking for a Yorkie and we went to visit one today. He was cute but I don't think he was really worth any money so I thought I'd see what you all thought.

He is 1 1/2 yrs old and doesn't have any papers. He either doesn't know his name or doesn't care. He's not really potty trained, but the owner says he is "not marking as much since she had him fixed 2 months ago." He doesn't know any commands such as "sit" or "come". He's only 4 lbs but long legged. Oh, he also has fleas.

The training is something I'm willing to work on with him but I realize it will be difficult with him not being a "puppy" anymore. BUT, the asking price to rehome him is $500 obo which I think is WAY too much. I would be willing to pay a small rehoming fee, maybe $75? but I think with all the work he's going to take, the owner should be happy just to find him a good home.

So, what do y'all think a dog like this is worth and how would I say it to the owner so as not to offend her? She is a 20 something who works too much to care for him...or that's the story anyway.

Jack, of course, just loved him. He was a funny little thing. His birthday party is Sunday so I was hoping to get him as a gift if I could.

[CouversMom]

It sounds like she is trying to get as much cash out of him as possible...

I definitely think that $500 is way too much for a flea infested pup who really has no training. I would think that $75-100 would be a fair rehoming fee, but you may not be able to suggest this without offending her...

I guess if you explain your home and how it will be good for him, and she is unable to accept your offer, she is probably just in it for the money

[shannonroselive]

Thanks for your input, I agree completely!

Oh, he also has a full tail, which I think is cute but of course it isn't what a the "standard" calls for.

[capt_noonie]

Ok, this is just my opinion, but she is not a responsible owner, so why are you worried about offending her. She wants what the highest bidder will offer, but this dog, as is, is not worth $500. Once you get him and rehab and nurture him back to 100% then he will be priceless, but as is? no. She should just be rehoming him for no fee or $100 or less.

Keep in mind, no training, doesn't know his name, undocked tail, not potty trained. The only thing that's a plus is that he's already neutered.

Sorry to sound harsh, but it's hard to hear what this pup has been (or not been) through.

[jazzybee445]

Hey from another post ive been following perhaps this dog is like a kidnapped dog and the girl who has him is trying to make money off him... or maybe she found him somewhere and is trying to sale him.... because how could a dog that has been staying with someone for about a year or so NOT know its own name?? and how come she hasnt taken better care of him? and how come she wants so much for him, especially since it doenst seem like she cared much for him anyways?? i would NOT pay $500 just because i dont think the owner deserves that much money for NOT taking care of a dog, and if he was stolen or lost and she is trying to make a profit she doesnt deserve to make a profit offf of a dog that isnt hers... But this is all just my opinion.... However to answer the question i think its too much to be given to someone whom to me sounds irresponsible... but also i dont want to judge the girl... so maybe i'll stop now lol

[Mary4]

I feel so bad for the dog. But I don't know that I'd want to take a dog with fleas into my home. Don't fleas get into everything and aren't they hard to get rid of?

And I hope you take him to your vet right away. Who knows what kind of health problems this dog has? And I think $500 is too much considering his condition. On the other hand, thinking of him staying where he is breaks my heart.

[red98vett]

awww - who lets their dogs have fleas with no treatment or is she treating them ? You'll need vaccination records - at least she got him neutered - so he probably is up to date on shots ?

I would offer a standard re-homing fee - he doesn't sound like he's in a home where anyone loves him - He may not know his name but that doesn't matter - what matters is how you feel and if you find yourself really wanting him - go get him !

[ourfirstyorkie]

Originally Posted by jazzybee445

Hey from another post ive been following perhaps this dog is like a kidnapped dog and the girl who has him is trying to make money off him... or maybe she found him somewhere and is trying to sale him.... because how could a dog that has been staying with someone for about a year or so NOT know its own name?? and how come she hasnt taken better care of him? and how come she wants so much for him, especially since it doenst seem like she cared much for him anyways?? i would NOT pay $500 just because i dont think the owner deserves that much money for NOT taking care of a dog, and if he was stolen or lost and she is trying to make a profit she doesnt deserve to make a profit offf of a dog that isnt hers... But this is all just my opinion.... However to answer the question i think its too much to be given to someone whom to me sounds irresponsible... but also i dont want to judge the girl... so maybe i'll stop now lol

My first thought was that the girl either stole him or found him and is looking for $$$.
Good luck.

[francis53]

Just tell her what you have said here, he's not worth $500 and offer her what you suggested, $75 or so. It seems unlikely that anyone will pay what she wants and it sounds like this little guy needs a good home, she might just take you up on it. Good luck!

[DamSweet]

Originally Posted by jazzybee445

Hey from another post ive been following perhaps this dog is like a kidnapped dog and the girl who has him is trying to make money off him... or maybe she found him somewhere and is trying to sale him.... because how could a dog that has been staying with someone for about a year or so NOT know its own name?? and how come she hasnt taken better care of him? and how come she wants so much for him, especially since it doenst seem like she cared much for him anyways?? i would NOT pay $500 just because i dont think the owner deserves that much money for NOT taking care of a dog, and if he was stolen or lost and she is trying to make a profit she doesnt deserve to make a profit offf of a dog that isnt hers... But this is all just my opinion.... However to answer the question i think its too much to be given to someone whom to me sounds irresponsible... but also i dont want to judge the girl... so maybe i'll stop now lol

OMG Jazzybee - those were my thoughts exactly - the first thing I did was to look to see where the OP was from! He may not know his name because its NOT his name!!!

[red98vett]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions - she posted he was neutered over 2 months ago - someone who stole a dog wouldn't do that - I believe people who steal pets probably sell them as quickly as they can since it's all about the money so they probably would never invest in any kind of medical care - such as neutering

Hope he finds a home if not with you OP then with someone who really wants a yorkie.

[shannonroselive]

Wow, all of these thoughts had crossed my mind except the very real possibility that the reason he doesn't know his name, is because it's NOT his name. Ack!
For the past hour, I've been looking at pictures of lost or stolen dogs and I don't find one that fits his description yet.
Oh decisions, decisions!

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the input!

[megansmomma]

Here is my perspective~this type of thing happens all the time with rehomes. People take in pets and then do not realize how much work they really require. She is young, works a lot and hasn't put the time into training him properly. The reason that she is giving you that he is not fully house trained is the #1 reason for getting rid of pets. It sounds like she is trying to get back some of the money that she put into his care and vetting. She had him neutered because either someone told her that this would stop his marking or it was suggested by her vet. So she tallied up all of the money that she had spent thinking this is what she wants back for him. She has probably read or been told that she needs to charge a rehoming fee for him and this is why she is asking $500 OBO. This happens ALL THE TIME even on YT. Go take a look at the For Sale Forum and there is someone who thinks they can resell a 4 yr old for $1,000. It's never going to happen. It doesn't matter how much you paid originally someone will NEVER be willing to pay anywhere near that amount of money.

So that being said, I do not believe he is stolen. But she is being unrealistic in the amount of money she wants for a rehoming fee. Personally, saying that he is not "standard" because he has a tail means nothing to me and the price you are willing to pay. Whenever a dog (any dog) is out of puppyhood their value decreases and that is why there are so many in shelters. What should matter more then anything is are YOU willing to do what it takes to train him? If the answer is yes then you need to move on to the next question about his price. In the Rescue and Rehome Forum the highest price that you can ask is $300 for rehoming. IMO I would only pay that amount for a rescue and not from a private seller from an adult Yorkie EVER.

I have been asked about this type of thing many times on YT from members that have been faced with this exact same thing so it is not unusual at all. My suggestion would be to ask for all him records from his vet. Don't expect them since most time even in rescue we do not get vet papers. Offer her somewhere around $100 and expect a counter offer but personally I would not go much higher. Explain to her that in order to bring him home he will need to go to the vet to be treated for fleas for XXX amount of money and that you would be willing to give him a good home. She might take it but if not you need to be willing to just walk away. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

*I guarantee there is no stolen dog conspiracy

[shannonroselive]

Thanks, Megansmomma. All valid points indeed. I agree that the potty/marking prob is a big one for people getting rid of the dogs and she did mention it a few times also saying she had hoped the neuter would help. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions but the name thing really bothered me and I couldn't figure out why. How could he not even blink when he hears his name over and over? I just want to be sure so I appreciate all of the input.

I'm still looking at all of the stolen/lost dog ads because I don't want to take this one and find out we have to give him back to anyone. I just found a dog on the rescue page who is listed as stolen and he looks amazingly like this lil guy we just saw. I have an email and phone call in to the owners to see if it could be him. The ad didn't mention a full tail and I would think that would be something to mention because it's not very common. Anyway, I'm waiting to hear back from the lost dog's owner and then if it's not him, I will call and see if she'd take the $75-$100 rehoming fee. As I mentioned, I would be happy to train this dog and get his fleas gone but only if she's just looking for a happy home for him, not the money.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by shannonroselive

Thanks, Megansmomma. All valid points indeed. I agree that the potty/marking prob is a big one for people getting rid of the dogs and she did mention it a few times also saying she had hoped the neuter would help. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions but the name thing really bothered me and I couldn't figure out why. How could he not even blink when he hears his name over and over? I just want to be sure so I appreciate all of the input.

I'm still looking at all of the stolen/lost dog ads because I don't want to take this one and find out we have to give him back to anyone. I just found a dog on the rescue page who is listed as stolen and he looks amazingly like this lil guy we just saw. I have an email and phone call in to the owners to see if it could be him. The ad didn't mention a full tail and I would think that would be something to mention because it's not very common. Anyway, I'm waiting to hear back from the lost dog's owner and then if it's not him, I will call and see if she'd take the $75-$100 rehoming fee. As I mentioned, I would be happy to train this dog and get his fleas gone but only if she's just looking for a happy home for him, not the money.

When you have lost a dog it is advised not to give away all the details in your ad ie my dog has a full tail. So when you do hear back from this owner it would be my very first question "what is unique about your lost Yorkie" and the answer should be full tail then you will know one way or the other.

Also if you do end up getting him make sure that you as if he is chipped. If he is you need to have the chipped changed to your name and recorded in his vet record so that he is registered to you. Just in case I would also make a bill of sale for his purchase.